Itinerary Ideas: Nakhon Si Thammarat, Khanom, Khao Sok

Nakhon Si Thammarat is a name that won’t be familiar to most tourists travelling to Thailand. With the better-known destinations of Ko Samui to the north and Krabi and Phuket to the west, most overseas travellers don’t give Nakhon Si (as locals call it) a second thought. But for anyone seeking empty beaches, historic sites and charming culture, Nakhon Si ticks all the right boxes. The location is also convenient for Khao Sok National Park.

This itinerary is ideal for repeat visitors to Thailand who want to explore another side of Southern Thailand. Combining these locations will allow a well-rounded itinerary. Soak up some culture and history, relax on a beach holiday, and stay at one of the most spectacular National Parks in Thailand. For a 2-week itinerary, we suggest something like this:

• 3 days Nakhon Si Thammarat
• 7/8 days Khanom
• 3 days Khao Sok

Nakhon Si Thammarat

Few foreign visitors venture to the historic city of Nakhon Si Thammarat, but those who do can expect a warm welcome as they explore the town. Known locally as Nakhon Si, this city has been one of Southern Thailand’s most significant urban centres. Although historians debate its exact founding date, it is believed to be over 1,500 years old and was previously known as Tambralinga and Ligor. Throughout the centuries, Nakhon Si Thammarat served as a crucial maritime hub attracting traders from the British, Portuguese, and Dutch empires, as well as from China, India, and Sri Lanka.

Culture enthusiasts will enjoy the quiet charm of Nakhon Si Thammarat. Start at the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) office and pick up a handy map in English detailing suggested walking routes through the city’s main attractions. Discover the remnants of the old city walls and stroll along Tha Chang Road (near the TAT office) to shop for handicrafts, souvenirs, and local nielloware jewellery.

The highlight of Nakhon Si Thammarat is the magnificent Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahavihan. The historic temple features an imposing 77-metre-high chedi surrounded by 149 smaller ones. Twice a year, this temple becomes the focal point of the vibrant Hae Phra Khuen That procession. On Makha Bucha Day and Visakha Bucha Day, Buddhists pay homage by wrapping cloth around the temple’s main chedi.

Nakhon Si Thammarat is renowned as the home of traditional shadow puppet performances known as ‘nang talung‘. The best place to appreciate this ancient art form is at the Ban Nang Talung Shadow Puppet Museum, located on the grounds of the National Artist Suchart Subsin’s home.

Journey into the countryside to visit Baan Khiri Wong, a stellar example of community-based tourism that preserves local traditions. Located near the tallest mountain in southern Thailand, Khao Luang, Baan Khiri Wong offers a wonderful opportunity to immerse yourself in local culture while enjoying stunning mountain scenery.

8 of the best things to see and do in Nakhon Si Thammarat

Khanom

Located in the northern half of Nakhon Si Thammarat province, Khanom is geographically close to Ko Samui but vastly different in development and tourist traffic. This lack of development appeals to repeat visitors to Thailand who prefer Khanom’s laid-back atmosphere and long, sandy beaches over Thailand’s more popular destinations.

The area known as Khanom covers a long stretch of coastline offering a variety of beaches and bays, all maintaining a low-key vibe. Enjoy the sea air with a long stroll along the empty beach or relax with a good book. Most of Khanom’s beachfront is undeveloped and with only a few resorts and restaurants it’s an ideal location to unwind. Although you won’t find the same range and choice of accommodation in Khanom as you will in nearby Ko Samui, there is still a good selection of beach-front bungalows and hotels such as Aava Resort, Margarita Beach, and Racha Kiri Resort & Spa.

The Khanom area is renowned for its pink dolphins, a rare albino breed with a vibrant pink hue that are often seen in the waters here. Boat trips to nearby islands and dolphin spotting can be arranged through Khanom Tour, though sightings depend on weather, sea conditions, and luck.

Public transport in Khanom is limited. This adds to its secluded feel, but to explore the entire coastline consider hiring transport. Khanom’s food scene is modest and visitors who don’t have their own transport tend to dine at their hotels or nearby beachside restaurants.

Khao Sok

Travel inland from Nakhon Si Thammarat to neighbouring Surat Thani province to discover the wonders of Khao Sok National Park. Only a 90-minute drive from Khanom, Khao Sok National Park boasts one of Thailand’s most striking landscapes with vertiginous limestone mountains, lush forests, and expansive waterways.

The protected status of this area ensures a diverse range of wildlife, including wild elephants, bears, marbled cats, dusky langurs, and hornbills. Take a longtail boat ride on Cheow Larn Lake to admire the scenery, go bamboo rafting on the Sok River, and hike through some of the oldest evergreen forests on the planet.

Khao Sok is home to some amazing accommodation options. Immerse yourself in nature with a stay at the 500Rai Floating Resort on Cheow Larn Lake or the eco-friendly Anurak Community Lodge with lovely views of the lush Khao Sok countryside.

For an equally memorable experience, check out the award-winning Elephant Hills with a choice of two locations in Khao Sok: The Elephant Camp or the Floating Rainforest Camp. Whichever option you choose, you will stay in tailor-made luxury tents. Elephant Hills provides a safe space for rescued elephants and guests have the opportunity to learn more about these amazing animals and interact with them in an ethical way.

If you enjoy cycling, this is a fabulous way to explore the area. Trips that use a local guide can be arranged at most hotels and guest-houses in the Khao Sok area. If you take your cycling more seriously, check out the coast-to-coast trip from Spice Roads. The journey starts at Nakhon Si Thammarat before pedalling to Khao Sok and onwards to the Andaman Coast.

Good to know

Whatever time of the year you visit Nakhon Si Thammarat and Khanom, it’s likely to be quiet. January to March usually sees extended spells of warm and sunny weather. April and May are normally the hottest months. The seasonal south-west monsoon blows in from around late June/mid-July through to October. You can expect to see some tropical showers during this time interspersed with good weather. On average, the wettest month is November but the first half of December can also see unsettled weather.

Khao Sok has its own tropical microclimate so be prepared for the potential of a shower at any time of the year.

Travel

For this itinerary, we suggest starting in Nakhon Si Thammarat city. Low-cost carriers Air Asia, Nok Air, and Thai Lion Air operate services between Bangkok Don Mueang and Nakhon Si Thammarat Airport. Flight time is approximately 75 minutes and on arrival at Nakhon Si airport it’s a 20-minute drive to the city.

From Nakhon Si, make the journey north by car to the Khanom coastline. After spending a week chilling out in Khanom, travel inland to Khao Sok and spend at least two full days here to enjoy the serenity. From Khao Sok you can either continue your journey along the Andaman Coast to Khao Lak or travel across to Surat Thani Airport for flights back to Bangkok.

If you’d prefer to try this itinerary in a different order, transfers can be arranged from Surat Thani to Khanom or Khao Sok which are both around 90 minutes away. Starting in Surat Thani also gives you the option to travel on the overnight sleeper train from Bangkok.

Itinerary Ideas
This article is part of our Itinerary Ideas series. These particular itineraries are for anybody, but may appeal more to repeat visitors to Thailand looking to explore different destinations on their next trip or anyone seeking meaningful travel experiences. If you’re a first-time visitor to Thailand or looking for more ideas of where to go and what to do, check out these articles too:
2-week Thailand itinerary
3-week Thailand itinerary
4-week Thailand itinerary

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