Nakhon Pathom is a small province
located just 56 Kms. from Bangkok. The province
features an ancient religious structure
called “Phra Pathom Chedi”, the first religious
landmark that signified the influx of Buddhism
into Thailand. Nakhon Pathom is also renowned
for its abundant fruits varieties and famous
dishes.
Formerly situated by
the sea, the city prospered during the
Dvaravati civilisation. According to archaeological
findings, Nakhon Pathom was the first
city to possess influences of Buddhism
and Indian civilisations. From the Phra
Pathom Chedi and other remains discovered
in the city area, it is believed that
the city was a centre of civilisation
in that era. People of different races
settled in Nakhon Pathom. However, a change
in the course of the river caused a draught
that forced the people to migrate and
settle on the banks of river, and these
communities developed into towns. The
new town was called “Nakhon Chaisi” or
“Sirichai”, leaving Nakhon Pathom deserted
for hundreds of years until the reign
of King Rama IV. While His Majesty was
in monk hood, he travelled to Nakhon Pathom
and found the Phra Pathom Chedi that he
regarded to be the largest pagoda of all.
When King Rama IV ascended
to the throne, he commanded that a bell
shaped Chedi be built to cover the former
Chedi. The surrounding area was also renovated
and improved. He also commanded that a
water canal be dug to facilitate commuting,
which was called Chedi Bucha canal. During
the reign of King Rama V, the construction
of railways to the south began, at that
time Nakhon Pathom was still a heavily
forested area. King Rama V also commanded
that the town be relocated from Tambon
Thana, Amphoe Nakhon Chaisi, to the Phra
Pathom Chedi area as it used to be. Nakhon
Pathom has been there ever since.
During the reign of
King Rama VI, a palace was built at Tambon
Sanam Chan as a temporary residence on
his travels and many roads were constructed.
A large bridge was also built over the
Chedi Bucha canal, which His Majesty named
“Saphan Charoensattha”. Later, he commanded
that the name of Nakhon Chaisi
be changed to Nakhon Pathom, but
the name of the prefecture was still called
“Nakhon Chaisi” until the reign of King
Rama VII when the calling of the prefecture
was ended. Nakhon Chaisi is now one of
the districts in Nakhon Pathom.
Nakhon Pathom covers
an area of 2,168 square kilometres or
542,081.6 acres. It is divided into 7
administrative districts or Amphoe, they
are: Amphoe Muang Nakhon Pathom, Amphoe
Buddhamonthon, Amphoe Sam Phran, Amphoe
Nakhon Chaisi, Amphoe Bang Len, Amphoe
Kamphaeng Saen, and Amphoe Don Toom. Most
of the areas are plains with no mountainous
land, plateau are found in the west east
of Amphoe Muang and Amphoe Kamphaeng Saen.
The plains along the Tha Cheen River (Nakhon
Chaisi River) are the location of Amphoe
Nakhon Chaisi, Amphoe Sam Phran, and Amphoe
Bang Len. These fertile lands provide
agricultural area for people, thus most
of the residents earn their living from
agriculture; plantations, farming, growing
food crops, and fruit orchards. Especially
so of pomelo. Nakhon Pathom is well known
for pomelo, some call the Nakhon Pathom
the sweet pomelo town.
Distances from Amphoe
Muang to neighbouring Amphoe (districts)
:
Amphoe Nakhon Chaisi
14 Kms.
Amphoe Buddhamonthon 20 Kms.
Amphoe Sam Phran 21 Kms.
Amphoe Kamphaengsaen 26 Kms.
Amphoe Don Toom 31 Kms.
Amphoe Bang Len 46 Kms.
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