A visit to Phra Pathom Chedi is an absolute must when in Nakhon Pathom. At 127 meters tall, it is the largest stupa in the world. Its history is equally impressive. The chedi was built on the site where Buddhism was introduced to Thailand two thousand years ago. The original structure is mentioned in Buddhist scriptures from 675, but archaeologists believe a building stood there as early as the 4th century. In the 11th century, a prang was built here, similar to those at Angkor Wat. The temple was abandoned and gradually overgrown by the jungle. It wasn't until the 19th century that King Mongkut visited the temple ruins and commissioned the construction of a massive chedi, which was completed in 1870. Phra Pathom Chedi is one of Thailand's most important temples. It is one of the six Ratcha Wora Maha Wihan and houses the ashes of King Rama VI. The chedi, covered in ceramic tiles, stands in the middle of a large central square where a night market with a huge food court takes place every evening, offering inexpensive meals. Two small staircases in the temple wall lead to a cave with small rooms housing Buddha statues and altars. The temple is illuminated every night.

Entrance fee: 60 THB. Access to the courtyard where the chedi stands is possible from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM. There is also a museum, open from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM (entrance fee: 100 THB).

Buses from Bangkok that stop in Nakhon Pathom usually drop off their passengers at an intersection a few dozen meters from the entrance to the Phra Pathom Chedi.

Phra Pathom Chedi is a temple, and when visiting a temple in Thailand there are some rules to follow: appropriate clothing (knees and shoulders should be covered), take off your shoes when entering the building, be quiet, do not hug or kiss, do not point your feet at the Buddha statue, do not smoke.

How to get there

How do you get to Phra Pathom Chedi? Buses from Bangkok that stop in Nakhon Pathom usually drop you off at an intersection a few dozen meters from the entrance to Phra Pathom Chedi.