Attraction Details :
The City Wall of Nakhon Si Thammarat
The City Wall of Nakhon Si Thammarat is the emblem of
the ancientness, fortitude, prosperity, and the long history of the
province. It is located along Khlong Na Muang Canal, Moom Pom Road,
Amphoe Muang, Nakhon Si Thammarat. According to the legend of Nakhon Si
Thammarat, the city wall was built during the reign of Phra Chao
Sithamma Sokarat when founding the city on Had Saai Kaew. He constructed
the rampart surrounded by a ditch. It is assumed that the wall and many
parts of the city have been renovated several times. Still, the old
line of the city wall was well-preserved.
In King Narai Maharat’s era, French engineers and
architects visited Thailand. Therefore, Thai city wall during that time
was built in Chateau style, including the City Wall of Nakhon Si
Thammarat nowadays. Subsequently, during the reign of King Rama II,
which Phraya Nakhon Si Thammarat (Pat) ruled the city, the wall was
given a renovation again.
When Chao Phraya Yommarat (Pan Sukhoom) was appointed
as Phraya Sukhoom Vinai (Samuha Tesa Piban) or the regent of Nakhon Si
Thammarat. He pulled down the dilapidated wall (the sema stones still
clearly seen though), and used those bricks to build roads along the
inner city wall.
The Fine Arts Department of Thailand has renovated some
parts of the northern wall. The sema stones and the old fort line still
remain, and are easily seen. However, other parts of the wall had
tumbled down, only the brick ruins are left. The City Wall of Nakhon Si
Thammarat is the emblem of the ancientness, fortitude, prosperity, and
the long history of the province.
The City Wall of Nakhon Si Thammarat has the shape of a rectangle, with the territory details as the followings;
1.The North: 11 sen and 10 wa wide. (sen: unit of
length equals 40 meters/ wa: equals 2 meters) Nowadays, the east side
of the fort line is attached to Wat Moom Pom, and the west is adjoining
to Nakhon Si Thammarat Prison. There is a canal at the front as the
ditch.
2.The South: 11 sen and 10 wa wide. Nowadays, the
east side of the fort line is attached to Sopon Wittaya School, and
Technic Sopon Panit Chayakarn School. The west side is next to the pier,
with Khlong Pa Lao as the ditch.
3.The East: 55 sen and 5 wa long. Presently, the
north side of the fort line is attached to Wat Moom Pom. The south side
of the fort line is attached to Sopon Wittaya School, and Technic Sopon
Panit Chayakarn School. The ditch on this side is quite shallow, so
populations settle here.
4.The West: 55 sen and 5 wa long. Presently, the
north side of the fort line is adjoining to Nakhon Si Thammarat Prison.
The south is attached to the pier, from which a canal runs along the
city wall. The canal turns it stream at the right corner of the prison,
acting as a city ditch.
The City Wall of Nakhon Si Thammarat in the east side
is still well-preserved, and remains almost in the original condition.
There are two ways to enter the City Wall area as the followings;
1.From the Hua Tanon 4-way intersection, drive onto
Ratchadamnoen Road until you reach Nakhon Si Thammarat Prison. Then,
turn right onto Moom Pom Road, and enter the City Wall area.
2.From Nakhon Si Thammarat Railway Station, drive
straight to Ta Wang 4-way intersection. Turn right onto Ratchadamnoen
Road. Pass Talad Kaek junction, Sanam Na Muang, and cross Nakhon Noi
Bridge. Then, turn left onto Moom Pom Road. You will finally enter the
City Wall area.
