Nakhon Si Thammarat, the
second largest city of the greatest history and background above
any other town in the region due to its status as a first grade
city controlling various subjected cities and towns, a place that
houses Lord Buddha's relics which is a most important statutory
place of the South, being the center of Buddhism during Sivichaya period, is located some 861 kms. by railroad and 780 kms. by
highway from Bangkok. It occupies an area of 9,942.5 square
kilometres having high plateau with mountains and jungles in the
west then sloping down towards the east and becoming basin along
the coastline of the Gulf of Thailand. It borders on Surat Thani to
the north; Trang, Phattalung and Songkhla to the south; the Gulf
of Thailand to the east; and Krabi to the west.
It is administratively
divided into 18 Amphoes and 2 King Amphoes : Muang, Chawang, Chian
Yai, Hua Sai, Khanom, Lan Saka, Pak Phanang, Phipun, Ron Phibun,
Sichon, Tha Sala, Thung Song, Thung Yai, Na Bon, Phrommakhiri,
Bang Khan, Chulaphon, King Amphoe Tham Phannara and King Amphoe
Phra Phrom. There are four important rivers: Tapi, Pak Phanang,
Pak Phun and Nakhon Si Thammarat.
