Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan

is located on Ratchadamnoen Road in Tambon Nai Mueang. This is a royal temple of the first class. Formerly named Wat Phra Borom That, this temple is one of the most important historical sites in Thailand. According to the legend of Phra Borom That Nakhon Si Thammarat, Prince Thanakuman and Queen Hem Chala took Buddha relics to Hat Sai Kaeo and built a small pagoda to mark the location. Afterwards, King Si-Thamma Sokarat established the city of Nakhon Si Thammarat and built a new pagoda on it. The present pagoda has a distinctive Sri Lankan style. It is 55.78 metres high (measured by the Fine Arts Department during the renovation of the golden top in 1995). The height from the lotus base to the golden top is 6.80 metres. The top is entirely covered by pure gold. Inside the temple are many edifices especially the royal building which has beautiful architecture from the Ayutthaya period and the Sam Chom building where Phra Si Thamma Sokarat, the Buddha image attired in royal clothes, is housed. There are also the Phra Maha Phinetkrom (the equestrian image) building and the Thap Kaset building. In addition, the Khian and Pho Lanka buildings are used to display artifacts donated to the temple by Buddhists. No entry fee is required. Open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.