Nakhon Si Thammarat - National Museum

Nakhon Si Thammarat's National Museum in the town's main road was opened in 1974 and is well worth visiting. It contains a large number of art objects both from the local area and from far afield in a variety of styles. Particular attention should be paid to three stone portraits in the Indian Pallava style (about 9th c.), depicting Vishnu with two adoring figures (a man and a woman). Neolithic finds (stone chains), eating and cooking implements from the third century, and the magnificent tympanum of the Wat Sa Riang, built in 1769, are further attractions.

A unique 5th c. Vishnu figure is the oldest such figure ever to be found in south-east Asia. Agricultural and domestic tools can be seen in the museum's upper floor. Coaches and litters stand in the inner courtyard, while a neighboring room displays particularly elaborately decorated sticks, used to fend off snakes.