Nakhon Pathom: Phra Pathom Chedi and the Wat Samphran dragon temple

Updated on October 5, 2026

Nakhon Pathom, about fifty kilometres west of Bangkok, is said to be the oldest town in Thailand. It is home to Phra Pathom Chedi, which tradition presents as the tallest stupa in the world at about 120 metres, and, some thirty kilometres away, Wat Samphran, the "dragon temple", a pink cylindrical tower wrapped in a green dragon. Together they make a half-day to full-day trip from Bangkok, by train for the first and by bus or taxi for the second. Phra Pathom Chedi is an active place of worship: modest dress is required, as in the capital's major temples.

Highlights

Phra Pathom Chedi

The present stupa dates from the 19th century: from the 1850s King Rama IV had a much older monument covered over, which tradition links to the arrival of Buddhism in the region. The great dome, covered in orange glazed tiles, rises above a terrace ringed by galleries, with Buddha chapels and a small museum. Walk round the monument along the outer gallery; worshippers come to make offerings and buy garlands from the shops at the entrance.

Wat Samphran, the dragon temple

This pink cylindrical tower, about 80 metres high, is circled by a large green dragon whose head overlooks the entrance; the inside is made up of several floors of statues and rooms. The temple is above all a curiosity to photograph and unlike any other shrine in the area. A donation is requested at the entrance; the amount varies according to travellers' reports.

The market and food stalls around the chedi

The streets near the station and the temple have stalls selling noodles, fruit, desserts and offerings. For lunch, it is a chance to taste local food without going through an organised tour.

Combining the two sites

From Phra Pathom Chedi to Wat Samphran you need a bus or taxi: it cannot be done on foot. If you are short of time, choose the chedi (reachable by train) and keep the dragon for a taxi or a tour.

Infos pratiques

Tips

Phra Pathom Chedi requires covered shoulders and knees; sarongs may be lent or rented at the entrance depending on demand. The foreigner entrance fee and the museum fee varied between the sources consulted (in the order of a few dozen baht): check at the ticket office. At Wat Samphran, allow time to climb inside the tower; the staircase is narrow and poorly ventilated, so avoid the hot hours. Hours and fees were not confirmed on an official site at the time of writing, October 2026.

How to get there

Phra Pathom Chedi, central Nakhon Pathom, about 55 km west of Bangkok. The simplest way is by train: Nakhon Pathom station is a few minutes' walk from the chedi (the dome can be seen from the station), and ordinary trains from Thonburi station, in fan-cooled third class, take about 1h30 for a few baht; there are also faster trains from Krung Thep Aphiwat central station, quicker but with a pricier ticket. Check times and fares with the SRT (tel. 1690). Minivans leave from the Southern bus terminal (Sai Tai Mai) and reach the town in about an hour. For Wat Samphran, in Sam Phran, take air-conditioned bus no. 84 from Lak Song MRT or Bang Wa BTS station, or a taxi from Nakhon Pathom. Our article on day trips by train from Bangkok gives the timetables.