Nakhon Pathom, about 50 km west of Bangkok, is one of the oldest cities in Thailand, with habitations in the area possibly dating back as far as the 3rd century B. C. In modern times, though, the town is fairly typical of the country’s small provincial capitals, but there are one or two interesting nuggets tucked away that can make a day-trip worthwhile.

Monumental Attraction
By far, Nakhon Pathom’s biggest claim to fame is the Phra Pathom Chedi erected by Theravada Buddhists in the 6th century. It is the tallest Buddhist monument in the world (and the oldest in Thailand) standing a whopping 127 meters. The wat surrounding the chedi is one of only six top-ranked temples in the country and is the final resting-place of King Rama VI’s ashes.

A bit southeast of town stands the Phra Phutthamonthon, claimed to be the world’s tallest Buddha image at more than 40 meters. It is set in a large park containing other interesting bits and pieces such as miniature reproductions of Buddhist pilgrimage locations in India and Nepal.

Waxworks
Along the same route is the Thai Human Imagery Museum, the brainchild of several Thai artists who studied the monks and kings of Thailand before rendering them in three-dimensional wax sculptures. Kind of like a Thai Madam Tussaud’s but without the gore.