Home Destinations Nakhon Si Thammarat 🧭 Plan Your Trip 🔎 Search About
Home › Thailand › Nakhon Si Thammarat › Nakhon Si Thammarat in One Day Temple, Old Town and Southern Curry — or Ai Khai in a Day
🗓️ Nakhon Day Plan

Nakhon Si Thammarat in One Day
Temple, Old Town and Southern Curry — or Ai Khai in a Day

What can you actually do in a single day in Nakhon? More than you'd think — but the sights here are spread far apart, and if you try to cram everything into one day you'll just end up tired and rushed without doing any of it justice. So we've split it into two routes by style. The first stays in town: pay respects at the shadowless stupa, wander the old quarter, and eat bold southern curry rice — all within walking distance, no long drives. The second is the faith run: head north early to the Ai Khai shrine in Sichon, then finish with the coast and seafood by the beach. Pick the route that fits, and one day is plenty to feel satisfied.

🛕 Shadowless Stupa🍛 Southern Curry Rice🙏 Ai Khai in a Day
Nakhon Si Thammarat in One Day Temple, Old Town and Southern Curry — or Ai Khai in a Day

🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026

Nakhon is bigger than most people picture. The town itself has Wat Phra Mahathat and the old quarter, both easy to explore on foot, while the famous spots like Wat Chedi (the Ai Khai shrine) sit up in Sichon district to the north, about 70 km from the city — roughly an hour and a half each way by car. The two zones are in opposite directions, so doing the in-town stupa and the Ai Khai shrine in Sichon comfortably in one day is genuinely hard. That's why we've drawn a clear line between the two routes — choose based on what you're in the mood for today.

Both routes are built around staying at a hotel in Nakhon town and getting an early start. The smoothest way to get around is to rent a car and drive yourself, or hire a car with a driver, because public transport between the city and Sichon is limited and you'll waste time waiting.

Route A — Temple Town, Old Quarter, Southern Curry Rice (all in town)

This route suits anyone who doesn't want a long drive and prefers an easy day. Every stop is in the town centre or close by, reachable by songthaew, motorbike taxi, or even on foot. You get a bit of merit-making at the shadowless stupa, a walk through the old quarter for photos, and the bold tray-style southern curry rice that Nakhon is known for.

Route A

Temple Town + Old Quarter + Southern Curry Rice

08:00
Start at Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan to pay respects at the gold-topped Phra Borommathat stupaThe temple opens around 08:30 but you can enter the courtyard earlier. Few people in the morning, lovely light, free entry. Inside there's the Viharn Phra Ma and a museum to walk through.
09:30
Stop at the Nakhon Si Thammarat City Pillar Shrine and make a wish about workIt's nearby — a quick drive or songthaew ride away. The red Srivijaya-style shrine photographs well, and entry is free.
10:30
Visit the Suchart Subsin Shadow Puppet House and watch the artisans carve real puppetsOn Si Thammasok Road, Soi 3, open around 08:30–17:00. There are antique shadow puppets on display and sometimes a live shadow-play performance. Small entry fee.
12:00
Lunch — tray-style southern curry rice, point and pick what you likeTry Khao Gaeng Pee Noi (Roi Mor) or Krua Pa Jong, Saphan Yao. Curry over rice runs 40–60 THB. Go before early afternoon while the dishes are still fully stocked. Free side veggies included.
13:30
Walk the old quarter along Tha Pho–Ratchadamnoen Roads to see the old buildings and coffee shopsAn easy stroll for photos, with local sweet shops and cafes to duck into out of the sun.
15:00
Stop by the old city wall–Pratu Chai Nuea, or sit down at a cafe in the old quarterThe remains of the old city wall make for nice photos. If it rains, pick a cafe to wait it out instead.
16:30
End the day with Nakhon-style khanom jeen or a local dessertKhanom jeen with southern curry and side veggies makes a light, fitting dinner before heading back to your hotel.

Straight talk on timing

Many of the popular curry rice shops close by 2 or 3 pm because they sell out. If you've got your heart set on a particular spot, don't push lunch past 1 pm. Wat Phra Mahathat is open roughly 08:30–16:30 — come early for a nicer atmosphere and no jostling for photo angles.

🎟️

Book the activities in your Nakhon Si Thammarat trip ahead

Booking online ahead on Klook or GetYourGuide is usually cheaper than the gate and skips the queue. Pick only the experiences you actually want — prices and availability are shown live on each site.

🎟️ Top tours in Nakhon Si ThammaratHighlights, guided Klook 🎟️ Nakhon Si Thammarat attractions & ticketsSkip-the-line entry tickets Klook 🚐 Day trips from Nakhon Si ThammaratOut and back in a day Klook 🌎 Nakhon Si Thammarat activities (GetYourGuide)Global tour marketplace GetYourGuide
🎟️ See all Nakhon Si Thammarat tours & activities (Klook)

Route B — Ai Khai in a Day, Sichon Shrine Then the Coast (out of town)

If your main goal is the Ai Khai shrine, famous across the whole country, this is the route. The key is to leave early, because it's about 70 km from Nakhon town to Wat Chedi (the Ai Khai shrine) in Sichon — roughly an hour and a half by car, and on holidays you'll need extra time for traffic outside the temple. Arrive in the morning and you get both fewer crowds and cooler weather. After paying respects, carry on to the beach at Sichon or Khanom, then finish with seafood by the shore.

Route B

Ai Khai Sichon + Beach + Seafood

07:00
Leave Nakhon town heading for Sichon districtAbout 70 km. Drive yourself or hire a car. Allow time to stop for coffee and breakfast on the way.
08:30
Arrive at Wat Chedi (Ai Khai) to pray for luck and good businessThe temple is open around 08:00–18:00, free entry. Popular offerings to repay a wish are firecrackers, red soda, soldier and police outfits, and plaster roosters — you can buy all of it at the temple, no need to lug anything along.
10:30
Browse the offering stalls around the temple and pick up faith-themed souvenirsThe temple grounds buzz like a fair, with snacks, amulets and souvenirs to choose from.
11:30
Leave the temple for Sichon Beach / Hin Ngam Beach to swim and relaxThe beach isn't far from the temple. The waves are gentle, fine for kids to wade in, and there are spots to sit and chill by the shore.
12:30
Lunch — seafood by Sichon BeachFried mullet, yellow curry with young coconut shoots, fresh sea prawns. Prices vary with the catch. This meal is all about fresh seafood.
14:30
Drive north on to Khanom, or head back to townIf you've still got energy, Khanom has Nai Phlao Beach and Ao Thong Yi to stop at. If you're tired, take it easy and drift back to town.
16:30
Arrive back in Nakhon town to rest, or stop for souvenirs before your hotelAllow for evening traffic. If you get back early, you can squeeze in a cafe or some Nakhon souvenirs.

Dolphin watching needs its own day

Lots of people ask whether they can pray at Ai Khai and then go on a pink dolphin boat tour at Khanom in the same day. Honestly, it's a real stretch — the dolphin boats have to set out early, which clashes exactly with temple hours. If you genuinely want to see the dolphins too, plan for 2 days: stay a night in Khanom and take the boat out the next morning.

Which route should you pick

  • Want an easy day with no long drive — go with Route A, all in town and walkable, ideal if you don't have a car or you're travelling with older folks.
  • Your goal is the Ai Khai shrine — go with Route B, but you really do have to leave early, and you'll want your own car or a hired one.
  • Travelling as a family with kids — Route A means less walking and easier breaks, while Route B gets you swimming, which kids love. Pick based on what your kids enjoy.
  • Rainy season, late in the year — October through December brings heavy rain in the south, making the coast and outdoor activities risky. During this window, the in-town Route A is the safer bet.

Things to know before a one-day trip to Nakhon

  • Getting there — Nakhon Si Thammarat has an airport with direct flights from Bangkok. In town there are songthaews and motorbike taxis, but the sights are spread far apart, so renting or hiring a car is the most convenient.
  • Temple hours — Wat Phra Mahathat is open roughly 08:30–16:30, and Wat Chedi (Ai Khai) roughly 08:00–18:00. Both temples are free to enter.
  • Budget per person per day — food runs about 200–400 THB, fuel or a hired car depends on the route, plus offerings and souvenirs to taste. All told, it's an easy trip on a modest budget.
  • What to wear — dress modestly for temples; avoid spaghetti straps and very short shorts. If you're heading to the beach, pack a change of clothes.

Want to do Nakhon properly, with more time? Check out the 2-day, 1-night plan or the full guide to the whole province.

See the Nakhon Si Thammarat travel guide →

FAQ

Can I visit both the stupa and the Ai Khai shrine in one day in Nakhon Si Thammarat?

You can, but it'll be tiring and very rushed, because Wat Phra Mahathat is in town while Wat Chedi (Ai Khai) is in Sichon, about 70 km away — an hour and a half each way by car. If you only have one day, we'd suggest picking one route and doing it properly. If you want to fit in both, plan for 2 days.

What time should I leave for an Ai Khai day trip from Nakhon town?

Leave around 7 am so you reach the Sichon temple in the morning, while it's not yet crowded and the weather is still cool. On long weekends you'll need even more buffer for traffic outside the temple. Leave late and you risk long queues and losing the whole day.

How much budget do I need for one day in Nakhon?

If you stay in town, food for the day runs about 200–400 THB, the temples are free, plus a few hundred for a songthaew or motorbike taxi. The Ai Khai route adds fuel or a hired car, plus offerings to repay your wish as you see fit. All in, it's still an easy trip on a modest budget.

Can I do a one-day trip to Nakhon without my own car?

Yes, if you choose the in-town route, because Wat Phra Mahathat, the City Pillar Shrine, the old quarter and the curry rice shops are all close together — songthaews and motorbike taxis work fine. For the Ai Khai route in Sichon, public transport is limited, so hiring a car with a driver is worth it to save time.

Where's a good place to eat southern curry rice in Nakhon on a one-day trip?

In town there are several tray-style curry rice shops to choose from, such as Khao Gaeng Pee Noi (Roi Mor) and Krua Pa Jong, Saphan Yao. Curry over rice is 40–60 THB a plate, with free side veggies. Go before early afternoon, as the popular spots sell out fast. It's a perfect lunch for the in-town route.

Related

🗺️ Nakhon Si Thammarat Travel Guide🏨 Top 10 Hotels in Nakhon Si Thammarat🍛 Nakhon Southern Curry Rice: 9 Top Shops

Copyright & Image Takedown Policy

Thailandaddict is created to review and share travel experiences. Where an image is sourced from elsewhere, we credit the source. If you are the copyright owner and prefer that your image not appear on this site, please contact us and we will gladly remove the image or correct the information.