Nakhon Pathom

Nakhon Pathom (Thai: นครปฐม, pronounced [náʔkʰɔ̄ːn pā.tʰǒm]) is a city (thesaban nakhon) in central Thailand, the former capital of Nakhon Pathom Province. One of the most important landmarks is the giant Phra Pathom Chedi.[1] The city is also home to Thailand's only Bhikkhuni temple Wat Song Thammakanlayani (วัดทรงธรรมกัลยาณี), which is also open to women from abroad.[2]

Nakhon Pathom นครปฐม
City Municipality
City of Nakhon Pathom เทศบาลนครนครปฐม
Phra Pathom Chedi
Seal
Nakhon Pathom Location in Bangkok Metropolitan Region Show map of Bangkok Metropolitan Region Nakhon Pathom Location in Thailand Show map of Thailand
Coordinates: 13°49′14″N 100°03′45″E
Country	Thailand
Province	Nakhon Pathom
District	Mueang Nakhon Pathom
Government
• Type	City Municipality
• Mayor	Ekaphan Kuptawat
Area
• Total	19.85 km2 (7.66 sq mi)
Population  (2000)
• Total	120,657
Time zone	UTC+7 (ICT)
Area code	(+66) 34
Website	nakhonpathomcity.go.th

Nakhon Pathom houses a campus of Silpakorn University within the former Sanam Chan Palace.

The city is 57 km west of Bangkok.

According to Charles Higham, "Two silver medallions from beneath a sanctuary at Nakhon Pathom, the largest of the moated sites, proclaim that it was 'the meritorious work of the King of Sri Dvaravati', the Sanskrit term Dvaravati meaning 'that which has gates'. The script is in south Indian characters of the seventh century." Nakhon Pathom was the largest Dvaravati center.[3]^{:301–302,304}