Day Trip to the Giant Dragon in Nakhon Pathom

A highlight of any trip from Bangkok to Nakhon Pathom is surely the giant dragon that climbs up a tall tower building at Wat Samphran. I took a friend there at the weekend as well as to five other places of interest. We visited two riverside markets for food stops, an air orchid garden center, a temple where they specialize in traditional tattoos, and a transportation museum. None of these places had an entrance fee. The following photos were tweeted live during the trip.

[tweet https://twitter.com/RichardBarrow/status/833115415588933632] [tweet https://twitter.com/RichardBarrow/status/833150157168398336] [tweet https://twitter.com/RichardBarrow/status/833151226661318656] [tweet https://twitter.com/RichardBarrow/status/833152834849820672] [tweet https://twitter.com/RichardBarrow/status/833163858583752704] [tweet https://twitter.com/RichardBarrow/status/833164668931674112] [tweet https://twitter.com/RichardBarrow/status/833170568090247169] [tweet https://twitter.com/RichardBarrow/status/833185274695872512] [tweet https://twitter.com/RichardBarrow/status/833206802141442049] [tweet https://twitter.com/RichardBarrow/status/833211369319124994] [tweet https://twitter.com/RichardBarrow/status/833217191126241280] [tweet https://twitter.com/RichardBarrow/status/833228196451475456] [tweet https://twitter.com/RichardBarrow/status/833274580764545026] [tweet https://twitter.com/RichardBarrow/status/833320738388008960] [tweet https://twitter.com/RichardBarrow/status/833277124362461184]

11 thoughts on “Day Trip to the Giant Dragon in Nakhon Pathom

  • May 19, 2017 at 10:22 pm
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    We went to the dragon temple on a thursday. A friendly nun gave us a tour up to the top of the tower.
    Very unique feeling to walk through the dragon, lots of cockroaches included.

    Do you know if the big turtle and all the other impressive parts of the temple were built after the dragon tower and the unhappy ending for the high monk?

    Reply
  • May 7, 2017 at 2:06 am
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    I am looking for your 30 day street food challenge from a couple of years ago. Can you tell me where I can find it.

    Reply
  • May 5, 2017 at 11:49 pm
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    Hi Richard

    Great report. Been there years ago. but only to see the Chedi. Would like to do this trip next holiday. What do you recommend for transportation from Bangkok and return? Some all-in arrangement for the whole trip or else?

    Looking forward to your reply and more trip reports from TH,
    Sven

    Reply
  • March 12, 2017 at 8:46 pm
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    The giant dragon and tower are NOT open to public. I went today and showed pictures from this post, and people remembered, but only with a lot of patience, luck and social skills of a Farang friend (I have been 3 times already since 2013 and every time got a different story why it’s not open, and different information when it will be open) we finally got in (after 1 hour waiting and talking with various people, each of them rejecting responsibility).

    Reply
  • March 10, 2017 at 6:46 pm
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    There is one unlabelled entry on the map, just “dropped pin” north-east of Nakon Pathom.

    Reply
  • March 9, 2017 at 2:57 pm
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    Great post! I have been to Wat Sam Pran several times, never could climb up the dragon, and nobody could tell me when it’s open!

    I would add Wat Sisa Tong, Wat Onoi, the Boeing along hwy 346 at 14.039250,100.094150 and insect museum at Kasetsart University Kamphaeng Saen (and now it’s time for pink flowers there) to the list.

    Reply
  • March 5, 2017 at 5:57 am
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    Nice post. I spotted this temple from the window of a taxi from BKK to Pattaya and wondered what it was, thanks for clearing it up. Lovely building and nice pictures. Thanks for sharing!

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    • March 5, 2017 at 5:58 am
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      I don’t think its this one as it’s the opposite direction to Pattaya.

      Reply
    • June 11, 2018 at 3:22 pm
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      They must’ve been taking you the VIP way, that’s so far in the wrong direction!

      Reply

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