Wat Phra Mahathat Vihan is the most important temple of Nakhon Si Thammarat and southern Thailand. It was constructed at the time of the founding of the town, and contains a tooth relic of Lord Buddha. This first-class royal temple has formerly named Wat Phra Borom That and is one of the most important historical sites in all of Thailand. According to the legend, Prince Thanakuman and Queen Hem Chala brought Buddha relics to Hat Sai Kaew and built a small pagoda in 291 AD. Later on, King Si-Thamma Sokarat established the city of Nakhon Si Thammarat and built a new pagoda on the same site. Today, this 78-meter-high chedi is surrounded by 173 smaller ones. While the chedi is now in Sri Lankan style but it's said to be built earlier in Srivijaya style and it was completed a renovation in early 2009. At the base of the chedi is a gallery named Wihan Tap Kaset, decorated with many Buddha statues and elephant heads emerging from the chedi. Wihan Phra Song Ma is the building contains staircase leads to a walkway around chedi above the gallery. At the bottom of the staircase are demon giants (yak) as guardians. Adjoining to the north is the Wihan Kien, which contains a small temple museum. South of the chedi is the large ubosot building, the Wihan Luang. Monk living quarters are located across the street in a separate temple, Wat Na Phra Boromathat. The chedi is the symbol of the Nakhon Si Thammarat province, present in the seal of the province and also displayed on the 25 satang coin.Opening hours: 8am-5pmContact: 075-346-515/6Getting there: Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan is located on Ratchadamnoen Road in Tambon Nai Mueang.