Formerly situated by the sea, the city prospered during the
Dvaravati civilization. According to archaeological findings, Nakhon
Pathom was the first city to possess influences of Buddhism and
Indian civilizations. From the Phra Pathom Chedi and other remains
discovered in the city area, it is believed that the city was a
centre of civilization in that era. People of different races
settled in Nakhon Pathom. However, a change in the course of the
river caused a draught that forced the people to migrate and settle
on the banks of river, and these communities developed into towns.
The new town was called “Nakhon Chaisi” or “Sirichai”, leaving
Nakhon Pathom deserted for hundreds of years until the reign of King
Rama IV. While His Majesty was in monk hood, he travelled to Nakhon
Pathom and found the Phra Pathom Chedi that he regarded to be the
largest pagoda of all.
When King Rama IV ascended to the throne, he commanded that a bell
shaped Chedi be built to cover the former Chedi. The surrounding
area was also renovated and improved. He also commanded that a water
canal be dug to facilitate commuting, which was called Chedi Bucha
canal. During the reign of King Rama V, the construction of railways
to the south began, at that time Nakhon Pathom was still a heavily
forested area. King Rama V also commanded that the town be relocated
from Tambon Thana, Amphoe Nakhon Chaisi, to the Phra Pathom Chedi
area as it used to be. Nakhon Pathom has been there ever since.
During the reign of King Rama VI, a palace was built at Tambon Sanam
Chan as a temporary residence on his travels and many roads were
constructed. A large bridge was also built over the Chedi Bucha
canal, which His Majesty named “Saphan Charoensattha”. Later, he
commanded that the name of Nakhon Chaisi be changed to Nakhon Pathom,
but the name of the prefecture was still called “Nakhon Chaisi”
until the reign of King Rama VII when the calling of the prefecture
was ended. Nakhon Chaisi is now one of the districts in Nakhon
Pathom.
Nakhon Pathom covers an area of 2,168 square kilometres or 542,081.6
acres. It is divided into 7 administrative districts or Amphoe, they
are: Amphoe Muang Nakhon Pathom, Amphoe Buddhamonthon, Amphoe Sam
Phran, Amphoe Nakhon Chaisi, Amphoe Bang Len, Amphoe Kamphaeng Saen,
and Amphoe Don Toom. Most of the areas are plains with no
mountainous land, plateau are found in the west east of Amphoe Muang
and Amphoe Kamphaeng Saen. The plains along the Tha Cheen River (Nakhon
Chaisi River) are the location of Amphoe Nakhon Chaisi, Amphoe Sam
Phran, and Amphoe Bang Len. These fertile lands provide agricultural
area for people, thus most of the residents earn their living from
agriculture; plantations, farming, growing food crops, and fruit
orchards. Especially so of pomelo. Nakhon Pathom is well known for
pomelo, some call the Nakhon Pathom the sweet pomelo town.
