Nakhon Si Thammarat, is a city in southern Thailand, capital of the Nakhon Si Thammarat Province and the Nakhon Si Thammarat district. The city was the administrative center of southern Thailand during most of its history. The modern city centre around the train station is located north of Old Town. It is one of the most ancient cities of Thailand, previously Kingdom of Ligor, and contains many buildings and ruins of historical significance. With the fall of the Siamese capital of Ayutthaya in 1767 it regained independence, but returned to its allegiance on the founding of Bangkok. In the 17th century British, Portuguese and Dutch merchants set up factories there and carried on an extensive trade.