Chumphon, 460km south of Bangkok (about a 7-hour drive), is the capital of the Chumphon's province
Ka Pho Forest Park is about 30 km from the town of Chumphon in Tambon Salui
The park has a waterfall with ponds and reservoirs for bathing or just splashing around. Picturesque tourist spot with plenty of shrubs and magnificent trees.
Ao Thap Bay is where the Japanese entered Thailand during the second word war. The bay has a picturesque fishing village
Rab Ro Cave houses an old Buddha image and has beautiful stalactites. About 50km from the city. Take theHighway 4, coming from the north, one makes a right turn inbound Tha Sae.
Thung Yo Nam Tok, approximately 9 km from the District Office.Small but very beautiful waterfall.
Hat Pharadonphap Beach, about 4 km from Pak Nam Chumphon is lined with shady coconut trees, the 3 km long beach has a numerous of resorts,seafood restaurants and stalls .
Hat Sai Ri Beach, approximately 4 km from Pharadonphap Beach, hosts the shrine of Prince Chumphon, considered as the father of the Royal Thai Navy.
Around 11km (7 miles) from the town of Chumphon, on Highway 4001, one can rent a boat and go to other islands such as Koh Mattra, good for camping, fishing and skin-diving, Koh
Samet (not to be confused Koh Samet on the east coast), Koh Na Phrao where birds’ nests are collected between January and September, Koh Mat Phon which has a
lighthouse for fishing boats, Koh Sak, a stony island; Koh Ngam Yai, Koh Ngam Noi, and many other smaller islands. From Laem Thaen (Cape Thaen) a boat can also drive you to Ko Khai,
a picturesque small island about 5 km offshore.
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Suratthani is the capital of southern Thailand’s largest province of the same name. The city, about 700km south of
Bangkok, is a thriving modern commercial, entertainment and communication center.
Chak Phra Festival celebrates the official end of the annual 3-month Buddhist Rains Retreat (Phansa), usually mid-October, The locals organize dazzling land and fluvial processions
of revered Buddha images and boat races on the Tapi River with more than 50 people long boats.
Rongrian Rambutan Day is held the first weekend of August. You can find plenty of exhibitions of local products , floats adorned with Rambutan and other fruits, and
alsodemonstrations of trained monkeys who harvest coconuts.
Khao Sok National Park : Located at 109km from Surat Thani on highway 401 to Phuket, Khao Sok National Park has verdant forest-covered hills and it is great place for hiking, viewing
many species of birds and wildlife, or just relaxing. Many kinds of rare wildlife are found, including , bears, black panthers.. The major part of the park can be visited by foot, include the Sip Et
Chan Waterfall, some 4km from the park office.
Nam Tok Wiphawadi , Nam Tok Ban Nai waterfalls are located in Amphoe Don Sak, about 38 kilometers from town, on the roadside of the Highway 401 .Very popular place, crowded on
week-ends and holidays.
Between Suratthani and Nakhon Si Thammarat (All along the Highway 401), numerous beaches can be found : Hat Pak Pha Ying Beach,
about 22km from Nakhon Si Thammarat city near a picturesque small fishing village. Hat Khanom beach , about 100 km north of Nakhon Si Thammarat. Hat Hin Ngam beach ,
about 4 km from Pak Nam Sichon Market. (Beautiful Rock Beach). |
Nakhon Si Thammarat is the second largest city in Southern Thailand and is noted for its cultural and historical background. The
city has housed Lord Buddha’s relics which is the most important statutory place of the south, being the center of Buddhism during Sivichaya period and has several interesting Buddhist and
Brahman temples to visit:. Built by King Thammasokarat The Ancient City Wall was originally encircled by a 2,230 m high wall. Nowadays, only parts still remained.
Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan is located on Ratchadamnoen Road in Tambon Nai Muang. The gold roofed and 55.78 meters high pagoda, has a distinctive Sri Lankan
style and attracts many tourists.
Brahman Temple, located on Ratchadamnoen Road, right in the center of Nakhon Si Thammarat, houses a bronze image of the Hindu god Shiva.
Built 1,200 years ago during the Srivisaya period, Wat Phra Mahathat is one of southern Thailand’s most . famous .Museum inside the temple.
Next to the city hall, Phra Buddha Sihing Tower, houses the sacred image of Phra Buddha Sihing.
In the city center, San Phra Sua Muang, the City Pillar Shrine , was built in a Chinese temple style. |
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Hae Pha Khun That Festival ,celebrated at Phra Borom That Chedi, is held twice a year during akha Bucha Day (the full-moon night of February) and Wisakha Bucha Day
(the full-moon night of May). Procession bearing a religious cloth to wrap around the pagoda to bring good fortune and success. Influenced by Indian culture, Chak Phra of Lak Phra
Festival is preceded by activities 7 days before, such as beating drums, playing castanets... Held every September, the Festival of the Tenth Lunar Month is a great event of
southern Thailand. A magnificent procession proceeds along Ratchadamnoen Road on the 14th day.
There is also two interesting waterfalls to visit, respectively about 20 km and 30 Km from Nakhon Si Thammarat, along the route to Lan Saka, Nam Tok Phrom Lok, the province’s
largest waterfall, and Nam Tok Ka Rom, a smaller one but very beautiful. |
Hat Yai (Had Yai) : Located in Songkhla province, about 50km north of the Malaysian border, Hat Yai is the south's major city
and the region's communication hub with its commercial, shopping and entertainment center. Hat Yai offers many good buys in Thai handicrafts - especially local cotton products and cut-out leather
shadow puppets - leisure and sportswear, and a large variety of preserved Thai fruits, and other culinary specialities.
There is many attractions such as Bhasawang Big Splash, a 15m slide in the middle of a large swimming pool , shooting ranges, bull fighting . Hat Yai has also an excellent nightlife
in the form of its numerous nightclubs.
Wat Hat Yai Nai : On Phetkhasem Road near, the third largest reclining Buddha image of the world reposes at Wat Hat Yai Nai . The statue, named Phra Buddha hatmongkhol, is 35 meters
long, 15 meters high and 10 meters wide. This is one of the most famous statue in the region.
Tone Nga Chang Waterfalls (Elephant Tusk Falls), located 25 km west of the city, this picturesque waterfalls spectacularly over seven tiers and splits into two streams, resembling
elephant tusks. Best seen after the rainy season from October through December when the water is most abundant, this is a particularly scenic spot, ideal for picnicsand very popular. |
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On the Thai and Malaysian border, in Satun Province, is one of South-East Asia's best preserved white meranti rainforest.
Its includes caves, waterfalls and lake ,with a range of wild species such as deers, gibbons, macaques and many birds. You can camp inside the park or bunk at one of the longhouses located on the
shores of a large lake.
Tai Rom Yen National Park : Located in Khlong Nam Thao Forest Reserve in Amphoe Ban Na San and Amphoe Wiang Sa. There are several scenic spots and beautiful waterfalls such as Nam
Tok Dat Fa, Nam Tok Muang Thuat , Nam Tok Than Thip . Visitors wishing to stay overnight here must bring their camping accessories. |
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