Cheap Chumpon Hotels & Beach Resorts, Map & Attractions, Online Hotel Reservation & Travel Guide, Chumpon Thailand

Chumphon province is located in the most upper part of the Southern region. Following the Highway No.4, it is approximately 463 kilometers from Bangkok or about 476 kilometers by railroad. The total area of Chumphon is about 6,009 square kilometers, the fourth largest province of the South.

The province is divided into 8 Districts, 70 Tambons, and 655 villages. Considering the administrative area, there are 2 municipal areas 12 Sanitary areas and 66 Sub-district Administration Organization The boundary to the north is Prachuap Khiri Khan, to the south is Surat Thani. The Gulf of Thailand situates on the east, while the west are the Union of Myanmar and Ranong.

The shape of the province is long and narrow, the west consisted of mountains which are also the natural international boundary. The plain area which is suitable for farming is in the central part. The east of Chumphon consist of 222 kilometers long coastal with beaches. Raining season in Chumphon is relatively long, last from May to November. The temperature is not too high in summer and not too low in winter as well.

At June 1997 the population residing in Chumphon is 444,820; 222,865 are male and 217,955 are female. The population density is 72 per square kilometer. The highest population was found in Chumphon district while the lowest are is in Patao district. About 15.47% of total population live in the urban areas 65.41% are over 13 years old with 52.78% of labour force and 2.13% of unemployed persons. The minimum wage in Chumphon is 130 Baht daily.

In 1996, it is found that 55.38% of total area is cultivated land, 19% are under forest and 41.68% are under residential land.

Tourism:
There are several natural beauty both inland and coastline, including beaches, islands, national parks and mountains. Basically, most natural places still keep their original charm and this strong point should be promoted for tourism.

Attraction :
Namtok Kapo Forest Park The park is located in the area of Amphoe Tha Sae, 30 kms. north of Chumphon town along Highway No. 4. It has a pleasant atmosphere of cool forest suitable for relaxation with a small waterfall.

Hat Sai Ri This famous and scenic beach of Chumphon, located 15 kms. southeast of the township, can be reached via Route Nos. 4119 and 4098. To the north of the beach, there is the memorial site of H.R.H. Prince Chumphon, Father of the Royal Thai Navy, extremely revered by all seamen. The compound houses a shrine, a huge torpedo boat named the Royal Chumphon and a herbal garden.

En route to Hat Sai Ri, there is a small road parallel to some palm-fringed beaches such as Hat Pharadonphap and Hat Pha Daeng where some seafood restaurants are situated.

Ko Maphrao This is a small island full of swallows' nests located 1 km. from Hat Sai Ri and can be clearly seen from the shore.

Ao Thung Makham This scenic bay looks like a line of 2 semi-circles and is full of coconut plantations. It is located 6 kms. beyond Hat Sai Ri.

Pak Nam Chumphon It is the mouth of the Tha Taphao River where a large fishing village is situated. The estuary is located 13 kms. from town and can be reached via Route Nos. 4001 and 4119. On the bank of the Tha Taphao River, there are a few landings where boats depart regularly to Ko Tao. Ko Tao is a remote island famous for beautiful scenery and coral reefs, and can be reached from Chumphon within 6 hours by normal boat or 2 and a half hours by speed-boat.

In addition, there are some offshore islands, which can be visited by fishing boat. These include:

Ko Samet This has the same name as the famous island in Rayong. It is a small island which can be reached within 30 minutes from the Chumphon Estuary.

Ko Mattra This is a large island with a sandy beach. Spectacular rocks are seen in the west and south of the island. There is a coral reef on the west coast, and rare crabs called Pu Kai, which can climb up trees and cry like a chick, can be seen here. Small bungalows are available.

Ko Thalu A picturesque stone island measuring 100 metres long has two large holes through which one can swim from one side to the other. Nearby areas are full of coral and varieties of marine flowers.
Other coral islands include Ko Rat, located to the south of Chumphon, and Ko Thonglang.

Ao Thung Wua Laen Known as the most beautiful beach of Chumphon, Hat Thung Wau Laen is a long and sandy beach with a slight slope ideal for swimming. It is situated 16 kms. north of the town. A comfortable hotel and bungalows, as well as diving facilities are available. Visitors may take a boat from the beach to explore some offshore islands including:

Ko Chorakhe This small island with a stony beach and a coral reef is located 11 kms. from Ao Thung Wua Lan.

Ko Ngam Noi and Ko Ngam Yai The surrounding areas of two adjacent stone islands are suitable for diving. These are also the islands of swallows' nests, situated 17 kms. from the shore.

Tham Khao Khun Krathing This cave is located 12 Kms. south of Chumphon along the road to Amphoe Lang Suan (Highway No. 41). Prehistoric paintings of geometrical sings are found on the cliff near the mouth of the cave, 25 meters above the ground.

Tham Khao Ngoen This cave is located by a stream in the same area as Somdet Phra Srinakarin Park, 7 kms. west of Amphoe Lang Suan. The inside of the cave looks like a large hall and houses the inscription of King Rama V's initials.

Tham Khao Kriap one of the most beautiful caves; located 85 kms south of Chumphon along Highway No 4 and 6 kms along an access road The cave is full of stalactites and stalagmites A temple is situated at the Khao Kriap Hill from which 370 steps lead to the mouth of the cave.

Hat Arunothai This 6 km long, palm-fringed beach in Amphoe Thung Tako is situated 60 kms. from Chumphon along Highway No.4. On the beach; there is the Shrine of H.R.H. Prince Chumphon; the Father of the Royal Thai Navy and a resort where visitors can hire a boat to explore some islands such as Ko Khram and Ko Raobanthat.

Namtok Heo Lom This huge waterfall in the area of Amphoe Pha To is situated 16 kms. from the district along the Pha To-Ratchakrut route (Route No. 4006), then turn left and continue for another 6 kms. The waterfall consists of two levels. The stream flows into a rocky pool before winding through Amphoe Pha To to the Lang Suan River. Rafting along the stream to Kaeng Bok Fai (rapids) is possible only from November to February. The raft trip takes about 2 hours.

You can catch the bus at the Southern Bus Station, Tel. 4110111. Buses to Chumphon leave from this station everyday. Buses to Bangkok leave from Chumphon Bus Station, Tha Taphao, Tel. (077) 502725

By Car
Motorists can get there easily Drive along King RAMA 2 Highway for about 463 kilometers. Then, turn into Highway No. 4 and drive pass Phetchaburi Province and Prachuap Khiri Khan Province until you come to Pathomphorn Intersection. After that turn left into Chumphon city center and carry on for about 8 more kilometers. For your own convenience, we give the following 3 - 4 possible routes for the journey to Chumphon :

Route 1: Depart from Bangkok in the morning. Have lunch in Muang District. Go to pay respect to Sadej Nai Krom Luang Chumphorn at Ree Beach. Sight-seeing at Thoung Makham Bay and Chao Muang Hill. Pay, respect to the City Guardian Angel Shrine and Luang Poo Sonk at Chaofah Sala Loy Temple. Swim in the sea and stay the night at Thung Wua laen Beach, Pa Thiew District. Visit Rub Ror Cave in the morning. Stop to pay respect to Phor Ta Hin Charng Shrine and return to Bangkok.

Route 2: Depart from Bangkok at night. Have breakfast at Lang Suan District. Visit Khor Khao Beach. Pay respect to Kuan Im the Goddess of Mercy. Visit Khao Kriab Cave. Have pig's Knuckles at Nok Noi Restaurant, Lamae District. Visit hot spa, Khao Phlu Cave. Visit Tawan Chai Beach. Stay the night at Lang Suan District. Visit Pa Toh District. Visit Haew Loam Waterfall. Visit Kaeng Bokfai. Return to Bangkok.

Route 3: Depart from Bangkok in the morning. Have lunch in Muang District. Pay respect to the City Guard-ian Angel Shrine. Pay respect to Luang Poo Sonk at Chaofah Sala Loy Temple. Visit Sawee District and Thum Khawan Muang Temple, Phra Thart Sawee Temple. Visit Thung Tako District and Arunothai Beach. Pay respect to Krom Luang Chumphon. Stay the night at a resort near Arunothai Beach. Stop to buy fresh fruit and jam at the local product center on the Highway, Sawee District. Return to Bangkok.

Route 4 : Depart from Bangkok at night. Have breakfast at Thung Wua Laen Bay. Boat trip to see the islands and rocks in Chumphon Bay. Diving to see coral, sea flowers and other marine lives around Jorakhey, Ngam Yai, Ngam Noi and Thalu Islands. Stop to have dinner and stay the night at Matra Island. Go angling or catching cuttlefish. Have breakfast at Matra Island. Visit Ree Beach. Pay respect to Krom Luang Chumphon Khet Udomsak. Return to Bangkok.

Major Events:
Chumphon's Marine Festival The festival takes place in the middle of March or April every year to promote tourism in Chumphon. Activities include an angling competition, photo contest, tourism exhibition and mini-marathon.

Lang Suan Fruit Festival This is held around August. Its main objective is to promote the agricultural produce of Amphoe Lang Suan especially a variety of fruits including durian, mangosteen and rambutan. Major activities are processions of floats decorated with local fruits and flowers, fruits contests and an agricultural exhibition.

Discount Thailand hotels reservations. Cheap Bangkok hotel rates, Pattaya hotels, Phuket hotels, Krabi hotels, Koh Samui hotels resorts online booking.