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

Narathiwat is the southernmost Thai coastal province facing the Gulf of Thailand and borders northeast Malaysia. The provincial capital is 1,437 kilometers south of Bangkok by road, and 1,116 kilometers by train. The province covers some 4,475 square kilometers, two thirds of which are forested mountains.

The inhabitants of Narathiwat (which means "the residence of good people") are largely farmers and fishermen. Narathiwat is the province having beautiful natural sceneries of both forests and the seaside resorts.

Narathiwat is currently divided into 12 districts, i.e., Muang, Rangae, Sungai Padi, Sungai Kolok, Ruso, Yi-ngo, Waeng, Bacho, Tak Bai, Si Sakhon, Sukhirin, Chanae and Sub District Cho Ai Rong bordering on Pattani to the north, Kalantan State of Malaysia to the south, Yala to the east and the Indian Ocean to the west.

Attractions:
Hat Narathat This long sand beach lined with pine trees is located near the town. It is regarded as a really beautiful beach of Narathiwat and is suitable for swimming.

Mu Ban Yakang This old village is where unique and famous batik, cloth printed with exotic patterns, is made. It is located about 4 kms. from the town on the road to Amphoe Rangae.

Phra Buddha Thaksin Ming Mongkhon This is a huge sitting Buddha image on the top of a hill in the area of Wat Khao Thong 6 kms from town along the Narathiwat Rangae route. The image, covered with gold-coloured mosaic tiles represents Buddhistic beauty in compliance with the southern culture. The width measuring the lap of the image is 15 metres and the height from the base to the finial is 24 metres and the height from the base to the finial is 24 metres. Within the hilly landscape of the temple, there is also a bell-shape pagoda Phra Chedi Siri Masa Maya which enshrines the sacred Lord Buddha's relics. The pagoda has been constructed, with the loyalty of the Narathiwat people, as dedication to Her Majesty the Queen.

Hat Ao Manao This is a scenic beach lined with pine trees, located 3 kms. from town on the route to Amphoe Tak Bai. The beach stretches to the Bang Nara River and is adjacent to the Thaksin Ratchaniwet Palace.

Thaksin Ratchaniwet Palace Located on the eastern foot of Khao Tanyong, 8 kms. from town on the route to Amphoe Tak Bai, the palace is a royal residence when H.M. the King and his royal family make an annual visit to the South.

Mu Ban Thon 16 kms. from town along the Narathiwat-Ban Thon route, this is a Thai-Muslim fishing village noted for Ko Lae boat, a fine craft made of bulrush and screw pine, and Nam Bu Du (tasty liquid resulting from fermenting fish with salt at a certain period) and fish crisp.

300-Year Mosque or Vadialhusen Mosque This is located at Ban Talomano,Tambon Lubosawo, 25 kms. north of Narathiwat or 4 kms. from Amphoe Bacho on Highway No. 42. The whole wood building of the Thai-Chinese-Malay architecture is still seen in its old form although it has been reconstructed.

Budo-Sungai Padi Mountains National Park The park can be reached by travelling 28 kms. along Highway No. 42 to Amphoe Bacho and taking an access road for another 2 kms. Attractions in the park include:

Namtok Ba Cho This is the most renowned waterfall of Narathiwat. The falls pour down a large cliff in the west of Khao Nam Khang, a mountain of the Budo Ranges.

Namtok Chatwarin The beautiful waterfall in Tambon To Deng, Amphoe Sungai Padi, is 3 kms. from To Deng Railway Station. The waterfall originates form the Bukit Navae Mountain and flows through seven cascades. There is a rest pavilion on the lowest level.

Wat Chonlathara Singhe This important and beautiful temple of Amphoe Tak Bai is located by the Tak Bai River. Built during the reign of King Rama V, the temple houses fine mural paintings created by a monk painter from Songkhla, and a traditional sermon hall representing a mixed artistic style of the South and Chinese architecture. In the old chapel at the black of the compound, there is a sculpture of the 4-hand God Vishnu, ceramic ware of the Sung Dynasty of China and a reclining Buddha image.

Ko Yao This small island connected with the mainland by a bridge across the Tak Bai River is located 3 kms. from Amphoe Tak BaI. On the island, there is a fishing village, coconut plantations, and white sandy beaches.

Dan Taba This is Amphoe Tak Bai's checkpoint, located 5 kms. from the District Office. It is bordered by the Tak Bai River which forms a boundary between Thailand and Malaysia. Travelling between the two countries is possible by motor raft crossing the river.

Amphoe Sungai Kolok This is a famous border town located some 60 kms. from Narathiwat. It is the junction where Malaysians do their shopping of consumer goods and enjoy cheap seafood in Thai restaurants while Thai tourists make their trip through the border to shop for some unusual items at Rantau Panjang, Malaysia.

San Chao Mae To Mo The shrine of Chao Mae To Mo or a Chinese goddess is located on Charoen Khet Road, Amphoe Sungai Kolok. The goddess is revered by the local people in adjacent provinces and the Chinese in Malaysia. An annual fair is held on the 23rd of the third Chinese mouth. The activities include fascinating procession of the goddess, lion, tomtom, and fire wading.

Phru To Deang or Pa Phru Sirindhorn It is the biggest peat swamp forest in Thailand, located in the area of 3 districts, Amphoe Tak Bai, Amphoe Sungai Padi and Amphoe Songai Kolok. To get there, travel along the Sungai Kolok - Tak Bai Route, turn left at km. 5 (Chawananan intersection) before going on further for 3 kms., and then turn left again for another 2 kms, this forest is abundant in flora and fauna. Visitors may have an opportunity to explore the forest along a 2 km. nature trail which starts from the Sirindhorn Nature Study Centre.

Namtok Si Po Forest Park This is located in the area of Amphoe Rangae, about 8 kms. from the Tanyoungmat Railway Station along Route No. 4055. A small waterfall is situated among shady surroundings. At the lower end of the waterfall lies a large scale stone basin. The park area is filled with various flowering plants and fruit trees including Si Po longan, the famous fruit of Narathiwat.

Lo Chut Local Museum This is located at Ban Sukae, Tambon Lo Chut, 11 kms. away from Amphoe Waeng. Artifacts of not less than 1,000 years old such as bowls, pots, and knives have been collected in the local museum.

Pa Bala An extensive forest area near the Thai-Malaysian border, declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1996, is located some 40 kms. south of Sungai Kolok via Route Nos. 4057 and 4062. It is rich in rare flora and fauna and contains a beautiful waterfall namely Namtok Sirindhorn. Visitors may take a one-day trip from Sungai Kolok to explore some parts of the forest which are open for nature study. Prior approval is necessary from the Headquarter of Bala-Hala Wildlife Sanctuary, P.O. Box 3, Amphoe Waeng Narathiwat Province.

Major Events:
Ko Lae Boat Racing and Narathiwat Produce Festival
This annual event is held in September. Staged at the Bang Nara River, the festival features boat racing, a dove cooing contest and the sale of Narathiwat's produce including longans, bulrush products and other local handicrafts.

Specialities Festival & Longkong Fruit Fair
Staged each September in the provincial capital, this festival coincides with Korlae boat races between local crews.

Tomoh Chinese Goddess Fair
Staged in Su-ngai Kolok, usually during late April, this features dragon and lion dances, revelry and religious processio.

How to get there:
By Bus
Air -conditioned and non-air-conditioned buses leave Bangkok's Southern Bus Terminal every day.
For further details, please contact Bangkok 434-5558.

By Air
Thai Airways International (TG) operates a daily flight from Bangkok to Narathiwat.
For further details, please contact TG's Bangkok office 280-0060, 628-2000.

By Car
Narathiwat can be most conveniently reached by car from Bangkok by taking Highway 4 to Nakhon Pathom, and thence to Chumphon via Petchaburi, Hua Hin and Chumphon, and thence onto Highway 401 to Nakhon Si Thammarat, thence to Hat Yai, Pattani and Narathiwat.

By Train
Trains leave Bangkok's Hualampong Railway Station daily.
For further details, please contact Bangkok Railway Station 223-7010, 223-7020.

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