Southern : hotel in Thailand and activities

General Information

Chumphon Attractions

Poppular charming mainland beaches include Hat (beach) Pharadonphap, Hat Pha Daeng (Red Cliff Beach), Hat Arunothai. Hat Arunothai is suitable for camping with hiking trails and rock-climbing nearby. Other peaceful bays with beautiful beaches include Ao Thung Makham (Tamarind Field Bay), and Ao Tung Wua Lan. Another one is Hat Sai Ri (Arc Sandy Beach), famous site of the shrine dedicated to H.R.H. Prince Chumphon, the founding Father of the Royal Thai Navy, in the form of an ancient British motor torpedo gunship.

Slightly 30 minutes boatride from the mainland are the picturesque islands of the Mu Koh Chumphon National Marine Park consisting of Koh Samet, Koh Mattra, and Koh Thong Lang. Koh Rat is ideal for camping, fishing, and scuba diving. Rocky beaches and coral beds infused with sea fans surround Koh Chorake (Crocodile Island), making it perfect for scuba diving. Cliff-dwelling sea swallows inhabit and build their nests on the islands of Maphrao (Coconut), Rang Nok Island or Lanka Chiu Islands.

Their nests are prized delicacies of local gourmets and the Chinese population in Thailand. Collecting it can be a very dangerous task, reserved only for the truly skilled workers. Because of the danger of unauthorized poaching, visitors must seek permission to visit the islands from the company possessing the nest-collecting concession.

Wat Thep Charoen, or better known as Wat Tham Rub Raw (Temple of Rub Raw Cave), contains a total of 8 main caves situated on a hillside. Mystical myths passed down through each generation that 2 of the caves, Tham A-thay (Beginning of the Caves) and another cave further in, contains hidden treasures. The caves houses an ancient, sacred Buddhist image, the city’s guardian, believed to date back to 548 B.E., and beautiful stalactites.

Khao Chedi Ayuthaya style chedi (pagoda) which is on the top of the hill. Respect Pra Burapa Banphot which is next to the chedi. Admire beautiful view around Pa Thiew District and the district center, Khao Plu, Khao Maew as well as the wonderful coast of Pa Thiew.

Ranong Attractions

The hot springs rise beside the Klong Hat Sompen River at Wat Tapotaram and are channeled into 3 concrete, round tubs called Father, Mother, and Child at the nearby Raksawarin. Here, the hot springs are surrounded by forest and leisure pavilions and bathing rooms are available. With a constant water temperature of 65 degrees Celsius (150 degrees Fahrenheit), it is too hot for bathing. People believe the water, due to its unusually high sulfur content, is beneficial to the health.

A short walk down the river, people can enjoy the hot springs at a more relaxing temperature and luxurious accommodations at the Jansom Thara Spa Resort. The hotel cooled the hot water to a more bearable temperature of 42 degrees Celsius (110 degrees Fahrenheit).

The Had (beach) Chan Damri located near the Kra Buri River offers a panoramic view of Victoria Point, a Burmese town with reasonably priced local products and souvenirs, and the perfect place to watch picturesque sunsets.

Songkhla Attractions

Songkhla’s main beach, Samila Beach, has fine white sand and a wide beach area protected by a line of tall pine trees. Close by are the famous Koh Noo (Mouse Island) and Koh Maew (Cat Island). On the headland is the famous bronze Mermaid Statue similar to the one in Denmark, a Kodak spot that no visitor can pass up.

South of the city is the Muslim village of Khao Seng where colorful korlae fishing boats can be seen. The korlae boats are a distinctive style of the southern fishing communities.

The city boasts two significant and impressive museums. The exquisite Songkhla National Museum is the former residence of Songkhla’s deputy governor built in 1878 in the southern Thai-Chinese style. Exhibit highlights include earthenware jars recovered from the sea around Songkhla.

The Patsree Museum in Wat Matchimawat, or Wat Klang to locals, contains a 35-cm stone image of Ganesh, the Hindu elephant god, that dates back to the late 6th century, making it the earliest artifact found in the peninsula. It also contains other wares from foreign countries that affirms Songkhla’s importance as a former maritime trade center.

Songkhla’s Thale Sap (lake) is the nation’s largest fresh-water lake with a scenic panorama. The bay’s mouth contains many islands, the most popular being Koh Yor for its hilltop perched restaurants, cotton-weaving industry, and fish farms. Spanning three kilometers across the Songkhla Lake, the Tinnasulanon Bridge was named after our highly respected council privy, a native of this area. The nation’s longest bridge connects Songkhla city with the narrow coastal strip to the north and intersects through Koh Yor in the middle of the lake.