Thailand Guidebook > Provinces > Southern Thailand

Narathiwat is another southern province bordering on Malaysia. Amphoe Sungai Kolok, Narathiwat's borderland, is an important junction where the Thai southern railroad connects with another railway to the Tumpad Station in Malaysia. Narathiwat is located some 1,149 kms. south of Bangkok and occupies an area of 4,475 square kilometres. The province is noted as a land of gold mines and boasts extensive peat swamp forests, as well as seaside resorts along the coast of the lndian Ocean.

Book your hotel in Narathiwat before you leave home and save money!

Narathiwat is administratively divided into 12 districts and 1 sub-district: Amphoe Muang Narathiwat, Amphoe Bacho, Amphoe Chanae, Amphoe Rangae, Amphoe Ruso, Amphoe Si Sakhon, Amkphoe Sukhirin, Amphoe Sungai Kolok, Amphoe Sungai Padi, Amphoe Tak Bai, Amphoe Waeng, Amphoe Yi-ngo, and King Amphoe Cho Ai Rong. If you have already visited this Southern province, please share your highlights with other visitors to Thailand Guidebook.

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.

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.

COPYRIGHT: Information on this page is used with permission from the Tourist Authority of Thailand. Additional information from brochures produced locally and notes made by Panrit Daoruang and Richard Barrow. All photographs on this web site are the property of Panrit Daoruang.