Satun
is a small province in the south of Thailand that borders Malaysia,
facing the Andaman Sea. The province possesses renowned picturesque
islands with verdant forests and mountainous land. The majority of
the locals are Muslim. It is located 973 kilometres from Bangkok and
occupies an area of 2,478 square kilometres with 80 kilometres of
coastline.
Most tourists head out to the pristine
islands of Tarutao National Park. Its landscape is full of
underwater peaks, excellent beaches, calm and peaceful coves, jungle
and mangrove swamps. Snorkelling can be found at Lipe island, while
neighbour Adnag island is stunning with forest, hills and
waterfalls.
Around Satun, there are plenty of interesting
sights, including dove farms, forest parks and huge waterfall. Thale
Ban National Park is famous for its abundant wildlife, with many
waterfalls and caves worth visiting.
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Ko
Li Di Lek is located 5 kms. from the Office of Moo Ko Phetra National
Park (Ao Nun), or 7 kms. from Pak Bara Pier. The National Park
Protection Unit is located on this island. The island offers a white
sandy beach and crystal clear water. The island also has mangrove
forests and various kinds of marine animals. Tourists wishing to camp on
the island must bring their own tents and food as there are no
restaurants. Ko Li Di Yai, nearby Ko Li Di Lek, has bird nest
concessions operated by the private sector and is off-limits to
visitors. |
Mu
Ko Phetra National Park The sampan shaped island is situated on the Straits of
Malacca, Andaman Sea in the Indian Ocean, west of Thailand. It consists of a
long coastline from Tambon Pak Nam, La-ngu district, Tambon Khon Khlan, Thung Wa
distict, Satun and Tambon Sukon, Pa Lian district, Trang. The several off-shore
islands include Ko Phetra, Ko Khao Yai, Ko La Lo Ban Te, Ko Li Di, Ko Bu Loan,
Ko Lao Liang, and Ko Perama. Most of the area consists of steep mountains with
plains in the valleys and beaches. The park occupies both land and sea areas,
with an area of 494.38 sq. kms. It was declared a national park on December 31,
1984 and is full of forest, mountains, wildlife, and colorful corals. The
admission is 100 baht for adults and 50 baht for children. For more information,
please contact Tel: 0 2562 0760 or www.dnp.go.th
Tarutao National Park
Tarutao
is the first marine park of Thailand. It is famous for its distinguished
history and natural beauty. It is located in the Andaman Sea 40
kilometres from town or 22 kilometres from Bara Pier. The park borders
Mu Ko Phetra National Park in the north and the Thai-Malaysian sea
border in the south. The park occupies an area of 1,490 square
kilometres and comprises 51 islands. Seven large islands are Ko Tarutao
, Ko Adang, Ko Rawi, Ko Li Pe , Ko Klang, Ko Ba Tuang, and Ko Bit Si.
Tarutao was proclaimed a National Park on 19 April 1974 and declared by
UNESCO as an ASEAN Heritage Park and Reserve in 1982. The best time to
visit is from November to April.
Ko Tarutao is the biggest island in the park that
covers an area of 152 square kilometres. The island is teeming with
verdant forests and white sandy beaches. There are also camping and
diving facility to see corals.
Penitentiary Memorial on Tarutao Island comprises two parts; Ao Talo
Udang Prison is at the southernmost bay of Tarutao Island and Ao Talowao
Prison, a prison for common and political prisoners which is situated in
the south and the east of the island.
The historical six-kilometre road trail was built by prisoners
connecting Ao Talowao to Ao Talo Udang and is 12 kilometres long.
Activities on Ko Tarutao
Walking trail from the National Park Office on Ao
Phante Malaka is a 12-kilometre walking trail which runs through verdant
forest all the way to Ao Talowao. Various types of trees, wild animals
like wild boar and mouse deer, and birds, hornbills in particular, are
found along sides this trail. An eight-kilometre walking trail begins at
Ao Ma Lae ends at Ao Son, passing through virgin forest where various
kinds of birds are found. Bird-watching is ideal here.
Boat rides on a long-tail boat around island for eco-tourism is
recommended. The National Park provides boat service with guides for
visitors to tour around beaches. The journey could begin with
bird-watching on Ao Chak, going to see the longest white sandy beach on
Tarutao Island at Ao Son, tracing historical trail on Ao Talo Udang,
enjoying natural beauty on Ao Talowao , ending with diving and visiting
mangrove forests. For more information on a one-day trip, contact the
tourist centre at the Tarutao National Park.
Mu Ko Adang Rawi is located 40 kilometres from the east
of Tarutao Island or 80 kilometres from town. The 30 square-kilometre
island possesses beautiful sandy beaches and coral reefs. There are
several small islands around Mu Ko Adang-Rawi including Ko Li Pe, Ko
Dong, Ko Hin Ngam, and Kao Yang . Diving can be done around Ko Adang and
Ko Rawi. The area of Ko Adang is mountainous and covered with forest and
has a large waterfall where water runs all year round.
Ko Li Pe is located 2 kilometres from the south of Ko
Adang. This is where a sea gypsy village is situated. On the 13th-15th
day of the waxing moon in May and November, sea gypsies would gather for
a traditional celebration for 3 days and 3 nights. They would join in
building a boat to float in the sea to in the belief that this would
predict that fishing fortunes. The island offers coral reefs, a
beautiful bay, and a white sandy beach. Ao Phatthaya is the most
beautiful bay on this island. Privately-owned accommodation is
available.
Ko Hin Ngam is located in the southwest of Ko Adang. It
is full of shiny black pebbles along its beaches.
Ko Khai is located in the west of Tarutao Island, 40 minutes from
Tarutao. The famous natural stone arch which is somewhat of a symbol of
Tarutao National Park is located on Ko Khai. Coral reefs can be found
around the island. Camping is not allowed on this island but swimming
can be done.
Diving and snorkeling can be done around Ko Cha Bang where light-coloured
flower corals lie underneath the sea. Deepwater and shallow-water
snorkeling for antler coral and table coral is recommended around Ko
Yang and Ko Kata. Snorkeling for hard coral is recommended around Ko
Adang, Ko Rawi, Ko Kra, and Ko Dong
The admission is 200 baht for adults and 100 baht for children
How to Get To Tarutao National Park and
its islands
Pak Bara Pier is home to the branch office of Tarutao National Park. It
is located 22 kilometres from Ko Tarutao and is the nearest pier to
Tarutao Island.
Accommodation in Tarutao National Park
Accommodations are available on Tarutao and Adang islands. For more
information contact the Marine National Park, Forestry Department tel: 0
2561 2918-21 or Tarutao National Park, Tambon Pak Nam, Amphoe La-ngu,
Satun 91110 tel: 0 7478 1285 and Tarutao unit tel: 0 7472 9002-3.
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Thale Ban National Park
Thale
Ban National Park is at Ban Wang Prachan, Tambon Wang Prachan. The National Park
is located 40 kms. from town and occupies an area of 195,200 square kilometers.
The Park covers the National Reserve Forest of Ku Pang Pu To and Hua Ka Ming,
including Khuan Bo Nam Pu Yu in Tambon Pu Yu, Amphoe Mueang. It was declared a
national park on October 27, 1980.
The word Thale Ban derives from Loet Ru Ban in the Malay
language, meaning a collapsed sea or a sea that was born out of a land collapse.
Thale Ban National Park originated from a land depression between Khao Chin and
Khao Mot Daeng. There is a large swamp, which covers an area of 101,360 square
kilometers. Most of the area is mountainous and teeming with various kinds of
plants and animals, such as water birds, tapir, and Khiat Wak, or Water Dog. The
amphibious Khiat Wak resembles a frog or toad, but has a tail and yelps like a
dog. Plenty of these creatures can be seen around the swamp in the rainy season.
The Khiat Wak is an indigenous animal to Thale Ban. Bird-watchers should not
miss a chance to see the different variety of birds here, including red back
myna, woodpecker, bulbul, and swallow. Lodges and tents are available in the
National Park. The admission is 200 baht for adults and 100 baht for
children. For more information, contact tel: 0-7479-7073.
Ko Lipe
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Ko
Sipe or Ko Lipe is an island located 2 km to the south of Ko Adang.
There is a community of Chao Le or sea dwellers here. Most families earn
a living by fishing. During the period of three days and nights, around
the middle of the sixth and eleventh lunar months, villagers of Chao Le
origin will gather at Ko Lipe for a festive fair. Most importantly, the
villagers will built a boat from Rakam wood and perform a ceremony to
float the boat, according to their belief in the prediction of their
fishing. The prominent features of Ko Lipe are natural coral reefs,
beauty of a vast open bay, and a powdered-sand beach. Ao Phattaya is a
beautiful bay in a curved shape with a white fine beach, which is within
a 15-minute walking distance from Hat Chao Le or Chao Le Beach.
Accommodation run by private operators is available on the beaches.
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How to get there
Distance form Amphoe Muang Satun
to Neighbouring Districts :
Khuan Don
Tha Phae
Khuan Kalong
La-nga
Thung Wa |
21
28
32
50
76 |
kilometres
kilometres
kilometres
kilometres
kilometres |
Distance from Amphoe Mueang Satun
to Neighbouring Provinces :
Trang
Phatthalung
Songkhla |
140
134
125 |
kilometres
kilometres
kilometres |

Car
From Bangkok, drive on Highway No. 4 past Prachuap Khiri Khan and
Chumphon then take Highway No. 41 to Nakhon Si Thammarat and Phatthalung. From
Phatthalung, drive on to Amphoe Rattaphum, Songkhla then take Highway No. 4 and
turn right to Highway No. 406. It is 973 kilometres from Bangkok.

Bus
The journey from Bangkok to Satun can be made on
air-conditioned coaches originating from the Southern Bus Terminal. The coaches,
varying in 3 types, depart from Bangkok at the following times:
VIP Bus: 6 p.m.
Standard 1 Bus: 7 a.m., 6.30 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Standard 2 Bus: 6.30 p.m.
The trip takes about 13 hours. For more information, call the Southern Bus
Terminal at tel: 0 2435 1199-200 or the Satun Bus Station at tel: 0 7471 1446.
Satun can be reached by van, public bus and taxi from Hat
Yai. Taxi is available at the Ratthakan Post Office, van and public bus can be
found beside Dr. Somphots Clinic near Hat Yai train station. The van leaves
every hour form 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Public bus leaves from Hat Yai bus station every 2
hours from 6.30 a.m. to 4.35 p.m.

Train
There is no direct train to Satun. Visitors can take a
Bangkok-Hat Yai train, leaving the Bangkok Railway Station (Hua Lamphong) at
12.25 p.m., 2.20 p.m.,2.45 p.m. and 3.50 p.m. Getting off at the Hat Yai train
station, visitors can take a taxi from Ratthakan Post Office to Satun. Vans and
public buses are also available. It is 97 kilometres from Hat Yai to Satun. For
more information on trains, contact the State Railways of Thailand, tel: 1690, 0
2223 7010, 0 2223 7020 or visit
www.srt.or.th

Air
There is no direct flight to Satun. The trip by air can
be made via Hat Yai airport then taking a taxi or public bus to Satun for 97
kilometres. For more information on flight schedules, contact Thai Airways, tel:
1566, 0 2280 0060, 0 2628 2000 or visit
www.thaiairways.com
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