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Narathiwat at a glance

Located approximately some 1,149 kilometers south of Bangkok is Narathiwat the southernmost province in Thailand and one of the nation's five provinces that borders Malaysia at Amphoe Su-ngai Kolok, where the southern railway line ends.
Access from Malaysia is convenient via a ninety-minute bus trip and two immigration points where travelers can cross into Thailand and vice versa. With Amphoe Su-ngai Kolok serving as an economic and border tourism center, the province welcomes an increasing numbers of Malaysians and Singaporeans on short holidays or shopping sprees.

Geographically, Narathiwat is situated on the eastern coast of the Malay Peninsula. The north borders Pattani Province and the Gulf of Thailand, the west borders Yala Province, the east borders the Gulf of Thailand, and the south borders Kelantan in Malaysia. The plains where the Maenam Sai Buri, Maenam Bang Nara, Maenam Tak Bai and Maenam Su-ngai Kolok converge are adjacent to the gulf.

With an area of 4,475 square kilometers, of which 75 percent are jungles and mountains, visitors to the province are provided with great opportunities to spend days at the beach or in the forests and take excursion trips to some of the magnificent temples. Narathiwat has a tropical climate and has only 2 seasons; summer and rainy. The wettest period is during November to December.
Narathiwat literally means "the residence of good people". The city of Narathiwat has an abundance of traditional culture and authenticity with village-like tranquility. The inhabitants of Narathiwat are largely farmers and fishermen with the majority being Muslims who use the spoken and written Yawi language (Yawi has roots from the spoken Malay language and uses Arabic consonants and alphabets). As such, Narathiwat is an amazing and unique area with a constant flow of culture and trade between Thais and Malaysians.

Provincial Seal

The provincial seal depicts a sailing boat with a picture of a white elephant on the sail in a circle. It signifies that Narathiwat is a province on the coast, engaged in fishing and trading with neighboring countries and that the province has a white elephant called Phra Sri Nararat Rajakarin.

History of Narathiwat

In the past, Narathiwat was a southern borderland named "Ban Bang Nara" or "Manalo". It was located near Maenam Bang Nara and the sea. In the reign of King Rama I, this village was under the administration of Sai Buri. Later, it came under the administration of Ra Ngae town of Pattani province.
In 1906, Bang Nara became a big trading city with well-developed sea and land transportation. King Rama V moved the administration office from Ra Ngae to Manalo. In 1915, King Rama VI changed the name of the town to "Narathiwat".

Todays Narathiwat

Narathiwat is currently divided into 12 districts, namely Mueang, Ra-ngae, Su-ngai Padi, Sungai Kolok, Ruso, Yi-ngo, Waeng, Bacho, Tak Bai, Si Sakhon, Sukhirin, Chanae and one Sub District of Cho Ai Rong.

By Car

From Bangkok: Take Highway No. 4 passing Prachuap Khiri Khan and Chumphon Provinces and Highway No. 41, passing Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung and Hat Yai Provinces and connect to Highway No. 42 for Pattani and Narathiwat Provinces. Total distance is 1,149 kilometers.

By Bus

The Transport Co., Ltd. operates daily bus services between Bangkok-Narathiwat and Bangkok-Su-ngai Kolok.

For more information, call tel. 0 2435 1199-200; Narathiwat Bus Terminal tel. 0 7351 1845 and Su-ngai Kolok Bus Terminal tel. 0 7361 2045 or visit www.transport.co.th.

From Narathiwat: Buses to Bangkok leave from 2 separate small terminals on Suriyapradit Road, close to the police stations. They depart 4 times a day. Buses to Phuket Province via Pattani, Hat Yai, Songkhla, Trang, Krabi and Phang-nga Provinces leave 3 times a day.

There are also minivans that connect Narathiwat and Hat Yai Province for 120 bahts, Pattani Province for 60 bahts, Su-ngai Kolok District for 50 bahts, and Yala Province for 60 bahts. They leave from different stops around the city.

By Train

The State Railway of Thailand has a daily express and rapid Bangkok-Tanyongmat (Narathiwat)-Su-ngai Kolok service, departing from the Hua Lamphong Railway Station at 0.25 p.m. and 2.45 p.m. For more information, call tel. 1690, 0 2223 7010, 0 2223 7020; Su-ngai Kolok station tel. 0 7361 1162, 0 7361 4060 or visit www.srt.motc.go.th. The train station is located approximately 20 kilometers west of town, which is accessible via Songthaew that costs 20 bahts.

By Air

Thai Airways International has 2 weekly flights connecting Phuket with Narathiwat. For more information, contact their Bangkok office at tel. 0-2280-0060, 0-2628-2000; Narathiwat office, tel. 0 7351 1161, 0 7351 3090, or visit their website at www.thaiairways.com.

Getting around Narathiwat

Walking around the town is highly recommended as the city can easily be explored on foot. For those who do not want to walk, the motorcycle taxi is a good alternative with the rate ranging between 10 and 20 bahts/trip, depending on the distance.

Car rental service is also available and is provided by some guesthouses.

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.