Provinces in Southern in Thailand

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PHUKET

KRABI

PHANG NGA

PRACHUAB KHIRI KHAN

SURAT THANI

Phuket, Thailand's largest island in the Indian Ocean, is 862 kms from Bangkok. It is the only island having provincial status, and was a regional headquarters as well, with a rich and colourful history. Known as the 'Pearl of Thailand,' it derived much of its former glory and its enormous wealth from tin production, which in Phuket dates back over 500 years. Today, Phuket is Thailand’s largest tin producer.

The surrounding waters contain a lot colourful marine life, and the town is notable for its old European style architecture. It is a very attractive island for the sightseer, with lovely seashore, limestone cliffs, and forested hillsides. Phuket Island has a long shape from the north to the south, and its general geographic characteristics are rolling hills alternating with basins and having 32 smaller outlying islands. Phuket, the smallest southern provice occupies 543 square kms. The oversall length from north to south is 48 kms. And is 21 kms at its widest part. Phuket borders Phang Nga Bay to the north at the 490 meters wide Pak Phra Channel, joined to the mainland by the 660-meter long Sarasin Bridge linking Chatchai landing of Phuket and Tha Nun Landing of Phang Nga. To the south and west lies the Andaman Sea, and the Krabi Sea to the east. It is administratively divided into three Amphoes.

ATTRACTIONS IN PHUKET (TRAVEX TOUR)

CHANA CHAROEN FARM
It is located on Chana Charoen Road, containing an aquarium, estuarine crocodiles, alligators and elephant shows.

WAT CHALONG
This monastery is located 8 kms from Phuket town and houses bronze images of the monks Luang Pho Chaem and Luang Pho Chuang, who are highly respected by Phuket inhabitants. Luang Pho Chaem is famed for this part in quelling rebellion by Chinese mine workers who tried to occupy Phuket during the reign of King Rama IV.

LAEM PHROMTHEP
This cape is located 18 kms from Phuket town, otherwise called by the local people, “Laem Chao” where from best scenery of Phuket can be seen.

KRABI

Krabi is located 814 kms from Bangkok along Highway No.4 via Phetchaburi, Prachuap Kiri Khan, Chumphon, Ranong and Phang Nga. Five kilometers before the township area the highway is paralleled to Krabi River featuring a beautiful scenery of a river flowing between the two mountain ranges. Krabi is located on the coastline of the Indian Ocean bordering on Amphoe Phra Saeng of Surat Thani and Tab Put of Phang Nga to the north, Trang and Andaman Sea to the south, Nakhon Si Thammarat and Trang to the east and Phang Nga and Andaman Sea to the West. It occupies an area of 4,708 square kms, administratively divided into 7 Amphoes and 1 khing-amphoe. General geographic condition contains mountains, hill plains and more than 30 small islands off the coast. The still pristine jungles include white mangrove and mangrove forests. The soil is mostly sandy clay and rich loam, perfect for rubber, palm, cashew nut, coffee and coconut plantations.

ATTRACTIONS IN KRABI (TRAVEX TOUR)

MU KO PHI PHI
It comprises six islands: 1) Koh Phi Phi Don, 2) Koh Phi Phi Le, 3) Koh Bida Nok, 4) Koh Bida Nai, 5) Ko Yung, and 6) Ko Phai, lying some distance off the coastline. The superb scenery of the islands includes high hills with jutting cliffs surrounded by beaches of silvery sand and emerald green sea, hiding underneath a bank of coral reefs and colourful marine life which are unrivalled in this area. Phi Phi Le offers many attractions: Tham Viking a large cave full of bird nests as well as ancient colour paintings of Viking boats, thus giving the cave it exotic name. Ao Pi Le and Ao Lo Sa Ma, which are suitable for scuba diving, and Ao Maya, with its white sandy beach suitable for swimming and sunbathing. Accommodations are available on Phi Phi Don where on a village is situated.

MU KO LANTA NATIONAL PARK
Comprises of many different-sized islands, some of which are surrounded by beautiful coral reefs, such as Koh Ha, Koh Rok and Koh Hai. The main island in the park is Koh Lanta Yai, where the National Park’s offrice is situated. This is also home to “Chao Le” or sea gypsies. Visits to Koh Lanta should be made from October - April because there is no monsoon during this period. There are two piers : Bo Muand pier, Amphoe Khlong Them (trip takes about 45 minutes) and Chao Fa pier, Amphoe Muang (trip takes about 2-3 hours).

PHANG NGA	.
Phang Nga is a land of tin mines and beautiful scenery nestled among mountains which rise up around the town as if they were the town wall. The majority of the area is mountainous with very little basin area. Phang Nga covers an area of 4,170.90 sq. kms, 57% of which is mangrove and evergreen forest. Phang Nga is 788 kms from Bangkok, bordering Ranong to the north, Phuket to the South, Krabi and Surat Thani to the east, and the Andaman Sea to the West. It is administratively divided into eight Amphoes.
ATTRACTIONS IN PHANG NGA (TRAVEX TOUR)	.
KOH PANYI This island is home to an entire Thai Muslim fishing village of about 500 houses built on stilts in the sea, and connected by wooden planks. There is one school in the village and a plot of land with a mosque and muslim burial ground. KOH KHAO PING KAN Here a spectacular high cliff may be seen, that appears to have been cloven in two, the halves are supported by leaning against each other--a sight of rare and exquisite beauty. KOH TA-PU “Nail Island” in English, is a small island located in front of Khao Ping Kan. The Base of the rock is quite narrow but having a broad peak, giving the strage a beautiful appearance of a spike driven into the sea. MU KOH SARIN NATIONAL PARK Mu Ko Surin National Park is located in the Andaman Sea and covers the area of approximately 135 square kms for this five islets archipelago. To reach the park, tourists may start from three different point, but the most convenient and the least time consuming is from Ban Hin Lat in Amphoe Khura Buri, which takes about 4-5 hours journey. The island’s attractions are long, beautiful beaches with smooth white sand, lines of perfect shallow water coral reef, and mainland inhabited by Sea Gypsies. MU KOH SIMILAN NATIONAL PARK This park occupies an area of approximately 130 square kms. To get to the park, one can take a boat from the pier in Tambon Thap Lamu, Amphoe Takua Pa or from the pier in Amphoe Khura Buri. The trip takes about three hours. Similan, a small archipelago in the Andaman Sea, comprises nine islands. It is famous for both surface and underwater beautiful scenery. The best time to make a trip for diving and angling is from late December to mid April.

PRACHUAB KHIRI KHAN	.
Prachuap Kiri Khan is a seaside province located some 278 kms south of Bangkok. Its history dates back to the Ayutthaya period. It is located on the bank of Nangrom Canal. It was abandoned during the fall of Ayutthaya. Later a new town was established at the mouth of Khlong I-Rom and the name was changed to Prachuap Khiri Khan during the reign of King Rama IV in the year 1845. Prachuap Khiri Khan is now divided into seven Amphoes, occupying an area approximately 6,767 sq.kms.
ATTRACTIONS IN PRACHUAB KHIRI KHAN (TRAVEX TOUR)	.
HUA HIN At km. 232 of Highway No.35 there is a two-kilometer branch road on the left leading to Hua Hin Beach which is very famous in Thailand. HUA HIN KLAI KANGWON PALACE King Phra Pokklao had it built in the year 1962. The palace is located three kms from Amphoe Hua Hin office. Permission must be obtained from the Royal Household Office prior to a visit. KAO SAM ROI YOT NATIONAL PARK This park is located in the vicinity of Amphoe Kui Buri at km. 287; take a 14 km road branches off on the left. It occupies an area of 61,300 rai (about 24,520 acres) and was designated as a national park on June 28, 1966. The geographical characteristics of the park consists of high limestone mountains, a wide prairie near the sea shore, and islands. In addition, it is also the center of various species and families of plants and trees as well as the home of wild animals. There are three caves worth visiting in the compound of the park. AO PRACHUAP This bay is situated in the vicinity of Prachuap Khiri Khan township, 9 km from Hua Hin. Its beach is long and pleasant. There are bungalows and accommodations operated by both Changwat (Provice) Administrative Office and the Municipality Public Services. AO MANAO This bay is located five kms from Prachuap Khiri Khan township and it is looked after by the Royal Thai Airforce. Permission needs to be obtained from the Commander of the 53rd Squadron, Prachuap Khiri Khan prior to visits. AP MAE RAMPHUNG This bay is situated in the vicinity of Amphoe Bang Saphan, 17 kms from the intersection accessing the Amphoe Office. NAM TOK PA LA-U Located within Pa La-U Forest which covers a year long verdant area of 437 sq.kms, where various kinds of wild animals and a group of Karen people co-habit. The Pa La-U Waterfalls comprise La-U Yai Waterfall and La-U Noi Waterfall which cascades beautifully down 11 tier of rocks.

SURAT THANI	..
The name literally means “city of good people” and is the former seat of the Sivichaya Empire. It is the largest and most important province of the South, located 644 kms from Bangkok. It occupies an area 12,891 square kms, bordering on Chumphon and the Gulf of Thailand to the north. Nakhon Si Thammarat and Krabi to the south, Phang Nga and Ranong to the west and the Gulf of Thailand and Nokhon Si Thammarat to the east. Geographic characteristics of Surat Thani are high plateau and mountains covered with valuable wood forest to the west, and low basins in the central and eastern seashore area. There is a considerable number of islands along the coast and two major rivers: the Tapi River and Phum Duang River. It is administratively diveded into 18 Amphoes and 1 khing-amphoe.
ATTRACTIONS IN SURAT THANI (TRAVEX TOUR)	.
PAK NAM TAPI The Tapi River estuary is some 5 kms from Ban Don municipality. The area is particularly rich in quality seafood restaurants. KOH SAMUI The island is Surat Thani’s major tourist attraction. The island has numerous lovely beaches and bays. It is almost literally an island of coconuts and forested hills, and has become a resort of international stature. Samui’s best beaches line the northern and eastern coasts, the most popular being Chaweng and Lamai where, generally, the most attractive accommodations are found. Besides the beaches, other island attractions include Nam Tok Hin Lat and Nam Tok Na Muang; Hin Ta - Hin Yai, the phallic rock formations at the southern end of Lamai Bay; Big Buddha, a massive seated Buddha image of Fan isle; Na Thon, the island’s major seafront settlement where shops, restaurants, tour agencies and hotels are located; Samui’s Butterfly Park and Samui’s Monkey centre. MU KOH ANGTHONG NATIONAL PARK It comprises some 40 islands northwest of Koh Samui and covers some 250 sq. kms. Major park islands largely towering, verdant rock masses encircled by clear sea, include Mae Ko which has a beautiful beach and an emerald saltwater lake called Thale Nai; Koh Wua Talap, site of park headquarters where accommodation is available for visitors wishing to prolong their stays; Sam Sao with an exciting coral reef and huge rock arch, and Phai-Luak. KOH PHANGAN The large island 60 minutes directly north of Koh Samui, has the lovely waterfall: Nam Tok Than Sadet, Nam Tok Phaeng Forest Park, and an extensive coral reef. Accommodation is readily available here, as well.

Information contained herein courtesy of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). For further information regarding Thailand, please send e-mail to info@travexnet.com .