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AMPHOE KHUAN DON
Bung Thale Ban
Bung Thale Ban is a large swamp that is situated in the middle of
a valley and surrounded by Chin and Wang Pra mountains. The swamp
covers an area of 320 square kilometers and is full of freshwater
fish and shells. There is an abundance of Bakong trees around the
swamp. The park built a pavilion beside the swamp, which is an ideal
place for recreation.
Namtok Ton Plio
Namtok Ton Plio originates from the Chin Mountain. It is a large
waterfall that comes down several levels and has an all-year-round
water flow. To get there, drive on Highway No. 1484 (Khuan Sato-Wang
Prachan) for about 12 kms. from the park headquarters, then take
a laterite road at the junction for another 3 kms.
Namtok Ya Roi
Namtok Ya Roi is a waterfall which runs from Hua Kraming forest.
It is a nine-level waterfall, each possessing a swimming basin.
To get there, take Highway No. 4148 (Khuan Sato-Wang Prachan) for
7 kms., then turn right for 700 meters.
 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. For more information,
contact tel: 0-7479-7073.
AMPHOE KHUAN KALONG
Namtok Panan
Namtok Panan is at Tambon Thung Nui, 39 kms. from town. The waterfall
originates from Ka Ming Mountain. It has a year-round supply of
water and is surrounded by a pleasant forested area.
Namtok Than Sawan
Namtok Than Sawan is a five-level waterfall located at Tambon
Khuan Kalong, 12 kms. from Khuan Kalong District Office. Drive onto
the road that lies in front of the Industrial Estate Office junction,
which passes the Khuan Kalong district, then drive onwards to Soi
10.
AMPHOE LA-NGU
 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
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.
Moo Ko Phetra National Park
Moo 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.
Ko Bulon Le
Ko Bulon Le is located 22 kms. from Pak Bara Pier. The beach is
white and the water here is suitable for swimming. Diving and snorkeling
can be done around Ko Ayam and Ko Hin Khao, where one can get a
great view of the sunset. At night a group of hermit crabs and smaller
crabs populate the beach.
Ko Li Di Lek
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.
Namtok Wang Sai Thong
Namtok Wang Sai Thong is on Ro Po Cho Road (Thung Nang Kaeo-Wang
Sai Thong Road). The waterfall can be reached by taking the Satun-La-ngu
Road at Ban Ko Ta junction, Tambon Kamphaeng. From there, it is
about 26 kms. to Namtok Wang Sai Thong. Namtok Wang Sai Thong is
also accessible from Wa Bridge in Thung Wa district, Tambon Pa Kae
Bo Hin. This route is 19 kms. The highlight of this waterfall is
the pool of water in each limestone basin that resembles a blooming
lotus when water falls down to that level. The area has large shady
trees and is suitable for relaxation.
Satun Freshwater Fisheries Office
Satun Freshwater Fisheries Office is at Moo 7, Tambon Kamphaeng.
The Fisheries Office is a nursing home of rare Kradan turtles that
can be only be found here in all of Thailand. It is open from 8.30
a.m. to 4.30 p.m., Monday-Friday. For more information, call 0-7478-1299.
AMPHOE MUEANG
Khao To Phaya Wang Park
Khao To Phaya Wang Park is located in Satun metropolitan area on
Khuha Prawet Road. Surrounded by a small, limestone hill with a
cave and a brook, it is teeming with various kinds of trees, which
makes the public park peaceful and suitable for recreation.
Ko Langkawi
Ko Langkawi Tourists who want to visit Langkawi Island in Malaysia
can board boats from Tam Ma Lang Pier, which is located 5 kms. from
town. For information contact the Thai Ferry company tel: 0-7472-2143,
0-7473-0050-1, fax: 0-7471-1782 or Satun Travel and Ferry Company
tel: 0-7471-1453, 0-7472-1960.
Ku Den Museum
Ku Den Museum is situated on Satun Thani Road, opposite the Satun
Land Department Office. The two-story building received the influence
of western styled architecture; particularly the windows and doors
which are of Roman motifs. The roofs were designed in the Thai's
Panya style. The windows were assembled with narrow strips of boards
arranged horizontally. The semi - circular clay tiles were used
to cover the roofs. The ventilation at the upper-front of the building
is decorated with star-shaped designs, imminently influenced by
Muslim architecture. Phraya Phuminatphakdi, the former governor
of Satun, built it in 1902 as his residence. The building was used
as a city hall, though nowadays it serves as a museum housing antiques
and artifacts and exhibiting the local art and culture.
Laem Than Yong Po
Laem Than Yong Po and Hat Sai Yao are located at the estuary of
Satun Bay and can be reached by boarding a boat for the 1-hour trip
from Ko Nok Customs Office or at a pier behind Satun Central Market.
Travelling by bus is also possible by riding a bus for 7 kms. to
Che Bi Lang Pier, then turn left and continue another 15 kms. to
Tan Yong Po. Laem Than Yong Po is a promontory jutting into the
Andaman Sea. Tourists are lured here by the fascination of the fishermens'
village and a powdery, white sand beach fringed with a large area
of coconut grove.
Old Buildings on Buri Wanich Road
Old Buildings on Buri Wanich Road Located on Buri Wanich Road in
Satun municipality area, the 600 meter long row houses provide a
pedestrian walkway that is shaded by the upper floor. The front
of the concrete walled houses consist of three parts: the Roman
styled color glass arch at the top, the wooden board Venetian blinds
in the middle, and the solid concrete bottom. These buildings, previously
called Phraya Phumin Phakdi's Row houses, were built during the
same period as Ku Den Museum. Now some of the houses have been dismantled
but most parts still remain.
 Satun
Central Mosque
Satun Central Mosque (Majid Mambang) is located on Buri Wanit Road
and Satun Thani Road in the center of Satun. The mosque was built
in modern Islamic architecture style and decorated with marble and
colorful glasses. The building is divided into two parts: outside
is a corridor that leads to a dome tower where there are picturesque
views of Satun and inside is a prayer hall. The library is located
in the basement. Previously, Masjid Bambang was a one storey building.
Its unique three-tier roofs were arranged in a pyramid shape with
the smallest one on the top and the largest at the bottom to cover
the whole building. The floors were covered with brown tiles. The
interior measured 13 meters both in length and width and the building
was supported by four wooden poles. The original Masjid had deteriorated
because of its wooden structures and because it was too small to
accommodate worshippers performing prayers. It was then uprooted
and rebuilt in the same plot of land. The new building was completed
in May 1979.
AMPHOE THUNG WA
Namtok Than Plio
Namtok Than Plio is at Moo 7, Tambon Thung Wa, 14 kms. from the
District Office. The two-level waterfall originates from Lung Khroe
Mountain in Trang-Satun. The lower level is a basin that is 40 meters
wide and 50 meters long. The waterfall is surrounded by lush vegetation
and various kinds of trees. To get there, drive off the Thung Wa-Pa
Lian Road at the 35-km marker, continue onwards for 8 kms. to Ban
Thung Yao Nui in Tambon Thung Wa.
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