Thailand’s southernmost region is a land of diverse cultures and fascinating heritage. Tourists visit, but not in droves, so those who do venture here enjoy candid insight into the culture with the opportunity to visit national parks and Andaman beaches.
Explore: Pattani • Yala • Narathiwat • Tak Bai • Sungai Kolok • Betong
- Pattani: A culturally rich city known for its beautiful mosques, vibrant markets, and unique blend of Malay and Thai influences.
- Yala: Offers visitors a glimpse into the diverse cultural heritage of southern Thailand, with lush landscapes and significant religious sites.
- Narathiwat: Known for its serene beaches, traditional fishing villages, and the stunning Bang Nara River estuary.
- Tak Bai: A border town famous for its bustling markets, cultural festivals, and scenic river views.
- Sungai Kolok: A lively border town with vibrant nightlife, rich local culture, and a gateway to Malaysia.
- Betong: Known for its cool climate, beautiful gardens, and the historic Piyamit Tunnels used during the communist insurgency.
Historically, portions of southern Thailand have more in common with Malaysia than they do with the ancient kingdom of Siam. This is apparent in the local architecture, especially in the mosques that populate the coastal villages. The spicy and aromatic cuisine also suggests Malay influence.
Descendents of Chinese traders are another important demographic in southern Thailand, especially in the historic trading port of Trang. The infusion of Chinese beliefs and cuisine along with the staple mix of Thai and Malay influence is tantalizing for connoisseurs of culture.
Narathiwat Province borders Malaysia and is best known for its mountains and jungles. Phattalung Province is similar. Both of these regions have unique geological formations and a few prominent temples.
Islands of the Andaman Sea are an important asset for the tourism industry. Satun and Songkhal provinces both boast islands as well as inland forests and national parks. Songkhal is also home to the largest lake in Thailand where visitors can spot pods of rare Irrawaddy dolphins.
Trang also fronts the Andaman coast and is hemmed in by mountains. Dozens of islands are found just offshore, boosting the area’s tourist appeal. Trang is well connected to the rest of Thailand with excellent road, rail and air links.
In recent years, southern Thailand has unfortunately been colored by spurts of violence fueled by tension between the government and tight-knit Muslim communities. Pattani is the most notorious province, and visitors have wisely stayed away in the past few years. This violence is tightly contained, however, and tourists can visit the Far South’s more hospitable provinces without any problems.
The upshot to this pocket of violence is the degree to which tourists avoid the entire region. Take a trip to the islands in Trang, Satun or Songkhal and you’ll find all of the Andaman appeal without the crowds that characterize Phuket and portions of Krabi. All of this seclusion makes Southern Thailand an ideal getaway for the right brand of tourist.
Where to Go
Top Cities
- Pattani: Ancient kingdom and political hotbed, this is the place to go if cultural adventure is on your plate.
- Yala: Provincial town of the southernmost province in Thailand.
- Narathiwat: A heavy Malay influence brings spice to lovely beaches left vacant by fears of insurgent terrorism.
- Tak Bai: This sleepy town on the coast has a lot of history, and not all of it good.
- Sungai Kolok: This border town with Malaysia is good for visa runs and karaoke bars filled with Asian foreigners.
- Betong: You can’t go any further south from Bangkok than Betong, a decent hill town with cool weather and a diverse ethnic mix.
Provinces
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Narathiwat Province: One of the two southernmost provinces in Thailand and one of five provinces bordering Malaysia, Narathiwat offers some of the finest beaches in southern Thailand and several historically important temples. Narathiwat beach and the giant Buddha on Khao Kong are two popular spots.
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Pattani Province: Lying along the beautiful coast of the Gulf of Thailand, nearly 800 miles south of Bangkok, Pattani is home to many Thai Muslims. Recent deadly violence has destroyed the province’s popularity with visitors.
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Phattalung Province: Situated along the banks of Lake Songkhla, this mountainous province is more than 500 miles south of Bangkok. Khao Ok Thalu, a 250-foot mountain, stands to the east of Phattalung town center. The summit, which has a hole through it, can be reached via stairs.
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Satun Province: One of five Thai provinces that border Malaysia, the province includes a range of beautiful, unexplored areas. The most popular destination is Tarutao Island. The Ko Petra and Ko Tarutao national marine parks, and the Thale Ban protected freshwater swamp area are also popular.
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Songkhla Province: Located on the Malay Peninsula, in the south of Thailand, Songkhla lies along the Gulf of Thailand. Popular spots include the city of Hat Yai, Songkhla Lake, and Kala Khiri and Khoa Nam Khang national parks.
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Trang Province: Bordered by Satun, Phattalung, Nakhon Si Thammarat and Krabi provinces, Trang features hilly terrain and 46 islands in the Andaman Sea. Popular spots include Mu Ko Phetra National Park, the wild splendors of Trang Kao, and many fine beaches.
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Yala Province: Surrounded by the provinces of Narathiwat, Pattani and Songkhla, Yala is one of Thailand’s two southernmost provinces and is inhabited primarily by Thai Muslims. Popular spots include Yala Central Mosque, Yala’s City Pillar Shrine, the natural beauty of Suan Khwan Mueang and Than To waterfall.
Islands & beaches
- Ao Manao Beach: A real beauty with large boulders backing the national park.
- Panare Beach: Seemingly endless sand with no development just outside of Pattani.
- Khae-Khae Beach: Popular with Thai day-trippers is this picturesque beach with large boulders.
- Ratcharak Beach: The sand here may be a little coarse but it’s unlikely you’ll see anyone else around to complain about it to.
- Hu Tat Thu Wu Beach: No services, but a long and clean golden sand beach.
- Sadej Beach: This is the last chance to stick your toes in the sand before hitting Malaysia.
National parks
- Bang Lang National Park: Forest, lakes and waterfalls make up this Deep South park.
- Namtok Sai Khao National Park: This small but diverse park contains a healthy wildlife population.
- Namtok Sipo National Park: Some impressive waterfalls and a peak with a view.
- Budo Su Ngai Padi National Park: The rugged mountains in this park offer a rare chance to see a different range of native wildlife and flora.
- Ao Manao Khao Tanyong National Park: Tropical rainforest is the highlight of this park along the border with Malaysia.
- Sirinath National Park: The northwest corner of Phuket and some great reefs offshore make up this a top-notch sand and sea park.
Need to Know
- Worth it?: Definitely, for those who enjoy exploring different cultures and natural beauty.
- What to do: Jungle trekking, temple hopping, sunbathing, swimming, dining on traditional Muslim influenced dishes, browsing for bargains at local markets.
- Best time to go: October until February attract the majority of people as this is when the weather is relatively dry and cool.
- How long?: At least four days and nights are needed to explore this fascinating part of the country.
- Trivia: The Far South is home to a large Muslim population and boasts a distinctly different culture to the rest of Thailand as well as a wide range of Muslim influenced dishes.