Satun, in the south of Thailand, is the provincial capital of the province of the same name. The city sits on the Malaysian border and is a gateway to the beautiful and largely unexplored Andaman islands that make up Tarutao National Marine Park, the most popular onward destination for tourists visiting Satun.
The predominantly Muslim city is also often used as a transit point for those destined for the nearby Malay island of Langkawi. Satun in Malay means ‘mangosteen tree’, and the city boasts a pretty coastline that is backed by mountains. There’s not much to do in the city aside from indulge in local Malay-influenced dishes while you plan you trip to Tarutao.
There is a pleasant public park to wander around in the shade in the northwest of the town and if you carry on through the mangroves that line areas of the coast there is a local fishing village that has been untouched by tourism.
Getting There & Away
There are daily buses from Bangkok to Satun that leave from Bangkok’s Southern Bus Terminal. Although Satun has no airport, there are flights to Hat Yai, from where minivans, songthaew and private taxis can take you to Satun. There is also a train station in Hat Yai that welcomes daily trains from Hualumphong Station in Bangkok, and there is a regular line of songthaew at the station waiting to take visitors to Satun.
Things to Do
Satun Attractions
- Satun National Museum
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The building itself is interesting as it is an example of thai, european and spanish architecture and it houses artifacts from satun’s past.
- Mangroves
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Are the biggest natural attraction in satun.