Talk:Narathiwat/Listings

Get in

By car

From Bangkok, it is a distance of 1,149 kilometres. Take Highway No. 4 past Prachuap Khiri Khan-Chumphon and Highway No. 41 past Surat Thani-Nakhon Si Thammarat-Phatthalung-Hat Yai and connect to Highway No. 42 to Pattani-Narathiwat.

By bus

Transport Co., Ltd. offers daily Bangkok-Narathiwat and Bangkok-Su-ngai Kolok bus services. Air-conditioned buses, varying in 3 types, depart from Bangkok’s Southern Bus Terminal at the following times:

Bangkok-Narathiwat

• VIP Bus – 5.15 p.m.
• Ordinary 1 Bus – 3 p.m.
• Ordinary 2 Bus – 3.30 p.m.

Bangkok - Su-ngai Kolok

• VIP Bus – 5.15 p.m.
• Ordinary Bus – 6 p.m.

There are also scheduled buses to and from Narathiwat to the following destinations available: Yala, Pattani, Hat Yai Please inquire locally at the bus depots/terminals for fares and departure schedules.

By train

The State Railways of Thailand has a daily express and rapid Bangkok - Su-Ngai Kolok service, departing from the Bangkok Railway Station at 0.25 p.m. and 2.45 p.m.

The closest station in proximity to the province's capital is: Tanyongmat, please notify railroad staff if you plan to get off there beforehand. Local transport from Tanyongmat is scarce and scheduled services unavailable. Su-Ngai Kolok has plenty of regular Buses and minivans plying the route to Narathiwat. Minivan fare as of June 2008 is 80 Baht one-way

For 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.

There are no trains connecting to the Malaysian rail network at present. Pasir Mas being the closest station (northern leg of the so-called jungletrain) to Su-Ngai Kolok (approx. 25 KM)

By plane

Thai Airways International has a daily Bangkok-Phuket-Narathiwat flight. For information, call tel. 1566, 0 2280 0060, 0 2628 2000, Narathiwat office, tel. 0 7351 1161, 0 7351 3090 or visit www.thaiair.com

See

Amphoe Mueang

Hat Narathat (หาดนราทัศน์) is a clean, white beach about 5 KM long. It ends at a cape at the mouth of Bang Nara River where the annual Korlae boat races are held. The rows of pines give the area a refreshing shade. Locals like to come here to unwind. Nearby are fishing villages spread along the river and the bay is full of Korlae boats of fishermen. Narathat Beach is about 1 KM from town on Phichit Bamrung Road. Tourists can conveniently hire motorcycletaxis, tricycles or mini-buses from town.

Old Central Mosque (มัสยิดกลางหลังเก่า) is called Yumiya Mosque or Rayo Mosque. It is in the north of town, further from the provincial hall on Phichit Bamrung Road, just before the clock tower intersection. This Sumatran-style wooden mosque was built in 1938. This is the province’s original mosque and the burial place of the old city lord, Phraya Phu Pha Phakdi. Usually there is only one provincial mosque, but because this mosque is quite small, a new one was built at the mouth of Bang Nara River. However, locals still revere this old mosque and regard to this mosque as the central one. This gives Narathiwat two central mosques.

New Central Mosque is at Ban Bang Nara, just before Narathat Beach. This is a religious site for Thai Muslims. It was built in 1981 and is the province’s second central mosque. The Arabian-style building has 3 floors. The ground floor is the main convention hall and the prayer rooms are on the top 2 floors. The top is covered with a large dome and there is a high tower for calling Muslims to prayer.

Khao Kong Buddhist Park (พุทธอุทยานเขากง) is on an area of 142 rais (56.8 acres) in Tambon Lamphu, about 9 kilometres from town on the Narathiwat-Rangae route (Highway No. 4055). Wat Khao Kong and the golden Phra Phuttha Thaksin Ming Mongkhon Buddha image sitting in the lotus position atop a mountain can be seen. The style is South Indian art. Construction began in 1966 and was completed in 1969. The image is made of steel-reinforced concrete decorated with gold mosaics. It is 17 metres wide and 24 metres from top to bottom. It is considered the most beautiful and largest outdoor Buddha image in southern Thailand.

The next hill is the site of Siri Maya Pagoda in the shape of a bell. Above all 4 doorways are small pagodas. Inside is a Phra Phrom image and at the very top the holy relics of Lord Buddha are kept. Another hill is the site of a convocation hall, with the outer walls decorated with carved fired clay tiles. Behind it is a figure of an elephant kneeling to present a lotus. The building’s awning portrays a warrior and an angel holding a jug.

Thaksin Ratchaniwet Palace (พระตำหนักทักษิณราชนิเวศน์) is on Tanyongmat Mountain, Tambon Kaluwo Nua, on the coast near Manao Bay. It is 8 KM from town on Highway No. 4084 (Narathiwat-Tak Bai). Situated on an area of 480,000 sqm., His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej commissioned its construction in 1973. The compound comprises throne halls decorated with an assortment of trees, giving the area good shade. There is also a crafts centre that provides training on pottery and ceramics, as well as sells products. The palace is open to the public daily during 08.30-16.30 hrs., but not on days when the king is in residence, which is usually during October-December.

Getting There: Take a bus or songtheauw that services Tak Bai and get off in front of the palace.

Ao Manao Park (อ่าวมะนาว) is at Mu 1, Tambon Kaluwo Nua. Take Highway No. 4084 (Narathiwat-Tak Bai) for about 3 KM and a road to the beach for 2.5 KM. The bay is around 4 KM long. Rocks divide the beach into parts. The southern end of the beach connects to Thaksin Ratchaniwet Palace. The wooded hill near the beach has an arboretum and a row of pines that makes it very suitable for relaxation. There is also a beach forest study trail. Plants found here usually prefer dry climate like Chak Thale, Manao Phi and Toei Thale (appearance similar to a pineapple). There is limited private accommodation nearby if you want to stay overnight.

Phikun Thong Development Study Centre (ศูนย์ศึกษาการพัฒนาพิกุลทอง) was established according to the wish of His Majesty the King who wanted it to be a knowledge centre for land reform in the area. The centre has a complete range of studies, such as analyzing and testing plants, livestock caring, giving technical know-how, and providing agricultural training. The centre has an area of 2,784,000 sqm., divided into office buildings, demonstration plots and testing plots in swamp forest areas.

Royal projects include a soil project that adds maximum acidity to paddy soil and then finding a solution to it so it can be used to counter acid soil everywhere. Others are a new concept in agriculture that is used in areas with an abundant supply of water and planting of oil palm in highly organic soil. A small complete-cycle factory and Prince of Songkhla University jointly look after products from palm oil like oil extracts, soap and butter. Some are sold to workers and the rest are sold to outsiders. A livestock factory produces animal waste gas wells. There is also a project that plants Zalacca palm to supplement rubber plantations.

Furthermore, the centre has open on weekdays a training centre on making products from Krachut sedge and Annonaceae leaves.

People that come here to study also receive considerable enjoyment. This is according to the intention of His Majesty the King that an observation tour here should be akin to a picnic in a park. The centre holds an exhibition every September at the same time as the Narathiwat Products Fair.

Getting There : The centre is located between Ban Phikun Thong and Ban Khok Saya in Tambon Kaluwo Nua, about 1 KM from the palace and 8 KM from Narathiwat town on Highway No. 4084 (Narathiwat-Tak Bai).

Ban Yakang (หมู่บ้านยะกัง) is an old community that has been in existence since the province was just Bang Nara village. It is now a major Batik production centre. The fabrics made here have beautiful designs and colors, all made by traditional techniques. They can be used in a variety of ways and are very popular among villagers and tourists. The village is around 4 KM from the provincial hall on Highway No. 4055 (Amphoe Mueang-Amphoe Rangae) and turn into Yakang 1 Road Soi 6 for about 700 metres. Ban Thon (หมู่บ้านทอน) is at Tambon Khok Tian, around 16 KM from the town on Highway No. 4136 (Narathiwat-Ban Thon). This is a traditional Thai Muslim fishing village that is a production centre of real and miniature Korlae boats. Miniature ones range from a few hundred Baht to tens of thousand. The boats are all the more valuable because most are made by young local boys ages 13 and up. Some children spend their free time making these miniature boats, which is considered to be a form of local art. Apart from taking home the boats, you may also take back with you fond memories of seeing kids devoting themselves into making of these masterpieces.

Furthermore, there are products made of Krachut sedge and Annonaceae leaves for sale, like eyeglass holders, bags and mats of exquisite designs and bright colors. If carefully maintained, they can last up to 10 years. The products have reasonable prices, from 30 Baht to a few hundred.

The area is also well known for producing delicious Budu sauce and fish crackers. Along the beach you will see lines of dried fish and many Budu sauce vats. The sauce is used extensively in southern cooking like fish sauce that is commonly used in Thai cooking. Tourists can see how the sauce is made and buy souvenirs. However, please note that on Friday afternoons, the villagers tend to go to prayers and take the half day off, so it may not be convenient for you to plan to buy things on that day.

Korlae Boat (เรือกอและ) is a small wooden fishing boat that is used in the southernmost provinces. The boat ranges in length from approx 10 to 13 m. The boat has a unique style, the bow and the stern being higher than the hull. Handpainted designs on the boats are a combination of Malay, Javanese and Thai styles, with emphasis on Thai patterns, such as a running scroll design, lotus, serpents, magic monkeys, and heads of birds in literature like “Burong Si-ngo” or Singhapaksi (a creature with the body of a lion and the head of a bird holding a fish with its beak) at the bow. The creature has sharp fangs and claws, is powerful and is a good diver. Therefore, it has been a favorite of Korlae fishermen ever since ancient times. The art on the boat is like an “artistic masterpiece on waves” and is considered art of life as the Korlae boat not only shows off the greatness of its design, but is also the primary instrument used by fishermen to make a living. It is said that a Bang Nara villager without a Korlae fishing boat is like a person without clothes. The harbors of Tak Bai and Narathiwat (near Hat Narathat) are good spotting locations for these unique boats.

Amphoe Bacho

Budo-Su-ngai Padi Mountain Range National Park (อุทยานแห่งชาติเทือกเขาบูโด – สุไหงปาดี) used to be a part of Sankala Khiri mountain range that divides Thailand and Malaysia. The area was a haven for guerrillas and few people ventured in to see the natural beauty of the jungle here. However, when the situation improved in 1974, the Royal Forest Department established Pacho Waterfall Park that became Budo-Su-ngai Padi National Park. The park has an area of 294 square kilometres and covers parts of Narathiwat, Yala and Pattani.

The Budo mountain range is part of the Indo-Malayan tropical jungle that has high humidity because of the year-round rainfall that it gets. This is a biologically diverse jungle when compared to other jungles of similar size.

This type of tropical jungle is found only in equatorial zones (the area between the 23.5 degrees north and south of the Tropic of Cancer). In Thailand, this area is from the Kra Isthmus down. Botanists divide the world’s tropical forests into three zones; American rainforest, Indo-Malayan rainforest and African tropical forest.

The most distinctive plant here is “Golden Leaves” or “Yandao.” This plant was first discovered in the world in 1988 here. The vine leaves are gold in colour, similar to a hardwood tree of the genus Bauhinia, but considerably larger. Some leaves are even larger than the palm of a hand. The edges of the leaves are curved throughout, like 2 ovals connected to each other. The leaves have a soft velvet-like texture. They have beautiful gold or bronze/rainbow colours. When sunlight reflects on them, they give off a lovely glow that can be seen from a distance. If the tree grows in a damp area, the leaves will be especially thick and soft. When fully matured, the leaves will turn bronze/silver and finally green. The white flowers of the tree are equally attractive. There is a nice one near the park office. Another important, rare and expensive plant found here is the rattan “Takha Thong.”

Rare animals in the area are rhinoceros, agile gibbons, tapirs, and Sumatran serows. The most important animal is the spectacled langur that inhabits Southeast Asia in the south of Myanmar and Thailand all the way to Malaysia and some islands. It lives on high mountains and in deep jungles in groups of around 30-40. The strongest male is the leader. The langur is usually shy, afraid of humans and not aggressive like monkeys. Apart from the spectacled langur, there are 3 other types in Thailand; banded langurs, gray langurs and northern spectacled langurs. All 4 species of langurs are currently endangered mammals.

The park has several waterfalls, such as Phu Wae, Pacho and Pako. The best known and accessible is “Pacho” that has a high cliff. The word “Pacho” is a Malay word meaning “waterfall.” Tourists can go up the 9 levels of the waterfall. It is the province’s largest waterfall and one of the most beautiful in southern Thailand. However, as the jungle around the area is somewhat damaged, there is little water in the dry season.

Other interesting spots are Sala Than That that used to be the rest area of King Rama VII when he visited Narathiwat. A stone bearing his initials is in the area. Tourists can come here throughout the year.

Getting There: The waterfall is 26 kilometres from Narathiwat town. Take Highway No. 42 to Amphoe Bacho to the intersection into the district, and then turn right for about 2 kilometres to the park office.

300 Years Mosque (มัสยิด 300 ปี) (also known as Al-Hussein Mosque or Talo Mano Mosque) is in Ban Talo Mano, Tambon Subo Sawo, 25 kilometres from Narathiwat town. Take Highway No. 42 and turn at Burangae intersection.

Mr. Wan Hussein Az-Sanawi, who migrated from Ban Sano Yanya in Pattani Province, built the mosque in 1624. The mosque was originally roofed with palm leaves and later with fired clay tiles. The mosque is different than others as it is 2 buildings connected to each other. It is built entirely of timber, with pieces interlocking each other without nails. The style is traditional Thai with contemporary Chinese and Malay. The most outstanding feature is that above the roof is a base that supports a gable. The Azan tower has a Chinese style and is situated on the rear part of the roof. The tower has wooden walls with windows. The air holes are carved with leaf, flower and Chinese designs.

This mosque is still used by Muslims. People wanting to see inside must receive permission from the village Imam as normally visitors can only have a look outside. Talo Mano village was also a production centre of handwritten Korans.

Next to the mosque is a Muslim graveyard. For male graves, the rock decorating the grave will be round, while for females, only half of the rock will be visible.

Luang Pho Daeng of Wat Choeng Khao (หลวงพ่อแดงวัดเชิงเขา) is at Mu 4, Ban Choeng Khao, Tambon Paluka Samo, about 13 kilometres from the district office on the way to Pattani. Take Highway No. 42 (Phetchakasem Road) and turn left at Ban Ton Thai for 5.5 kilometres. Luang Pho Daeng, the temple’s ex-abbot and a revered monk of the province, died on 1 January 1979 at the age of 90 years old. His body did not decompose after death, resulting in great worship by locals and they placed the body in a glass coffin for people to pay their respects to.

Buy

Longkong (ลองกอง) is the most famous fruit of Narathiwat. The most popular type is Ban Sipo Longkong of Amphoe Rangae. It is in the same family as Langsat. It has a thick skin and does not have resin like Langsat. Though it has less fruit substance, it is sweeter. Another delicious type is Tanyongmat Longkong that is actually Ban Sipo Longkong grown at Ban Tanyongmat. Longkongs are in season around mid-August-September.

Local Handicrafts are products made from Krachut sedge and Panan leaves, miniature Kolae boats, and ceramics.

Batik (ผ้าบาติก) is a Javanese word used to describe a kind of dyed fabric that combines artistic craftsmanship with dyeing techniques. There is evidence that batiks have been in existence for about 2,000 years.

The art of making Batiks is quite interesting. It has a simple process, which is “drawing designs with candles” or using a tool called “Wan Ting” to dip into melted wax to draw designs on the fabrics in areas where dyes are unwanted, before applying colours. When dyed, colours will appear only in parts where the melted wax was not applied and the colours will be absorbed into the cracks of the hardened wax, creating unusually lovely patterns that are distinctive of Batiks.

Nowadays prints are more popular than handmade designs as it is quicker and more convenient. Batiks are sold in major tourist cities in Thailand, as well as exported to Malaysia.

Salted Threadfin (ปลากุเราเค็ม) is a type of salted fish that has soft meat. It is the most delicious and most expensive salted fish in Thailand. It is sought after by people everywhere. It is made at Tambon Chehe in Amphoe Tak Bai.

Festivals

Narathiwat Products Fair (งานของดีเมืองนรา) showcases all the highlights of the province, such as the show of special arts and crafts, Krachut sedge day, barred ground dove cooing contest, Longkong day, and the annual Kolae boat races in front of the throne hall.

• Korlae-Long Boat Races in Front of the Throne Hall are held on Bang Nara River opposite Sala Prachakhom (community pavilion). This is an annual event held when the Royal Family is in residence at Thaksin Ratchaniwet Palace.

• Krachut Sedge Day is an event of the province held around the same time as the boat races in order to publicize and promote hemp products, one of the activities of the crafts project of the province. Products are made in places like Mu Ban Thon and Ban Phikun Thong. Activities of the day include an exhibition on production from the preparation of raw materials that are the Krachut sedge trees that grow in peat swamp forests or waterlogged areas of the province, to weaving the sedge into beautiful mats or transforming it into other lovely and unusual products like hats, handbags, letter holders, food covers, and lamp shades. Moreover, there are Krachut contests and stores selling Krachut sedge products.

Chao Mae Tomo Celebrations (งานสมโภชเจ้าแม่โต๊ะโมะ) is an important festival of Su-ngai Kolok and consists of the Chao Mae Tomo procession, floral floats, lion and dragon parade, and performance of people being possessed. The event is held on the 23rd day of the third month of the Chinese calendar. Entertainment includes Chinese opera and many shops.

Sleep

Amphoe Muang

• Ocean Blue Mansion (297 Phupapakdi Rd. (phone: 073-811109 / 511047) 20+ rooms : 350 - 450 baht

• Cathay (คาเธ่ย์ 275 Phupapakdi Road (Tel: 0 7351 1014) 15 rooms: 120-150 baht

• Chao Phraya Resort (เจ้าพระยา รีสอร์ท) 54 Suriyapradit Road (Tel: 0 7351 3467) 17 rooms: 250-380 baht

• Tanyong (ตันหยง) 16/1 Sophapisai Road (Tel: 0 7351 1477-9) 27 rooms: 170-440 baht

• Tippawan (ทิพวรรณ) 36/16 Chareonpong Road (Tel: 0 7351 1872) 27 rooms: 170-440 baht

• Narathiwat (นราธิวาส) 341 Pupapakdi Road (Tel: 0 7351 1063) 19 rooms: 100 baht

• Bangnara (บางนารา) 274 Pupapakdi Road (Tel: 0 7351 1036) 16 rooms: 110 baht

• Yaovarat (เยาวราช) 131 Pichitbumrong Road (Tel: 0 7351 1320) 42 rooms: 120-250 baht

• Rex (เร็กซ์) 6/1-2 Chamrunnara Road (Tel: 0 7351 1134, 0 7351 1190) 38 rooms: 200-450 baht

• Pacific (แปซิฟิค) 41/1-2 Vorakampipit (Tel: 0 7351 1076, 0 7351 1259) 21 rooms: 300-440 baht

• Panun Resort (ปาหนัน รีสอร์ท) Narathiwat-Takbai Road (Tel: 0 7351 4749) 40 rooms: 300-500 baht

--(WT-en) globe-trotter 18:45, 5 February 2010 (EST)