FESTIVALS
Narathiwat Products Fair
Narathiwat Products Fair 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 Korlae boat races in front of the throne hall.
Chao Mae Tomo Celebrations
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.
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Welcome to Narathiwat
Source: Tourism Authority of Thailand
General
Narathiwat is one of five southern provinces that border Malaysia. The economic and border tourism centre is at Amphoe Su-ngai Kolok where Malaysians and Singaporeans like to spend their holiday and shop. The area has a constant flow of culture and trading.
The majority of the population is Muslims, with the Yawi language used in speaking and writing (Yawi has roots from the spoken Malay language and uses consonants and alphabets of the Arabic language).
Narathiwat has a total area of 4,475 square kilometres. It is on the eastern coast of the Malay Peninsula. The north borders Pattani and the Gulf of Thailand, the west borders Yala, the east borders the Gulf of Thailand, and the south borders Kelantan in Malaysia. Most of the area is jungles and mountains. The plains where 4 rivers converge are adjacent to the gulf. The rivers are Sai Buri, Bang Nara, Tak Bai, and Su-ngai Kolok. Narathiwat has a tropical climate and has only 2 seasons; summer and rainy. The wettest period is during November to December.
Attractions
Ao Manao Park
Ao Manao Park is at Moo 1, Tambon Kaluwo Nua. It's about 3 kms. away from town along the route Narathiwat - Tak Bai (Highway No. 4084). The 4-km long bay has an extensive stretch of beach that connects with the eastern coast of Pattani Province. The beach is divided into several segments by its rocky terrain. One end of the beach connects to Thaksin Ratchaniwet Palace. The beach has an arboretum and a row of pines that makes it conducive 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). Private accommodation nearby is available for overnight stays.
Ban Thon
Ban Thon is at Tambon Khok Tian, around 16 kms. 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 they are made by 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 the boats home as souvenirs, you may also take back with you fond memories of seeing little kids devoting themselves to making these masterpieces.
Hat Narathad
Hat Narathad has an expansive stretch of pure, white sand that is about 5 km. long that is located near the estuary of the Bang Nara River, where the annual Korlae boat races are held. The beach is lined with rows of pine trees, providing the area a refreshing shade and a suitable area for camping tents. There are several beachside restaurants that serve native-style cuisine, and accommodtion facilities are available. Locals like to come here to unwind. Nearby, fishing villages are spread out along the river and the bay is full of Korlae fishermen boats. Narathat Beach is about 1 kilometre from town on Phichit Bamrung Road. Tourists can conveniently take hired motorcycles, tricycles or mini-buses from town.
Korlae Boat
Korlae Boat is a small, coastal, fishing boat that is used in the lower southern provinces. The boat ranges in size from 1, 250, 1,100 and 1,000 centimetres. The boat has a unique style, with the bow and the stern being higher than the hull. Designs on the boat are a combination of Malay, Javanese and Thai styles, with emphasis on Thai patterns. Such patterns include 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 favourite 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.
Old Central Mosque
Old Central Mosque 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 this mosque as the central one, thus providing Narathiwat with two central mosques.
Transportation
Bus
VIP Bus: 5.15 p.m.
Standard 1 Bus: 3 p.m.
Standard 2 Bus: 3.30 p.m.
Bangkok - Su-ngai Kolok
VIP Bus: 5.15 p.m.
Standard 1 Bus: 6 p.m.
Standard 2 Bus: 9 p.m.
For information, call tel. 0 2435 1199-200 Narathiwat Bus Terminal, tel. 0 7351 1845, Su-ngai Kolok Bus Terminal, tel. 0 7361 2045.
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.
Train
The State Railways of Thailand has a daily express and rapid Bangkok-Tanyongmat (Narathiwat)-Su-ngai Kolok service, departing from the Bangkok Railway Station at 0.25 p.m. and 2.45 p.m. 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.
Air
Air Andaman provides daily flight services from Bangkok to Narathiwat. For more information, contact their Bangkok office at tel. 0-2996-9119 or view their website at www.airandaman.com.
Thai Airways has 2 weekly flights connecting Phuket with Narathiwat. For more information, contact their Bangkok office at tel. 0-2280-0060, 0-2628-2000, Narathiwat office, tel. 0 7351 1161, 0 7351 3090, or view their website at www.thaiairways.com.
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