Located at Mu 1,
Tambon Kaluwo Nua, the 4-kilometer beach connects with the eastern
coast of Pattani Province. Divided into several segments by its
rocky terrain, Hat Ao Manao borders on Thaksin Ratchaniwet Palace to
the south. The beach is an ideal place for relaxation with its
arboretum and row of pines. In addition, there is a beach forest
study trail for nature enthusiasts. Native plants such as Chak
Thale, Manao Phi and Toei Thale (appearance similar to a pineapple)
can be found in the area. Private accommodations nearby are
available for overnight stays. The beach is situated approximately 3
kilometers from town along the Narathiwat - Tak Bai route (Highway
No. 4084).
A traditional Thai
Muslim fishing village, Ban Thon is located approximately 16
kilometers from the city. The village is a well-known center for
production of real and miniature Korlae boats, which is considered
to be an exquisite form of local art. Boys over 13 years old
traditionally make the miniature boats, costing from a few hundred
baht to 2,000 bahts. Moreover, some children spend their free time
making these miniature boats.
In addition,
products made of Krachut sedge and Annonaceae leaves are also sold
here. A few popular products are colorful and exquisitely designed
eyeglass holders, bags and mats. They are value-for-money souvenirs
ranging in price from 30 bahts to a few hundred bahts.
Other renowned
village products are the sumptuous Budu sauce and fish crackers.
Along the beach visitors will see lines of dried fish and many Budu
sauce vats. The sauce is used extensively in southern cooking,
similar to the use of fish sauce in Thai cooking. It is possible to
see how the sauce is made and purchase some as souvenirs daily.
Visitors please
note that on Fridays, villagers go to prayers and take the day off.
Therefore, it may not be convenient to buy things on Friday.
The village is
located at Tambon Khok Tian, around 16 kilometers from the town on
Highway No. 4136 (Narathiwat-Ban Thon).
This is not an
ordinary village, but is an old community established when the
province was known as Bang Nara village. At present, the village is
a major Batik production center with distinctive, traditionally made
fabrics that have beautiful designs and fascinating colors. They are
multi-purpose fabrics that are very popular among both local
residents and tourists.
The village is
located some 4 kilometers from the Provincial Hall on Highway No.
4055 (Amphoe Muang-Amphoe Rangae). Turn onto Soi 6 of Yakang 1 Road
and proceed for about 700 meters.
This
white-powdered sandy beach stretching for 5 kilometers is located
near the estuary of the Bang Nara River, where the annual Korlae
boat races are held. The beach is naturally decorated with dense
pine trees, which provide a tranquil shady area suitable for
pitching tents. Several beachside restaurants serving southern-style
cuisine and accommodation facilities are provided. The view from the
beach is impressive, as there is a backdrop of fishing villages
extending along the river and the bay is full of Korlae fishing
boats.
Narathat Beach is
located just 1 kilometer from town on Phichit Bamrung Road. Visitors
can conveniently hire motorcycles, tricycles or mini-buses from town
to the beach.
The Park occupies
an area of 142 rais (56.8 acres) in Tambon Lamphu, about 9
kilometers from town on the Narathiwat-Rangae route (Highway No.
4055). The main attraction in Wat Khao Kong is a graceful southern
Buddha image, the golden Phra Phuttha Thaksin Ming Mongkhon, which
is seated in the lotus position. The construction of the
steel-reinforced concrete image that was decorated with gold mosaics
started in 1966 and was completed in 1969. This mountaintop Buddha
image, which is considered to be the most beautiful and largest (17
meters wide and 24 meters high) outdoor Buddha image in southern
Thailand, is decorated in the South Indian style.
The mosque is
located at Ban Bang Nara, just before Narathat Beach. This mosque,
which is the province’s second central mosque built in 1981, is a
religious site highly revered by Thai Muslims. This 3-story
Arabian-style building with a large dome on top has the main
convention hall on the ground floor and the prayer rooms on the top
2 floors. In addition, there is a high tower that is used to call
Muslims to prayer.
Also widely known
as Yumiya Mosque, or Rayo Mosque, the compound is located to the
north of town, further from the Provincial Hall on Phichit Bamrung
Road, just before the intersection at the clock tower. This original
wooden mosque was built in 1938 in the Sumatran-style and is 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 mosque was built at the mouth of Bang Nara River.
However, this old mosque is still highly respected by locals and is
regarded as the central one.
The center was
established according to an initiative of His Majesty the King who
saw the necessity for a knowledge center for land reform in the
area. The center has a complete range of activities such as
analyzing and testing plants, livestock care, providing technical
know-how and providing agricultural training. Occupying an area of
2,784,000 square meters, the center is 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, then
attempts to find a solution so it can be used to counter acidic soil
nationwide. Other projects include 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, fully integrated factory
and Prince of Songkhla University jointly produce products from palm
oil, like oil extracts, soap and butter that are sold to workers and
outsiders. A livestock factory produces animal waste gas wells.
There is also a project that plants Zalacca palm to supplement
rubber plantations.
Furthermore, on weekdays the center operates a training center on
making products from Krachut sedge and Annonaceae leaves.
People who come
here to study also receive considerable enjoyment. This is in
accordance with His Majesty the King’s intention that an observation
tour should be similar to a picnic in a park. Every September, the
center holds an exhibition that coincides with the Narathiwat
Products Fair.
The center is
located between Ban Phikun Thong and Ban Khok Saya in Tambon Kaluwo
Nuea, about 1 kilometer from the Thaksin Ratchaniwet Palace and 8
kilometers from Narathiwat town on Highway No. 4084 (Narathiwat-Tak
Bai).
The bell-shaped
pagoda is situated on the hill adjacent to the Khao Kong Buddhist
Park. Small pagodas housing Phra Phrom images were built above all
four doorways and the holy relics of Lord Buddha are enshrined at
the very top of the pagoda. A convocation hall, with the outer walls
decorated with carved, terracotta tiles is located on a nearby hill
behind which is a figure of an elephant kneeling to present a lotus.
In addition, the building’s awning portrays a warrior and an angel
holding a jug. Local residents built the pagoda as a dedication to
Her Majesty the Queen.
This Palace is on
Tanyongmat Mountain, Tambon Kaluwo Nua, on the coast near Manao Bay.
It is 8 kilometers from town on Highway No. 4084 (Narathiwat-Tak
Bai). Situated on an area of 480,000 square meters at the summit of
the Tan Yong Mut Mountain, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej
commissioned its construction in 1973 as his royal summer residence.
The compound is comprised of throne halls decorated with an
assortment of trees which provide a good shade for the whole area. A
craft center providing training on pottery and ceramics, as well as
selling products is also located nearby. When the royal family is
not in residence, the grounds are open daily for public viewing
between 8.30 a.m. and 4.30 p.m. The Royal Family normally resides
here between October and December. The garden provides a great view
of the adjacent beach and contains an aviary. To visit the Palace,
take a bus that goes to Amphoe Tak Bai and get off in front of the
palace.
