Attractions in Satun

Besides offering a convenient crossing to Malaysia by land or sea, Satun is also home to the stunningly beautiful Ko Tarutao National  Marine Park.

The provincial capital of Satun itself is not that interesting, but tourists can enter or leave Thailand here by boat via Kuala Perlis in Malaysia. Pak Bara is the small port that it is the departure point for boats to Ko Tarutao.

Satun National Museum is actually an early 20^th century ‘palace’ that was built by the local prince to accommodate King Rama V during a royal visit. Built in a pseudo-European style common in nearby Malaysia, the building has been restored and its rooms arranged to give a surprisingly thorough introduction to the traditions and folkways of the Thai-Muslim South. The display in the museum are miniature dioramas that cover everything such as traditional martial art(mat weaving), and have exhibition of The Sakai, the tribal people.

Khao Phaya Wang , a limestone outcrop next to Khlong Bambang. At the top of Khao Phaya Wang , there are views of the winding green klong, rice fields and coconut plantations.

An alternative is to cruise on the surrounding waters and view the abundance of marine life.

Tarutao National Park Thailand’s first national marine park established in 1974 consists of some 51 islands to the west of Satun. 40 kilometers from  Satun district and 22 kilometers from Bara Pier. This park remains  one of the most pristine and beautiful coastal areas in Thailand. Major attractions in the park are as follows:

 

Ko Tarutao , the biggest island in the park where the park office is situated.  The main island of Tarutao used to be a jail for convicts but now tourists can walk  along  trails to beaches and cliffs. The ruined prisons are found at Ao Talo Udang, on the southern tip of island and at Ao Talowao, on the middle of east coast.  The island contains several bays including Ao Phante Malaka with a hilltop viewpoint; Ao Mo Lae and Ao Son. Tarutao’s largest stream, Klong Phante Malaka, enters the sea at the north – western tip of the island at Ao Phante Malaka. Pier and bungalow are also here. The best camping is at the beaches of Ao Jak and Ao Son, two bays south of the park headquarters on the west coast.

Ko Adang and Ko Rawi situated 40 kms.west of Tarutao are famous for beautiful beaches. There are several neighbouring islands such as  Ko Li Pe where a sea gypsy village and coral reefs can be seen, Ko Hin Ngam which is  full of shiny black pebbles along its beaches, and  Ko Khai, a small island with a natural stone arch. Ko Khai also has a good white-sand beach. Boat from Ko Tarutao take about  40 minutes to reach Ko Khai. Tourist can also charter long-tails from Ko Lipe out of here.

Ko Adang, the island is covered with forest and fresh-water streams. At the south-eastern corner of island where the pier and park office are located. An interesting hike can be undertaken along the island’s east coast to a pretty beach 2 kms. from the park station. Between Ko Tarutao and Ko Adang and Rawi is a small cluster of three islands called Muu Ko Klang, where there is good snorkeling.

Ko Rawi is smaller than Ko Adang. Ko Rawi  located 1 km. from Ko Adang. There are no facilities there at all. Tourists like to visit for sightseeing the clean nature and they also snorkeling the coral reefs with many live species of  coral and many schools of fish. Ko Yang and Ko Hin Ngam (beautiful smooth stone) are excellent spots for snorkelling.

Ko Lipe is the south of Ko Adang. Ko Lipe is not under park control, and has become the main place to stay in this part of park. There is a coral reef along the southern side of the small island and several small beach coves. There are several styles of bungalow that operationed in the main village along the east coast and on the southern side of this island, Hat Pattaya. Hat Pattaya is the nicest of the two main beaches, as the one is front of the chao leh village, on the north-east side of the island.

Thale Ban National Park  on the mainland is a large park of 102 square kilometres. The park is actually a rainforest sandwiched between mountains and is situated near a lake. Thale Ban National Park is located in the area of Amphoe Muang and Amphoe Khuan Don, having an outlook as a picturesque lagoon surrounded by high mountains. Attractions in the park include Namtok Rani, a small waterfall near the park office: Namtok Yaroi, a medium-size waterfall located 7 kms.

from Namtok Yaroi; Tham Lot Puyu, an aquatic grotto which can be reached by boat from Tammalang Pier, 9 kms from town, and the Thai-Malaysia Border, only 2 kms. from the office of the park. Of interest are also several hiking trails along which trekkers can catch a glimpse of rare and endangered animals like the mouse deer and the barking tree fog, as well as assorted species of tropical and marine birds. The Sakai is a tribe of natives that live in and around the park. They make their living off the land and have minimal luxuries.  To get to the national park, drive along Highway No.406 from town for 19 kms. and turn right to Route No.4184 for another 20 kms. Thale Ban National Park is a quick 2 hours drive from Alor Setar in Malaysia.There is a regular ferry service between Satun and Langawi Island, running three times a day. It is most convenient way to enjoy the best of Satun and Langawi in a day. Accommodation is available.

Ko Phetra National Marine Park The park is in the areas of two provinces: Satun and Trang. It consists of a long coastline from Amphoe Langu to Amphoe Thung Wa and several offshore islands such as Ko Phetra, Ko Khao Yai, Ko Lalobaentae, Ko Lidi, Ko Bulon,Ko Laoliang, and Ko Perama.Boats to these islands are available from the Pak Bara Pier. Ko Kao Yai, the largest in the group, boasts several pristine beaches suitable for snorkeling, swimming, sunbathing, camping, and seeing the famed Rock Castle.

Between Ko Kao Yai and Ko Lidi is a channel bay known as Ao Kam Pu. Ao Kam Pu is a tranquil passage with cascading waters during certain tidal changes and some coral at shallow depths. Another tourist attraction is Ko Bulon Leh, approximately 22 kilometres west of Pak Bara. Bulon Leh has a fine white-sand beach runs along the east and the north shores of the island and has some fine coral sites that make for good snorkeling.

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