Namtok
Kapo Forest Park The park is located in the area of Amphoe
Tha Sae, 30 kms. north of Chumphon town along Highway No. 4. It
has a pleasant atmosphere of cool forest suitable for relaxation
with a small waterfall.
Hat Sai Ri
This famous and scenic beach of Chumphon, located 15
kms. southeast of the township, can be reached via Route Nos.
4119 and 4098. To the north of the beach, there is the memorial
site of H.R.H. Prince Chumphon, Father of the Royal Thai Navy,
extremely revered by all seamen. The compound houses a shrine,
a huge torpedo boat named the Royal Chumphon and a herbal garden.
En route to Hat Sai
Ri, there is a small road parallel to some palm-fringed beaches
such as Hat Pharadonphap and Hat Pha Daeng where some seafood
restaurants are situated.
Ko Maphrao
This is a small island full of swallows' nests located
1 km. from Hat Sai Ri and can be clearly seen from the shore.
Ao Thung Makham
This scenic bay looks like a line of 2 semi-circles and is full
of coconut plantations. It is located 6 kms. beyond Hat Sai Ri.
Pak Nam Chumphon
It is the mouth of the Tha Taphao River where a large fishing
village is situated. The estuary is located 13 kms. from town
and can be reached via Route Nos. 4001 and 4119. On the bank of
the Tha Taphao River, there are a few landings where boats depart
regularly to Ko Tao. Ko Tao is a remote island famous for beautiful
scenery and coral reefs, and can be reached from Chumphon within
6 hours by normal boat or 2 and a half hours by speed-boat.
In addition, there
are some offshore islands, which can be visited by fishing boat.
These include:
Ko Samet This
has the same name as the famous island in Rayong. It is a small
island which can be reached within 30 minutes from the Chumphon
Estuary.
Ko Mattra This
is a large island with a sandy beach. Spectacular rocks are seen
in the west and south of the island. There is a coral reef on
the west coast, and rare crabs called Pu Kai, which can climb
up trees and cry like a chick, can be seen here. Small bungalows
are available.
Ko Thalu
A picturesque stone island measuring 100 metres long has two large
holes through which one can swim from one side to the other. Nearby
areas are full of coral and varieties of marine flowers.
Other coral islands include Ko Rat, located to the south of Chumphon,
and Ko Thonglang. |
Ao
Thung Wua Laen Known as the most beautiful beach of Chumphon,
Hat Thung Wau Laen is a long and sandy beach with a slight slope
ideal for swimming. It is situated 16 kms. north of the town.
A comfortable hotel and bungalows, as well as diving facilities
are available. Visitors may take a boat from the beach to explore
some offshore islands including:
Ko Chorakhe
This small island with a stony beach and a coral reef is located
11 kms. from Ao Thung Wua Lan.
Ko Ngam Noi
and Ko Ngam Yai The surrounding areas of two adjacent
stone islands are suitable for diving. These are also the islands
of swallows' nests, situated 17 kms. from the shore.
Tham Khao Khun
Krathing This cave is located 12 Kms. south of Chumphon
along the road to Amphoe Lang Suan (Highway No. 41). Prehistoric
paintings of geometrical sings are found on the cliff near the
mouth of the cave, 25 meters above the ground.
Tham Khao Ngoen
This cave is located by a stream in the same area as
Somdet Phra Srinakarin Park, 7 kms. west of Amphoe Lang Suan.
The inside of the cave looks like a large hall and houses the
inscription of King Rama V's initials.
Tham Khao Kriap
one of the most beautiful caves; located 85 kms south
of Chumphon along Highway No 4 and 6 kms along an access road
The cave is full of stalactites and stalagmites A temple is situated
at the Khao Kriap Hill from which 370 steps lead to the mouth
of the cave.
Hat Arunothai
This 6 km long, palm-fringed beach in Amphoe Thung Tako
is situated 60 kms. from Chumphon along Highway No.4. On the beach;
there is the Shrine of H.R.H. Prince Chumphon; the Father of the
Royal Thai Navy and a resort where visitors can hire a boat to
explore some islands such as Ko Khram and Ko Raobanthat.
Namtok Heo
Lom This huge waterfall in the area of Amphoe Pha To
is situated 16 kms. from the district along the Pha To-Ratchakrut
route (Route No. 4006), then turn left and continue for another
6 kms. The waterfall consists of two levels. The stream flows
into a rocky pool before winding through Amphoe Pha To to the
Lang Suan River. Rafting along the stream to Kaeng Bok Fai (rapids)
is possible only from November to February. The raft trip takes
about 2 hours.
|
The
port city of Chumphon, considered the gateway to the south, is located
463 kms. from Bangkok and covers an area of 6,009 square kilometers.
Along its 222-km. coastline, there are many beautiful beaches and bays
as well as some offshore islands where visitors may enjoy diving and
fishing. Chumphon also abounds in fruit plantations and thick forests
where a number of waterfalls and caves are hidden.
