NARATHIWAT
Located approximately some 1,149 kilometers south of Bangkok is Narathiwat the
southernmost province in Thailand and one of the nation's five provinces that
borders Malaysia at Amphoe Su-ngai Kolok, where the southern railway line ends.
Access from Malaysia is convenient via a ninety-minute bus trip and two
immigration points where travelers can cross into Thailand and vice versa. With
Amphoe Su-ngai Kolok serving as an economic and border tourism center, the
province welcomes an increasing numbers of Malaysians and Singaporeans on short
holidays or shopping sprees.Geographically, Narathiwat
is situated on the eastern coast of the Malay Peninsula. The north borders
Pattani Province and the Gulf of Thailand, the west borders Yala Province, the
east borders the Gulf of Thailand, and the south borders Kelantan in Malaysia.
The plains where the Maenam Sai Buri, Maenam Bang Nara, Maenam Tak Bai and
Maenam Su-ngai Kolok converge are adjacent to the gulf.
With an area of 4,475 square kilometers, of which 75 percent
are jungles and mountains, visitors to the province are provided with great
opportunities to spend days at the beach or in the forests and take excursion
trips to some of the magnificent temples. Narathiwat has a tropical climate and
has only 2 seasons; summer and rainy. The wettest period is during November to
December.
Narathiwat literally means "the residence of good people". The city of
Narathiwat has an abundance of traditional culture and authenticity with
village-like tranquility. The inhabitants of Narathiwat are largely farmers and
fishermen with the majority being Muslims who use the spoken and written Yawi
language (Yawi has roots from the spoken Malay language and uses Arabic
consonants and alphabets). As such, Narathiwat is an amazing and unique area
with a constant flow of culture and trade between Thais and Malaysians.
Provincial Seal
The provincial seal depicts a sailing boat with a picture of a
white elephant on the sail in a circle. It signifies that Narathiwat is a
province on the coast, engaged in fishing and trading with neighboring countries
and that the province has a white elephant called Phra Sri Nararat Rajakarin.
History of Narathiwat
In the past, Narathiwat was a southern borderland named "Ban
Bang Nara" or "Manalo". It was located near Maenam Bang Nara and the sea. In the
reign of King Rama I, this village was under the administration of Sai Buri.
Later, it came under the administration of Ra Ngae town of Pattani province.
In 1906, Bang Nara became a big trading city with well-developed sea and land
transportation. King Rama V moved the administration office from Ra Ngae to
Manalo. In 1915, King Rama VI changed the name of the town to "Narathiwat".
Todays Narathiwat
Narathiwat is currently divided into 12 districts, namely
Mueang, Ra-ngae, Su-ngai Padi, Sungai Kolok, Ruso, Yi-ngo, Waeng, Bacho, Tak Bai,
Si Sakhon, Sukhirin, Chanae and one Sub District of Cho Ai Rong.
Distances from Amphoe Mueang (Town) to
Neighbouring Districts:
Chanae 47 kms.
Cho Ai Rong 31 kms.
Tak Bai 33 kms.
Bacho 28 kms.
Yi-ngo 18 kms.
Ra-ngae 24 kms.
Ruso 48 kms.
Waeng 83 kms.
Sukhirin 112 kms.
Su-ngai Kolok 63 kms.
Su-ngai Padi 49 kms.
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travel information for narathiwat |
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By Car
From Bangkok: Take Highway No. 4 passing Prachuap Khiri Khan
and Chumphon Provinces and Highway No. 41, passing Surat Thani, Nakhon Si
Thammarat, Phatthalung and Hat Yai Provinces and connect to Highway No. 42 for
Pattani and Narathiwat Provinces. Total distance is 1,149 kilometers.
By Bus
The Transport Co., Ltd. operates daily bus services between
Bangkok-Narathiwat and Bangkok-Su-ngai Kolok.
For more information, call tel. 0 2435 1199-200; Narathiwat
Bus Terminal tel. 0 7351 1845 and Su-ngai Kolok Bus Terminal tel. 0 7361 2045 or
visit
www.transport.co.th
From Narathiwat: Buses to Bangkok leave from 2 separate small
terminals on Suriyapradit Road, close to the police stations. They depart 4
times a day. Buses to Phuket Province via Pattani, Hat Yai, Songkhla, Trang,
Krabi and Phang-nga Provinces leave 3 times a day.
There are also minivans that connect Narathiwat and Hat Yai
Province for 120 bahts, Pattani Province for 60 bahts, Su-ngai Kolok District
for 50 bahts, and Yala Province for 60 bahts. They leave from different stops
around the city.
By Train
The State Railway of Thailand has a daily express and rapid
Bangkok-Tanyongmat (Narathiwat)-Su-ngai Kolok service, departing from the Hua
Lamphong Railway Station at 0.25 p.m. and 2.45 p.m. For more 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 The train station is located approximately 20 kilometers
west of town, which is accessible via Songthaew that costs 20 bahts.
By Air
Thai Airways International 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 visit their website at
www.thaiairways.com
Getting around Narathiwat
Walking around the town is highly recommended as the city can
easily be explored on foot. For those who do not want to walk, the motorcycle
taxi is a good alternative with the rate ranging between 10 and 20 bahts/trip,
depending on the distance.
Car rental service is also available and is provided by some
guesthouses.
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