Ao Thung Makham
This scenic bay area consists of Thung Makham Nok
and Thung Makham Nai Bays. Using highway nos.4119
and 4098, for 27, and 31 kilometres to Thung Makham
Nok and Thung Makham Nai Bays, respectively. They
are half-circle beaches, adjacent to each other, separated
by the line of rocks. With long line of coconut trees
and quiet surroundings, these beaches have very fine
sand. By the south end, Wat Suwan Khuha Khiri Wong
or Wat Pong Pang is located under the shade of the
coconut trees. At the back of the Wat facing the sea,
is a long cliff of more than 80 metres.
Chumphon National Museum
Located in Chumphon Governmental Center on Phetkasem
Road at km.484 before approaching Pathomphon Junction,
the museum displays historical and important ancient
materials of Chumphon. The displays are divided into
the following parts: History of Chumphon; Chumphon
during World War II; Chumphon and the Typhoon; Nature
and Outstanding Heritage of Chumphon by means of pictures
and movies. The museum is open for the public from
Wednesday to Sunday, except official holidays, during
9 a.m.-4 p.m. The fee is 30 Baht per person. For more
details, contact at Tel: 0 77504105, 504246.
Hat Pha Daeng
Being 14 kilometres from town by the same route to
Hat Sai Ri or 2 kilometres from Hat Pharadon- Phap,
this beach has a10-metre red cliff which has been
eroded by wind and rain and has turned to the shape
of a curved bridge. It is also one of the best sites
to view the sea and is suitable for relaxation.
Hat Pharadonphap
This beach is 12 kilometres from Chumphon by highway
Nos. 4119 and 4098. This is a large beach, parallel
to the road, which is shaded by coconut trees.
Hat Sai Ri
This scenic and popular beach is about 20 kilometres
from Chumphon by highways no.4119 and 4098. There
are bus services from town to the beach. It is a large
and curved beach and it is one of the favorites amongst
Chumphon people for their relaxation. There are some
accommodations and restaurants available along the
beach.
Khao Chao Mueang
This mountain is next to Hat Sai Ri along the coast
for 2.5 kilometres. On top of this mountain, there
is a pavilion for view watching. And further from
this area around one kilometre, there is an open area
where a panoramic view of the various islands in the
sea can be viewed.
Khao Phang Forest Park
Situated at the border of Amphoe Mueang and Tha Sae,
this park is 12 kilometres from Chumphon along highway
no.4 (Chumphon - Tha Sae route). In the park, there
are many kinds of plants. At the front, are the parks
gate and Prince Chumphons Shrine. The top of the mountain
is both the cut-edge cliff suitable for hangliders
and the view-point for Chumphon town.
Ko Maphrao
This is a small island with 50-metre long, beautiful
beach, including the coral reef in the west. Visitors
who wish to visit this island should obtain permission
from the Provincial Office 15 days in advance because
of the monopoly of the business in the sparrow's nests
of the island.
Ko Mattra
This is a big island which is only 45 minutes away.
In front of the beach, there are many rocks. Visitors
can spend their time snorkelling to see the corals
around the island. On the island, there are facilities
such as accommodations, restaurants, and fresh-water
bathing services. This island is in the area of Chumphon
Islands National Park.
Ko Ngam Yai and Ko Ngam Noi
Being in the south of Ao Thung Wua Laen, seventeen
kilometres from the shore, there are coral reefs,
rocks, and underwater caves. These venues are considered
to be one of the best diving spots. For further information,
please contact Chumphon Cabana Resort at Tel: 0 7756
0245 - 7 or 0 2472 1825.
Ko Samet
With some areas as part of the National Park, this
island has white beach and clear water. It takes only
half an hour to get to this island.
Ko Tao
Even though it is a small island far off in the sea
but it is well-known in its beauty of beaches and
coral reefs. Although this island is in Surat Thani,
visitors can travel by speed boat or regular boat
from Chumphon.
Travelling to Ko Tao:
Tourists can use the following boat service
as follows:
Tha Yang Pier -
Tourists can hire pick-up car from Chumphon to Tha
Yang Pier which is about 7 kilometres away. The boat
leaves from Ban Mae Hat to Ko Tao every night at midnight
and arrive at Ko Tao at 6 a.m. of the next day. On
the return trip, the boat leaves from Ko Tao at 10
a.m. and arrive at Tha Yang at 3 p.m. The round-trip
fare is 200 baht. For more details, contact Tel: 0
7755 3052 - 4.
Songserm Rungrueang Co. ,
Ltd. - The boat leaves from the pier at 7
a.m. and arrive at Ko Tao at 10 a.m. On the return
trip, the boat leaves from Ko Tao at 3 p.m. and arrive
at Chumphon at 5.30 p.m. The round-trip fare is 400
baht. For more details, contact Tel: 0 7750 3735.
Ekkawin Tour - The
boat leaves from Tha Yang pier at 7.30 a.m. and arrive
at Ko Tao at 9.30 a.m. On the return trip, the boat
leaves from Ko Tao at 10.30 a.m. and arrive at Chumphon
at 12.30 p.m. The round-trip fare is 400 baht. For
more details, contact Tel: 0 7750 1821, 0 7758 0273
- 4. There is also a boat service leaving from Ekkawin
Pier or Lom Lak Pier at 7 a.m. and arrive at Ko Tao
at 9.30 a.m. On the return trip, the boat leaves from
Ko Tao at 10 a.m. and arrive at Ekkawin Pier at 3
p.m. The round-trip fare is 400 baht.
Ko Thalu
Being a small limestone island with two big caves,
around the island, there are viewing points for corals
and sea flowers.
Military Youth Monument
Being 5 kilometres from Chumphon on the left-hand
side of highway No.4119 (Chumphon - Paknam route),
this monument is built to commemorate the bravery
of Chumphons heroes for their fight against the Japanese
troop invasion in 1941 during World War II.
Mu Ko Chumphon National Park
Having been announced in 1989, this National Park
covers the total area of beaches and islands of 198,125
rai (1 acre = 2.5 rai).
The Parks Office is 21 kilometres
from town. Using highway no.4001, turn right to Hat
Sai Ri, then turn right again for 8 kilometres. The
Tourist Information Center is connected with the wooden-bridge
walkways for nature study of plant and animals. Visitors
can travel by boats or can stay overnight in their
tents near the office.
The beautiful beaches in the Parks
area are Thung Makaham Beach, Hat Sai Ri Amphoe Mueang,
Arunothai Beach in Amphoe Thung Tako, Tong Khrok Beach
in Amphoe Lang Suan, and more than 40 islands in Chumphon
Sea such as Chorakhe, Ngam, Samet, Maphrao, Mattra,
Thong Lang, Langka Chio Islands, including islands
in Amphoe Sawi, Thung Tako. On some islands, there
are diving sites, fine white sand beaches and corals;
such as Chorakhe Island in the northern part of the
park. Ngam and Lanka Chio Islands have many sea sparrow's
nests. Around Ngam Island, there are perfect coral
reefs which are the interesting sites for diving.
Thong Lang Island has white and beautiful beach. Tourists
can hire boats to travel along these islands at the
appropriate price. Contact at Tel: 0 7755 8144.
Prince Chumphons Monument
The venue is located by the foot of the hill in Hat
Sai Ri area. Prince Chumphon was one of the King Rama
Vs sons. Being the founder of the modern Navy of Thailand,
the Prince was proclaimed as the Father of Thai Navy.
He was respected by the navy, fishermen, and other
people. His picture has been established in most of
the houses in Chumphon.
The Monument consists of Prince Chumphon's
Shrine for visitors to pay respect. Chumphon Warship
is an old big torpedo warship, with the size of 68
x 6.55 metres. This warship was out of order in 1975
and was moved to Hat Sai Ri in 1979.
Herbal Garden is at the foot of the
hill along the seacoast. This is the project of the
Ministry of Public Health to conserve the valued herbs,
in order to continue the concept of Prince Chumphon,
who was also interested in using the traditional medicine
to cure people.
Wat Chao Fa Sala Loi
Located on Chumphon Ao Thung Wua Laen route, tourists
can reach this temple by turning left for 6 kilometres,
before reaching Chumphon Irrigation Office. This old
Wat is worshipped among the Chumphon people through
the strong faith in Luang Pu Song. (A most revered
monk whose body has been believed to be in an undelaying
condition after his death. A big Sala tree is inside
the Wat with orange flowers and strange looking shape
stem. (Lord Buddha was born under Sala tree).
Wat Pradoem
This temple is the archeological site in old Chumphon,
at Tambon Tak Daet. It is on the left-hand side of
highway no.41 (Chumphon - Surat Thani), after passing
Tambon Wang Phai and across Saeng Daet Canal. Some
archeological objects were found such as sand-stone
Buddha image in Srivijaya Period, Chedi containing
Lord Buddhas bones. The decoration of the gate, walls
and other buildings have portrayed the local architectural
designs at this temple.