Ban Thon
Ban Thon is at Tambon Khok Tian, around 16 kms. from the town on Highway No. 4136 (Narathiwat-Ban Thon). This is a traditional Thai Muslim fishing village that is a production centre of real and miniature Korlae boats. Miniature ones range from a few hundred baht to tens of thousand. The boats are all the more valuable because they are made by boys ages 13 and up. Some children spend their free time making these miniature boats, which is considered to be a form of local art. Apart from taking the boats home as souvenirs, you may also take back with you fond memories of seeing little kids devoting themselves to making these masterpieces.
Furthermore, products made of Krachut sedge and Annonaceae leaves are also on sale, like eyeglass holders, bags and mats of exquisite designs and bright colours. If carefully maintained, they can last up to 10 years. The products are reasonably priced from 30 baht to a few hundred baht
The area is also well known for producing delicious Budu sauce and fish crackers. Along the beach you will see lines of dried fish and many Budu sauce vats. The sauce is used extensively in southern cooking, like fish sauce that is commonly used in Thai cooking. Tourists can see how the sauce is made and buy souvenirs daily. However, please note that on Friday villagers go to prayers and take the day off, so it may not be convenient to buy things on that day.
Ban Yakang
Ban Yakang is an old community that has been in existence since the province was just Bang Nara village. It is now a major Batik production centre. The fabrics made here have beautiful designs and colours, all made by traditional techniques. They can be used in a variety of ways and are very popular among villagers and tourists. The village is around 4 kms. from the provincial hall on Highway No. 4055 (Amphoe Muang-Amphoe Rangae) and turn into Yakang 1 Road Soi 6 for about 700 metres.
Hat Narathad
Hat Narathad has an expansive stretch of pure, white sand that is about 5 km. long that is located near the estuary of the Bang Nara River, where the annual Korlae boat races are held. The beach is lined with rows of pine trees, providing the area a refreshing shade and a suitable area for camping tents. There are several beachside restaurants that serve native-style cuisine, and accommodtion facilities are available. Locals like to come here to unwind. Nearby, fishing villages are spread out along the river and the bay is full of Korlae fishermen boats. Narathat Beach is about 1 kilometre from town on Phichit Bamrung Road. Tourists can conveniently take hired motorcycles, tricycles or mini-buses from town.
Khao Kong Buddhist Park
Khao Kong Buddhist Park occupies an area of 142 rais (56.8 acres) in Tambon Lamphu, about 9 kms. from town on the Narathiwat-Rangae route (Highway No. 4055). The golden Phra Phuttha Thaksin Ming Mongkhon Buddha image seated in the lotus position is housed in Wat Khao Kong, atop a mountain that can be seen from afar. Fashioned according to South Indian art style, construction began in 1966 and was completed in 1969. The image was made of steel-reinforced concrete decorated with gold mosaics. Measuring at 17 metres wide and 24 metres high, it is considered the most beautiful and largest outdoor Buddha image in southern Thailand.
The adjacent hill is the site of the bell-shaped Siri Maya Pagoda. Above all 4 doorways are small pagodas. Inside is a Phra Phrom image. At the very top of the pagoda is housed the holy relics of Lord Buddha. Another hill is the site of a convocation hall, with the outer walls decorated with carved, fire clay tiles. Behind it is a figure of an elephant kneeling to present a lotus. The building’s awning portrays a warrior and an angel holding a jug.
Korlae Boat
Korlae Boat is a small, coastal, fishing boat that is used in the lower southern provinces. The boat ranges in size from 1, 250, 1,100 and 1,000 centimetres. The boat has a unique style, with the bow and the stern being higher than the hull. Designs on the boat are a combination of Malay, Javanese and Thai styles, with emphasis on Thai patterns. Such patterns include a running scroll design, lotus, serpents, magic monkeys, and heads of birds in literature like “Burong Si-ngo” or Singhapaksi (a creature with the body of a lion and the head of a bird holding a fish with its beak) at the bow. The creature has sharp fangs and claws, is powerful, and is a good diver. Therefore, it has been a favourite of Korlae fishermen ever since ancient times. The art on the boat is like an “artistic masterpiece on waves” and is considered art of life as the Korlae boat not only shows off the greatness of its design, but is also the primary instrument used by fishermen to make a living. It is said that a Bang Nara villager without a Korlae fishing boat is like a person without clothes.
New Central Mosque
New Central Mosque is at Ban Bang Nara, just before Narathat Beach. This religious site for Thai Muslims was built in 1981 and is the province’s second central mosque. The Arabian-style building has 3 floors. The ground floor is the main convention hall and the prayer rooms are on the top 2 floors. The top is covered with a large dome and there is a high tower for calling Muslims to prayer.
Old Central Mosque
Old Central Mosque is called Yumiya Mosque, or Rayo Mosque. It is in the north of town, further from the provincial hall on Phichit Bamrung Road, just before the clock tower intersection. This Sumatran-style wooden mosque was built in 1938. This is the province’s original mosque and 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 one was built at the mouth of Bang Nara River. However, locals still revere this old mosque and regard this mosque as the central one, thus providing Narathiwat with two central mosques.
Phikun Thong Development Study Centre
Phikun Thong Development Study Centre was established according to the wish of His Majesty the King who wanted it to be a knowledge centre for land reform in the area. The centre has a complete range of studies, such as analysing and testing plants, livestock caring, giving technical know-how, and providing agricultural training. The centre occupies an area of 2,784,000 square metres that 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, complete-cycle 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 centre operates a training centre 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 here should be akin to a picnic in a park. Every September, the centre holds an exhibition that coincides with the Narathiwat Products Fair.
The centre is located between Ban Phikun Thong and Ban Khok Saya in Tambon Kaluwo Nua, about 1 km. from the palace and 8 kms. from Narathiwat town on Highway No. 4084 (Narathiwat-Tak Bai).
Thaksin Ratchaniwet Palace
Thaksin Ratchaniwet Palace is on Tanyongmat Mountain, Tambon Kaluwo Nua, on the coast near Manao Bay. It is 8 kilometres from town on Highway No. 4084 (Narathiwat-Tak Bai). Situated on an area of 480,000 square metres at the summit of the Tan Yong Mut Mountain, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) commissioned its construction in 1973 as the summer royal residence. The compound comprises throne halls decorated with an assortment of trees, giving the area a good shade. There is also a crafts centre that provides training on pottery and ceramics, as well as sells products. When the royal family is not in residence, the grounds are open daily for public viewing during 08.30-16.30 hrs. The royal family normally resides here during October-December. The garden provides a great view of the adjacent beach and contains an aviary. To get there, take a bus that goes to Amphoe Tak Bai and get off in front of the palace.
Chanae 47 kilometres
Cho-airong 31 kilometres
Tak Bai 33 kilometres
Bacho 28 kilometres
Yi-ngo 18 kilometres
Ra-ngae 24 kilometres
Rueso 48 kilometres
Waeng 83 kilometres
Si Sakhon 65 kilometres
Sukhirin 112 kilometres
Su-ngai Kolok 63 kilometres
Su-ngai Padi 49 kilometres
Car
From Bangkok, it is a distance of 1,149 kilometres. Take Highway No. 4 past Prachuap Khiri Khan-Chumphon and Highway No. 41 past Surat Thani-Nakhon Si Thammarat-Phatthalung-Hat Yai and connect to Highway No. 42 to Pattani-Narathiwat.
Bus
Transport Co., Ltd. has daily Bangkok-Narathiwat and Bangkok-Su-ngai Kolok bus services. Air-conditioned buses, varing in 3 types, depart from Bangkok’s Southern Bus Terminal at the following times:
Bangkok-Narathiwat
VIP Bus: 5.15 p.m.
Standard 1 Bus: 3 p.m.
Standard 2 Bus: 3.30 p.m.
Bangkok - Su-ngai Kolok
VIP Bus: 5.15 p.m.
Standard 1 Bus: 6 p.m.
Standard 2 Bus: 9 p.m.
For information, call tel. 0 2435 1199-200 Narathiwat Bus Terminal, tel. 0 7351 1845, Su-ngai Kolok Bus Terminal, tel. 0 7361 2045.
Train
The State Railways of Thailand has a daily express and rapid Bangkok-Tanyongmat (Narathiwat)-Su-ngai Kolok service, departing from the Bangkok Railway Station at 0.25 p.m. and 2.45 p.m. For 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.
Air
Air Andaman provides daily flight services from Bangkok to Narathiwat. For more information, contact their Bangkok office at tel. 0-2996-9119 or view their website at www.airandaman.com.
Thai Airways 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 view their website at www.thaiairways.com.
