2 days 1 night

From Pattalung downtown, you drive along Highway No 4047 to Lum Pa Beach. Along the way, you’ll find Pattalung Hospital (0-7461-3008) and Piyarak Hospital (0-7462-7146-54) as well as an LPG gas station. Before reaching the beach, you should stop to take photos at a palace of the former Pattalung governor, which is on the right. Inside the palace, there are old and new palaces. Admission fee is only Bt5, open daily from 9am to 4pm. You can then visit Wang Temple about 200 metres away, where you can see beautiful wall paintings and wall carvings.

Box: Kalamae Mae Jit Restaurant is a stall near Wang Temple. It sells spicy and delicious chilly paste and local curry. You can taste Kalamae dessert for free.

Box: Lam Pa Resort (0-7461-1486) offers bungalows at the Lum Pa Beach. Rooms at Bt500-1,200.

After leaving the beach, you will arrive at an intersection, turn right and drive along Sansuk Lam Pa Beach. You then pass Saeng Arun Temple and Pattalung Botany Garden.

Recommended: Nam Ta-le Noi Bird Garden. Here you can take a boat ride to see the pink lotus. The one-and-a-half-hour ride costs Bt300 per passenger.

Tip: You should visit at about 10am as all the lotuses there will abloom, a beautiful sight indeed.

In the afternoon, after leaving Ta-Le Noi Sea, take the old route to drive on a bridge that stretches along the sea. It has beautiful sceneries with birds flying along the beach. Near the foot of the bridge, you will see many restaurants on both sides of the road.

Go straight following the sign of Ranote district, passing Ban Mai health station. When you see an intersection, turn left to Highway No 4083. Turn right to Highway No 408 and go straight for a while until you arrive at the 110 km, opposite PTT petrol station. There you will find an entrance to the Pha Ko Temple, which has beautiful buildings. You should visit and pay respects to Somdet Pha Kho or Luang Pho Thuat Yiap Nam Tha-le Chuet, the most revered monk in the South.

After that, when you arrive at 113 km, you will see Dee Luang health station. Continue on Highway No 408 to pass Sating Phra district. There is an entrance to Ku Kud Bird Garden. You could rent boats from local people to watch birds. Renting fee is Bt250 per boat.

You will pass Sating Pra Hospital (0-7439-7012, 0-7439-7038). When you arrive at Singha Nakhon district, turn right at a three-way intersection to take Highway No 408 to pass Tinsulanond Bridge to Koh Yor.

Tip: You can stop on the bridge to take photos, but you have to park your car on the roadside.

Accommodations in Hat Yai

BOX: Suppant Mansion (Bt450) is a serviced apartment.

In the morning, you should shop at Kim Yong market, where you can find desserts and food, and then take a walk in Hat Yai. In the afternoon, you can spend your money on electrical appliances and fashion products at Santisuk Market. You will enjoy the nightlife in Hat Yai.

Box: Dim Sums at Chokdee Restaurant and don’t miss traditional ice tea in Hat Yai markets.

Accommodation:

– Ta-Le Noi Resort, Pattalung; Tel 08-1189-6193; Bt400-1,000

– JB Hat Yai Hotel; Tel 0-7423-4300-18; Bt1,600-7,000

Restaurants:

– Ruen Chai Buri: Kuan Kanoon, Pattalung; Tel 0-7468-2354, 0-7468-2632

Hospitals:

– Songkhla Hospital: Tel 0-7433-8100

– Hat Yai Hospital: Tel 0-7423-0800-4

Police:

– Pattalung Police: Tel 0-7462-7651

– Songkhla Police: Tel 0-7430-7058, 0-7432-1868

– Hat Yai Police: Tel 0-7425-7333

– Tourism Authority of Thailand (south: Zone 1 Songkhla). Tel 0-7423-1055, 0-7423-8518

– Tourism Authority of Thailand (south: Zone 2); Tel 0-7534-6515-6

3 days 2 nights

Sightseeing in downtown Trang

Recommend

Tuk-tuk ride (available at many hotels)

Fee: Bt200 per hour, Bt400 for 2 hours, Bt600 for 3 hours

Cuisine

Trang’s traditional roasted porks. Many kinds of dim sums will be served.

Attractions:

Tham Kong Yia Shrine: a sacred shrine of Trang. You can pray and ask for anything you want. But don’t forget to honour your promise in exchange for the fulfilment of your wish.

Praya Rassada Monument: He was a Trang governor who brought rubber plants from Malaysia. The plant has turned out to be an important ingredient of the present national economy.

Residence of Mother Tuen, mother of former prime minister: The residence is open for public. If she is present, she loves to talk to visitors.

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Box: Shop at OTOP shops, which sell handicrafts and local products from 10 districts and other southern provinces. Recommended products are Trang cake, Khao Chong coffee.

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In the afternoon, take road No 4 to go to Huay Yod district. Along the way, you will find petrol stations. Turn left at 7 km to Le Kaokob Cave. You have to lie on your stomach on a boat to witness the extraordinary stalagmite and stalactite formations.

BOX: Thammarin Thana, Huay Yod Road, Trang; Tel 0-7522-3223, 0-7521-1211-20). Bt200-250

Leave Le Khao Kob by turning left on road No 4 until you arrive at Nawong intersection. Turn left to take highway No 4159 and drive until the end where highway No 4046 cuts across. Then turn right to Pak Meng beach. Drive until you approach Ton Ma Muang intersection, where you turn left to highway 4162 and drive until you arrive at Pak Meng pier.

There are diving firms at Kradan, Chuek , Ma Islands and Morakot Cave.

Package tour: one-day trip, 750 per person including lunch, snacks, guide and diving equipmnent

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Koh Ngai Villa (075-203-112), Le Trang Resort (075-274-028), Libong Tour (075-274-092)

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From the pier, you drive along the beach to go to Chao Mai National Park (0-7521-0099)

Admission Fee: Thais (adult – Bt40, children, students – Bt20) Foreigners: (adult – 200, children – Bt100). A cabin for 8 persons – Bt300; tent for 3-5 persons – Bt225; tent for 1-2 persons – Bt150.

In the morning, head to Kantang district taking highway No 4261 until you arrive at a T-shaped intersection. Turn right to take highway No 404 to Yantakao district. If you turn left, you will go to Trang airport. There are many petrol stations on the way.

Turn left at a three-way intersection, follow the sign of Satun province and take highway No 416. About 1 km from there, you will see Palien Hospital (075-289275) on the left. When you enter Satun province, you will find Tungwa Hospital (0-7478-9015) at 24 km. When you enter La Ngu district, go straight to enter highway No 4052, which goes to Pakbara Pier. Before you reach the pier, look left for the entrance of the National Park of Petra Islands (0-7578-1582). You should visit the place. But if you drive on, you will arrive at Pakbara Pier where you can travel to Tarutao, Adang, Ravee and Lee Pe Islands.

National Park of Tarutao Islands: Visitors can book accommodation with the park office. To rent boats, contactg private firms at the pier.

Speed boats to Tarutao and Kai Islands: round trip (Bt1,200, travelling time – one and half hours)

Ferry to Tarutao Islands: round trip Bt1,000/2 hours

Accommodation on Le Pe Island: Prices are between Bt500 to Bt3,000.

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1. Tarutao Speed Boat Ferry Team (084-479-4374): Package tour 3 days 2 nights; Speed Boat – Bt5,100, Long-tailed boat – Bt4,300.
2. Andrew Tour (081-897-8482): Package tour – 3 days 2 nights, travelling by Speed Boat; Diving – long-tailed boat  (Bt 3,500 )

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Return to the main road to go to La Ngu district until you reach La Ngu intersection and then turn right. Follow the sign of Satun to Ban Kota intersection, turn left to highway No 4137, turn left again and follow the sign of Wang Sai Thong waterfall. Take rural road No 4010 past Chalermprakiart health station.

Recommended: Visit, and try rafting at Wang Sai Thong waterfall. The water is so crystal clear that you can see the fish. Contact local people there; price (Bt250/person for 7 km for 1 hour

Don’t miss Pupaphet Cave.

When you return to the main road, you will find signs of Pupaphet Cave throughout the way. Beautiful and stunning stalagmite and stalactite formations adorn the 50-rai cave.

Admission fee: adult – Bt20, child – 10

Open daily from 9am to 3pm.

Visitors have to climb up about 300 steps, but the visit is worth it.

Tip: It is good to carry your own torch. Follow the guides if you don’t want to be stranded inside the cave.

You can leave the cave in late afternoon. Return to highway No 4010, turn right to highway No 4137 to go to Kuan Kalong district. Kuan Kalong Hospital (0-7473-7102-4) is situated at 15 km on the left. Turn left to take highway No 4137. When you drive past Kuan Kalong district office for about 7 km, there will be a traffic light, to turn right to Ban Sea.

You will drive about one km before you see Kuan Don Hospital (0-7479-5066) on the left. From there, you drive about 20 km before arriving at Ban Sea. Security officers have set up checkpoints along the road.

Admission to Ban Sea: adult – Bt20, child – Bt10, vehicle – Bt5.

Tip: Leave the park before it gets dark for security reasons.

Accommodation:

1. Koe Kao Resort: Chao Mai Pier, Kantang district, Trang; Tel 0-7520-3033; Bt 800

La Ngu Pupa Resort: Satun; Tel 0-7478-1277, 0-1957-1864. Bt350-900

Restaurants

Khao Chong Coffee: Pattalung road, Muang district, Trang; Tel 0-7521-8759

Souvenirs

Trang’s Handicraft Centre: Trang-Pattalung Road (near governor’s residence); Tel 0-7521-5395

OTOP coffee: Tambon Kuan Don, Satun.

Hospitals

Trang Hospital: Tel 0-7521-2241,0-7521-8018

Police station

Muang Trang Provincial Police: Tel 0-7521-8633

Muang Satun Provincial Police: Tel 0-7473-2347-8

Tourism Authority: Southern Region (Satun): Tel 0-7423-1055, 0-7423-8518, 0-7424-3747

Tourism Authority: Southern Region (Zone 1, Trang): Tel 0-7534-6515-6

3 days 2 nights

From Surat Thani downtown, take Highway Route 401 until you find an intersection that meets Highway Route 41. Drive past it and you will see PTT petrol station. From here, follow the sign of Ratchaprapa Dam until you reach 58 km. Turn right at the sign to the dam and drive for 12 km.

Recommended: Khao Sok National Park – Tel (0-7739-5139, 0-7729-9318-9, 0-7729-9150-1); Rent a boat to experience Thai Kuilin

At Ratchaprapa Dam, you can enjoy somtam food in welfare restaurants. Expect them to be crowded with local people.

Renting boats: Two-hour Round Trip – Bt1,200/a 12-passenger boat. The service is from 6am to 7pm. You can stay overnight on a raft at Bt200 per night

In the afternoon, leave Khao Sok, take Highway Route No 401, go through an intersection and you will find a PTT petrol station on the right, which is also a rest area for vehicles. When you reach an intersection that can go to Chumphon and Surat Thani, turn right to take Highway Route No 41 to go to Tung Song district of Nakhon Si Thammarat. There are many petrol stations along the way.

At 232 km, there is Tambon Khao Nipon health station on the left. If you drive past Jandee intersection, turn left and follow the sign of Thung Song district. Drive until you find a T-shaped intersection, turn left and follow the sign of Thung Song district. You will find PTT petrol station, with an ATM on the left. Take the bridge and turn right to Thung Song Hospital (0-7541-0100) and you will see the sign of Lord Cave. The cave, through which you can walk, has a huge leaning Buddha statue.

Then you return to your former route and turn left at Thung Song Hospital intersection, turn right at an intersection with a pedestrian bridge. Drive past railway tracks until you approach an intersection where you’ll find a 7/11 convenience store. Turn right, follow the sign of Pattalung province, and take Highway No 403. Then follow the sign of Yong National Park (0-7535-4967, 0-7530-9206) and drive for about three and a half km.

Fees: Thai (adult – Bt20, child – Bt10); Foreigner (adult – Bt400, child – Bt200); motorcycle – Bt10; car – Bt30

– In the park, you can enjoy swimming in the waterfall. Bathrooms and restaurants are also available.

BOX: The Twin Lotus Hotel, Pattanakarn Kukwang road, opposite Lotus Store (0-7532-3777), Bt1,000-9,000

In the morning, you leave the town using Highway No 4016, turn left at Nareng Intersection, where you will see a PTT petrol station. Turn right and follow the sign of Krungching Waterfall. Take a right turn at Noppitam Intersection to take Highway No 4186. You will drive about 29 km to reach the waterfall.

Recommended: Krungching waterfall is in the compound of Khao Luang National Park (0-7530-9047).

Fee: Thai (adult – Bt40, child – Bt20), Foreigners (adult – Bt200, child – Bt100).

The second layer of the waterfall is the most beautiful. You have to walk up 3 km to get there.

Tip: Four-wheeled vehicles are recommended because the way is narrow and bumpy.

In the afternoon, take Highway No 4186 until you reach Noppitam intersection, and then turn left to Highway No 4140. Drive until you approach an intersection, which has a Lotus store, then turn left to the Surat Thani-bound route or Highway No 401. At 100 km, there is Ban Nalae health station. Turn right at a big three-way intersection and take Highway 4014. Follow the sign of the Kanom National Park (South Sea Islands) (075-528-495).

TIP: You have to book in advance with officials in order to get fishing boats to Tha Rai Island to experience pink dolphins in fresh-water swamp in the middle of the sea.

Recommended: Nai Pla Beach, crystal clear sea water, strong wave. Hotels and Bungalows are available along the beach.

BOX: Supa Royal Beach: restaurants and seaside mini bars (0-7552-8417, 0-7552-8552); Bt1,200-3,500

If you want to go to Samui and Phang Nga Islands, take Highway Route 4232, drive to Kanom district and turn left to take Highway Route 4104. Then turn left at Kruwing three-way intersection and you will find an entrance to the ferry pier of Samui and Phang Nga Islands between 26 km and 27 km. Boats from Sea Trans Pier go to Samui Island only.

- Boats leave the pier every hour from 6am to 7pm and return trip service starts from 5am to 6pm. One-way trip takes an hour and a half.

– Racha Ferry provides boat service to Samui Island every hour and every two hours from 6am to 6pm.

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Accommodation:

– Grand Park: Pak Nakhon road, Muang district, Nakhon Si Thammarat; Tel  0-7531-7666-73; Bt 600-900

– Wang Tai: Talard Mai road, Nai Tua Muang, Surat Thani; Tel 0-7728-3020-39; Bt800-2,000

– Four Seasons: Chaweng Beach, Surat Thani; Tel 0-7742-2238; Bt400-1,600

Restaurants:

– Chinese Pasta Noodles: Opposite Pratard Munnithi School, Nakhon Si Thammarat; Tel 0-7534-5327 , open 9am to 1pm

– Rinda Khaotom: Akara Withee, Kanom district, Nakhon Si Thammarat, open 6pm to 2am

– Tapee Seafood, Paknamtapee raod, Surat Thani; Tel 0-7728-2115

Hospitals:

– Maharat Nakhon Si Thammarat Hospital; Tel 0-7534-0250

– Surat Thani Hospital; Tel 0-7727-2231

– Samui Hospital; Tel – 0-7742-1399, 0-7742-0902

Police:

– Provincial Police, Nakhon Si Thammarat; Tel 0-7534-1089

– Provincial Police, Surat Thani; Tel 0-7727-2244, 0-7728-1241

– Tourism Authority Office (Southern Region, Zone 5: Koh Samui district); Tel 0-7742-0505, 0-7742-0720-2

– Tourism Authority Office (Southern Region, Zone 2: Nakhon Si Thammarat; Tel 0-7534-6515-6

4 days 3 night

To go to Surin Islands Natural Park, you drive along Highway No 4 to Phang Nga province. When you enter Kuraburi district at the 729 km, turn right to Kuraburi pier (there is a sign showing a way to Surin Islands). Driving for 2 km, you will find an entrance to the Natural Park of Surin Islands.

You can book accommodation at the park office, which offers tents and bungalows. If you are interested in renting boats, you have to contact a private company which is located about 200 metres from the park office. It will provide you with passenger boats and speed boats.

Passenger boats can be rented for about 3 hours and speed boats for about 1 hour. You can buy either a round ticket or package tour.

Box : The natural marine park is closed from November 15 to May 15.

Leaving the pier along Highway No 4, you will see PTT petrol station when you enter a community area.

If you drive along the road until you arrive at a Kokkien three-way intersection, turn right (to enter Highway No 4) to go to Kakua Pa district. You turn right at a three-way intersection, following the sign of Khao Lak.

When you drive for a while, you will see Kakua Pa Hospital (0-7642-1770).

If you drive past it to Khao Lak area, all signs are in English to guide foreign visitors. If you turn left at the Tsunami Memorial sign and drive along for 200 metres, you will find the memorial where you can take photos.

If you drive past 57 km, you will arrive at Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park (0-7642-0243).

Tip: You should be careful because the entrance is on a curving path.

Fee: Adult – Bt20, child – Bt10; vehicle – Bt30

You can park your car at a parking lot and walk to a viewpoint. Don’t worry about the way, which is full of bushes and trees, as the scenery is very beautiful.

Tip: If you are hungry, you can have your meal at the park’s restaurant. You will find tables at the balcony perfect because from there, you can see both the forest and Khao Lak sea.

After that, you should drive back to the same road to look for accommodation at Khao Lak. Room rates at hotels and resorts along the beach are quite high. You could stay at hotels along the roadsides. After finding the place, you can enjoy your time along the beach or test your swimming skills in the sea.

Box: Motive Cottage (076-420-073): air-conditioned room, swimming pool. Bt1,800

You can visit Tsunami Volunteers Centre by driving past the Marine National Khao Lak Park. At 5 km, turn right at PTT petrol station to enter Highway No 4147, drive for about 3 km, and you will find the office of the National Park of Similan Islands.

You must book for accommodation on the islands here.

Accommodation is available on Koh 4 (tents and bungalows) and Koh 8 (tents).  You can have reservation not more than 60 days in advance.

In case you bring your own tents, you have to pay Bt80 for each per night plus entrance fee of the park (Thais: Adult : Bt80, Child : Bt60//Foreigners : Adult : 400, Child : Bt200).

If you want to book a boat, drive to the pier where you can buy round tickets and package tour. Boats leave the pier at 8.30am and speed boats spend about one and half hours.

When you drive from the pier back to Highway No 4 and drive along to an intersection, both ways are Highway No 4. If you want to go to Phuket, you have to take a bypass. Another route goes to Phang Nga Bay.

Tip: Km markers in the area could be a little confusing.

At the 33 km marker, turn left and drive for 2 km, and you will arrive at Lampee Waterfall. Around 26 km, there is Tai Muang Hospital (0-7657-1779). There you will find a three-way intersection. Turn left but be careful when you arrive at 13 km because it has a sharp curve. When you enter road No 402, follow the sign to Phuket. At 3 Km, turn right at the intersection to go to Phuket. Drive past Dhepkasatree Bridge and stop to take photos at the Phuket Gate on the right side.

There are two sharp curves again at the 37 km. Around the 18, you go through to enter Muang Phuket to Kata Noi – Kata Bay and Karon Bay. The roads along the beach go up and down the hills. In the area, there is Choeng Ta-le police station (0-7632-4086). These roads pass all the beaches. You can make a right turn to any beach you want to visit. However, it is recommended that you drive slowly.

Recommended: Viewpoints to observe three bays; Take photos of Kata-Karon and Patong beaches.

After Kata beach, you drive along the beach, and turn left at a three-way intersection to enter Highway No 4233. Drive for 2 km, you will find a viewpoint to see three beaches on the right hand.

Tip: Be careful when you make a turn because the entrance to the parking lot is right on the bend and quite dangerous.

Don’t miss sunset at Promthep Cape.

After you leave the viewpoint of the three beaches, turn right and drive about 1 km, you will find a three-way intersection. Follow the sign of Promthep Cape. You will have to make right turns three times to reach the cape. There are signs throughout the road. After enjoying beautiful sunsets at the cape, you can return to stay at Kata-Karon or Patong beaches or turn right to route No 4233 to stay downtown.

In the morning, you can take photos of antique buildings

on Deebuk Klang - Krabi and Yaowarat Roads (they are connected).

To go to the Butterfly Garden, you should drive along Yaowarat Road and turn left at Samkong intersection. Go straight, turn right at another intersection and go for about 500 metres, you will find a sign showing entrance to the Butterfly Garden and Insect World. The place is good for sight seeing.

Fees: Thai (adult – Bt80, child – Bt40), Foreigner (adult – Bt300, child – Bt150).

To go to Sarasin Bridge, take road No 402 after leaving the Butterfly Garden, turn right until you find a major intersection where Lotus Department store is located. Turn right again and follow Phang Nga Sign. Turn left at a three-way intersection to Sarasin Bridge.

Before you leave Phuket, you should visit Tao Thepkrasatree and Tao Sisoonthorn Monument at the Ta Rua Intersection. Then when you drive straight, you will find Shell petrol station on the left, and an LPG station on the right.

Talang Hospital  (076-311111) is at 17 km., followed by a community which has many banks. Drive until you reach a three-way intersection, and drive through it and make a U-turn. Turn left to enter Pra Thong or Phra Pud Temple, which is about 250 metres from there.

In the afternoon, make a U-turn after leaving the temple, go past Sarasin Bridge and to Phang Nga. Before reaching the bridge at 24 km, there is Susco gas station which sells LPG. You should take photos of Sarasin and Thepkrasatree Bridges.

When you pass Sarasin Bridge, turn right at a three-way intersection to take Highway No 402 and follow the sign of Phang Nga until you reach 18 km where a Susco station sells LPG.

At around 32-33 km, you turn right and follow the sign of Phang Nga to take Highway Route 4144. Drive for about 2 kilometres and you will find the office of the National Park of Phang Nga Bay (0-7641-1136, 0-7641-2188). Here you can find restaurants and pier for renting boats to visit many islands.

Tip: Drive to the end of the road, where you will find private boat services. The prices are much cheaper than at the park.

Fee: Bt40 to visit Khao Ma Ju, Nom Sao Island, Khao Ta Pu. Two-engine boat – Bt1,000/10 persons; Four-engine boat – Bt1,2,00/10 persons, for one and half hours.

Tip: You should visit in the afternoon when the tide is low. You can visit the Tham Lord Cave using the same boat.

In the afternoon, to go to Krabi, you leave the pier, turn right at an intersection to go into road No 4, turn right again at a traffic light, follow the sign of Krabi to go to Highway No 415. You can take road No 4, which also goes to Krabi. But Highway No 415 is the shorter route and less winding.

Drive until you pass an intersection, which has a PTT petrol station on the left and a Shell petrol station on the right. Turn right to take Krabi-Surat road and drive past Siam Gas station until you reach Ao Luek intersection. Turn right and follow the sign.

Recommended: Than Bok Koranee National Park (0-7568-1071, 0-7568-2058), Entrance fee – Bt20. Visit the green big waterfall, which has water all year long. After enjoying the waterfall, you can order food such as somtam there.

In the morning, leave Ao Luek, turn right to road No 4 to go to Muang Krabi district. There are many petrol stations along the way. If you drive past Ao Luek police booth, you will find some rolling chicken stalls.

BOX : You should visit the rolling chicken stalls along the road. They are very spicy.

Next, you should visit Songnam Canal. To go there, you drive along Highway No 4 until you reach 127 km. Turn right at the sign of Songnam Canal and drive for 5 km.

Fee: Car parking: Bt10; Thais (adult –10, child – Bt5), Foreigners (adult – Bt50, child – Bt30). The water is crystal clear.

TIP: The water turns green under strong sunlight. You can rent canoes to enjoy the canal. However, visitors are not allowed to swim because swimmers in the past destroyed tree roots underwater.

Return to Road No 4 again to go to Krabi. If you want to buy something, you can visit Makro Department store at 113 km. If you drive along the road for a while, turn left to take a road to Krabi and then Highway Road No 411 (Krabi). When you reach a viewpoint take photos of Kanab Nam Hill, which is the symbol of Krabi.

Then, you head to Phra Nang Bay. There are signs along the road. You will pass Muang Krabi Police Station (0-7561-1222) and then turn right to Krabi Road. Go straight until you reach an intersection which has a Shell petrol station, turn left to take Highway No 4204. You will reach Nam Mao intersection. If you go straight, you will arrive at Fossil Shell Beach. You should turn right and then turn left at an intersection to take Highway Road No 4203 to go the beach. All signs are in English.

– To go to Phi Phi Islands, you can contact private tour companies along the beach.

One-day trip: diving at 8 island – Bt1,200-1,800 negotiable price. If you book from Bangkok, the price is Bt1,800.

Tip: It is cheaper to buy trips at the beach.

Boat fee to Phi Phi Island: Bt450 per route – two and a half hours. Boat leaves the pier twice a day – 10 am and 2pm.

1. If you board a boat at Klong Jilard Pier, the price will be Bt250 and will take 2 hours.

To go to Lunta Island: Leave Pranang Bay by using the same way (follow the sign of Krabi) until you reach Klong Jilard intersection, turn left and turn right at a big intersection to return to road No 4.

When you drive for a while, you will see Outlet Village and Lotus department store on the left. Keep going until you reach Huey Nam Khao intersection, turn right to take Highway No 4206. Dive for about 27 km until the end of the highway. There you will find a ferry to go to Lanta Islands. There is traffic congestion there because many vehicles wait to take the ferry. You may have to wait for about an hour.

Each raft can carry 40 cars. The raft leaves the pier every 20 minutes. Its service is between 6am to 10pm.

Fees:

Four-wheel cars – Bt50 with driver; passenger – Bt13                       each

Small six-wheel truck – Bt350

Big six-wheel truck – Bt450

Motorcycle – Bt8 with driver, passenger – Bt3

Accommodations:

– Phang Nga Bay Resort: Ta Dan road, Muang district, Phang Nga province; Tel 0-7641-2070,0-7641-2076-8; Room rate ­­– Bt700-1,200

– Khao Lak Countryside Resort and Spa: Takoapa district, Phang Nga province; Tel 0-7642-3475-6; Room rate – Bt1,800-2,000

– Andaman Sunset Resort: Ao Nang Beach, Krabi province; Tel 0-7563-7484-6; Room rate – Bt1,000-2,300

– Kiengtale Resort, Krabi; Tel 0-7562-2885-8; Room rate –  Bt500-1,200

Restaurants:

– Puttachart (Thai food) : Phetkasem Road, Muang district, Phang Nga province; Tel 0-7644-2175

– Khao Lak Seaview (a la carte): Phetkasem road, Takoapa district, Phang Nga province; Tel 0-1891-0672

– Ta-le Phuket: Chao Fa road, Muang district, Phuket; Tel 0-7626-3956

– Ao Pa Lai Seafoot : Soi Palai, Muang district, Phuket; Tel 0-7638-1907

– Chuanchim Seafood : Tambon Ao Nang, Muang district, Krabi; Tel 0-7563-7355

Souvenir shops:

– Jew Bakery (Tao Sor) : Phetkasem road, Phang Nga; Tel 0-7642-1521

– Sri Krabi: Tambon Sai Tai, Muang district, Krabi; Tel 0-7562-3549

Hospitals:

– Phang Nga Hospital: Tel 0-7641-2-23, 0-7641-1616

– Ta Koa Pa Hospital: Tel 0-7642-1770

– Wachira Phuket Hospital: Tel 0-7621-1114

– Krabi Hospital: Tel 0-7561-1227

Police:

– Pangnga Provincial Police: Tel. 0-7641-2075

– Muang Police, Phang Nga; Tel  0-7641-2073

– Phuket Provincial Police: Tel 0-7622-1157, 0-7621-9022

– Tourism Authority of southern region (Zone 4 – Phang Nga, Phuket and Krabi) Tel 0-7621-1036, 0-7621-7138, 0-7621-2213

4 days 3 nights

You start this trip by taking Highway Route No 35 (Thon Buri-Paktho) to leave Bangkok and continue to Highway Route No 4. This route has several petrol stations but you should be careful while driving as many long-bed trucks also take the route. In addition, it is very difficult to see the kilometre markers. At kilometre 247, you can take a break at the PTT petrol station, which offers 24-hour service with pay-point service, mini-mart and restaurants.

You can visit Khaophoe highway service centre, which is also a rest area for all vehicles. At the PTT station there, you can have dinner and take some rest after driving all day long. Ensure you fill up your tank here if you are running out of petrol. You can look for souvenirs, clothes and books and also visit coffee shops.

When you leaving the service centre, do a U-turn at Maekmai Restaurant to go to Bang Berd Beach. Turn left at the entrance sign of Huey Sak Temple and take Rural Road No 4015 for about 20 km.

Tips:

Local people suggest to take the road before night because it is an isolated road.

Recommended:

Bang Bert Beach : It is long, beautiful and quiet. You can drive along the beach to search for accommodation.

Chantima Resort: It is at the beginning of the beach. Bt800 per night plus breakfast. Also has an Internet café. (08-1006-8001, 08-7891-1129)

Morning: Have your breakfast served by the resort, take a stroll along the beach and take some photos. After that you can continue your journey. Drive out along the beach until you find an intersection, turn left and you will find a sign Ban Kamnerd Ploy. Take a road to Khao Takiep and to Rural Road No 4014 for about 2 km, and you will arrive at a royal development project, which is open to the public. Local people vouch for its beauty.

After that, you drive until you find a right turn where you will find a small sandhill. You can park your car on a roadside. This is a proper point to enjoy both sides of the view of the Bang Bert beach.

From there, go to the main road, driving along the beach, and turn right to enter Rural Road No 4015 and drive past Kaewprasert Monastery (Kuan Im), past an intersection to take Rural Road No 3411. At the trisection, turn right to Ammarit Village and take Road No 3253. You will then drive through a  trisection in a community until you find Luang Por Chuem. There will be signs show the way to Phetkasem Road (Highway No 4). Drive until you find Thai Rat Vidhaya 86 intersection. There you will leave Rong Road and enter Highway No 4. There is no petrol station along the route.

On the route, between the 451 km and 454 km, you can buy bananas and other products made from bananas at many stalls on the roadside.

Recommended: You can stop at a PTT petrol station at 472 km to attend to the call of nature. The station’s toilets have been commended for their hygiene and cleanliness. The station also provides a minimart, ATM and KFC. Next to it is Tha Sae Hospital (077-599-026).

If you drive vehicles using LPG, you can fill the tank at Caltex gas station at 488 km. Two kilometres from there, you will arrive at Kun Sarai Restaurant (0 7754-7223-4), which is also a rest area for vehicles and coaches. You can have lunch here.

You can go to another beautiful beach in the afternoon. Drive past a traffic light at an intersection at 475 km. If you turn left, you will go to Chumphon airport. Drive past it and you turn left at the next intersection to Thung Wua Lan Beach.

Recommended: Sea Beach Resort (0-1979-9447, 0-6266-4814); 25 rooms, price from Bt400-1,200 per night.

Or you can go to the beach at 484 km. If you take the route for 22 km, you will find a shortcut to Chumphon province and to Chumphon’s National Museum (0-7750-4105). Take a rest by enjoying the beautiful views at the beach before looking for accommodation.

If you drive along Highway Route No 4 to Pathomporn intersection, turn left to Highway No 327 (Paknam-Chumphon) and drive for another two km. You will find an Esso petrol station on the right hand side. Next is Thonburi Chumphon Hospital (0-7750-4800-13) and Mor Lek Hospital (0-7750-2809). Turn right to Paknam-Hat Sai Ree route along Highway No 4001, drive past a bridge to Highway No 4119 and drive for 14 km. This route will lead to Koh Tao pier also.

When you reach a three-way intersection, turn left to Hat Sai Ree Beach. From there, if you drive along for another 9 km, you will arrive at Koh Tao pier. When you arrive at Hat Sai Ree Beach, you can pay respects at the shrine of Krom Luang Chumphon Ketudomsak. You can buy firecrackers from shops there if you want to light them to show respect to Krom Luang. You can take photos at the Royal Vessel anchored there.

There are many restaurants along the beach. The island facing you is Matra Island.

You leave the shrine by using the same route you took earlier and turn left at an intersection before the entrance route to downtown of Chumphon province, to a rural road.

Recommended: National Park of Chumphon Islands (0-7755-8144-5). The park provides visitors with daily walks to observe nature along mangrove forests.

Fee: Thais (Adults – Bt40, Child – Bt20); Foreigners (Adult – Bt200; child – Bt100); Bt30 for car and Bt20 for motorcycle

Boat service to visit Rangkajew Island to see bird nests and sea grass/Matra Island/Ngam Noi and Ngam Yai islands; Private boat service: Khun Nee (086-272-8396)

After leaving the National Park of Chumphon Islands, take a turn to a main road till you reach Pathomporn intersection. The Hospital of Ketudomsak military camp is next to the military camp (0-7751-1278). The road after this will be very twisting. When you drive until Tha Mai Lai Temple, you will find Tha Mai Lai public health station on the right hand.

When you reach Taplee Village at 541 km, you should stop to buy Dim sums, dumplings and buns. Don’t miss buns with cream or with chopped pork.

Just a short distance from Taplee village, there will be a route to enter Korkodkra on the right hand side. You should stop to take photos of the narrowest part of Thailand. When you drive from the spot until 552 km, you will find a big PTT petrol station. Then you go to Kraburee district where you will find Kraburee Hospital (0-7789-1036). When you reach 611 km on Highway 4, turn left to Chonra-u road. Less than 1 km from there, you will arrive at Raksawarin Hot-Water Pond, which provides three ponds of hot water for father, mother, and child. It also has a spa service.

When you return to Highway No 4 and find a three-way intersection, if you turn right, you will go to Ranong downtown. If you drive through it, you will find a petrol gas station and when you reach the second intersection, you turn left and go into Highway No 412, past fresh market and search for accommodations.

1. Le Sarin Chalet: Luxurious Hotel with friendly prices; Bt650-750 per night plus breakfast (0-7782-5725). It is on the way to the market. After finishing your breakfast, you drive from the Chalet, turn right from there and turn right at the intersection and turn left at the next intersection to enter Highway No 4.
2. Then you drive until you find Ranong provincial police station at the 617 km (0-7781-3721). Two km from there, you will find Chalerm Prakiart Nawamin Rajinee Park. You can visit Phukao Ya. To go there, make a U-turn before a PTT petrol station to enter a route to Phukao Ya.

Tips: When you drive in, you will see golden grass, which seems to fly when the wind blows. If you visit the place at sunset, the grass will turn to orange. From there, you could also get a wide-angle view of Ngaw Waterfall.

After leaving the place, you should find a way to make a turn to go to the Nam Ngaw Waterfall National Park (0-7784-8181).

Fees: Thais – Bt20; Foreigners – Bt100

Accommodation: Room with fan – Bt600 for 4; room with air-conditioning – Bt1,000 for 4

After you leave the national park to enter Highway No 4, you will drive past Ranong Airport, Nok Ngang health station at 645 km and Muang Kluang health station at 656 km.

Then you drive to Kapor district. The view along the road is beautiful and the road is in very good condition.

When you arrive at a road, which is between kms 685 and 686, you turn into Klong Naka Wildlife Reservation Area.

Renting a four-wheeled car is recommended. You should contact a service point, which also provide rafts. Local villagers provide cars to send you to the rafting point. There are two fees – Bt450 per person plus lunch for 4 km of rafting which will take about 3-4 hours, or Bt350 per person without lunch and two km of rafting.

You are recommended to visit the place in September when the green Plubpluengtarn leaves blanket the river. But the best time is between November and December.

Contact person: Seree Nakboon, president of Pa Sang Fun Club.

Accommodation:

– Chumphon Cabana Resort: Tel 0-7756-0245-7, Fax 0-7756-0247; Room rate – Bt1,260-2,200

– Laemthien Resort, Chumphon; Tel 0-7752-2580-1, Fax 0-7752-2581; Room rate – Bt800-1,700

– Payam Cottage Resort, Ranong province; Tel 0-7787-0200, Fax: 0-7787-0200; Room rate – Bt700-2,000

– Tarnsila Resort, Ranong; Tel 0-7782 3405, 08-1317-8017, 08-1554-8889; Room rate – Bt300-800.

Restaurants:

– View Seafood, Tung Wua Lan, Chumphon; Tel 0-7756-0214

– Krua Limle, Paknam Langsuan beach, Lang Suan, Chumphon; Tel 0-7755-1699

– Paknam Seafood, Paknam Road, Muang district, Ranong; Tel 0-7781-2497

– Somboon Pochana, Ruengrat Road, Muang district, Ranong province; Tel 0-7783 3300, 0-7782-2722

Souvenir shops:

– Chumphon Bird Nests Shop, Kromluang Chumphon Road, Muang district, Chumphon; Tel 0-7750-7750, open from 9.30am to 8.30pm

Otop products centre, opposite Ranong Garden Hotel; Tel 0-7783-3228

Hospitals:

Chumphon Hospital: Tel 0-7750-3672

Ranong Hospital: Tel 0-7781-1574-5

Police:

Chumphon provincial police – Tel 0-7750-1039

Ranong provincial police – Tel 0-7781-3721

Tourism Authority of the Southern Region (Surat Thani, Chumphon, Ranong) – Tel 0-7728-8818-9