SOUTHERN THAILAND Southern Thailand consists of 14 provinces: Chumphon, Ranong, Surat Thani, Phangnga, Phuket, Krabi, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Trang, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Satun, Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat.

The region, located on the peninsula, extends from Chumphon to the Thai-Malaysian border and is bordered in the east by the Gulf of Thailand, to the west by the Indian Ocean. Lush tropical islands, palm-fringed beaches, coral reefs teeming with colorful marine life, picturesque fishing villages, remote national parks, forested mountains, cascading waterfalls, ubiquitous rubber estates, and the juxtaposition of temples and mosques clearly define the region's visual appeal.

Prachuap Khiri Khan Province Prachuap Khiri Khan is located some 281 kms. south of Bangkok.

After the old town was abandoned during the fall of Ayutthaya, a new settlement was established in 1845 in the reign of King Rama IV.

The province, today, is more famous for its natural charm of beaches and mountains than historical attractions. Hua Hin, its major attraction, is one of Thailand's most popular seaside resorts among overseas visitors as well as Thais. See Hua Hin's map here

Krabi Province One of most attractive destinations in Southern Thailand is located 814 kms. from Bangkok.

Krabi occupies an area of 4,708 square kilometres. To the west, it borders on the Andaman Sea where countless natural attractions abound, including white sandy beaches, fascinating coral reefs, numerous large and small islands, verdant forests with caves and waterfalls.

Narathiwat Province Narathiwat is another southern province bordering on Malaysia. Amphoe Sungai Kolok, Narathiwat's borderland, is an important junction where the Thai southern railroad connects with another railway to the Tumpad Station in Malaysia.

Narathiwat is located some 1,149 kms. south of Bangkok and occupies an area of 4,475 square kilometres.

The province is noted as a land of gold mines and boasts extensive peat swamp forests, as well as seaside resorts along the coast of the lndian Ocean.

Phuket Province Phuket is Thailand's largest island with an area of 543 square kilometres and nestles against the Andaman Sea coast 862 kilometres south of Bangkok.

Phuket traditionally derives its wealth from tin and rubber.

The island is blessed with magnificent coves and bays, powdery palm-fringed white beaches, sparkling island-dotted seas, genuinely hospitable people, comfortable accommodation, super seafood, tropically vegetative mountains, lovely waterfalls and parks, and delightful turn-of-the-century Sino-Portuguese-influenced architecture, which creates an en-chanting ambiance perfectly suited to total relaxation.
See Phuket's map here

Surat Thani Province Surat Thani literally means "City of the Good People" and is the former seat of the Srivijaya Empire.

It is the largest province of the South, covering an area of 12,891 square kilometres and bordered by the Gulf of Thailand to the north and the east.

Surat Thani is located 644 kms. from Bangkok. The topography includes a high plateau and forested mountains to the west, and low basins in the center and along the eastern coast.

There are a tremendous number of island along the coast.

Ko Samui This beautiful 247-square-kilometre island, one of the most famous attractions of Thailand, is some 84 kilometres east of Surat Thami's provincial capital.

It can be reached by boat from Surat Thani town or by ferry either from Don Sak (some 7 kms from Surat Thani town) or Khanom (in Nakhon Si Thammart).

A 51-Kilometre ring road encircles the island, which has numerous lovely beaches and bays, and is almost literally an island of coconuts and forested hills. Samui's best beaches line the northern and eastern coasts.

The most popular are Hat Chaweng and Hat Lamai where, generally, attractive accommodation can be found. Besides marvelous beaches, other interesting attractions include the Samui Butterfly Park; the monkey Centre; the Hin Lat and Na Muang waterfalls; the phallic rock formations at the southern end of Lamai Bay, and a massive seated Buddha image on Ko Fan.

The island's major sea front settlement is at Na Thon where shops, restaurants and tour agents are located. See Koh Samui's map here

Trang Province Trang, famous for its beautiful islands and white sandy beaches as well as abundant coral reefs, is located 828 kms. from Bangkok.

Rubber plants were grown in this province by Phraya Rasdanupradit Mahissara Phakdi who got the seedling stocks from Malaysia. In the past,

Trang had been a seaport of Thailand's west coast

Yala Province Yala, the southernmost province of Thailand, is located 1,084 kms. from Bangkok.

The southern rail line joins Bangkok and Yala before it continues to Sungai Kolok and Malaysia.

The population is Buddhist and Muslim. Its main economy depends on rubber plant production.

Although Yala does not have any point bordered by the sea, its area abounds in perfect forest and boasts a large number of tourist attractions.