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Town in Chumphon Province, Thailand
Photo: シャムネコ, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Chumphon (ชุมพร) is a city and a province of the same name on the Central Gulf Coast of Southern Thailand. With its transport hub of Chumphon Airport in Pathio District, Chumphon is the gateway to the south and the islands of the Gulf of Thailand.
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พิพิธภัณฑสถานแห่งชาติชุมพร
Any trip to Chumphon should start at the national museum. Established in 1995 at Khao Samkaew, the museum provides a provincial overview ranging from prehistory through to the present. Even for those who are not overly interested in history, the museum's attractive displays and media resources will fascinate and inform. The museum is divided into a ground floor and the upper floor.
ศาลเจ้าพ่อกรมหลวงชุมพร
This is a sacred place for the people of Chumphon and nearby provinces. At the shrine stands the monument of Admiral Phra Borommawong Thoe Kromluang Chumphon Khet Udomsak. The shrine is at the north site of Hat Sai Ri facing towards the sea. There is a museum with exhibits about the admiral’s biography and things which he used. A large torpedo-ship named the Royal Chumphon is also here. It is 68 m long and 6.6 m wide. This ship was decommissioned on 26 Nov 1975. The Royal Thai Navy turned the ship over to Chumphon Province in 1979. After that it was placed near this monument for the commemoration of the admiral.
วัดเจ้าฟ้าศาลาลอย
Luang Pho Song Chanthasaro, a famous religious teacher who passed away at the age of nearly 100 years, lived at this temple. His body remains undecayed. This monk is revered by the people of Chumphon and nearby provinces.
Kurn Khon Ching Tong, ขึ้นโขนชิงธง
People have been living near the Lang Suan River for a long time. Long boat racing consists of 32 rowers per long boat, and the goal is to get the victory by paddling fast to grab the red flag. The reward is cups from members of the royal family. This festival happens every year on the first day of the waxing moon on the 11th lunar month or approximately October. There also are activities on the grounds.
Wat Samkeo
"This temple is in the sub-sect of Dhammayutika of Theravada Buddhism. It was told that about 70 - 80 years ago, three crystals balls with soft haloes were usually seen rising slowly and disappearing in the sky above the hill. Such a phenomenon happened so regularly that it became an ordinary incident for the people who then believed that the three crystal balls were symbols of Phra Ratiana Trat or the Triple Gems which would enhance their well-being. This is how Wat Sam Kano or temple of the three crystals balls derived its name."
Spring Tree Bay
A long white sand beach in Pathio near Chumphon Airport. From the beach you can rent boats to nearby the island of Ko Khai or simply relax and enjoy the moment. The beach has small resorts and seafood restaurants, but remains charming, quiet, and unspoiled with views to the headlands of Cape Pathio and Laem Thaen.
อ่าวทุ่งมะขาม
Amazing unspoiled white sand beaches with limestone rock formations separating the curved bays. About 5 km from Chumphon Airport and 35 km from Chumphon City.
A crescent-shaped, palm-fringed beach with large rocky headlands, it is one of the most beautiful in Thailand and is part of a giant clam sanctuary. Unknown to most tourists, this beach is quiet and often you may be the only ones there. About 15 minutes by car from Chumphon Airport. A major tourist resort is under construction consisting of 3 condomimiums and 10 pool villas.
Running Bull Beach
This white sand beach is the Chumphon's key beach destination. Activities include diving, snorkelling, kayaking, kite surfing, beach sports, temple visits. The beach has numerous resorts, restaurants and beach bars but remains charming, quiet, and relatively unspoiled.
National Park Visitors Centre
Take the wooden bus to the fairly new and surprisingly modern visitors centre. Walk the boardwalks through the mangrove forests and over creeks. Ask at centre for other walks available. The actual national park area part of the Chumphon Archipelago in Chumphon Province is huge and takes in islands, reefs, beaches, jungle, mountain, creeks, ocean, and mangroves. You can stay overnight here. There's a camping area, and bungalows on the Pong Pang Viewpoint go for 600 baht per night, and accommodate 2 people. Add 100 baht for each extra person. Dorm beds, with no bedding for 50 baht. There are also two restaurants. A good place to visit to make the best of your stay in Chumphon.
หาดทรายรี
This long smooth white sand and extensive beach is shaded by majestic pine trees and affords some spectacular views of nearby islands. Colourful boats lie berthed by the beach, which is lined with restaurants selling fresh seafood. For historical interest, a monument commemorating the late Admiral Prince of Chumphon is located nearby, complete with a well-preserved WWII warship. A hillside temple at the site offers a panoramic view of the entire area.
เขาเจ้าเมือง
The district's highest observation point offering panoramic views of the coast and far out into the distant archipelago. Are rivalled only by the peace and tranquillity offered by the secluded beach located at the base of the mountain, along with the beautiful coral lagoon fronting Ko Maprao.
วนอุทยานเขาพาง
Khao Phang Forest Park is one of the province’s newest attractions. Within the national park, there are a great variety of tropical trees, making the park a shady and restful sojourn for nature lovers and a must for students of forestry. A hill, covering an area of about one square kilometre, is behind the park providing a commanding view of the entire area.
เกาะเสม็ด
Not the better-known Ko Samet off the east gulf coast near Rayong. One of a group of islands in Chumphon National Marine Park. There are beaches at the head, and the middle of this island. It is Chumphon's largest island. This island is crowned with coconut trees making it a suitable place for spending holidays and relaxation.
Uncle Pod Restaurant
Thai seafood restaurant on the beach. Sit in open sala facing Ko Khai. Extensive range of food with English menu.
Good selection of lunches, fruit, and other produce. In the evening the locals come here for a snack and for takeaways. Some local desserts available too, look for the durian pieces in soy milk. Delicious!
English owned. Good for Western food great Thai food too. Farang Bar is also a basic guest house with 250 baht rooms, shared baths, and free Wi-Fi. The bar and restaurant get a steady stream of local expats as well as plenty of tourists on their way to the islands. The staff speak a fair amount of English. The offerings include extremely cold beer and amazing cocktails, excellent Western and Thai food. Ivor (the farang) can also provide advice regarding Ko Tao and arrange bookings for you if needed (i.e., he calls and reserves. He does not sell you tickets, unless you want him to).
Bustling early morning market, also has curry stalls and local prices are usually asked. There are often light trucks outside on Pracha Uthit Rd piled high with seasonal fruits such as pineapple, rambutan, and durian.
The locals flock here in the evening to show off their pet dogs in the front basket of their motorcycles, to eat, and to collect takeaways. Massive selection of foods to choose from in a compact area. More expensive than the other markets but also more fun. Stalls with seasonal durian (whole or ready-to-eat) are on the right-hand side furthest from the rail station.
Some bakeries in a nice setup and presentation. Space partly shared with kid clothes shop.
Good bands, DJ, and dancers. No cover charges. Can take your own spirits.
Renovated colorful beach-style bungalows near Ao Bo Mao Beach.
Basic modern, clean bungalows on the beach with individual balconies. Air-con, cable TV. Views of the long sand beach bay and Ko Khai. No restaurant. Free pickup from nearby airport.
Beach bungalows.
Bungalows and restaurant on the beach. Basic two room accommodation with air-con, hot showers and cable TV. Beach restaurant in a timber pavilion serves seafood and fresh local produce. Popular with local visitors from Chumphon on weekends.
Luxury hotel and villas and pool with great sunset views of the bay. Italian American style restaurant.
Clean 10 room fan-only guest house. There are 3 basic rooms, 1 bed, shared outside bath, 150 baht. One double room outside bath, 200 baht. Six double rooms with bath and hot shower, 300 baht. You can book transfers to Ko Tao or anywhere south of Chumphon. To Ko Tao costs 600 baht. Has a restaurant and bar with Thai and Western food, and fresh bread every day. Fried chicken with ginger and fried mixed vegetables at 70 baht each. Seafood costs 80 baht. Large bottle of Chang beer 100 baht. Internet available. Car and motorbike rentals available. Jan 2016: No Wi-Fi in the rooms themselves.
This hotel has air-con. Breakfast (Western or Thai) is included in the price and is good. Rooms are good and clean, there is a lift, and staff speak some English. Is close to both the railway station (some 400 m) and the internal bus station (similar distance).
Run by a very friendly and welcoming family. Clean rooms, lovely garden, bicycle and motorbike hire, helpful with local directions.
Friendly owners, but might try to sell you something. Twin room with fan 250 baht, with air-con 350 baht.
Looks clean. Staff are young, poorly trained, and fairly clueless. Free in-room Wi-Fi.
Cheap hotel. Rooms are big and nice, little dusty. Asian toilet. Free bottle of water at check in.
Not in city centre, but acceptable given the good price. Book directly on their website as hotel booking sites are much more expensive. High standard with comfortable beds, separate WC and bath, air-con, fridge, desk, plasma screens with USB connection. Internet.
free wifi, water refill station, locker (need padlock,) hot shower (soap, shampoo), snorkeling trip to chumphon national park 1700 baht.
By plane
AirAsia and Nok Air operates multiple flights between Bangkok (Don Mueang, DMK) and Chumphon Airport, Pathio District, Chumphon (CJM).
By bicycle
There are many smaller roads with little traffic north and south of Chumphon. The coastal road in Pathio District has dedicated bicycle lanes in a unique red bitumen.
By car
From Bangkok, take either the Phutthamonthon-Nakhon Pathom-Phetchaburi route or the Thonburi-Pak Tho route (Hwy 35) then turn onto Hwy 4 (Phetkasem Rd) at Pak Tho, passing through Phetchaburi and…
By bus
The Transport Co. Ltd. provides air conditioned buses from Bangkok’s Southern Bus Terminal, Borom Ratchonni Rd to Chumphon daily. For information, call Tel. +66 24 355605, +66 24 351199.
By train
The State Railway of Thailand provides daily rapid and express train services departing from Bangkok’s Aphiwat Railway Station. Further information, call Tel.
Local public buses (Route: Chumphon–Sawi–Lang Suan) park in front of the Chumphon market, Tha Taphao Rd from 06:00-18:00.
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Chumphon · Regional · CJM
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