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General Features
Located 463 km south of Bangkok, Chumphon is bordered by a mountain range and the province of Ranong and part of the Thai-Burma border to the west, the Gulf of Thailand to the east, Prachuap Khiri Khan province to the north, and Surat Thani province to the south. With a high mountain ridge to the east, as well as the west, Chumphon is vulnerable to monsoonal rains from the Gulf. There are two distinct seasons: the rainy season from June until January, and summer from February to May. The three rivers of Taphao, Chumphon and Lang Suan bring regular, year-round flows of water to Chumphon. 
Riches on Land and by the Sea
Its proximity to the Gulf of Thailand means that the main occupation of Chumphon folk is agriculturally based in the fertile plains between the mountains where there is high humidity and good quality soil. The areas main income stems from cultivating par? rubber, palm oil, fruits and coffee. Most of Thailand’s coffee is grown in Chumphon. A wide variety of fruit is on sale alongside highways, such as Leb Meu Nang (cooking banana), pineapple from the Sawi district, longan from Lang Suan district, and durian and zalacca palm.
Gateway to the South
Chumphon is the first of Thailand’s southern provinces encountered when driving south, often considered less interesting than neighboring provinces such as Prachuap Khiri Khan, Surat Thani, Phang-nga and Phuket. Normally, tourists flow to destinations further south. However, Chumphon is the gateway to the south and has a number of natural attributes of interest ranging from high mountain ranges, mangrove forests, offshore islands and fertile coral reefs - especially those found in Mu Koh Chumphon Marine National Park. Touring Chumphon presents a variety of interesting attractions to visit such as caves, waterfalls, river rafting, mangroves, beaches and islands.
Attractions
Thung Wua Laen Beach
A popular tourist attraction, Thung Wua Laen beach can become crowded with local people who go there at holiday times. A long, wide stretch of sand, the beach is ideal for swimming and water sports. Outside of holiday periods, the beach is generally quiet although it is visited more than neighboring beaches.
At the southern end of the beach in front of Chumphon Cabana Resort, there is an underwater rocky area, which is a fertile spot for sponge seaweed, sea flowers and various species of fish – a popular place for diving.
Facilities : This is a lively beach with a number of restaurants, shops, restrooms, motorcycles for rent, and a police station. Chumphon Cabana Resort offers a one-day package tour, touring Chumphon's islands, and a diving course.
Koh Ngam Yai and Koh Ngam Noi
About 17 km offshore from Thung Wua Laen Beach, a visit to the islands of Koh Ngam Yai and Koh Ngam Noi, just 300m apart, is the highlight of Chumphon’s island tours. The topography of the islands is steep, rocky limestone cliffs encircled by a variety of fertile coral reefs with colorful fish, and spots suitable for snorkeling or scuba diving. The islands, deserted except for workers looking after the bird’s nest concessions, are among the most popular in the sea off Chumphon.
There aren't any suitable, overnight facilities so the one-day tour is recommended. Boats can be rented from Chumphon estuary for individual use, or tourists can use the package tour of Chumphon Cabana Resort with diving facilities, buoy and lunch.
Koh Chorakhe
Location: The island of Koh Chorakhe is about 11 km from Thung Wua Laen Beach
One of the islands seen in the distance from Thung Wua Laen beach, Koh Chorakhe is rocky with steep cliffs and is uninhabited. But around the island there are coral reefs, sea flowers and colorful fish, which can be viewed both by scuba diving and snorkeling because of the differing sea depths. This is a good place to spend time diving and fishing from morning till evening, returning to stay overnight at Thung Wua Laen beach.
Facilities: As there is no accommodation on the island, tourists usually stay in accommodation around Thung Wua Laen beach and take the one-hour trip there and back. Boats can be rented from Chumphon estuary and a full dive program is available from Chumphon Cabana Resort , Thung Wua Laen beach.
Boat Pier to Koh Tao at Pak Nam Chumphon (Chumphon Estuary)
Location: The pier is in Tha Yang sub district of Muang district, about 7 km from Chumphon town and 13 km from Chumphon estuary.
Boats leave Tha Yang pier everyday for Koh Tao and are similarly priced whether you travel on a boat with sleeping accommodation or by speedboat.
The new pier at Chumphon estuary is the most important pier in the economic life of Chumphon as it supports the large fishing community there. At the end of the road is Pak Nam Chumphon police station near Pak Nam beach and a wide beach area that offers panoramic views out to sea and Koh Ma Ta Pon close to the mainland, where the lighthouse is located.
A boat service operates between the old and new piers in Chumphon estuary. A village in the area of the old pier in Chumphon estuary is well known for preserved seafood, which tourists can buy to take home as keepsakes.
Sairee Beach
Location: Sairee beach is in Pak Nam sub district, Muang district, approximately 20 km from Chumphon town.
The most attractive and well-known beach in Chumphon, Sairee beach is part of a long, curved bay with plenty of places to swim or stroll along its 3-km length. A small breakwater borders the beach road broken by steps leading to the beach proper. Coconut trees provide shade on sections of the beach, and quite a few restaurants line the beach area that tends to become quite crowded especially during holiday periods.
Khao Chao Muang lies south of the beach, past Pu Som bridge, uphill about 1 km. A pavilion on the hilltop is an excellent viewpoint to take in the panoramic views of Chumphon Sea , the closest island of Koh Ma Prao , and further distant islands of Koh Raed, Koh Mat Ta, and others.
Attractions near Sairee Beach
Shrine of Krommaluang Chumphon Khet Udomsak
Location: The shrine is located near the beach road, at Sairee beach.
This commemorative shrine to Krommaluang Chumphon Khet Udomsak, who passed away at Sairee beach, is housed aboard the royal warship Phra Ruang at the northern end of Sairee beach. This is the site of the museum of Krommaluang Chumphon , his biography, and his personal effects. Prior to reaching the shrine, visitors pass by Mo Phon's herb garden. The name “Mo Phon” comes from Krommaluang Chumphon who began to use Thai herbs as medicines.
Krommaluang Chumphon Royal Warship
Location: Sit of the shrine at Sairee beach.
In service on October 5 th , 1938 and decommissioned in November 1975, this royal warship, 68 m long and 6.5 m wide, once protected Thai vessels in coastal waters and guarded the coastline to counter any invaders from the sea. After decommissioning, the warship was presented to Chumphon province in remembrance of Krommaluang Chumphon Khet Udomsak, “father of the Thai navy”. The shipyard around the warship is an interesting place to visit.
Khao Chao Muang Viewpoint
Location: The viewpoint at Khao Chao Muang is uphill 1 km from Sairee beach and is signposted from the beach road.
This is the highest point near the sea with breathtaking scenes of the Chumphon Sea , the nearby island of Koh Ma Prao, and distant islands. There is a pavilion and a 1-km-long nature trail with information signs for trekkers. It takes around 30 minutes to complete the trail walk.
Koh Ma Prao
Location: The island of Koh Ma Prao is just 1 km from Sairee beach and can be reached from there by long-tailed boat within five minutes.
The closest island to Sairee beach, in the area of the viewpoint at Khao Chao Muang, Koh Ma Prao is uninhabited except for workers tending the bird's nest concession who have cottages there. It is rocky place with many cliffs and caves with swallows' nests. The only white, sandy beach, which is around 100m in length, can be found on the west side of the island. The name Koh Ma Prao is derived from the rather large number of coconut trees on the island. Tourists are attracted to Koh Ma Prao to swim and to admire the stunning seascapes in the area.
Koh Lawa and Koh Raed
Location: Koh Lawa lies 8 km from Thung Makham Noi bay; Koh Raed is further northwest. Long-tailed boats for rent can be found at Thung Makham Noi bay.
Northwest of Koh Lawa is the fairly large island of Koh Raed . A rocky outcrop with high cliffs and no beaches, it is said to resemble the head and horn of a rhinoceros from a distance, which is the source of its name as “raed” means rhinoceros in Thai. Beyond Koh Raed is Koh Lak Raed.
Koh Raed is uninhabited due to its rugged interior, but the island is encircled by coral reefs inhabited by colorful fish and is a popular spot for snorkeling, scuba diving and fishing. Due to the lack of accommodation, the island is only good for a one-day visit to dive, fish or swim or just take in the scenery.
Chumphon Marine National Park
Location: The park is located in Had Sairee sub district, about 22km from Muang district.
Chumphon Marine National Park covers an area of 317 sq. km, bounded by the districts of Muang, Sawi, Thung Takoe and Lang Suan and includes the offshore islands. Rental boats are available from Sairee beach to visit the islands.
Thung Kha Bay Mangrove Forest
Location: The mangrove forest is located in the national park area.
The very large, curved bay at Thung Kha is the site of one of the most fertile mangrove forests in Chumphon province, spanning an area of around 10,000 acres. A tour information center is located there and a wooden bridge accesses a 1-km nature trail of the bay. The bridge has two sections: the first ends at Thai Chorakhe canal around 400 meters with a boat trip to the other side, around 600 meters, to end up at the canal mouth near the sea.
Information signs for walkers line the trail, but visitors can also sail the canals and view the mangroves on either side.
Other Beaches
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