WESmile Magazine February 2020

TRAVEL
Explore the Enchanting
NARATHIWAT
in Deep South
‘YOU WILL NEVER KNOW WHAT IT IS LIKE UNLESS YOU COME AND
VISIT IT YOURSELF.’ THIS IS THE BEST DEFINITION FOR NARATHIWAT,
A HIDDEN GEM OF THAILAND. SHARING ITS BORDER WITH MALAYSIA,
NARATHIWAT IS A THAI SOUTHERNMOST PROVINCE THAT BOASTS
NOT JUST STUNNING NATURAL LANDSCAPE BUT ALSO DISTINCTIVE
CULTURE.
It takes just a little more than 1 hour to fly
direct from Bangkok to the seaside province
of Narathiwat. In its Mueang district,
Narathat Beach presents a long stretch of
soft sandy beach with a long row of pine
trees, while Ban Ton Beach offers clear blue
sea and a close view of colourful Kolae
boats. Manao Bay is curvy with intermittent
rocks. But by its side are the Thaksin
Ratchaniwet Palace and a botanical park.
For nature lovers, Narathiwat also
features high-cliff Pajo Waterfall located
inside the Budo-Sungai Padi National Park.
The first level is really big, with the descent
of over 60 metres. Tourists can splash into
the water here year-round.
Sirindhorn Peat Swamp Forest, also
known as ‘Pa Phru To Daeng’, meanwhile
features a 1.2-km-long wood bridge for
visitors to walk over amid abundant
wilderness as well as a tower to enjoy a
bird’s eye view. Dubbed Asia’s Amazon,
Hala-Bala Wildlife Sanctuary is also a key
attraction in Narathiwat. But for cactus
fans, the Valentine Panmai Nursery proves
a fascinating highlight because it is the
South’s biggest cactus farm and export hub.
Here, visitors can find hundreds of cactus
species–including the rare ones. Many of
these species have beautiful flowers. If
interested, visitors can also buy some as
souvenirs.
Narathiwat, moreover, is culturally
fascinating. Its cultural attractions include
Chon Thara Singhe Temple or ‘Wat Phitak
Pan Din Thai’ whereby the Thai-Malaysian
border sign is erected. Temple buildings
are in the southern Thai style with a touch
of Western influence. Its Dhamma Pavilion
is antique and magnificent, while its
ordination hall built in the reign of King
Rama V features stunningly elaborate
murals.
Located in Bacho district, the 300 Years
Mosque (Wadi Al Hussein Mosque) is an
architectural legend of faith. Featuring 2
connected buildings, it combines Chinese
and Malay arts with a unique style.
Tourists to Narathiwat definitely
should explore local ways of life by strolling
through Yakang Khanom 100 Years Floating
Market. Open on Fridays and Saturdays,
it presents stalls along the Yakang River.
Tourists can have fun eating various kinds
of delicious desserts at the market amid a
friendly atmosphere. There are also plenty
of local products such as batik items for
them to explore.
Small as it is in size, Narathiwat is
hugely appealing as a tourist destination.
TRAVELLERS’ GUIDE
Getting there : THAI Smile has a daily
direct flight from Bangkok to Narathiwat,
which takes just 1 hour 35 minutes.
For reservations, visit
www.thaismileair.com.
More info : Tourism Authority of Thailand’s
Narathiwat Office Tel. 073 542 345-6, Budo-
Sungai Padi National Park Tel. 073 530 406,
Sirindhorn Peat Swamp Forest Research
Centre Tel. 098 010 5736.
บน : ป่่าฮาล่า-บาล่า ผืืนป่่าอันอุดมสมบูรณ์
ของเมืองไทัย
Top : The Hala-Bala Wildlife Sanctuary hosts
one of Thailand’s richest forests.
上 方 : 泰 国 自 然 资 源 丰 富 之 哈 拉 巴 拉 森 林 。
ล่่างขวา : นาตักป่าโจ นาตักใหญ่่กล่างพงไพร
Bottom right : Pajo is a large waterfall
tucked away in a dense forest.
右 下 方 : 位 于 森 林 中 的 巴 州 瀑 布 。
AD
76 February 2020
77