Traveling along Islands in Chumphon Sea

          About 40 islands in Chumphon are scattered along the sea coast. Most of them are small islands, with clean and fine beaches. Some are prohibited to visitors due to the monopoly of the collection of sparrow�s nests business. For those who love cruising along the islands and relaxing on the beach, the following are interesting islands worth visiting:

          Ko Samet With some areas as part of the National Park, this island has white beach and clear water. It takes only half an hour to get to this island.

          Ko Thong Lang Situated in front of Ko Langkachio, this island is surrounded by beaches. Tenting on the island is recommended. However, there are no restaurants in the area.

          Ko Maphrao This is a small island with 50-metre long, beautiful beach, including the coral reef in the west. Visitors who wish to visit this island should obtain permission from the Provincial Office 15 days in advance because of the monopoly of the collection of sparrow�s nests business on the island. Corals can be viewed by both snorkeling and diving.

Coral Snorkeling

          Since islands that can reached by boat or are suitable for snorkelling are near Hat Pharadon Phap, tourists should hire boats from this area. For further details, contact Chumphon Islands National Park at Tel: 0-7755-8144.

The islands are as follows:

Ko Mattra

Ko Thalu

          Ko Mattra This is a big island which is only 45 minutes away. In front of the beach are many rocks. Visitors can spend their time snorkelling to see the corals around the island. On the island, there are facilities such as accommodations, restaurants, and fresh-water bathing services. This island is in the area of Chumphon Islands National Park.

          Ko Thalu It is a small, limestone island with two big caves and several points for viewing marine corals and sea flowers.

          Ko Khai Situated in Amphoe Pathio, this is a small island with narrow beaches. There is boat rental service to view the corals.

Diving

          Ko Ngam Yai and Ko Ngam Noi Being in the south of Ao Thung Wua Laen, 17 kilometres from the shore, there are coral reefs, rocks, and underwater caves. These venues are considered to be one of the best diving spots.

        Lang Suan Fruit Fair Annually held in August, the activities of this event are fruit contest, fruit market, preserved-fruit products, and competition for queen of the fruit contest.

          Lang Suan Festival of Buddha Floating Procession, Boat Competition This event has been the old tradition of Lang Suan for more than 100 years. Normally held in October of every year, the highlights of this festival are decorated Buddha Floating Procession from many temples. In the afternoon, the long boat competition is held.

          Festival of Prince Chumphon Celebration Held during December 19 - 25 of every year to celebrate Prince of Chumphon, the founder of the Navy of Thailand, the festival features exhibitions of the life of Prince Chumphon and southern local performances.

          Festival of Chumphon Sea World This festival is held in mid-March to April every year at Hat Sai Ri. The objective of this festival is for tourism promotion and nature conservation of Chumphon. The activities consist of fishing competition, photography contest of tourist attractions, tourist attraction exhibition, and mini-marathon competition.

          Fruits: Chumphon is most reputed for fruits and coffee. Along the route to Chumphon, and Paknam - Lang Suan, there are various fruit stalls. The most popular fruit is finger-shaped banana. The others are pineapples, durians, mangosteens, rambutans, water melons, and langsads. Preserved fruits are also available in souvenir shops and restaurants.

          Fresh Coffee: Available at gasoline stations along Phetkasem Road such as at the 472-km marker

          Seafood: One of the most famous local products are chili paste, fish sauce, oysters and sea catfish. Fresh seafood and preserved seafood products are also available.

Car
          From Bangkok, use Highway No. 4, or Highway No. 35 (Thon Buri-Pak Tho) and join Highway No.4, pass Petchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, to Chumphon junction, then turn left along Highway No. 4001 for 8 kilometres to town.

Bus
          Buses regularly depart from the Southern Bus Terminal to Chumphon on a daily basis. For more details, contact the Southern Bus Terminal at Tel: 0 2434 5557 - 8, 0 2435 1199. For the round-trip, buses leave from Chumphon Bus Terminal at Tel: 0 7750 2725, 0 7751 1094.

          Within Chumphon province, buses servicing the Chumphon-Sawi-Lang Suan route leaves the terminal in front of Chumphon Market, Thanon Tha Taphao from 6 a.m.-6 p.m. daily.

          The taxi queue is behind old market, opposite to Chumphon Bus Terminal. Taxis can be hired to Lang Suan, Ranong and Surat Thani

Train
From Bangkok Railway Station (Hua Lamphong)
          There are both rapid and express trains to Chumphon everyday. For more details, contact 1690, 0 2 223 7010, 0 2223 7020 at Hua Lamphong or at Chumphon Station Tel: 0 7751 1103.

From Thon Buri Railway Station (Bangkok Noi)
          There are fast trains to Chumphon everyday. For more details, contact at Tel: 0 2411 3102.

Air
          Air Andaman provides flight services from Bangkok to Chumphon 4 times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.