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Chumphon

With 200 kilometers of coastline, Chumphon features many beautiful and desolate beaches as well as some of the best diving and snorkeling on the gulf coast.

Chumphon province is located half way down the Isthmus of Kra, the narrow body of land flanked by Andaman Sea on the west and the Gulf of Thailand on the East; western Chumphon borders Myanmar, while the east of the province consist of more than 200 kilometers of coastline with numerous beaches that are infrequently visited by tourists. Consequently, Chumphon is an ideal destination for those who are seeking relaxation in a natural and quiet atmosphere.

Chumphon city, the capital of the province, is the gateway to other southern provinces as well as the islands in the Gulf of Thailand, particularly Koh Tao. While the area isnt overrun with tourists there are still many opportunities for sunbathing, swimming, yachting, paragliding, diving, and snorkeling.

Historical documents state that Chumphon was continuously inhabited by various communities since the pre-historic period, especially in the area along the banks of the Tha Taphao River. Chumphon was also one of the leading trading centers of Siam (Thailand prior to the Second World War).

As a frontier city, Chumphon is believed to have derived its name from Chumnumphon, which means the accumulation of forces. Whenever there were movements of the army, the soldiers would gather their forces here in this province. Other sources argue that the name is derived from a local plant named Maduea Chumphon, which is abundant in this area. This plant has become a symbol of Chumphon Province.

Chumphon city, the capital of Chumphon province, is the gateway to Thailands southern provinces as well as the islands in the Gulf of Thailand, particularly Koh Tao. With more than 200 kilometers of coastline featuring numerous unspoiled beaches, Chumphon is an ideal destination for those who are seeking relaxation in a natural and quiet atmosphere and wish to enjoy such activities as sunbathing, swimming, yachting, paragliding, diving, and snorkeling.

Transport

Although its not a top tourist destination, thanks to its location and historic importance as the gateway to the south there are numerous options for getting to and from Chumphon. One in Chumphon there are numerous ways to get around the province.

Getting to and from Chumphon

  • By Train:
    From Bangkok Railway Station (Hua Lumphong) there are both rapid and express trains to Chumphon every day. For more details, contact Hua Lumphong Station at Tel: 1690, 0 2 223 7010, 0 2223 7020 or Chumphon Station at Tel: 0 7751 1103.
    www.railway.co.th

    From Bangkok Noi Railway Station in Thonburi there are daily fast trains to Chumphon. For more details, contact Tel: 0 2411 3102.
  • By Car:
    From Bangkok it is possible to drive to Chumphon via highway No.4 or highway No.35 to highway No.4 through Petchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan Provinces. At Chumphon junction turn left along highway No.4001 for the final 8 kilometers to Chumphon town. The drive takes 6 to 8 hours.
  • By Bus:
    There are regular, daily busses from Bangkok to Chumphon from Transport Co., Ltd. Busses from Bangkoks Southern Bus Terminal travel directly to Chumphon Bus Terminal around 8 hours later.
  • By Air:
    There are currently no regular commercial flights to Chumphon. The nearest airport is to the south in Surat Thani, from where visitors can take a bus to Chumphon.
  • By Other:
    By Taxi:

    There is long distance taxi service available from Chumphon at the taxi station behind the old market opposite the Chumphon Bus Terminal. Taxis can be hired to Lang Suan, Ranong, and Surat Thani.

Getting Around Chumphon

Local public buses that travel between Chumphon, Sawi, and Lang Suan park in front of the Chumphon market on Tha Taphao Road and operate from 6.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.

There is local taxi service available at the taxi station behind the old market opposite the Chumphon Bus Terminal.


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