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Narathiwat

Narathiwat is a province on the coast of the Gulf of Thailand at the border of Malaysia; its people are engaged in fishing and trading with neighboring countries and the province has a white elephant called Phra Sri Nararat Rajakarin, who is featured on the provincial seal.

Located approximately 1,150 kilometers south of Bangkok, Narathiwat is the southernmost province in Thailand where it is one of five that border Malaysia, in this case at Amphoe Su-ngai Kolok, where the southern railway line ends.

With Amphoe Su-ngai Kolok serving as an economic and border tourism center, the province welcomes an increasing numbers of Malaysians and Singaporeans on short holidays or shopping sprees.

In 1915, King Rama VI bestowed the name Narathiwat, meaning home of good people on the province that has a constant flow of trade and a fusion of cultures the majority whom are Muslims who speak the distinctive Yawi language.

In addition to its cultural attractions, Narathiwat has beautiful beaches and is the region where most Thai gold is mined.

Located approximately 1,150 kilometers south of Bangkok, Narathiwat is the southernmost province in Thailand where it borders Malaysia. Consequently, Narathiwat draws many Malaysians and Singaporean visitors and features a distinct culture featuring many Muslim Thais. Seventy five percent of Narathiwat is covered with jungles and mountains, there are numerous beaches, and there a number of magnificent temples to visit.

Transport

As Su-ngai Kolok Checkpoint, one of the primary border crossings between Thailand and Malaysia, is located in Narathiwat, direct travel to Narathiwat or the border is possible from as far as Bangkok via car, bus, or train, and Narathiwat is serviced by regular flights from Bangkok.

Getting to and from Narathiwat

  • By Train:
    The State Railway of Thailand has a daily express and rapid Bangkok-Tanyongmat (Narathiwat)-Su-ngai Kolok service that departs from the Hua Lumphong Railway Station at 13:00 and 15:10. For more information, call tel. 1690, 0 2223 7010, 0 2223 7020; Su-ngai Kolok station tel. 0 7361 1162, 0 7361 4060; or visit www.railway.co.th The Su-ngai Kolok Narathiwat train station is located approximately 20 kilometers west of town, which is accessible via songtaew for 20 baht.

    Su-ngai Kolok Checkpoint is around 1 kilometer from Su-ngai Kolok train station.
  • By Car:
    Narathiwat is located 1,149 kilometers from Bangkok by car: Take Highway No. 4 through Prachuap Khiri Khan (Hua Hin) and Chumphon Provinces and then Highway No. 41 through Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung and Hat Yai Provinces. From Hat Yai, Highway No. 42 leads to Pattani and Narathiwat Provinces.

    From Malaysia, the primary border checkpoint is the Su-ngai Kolok Checkpoint. Su-ngai Kolok Checkpoint is connected via bridge to Kota Bahru in Malaysia. Cars must have proof of insurance to cross in either direction.
  • By Bus:
    The Transport Co., Ltd. operates daily bus services between Bangkok and Narathiwat as well as between Bangkok and Su-ngai Kolok for those heading directly into Malaysia.
    >For more information, call tel. 0 2435 1199-200; Narathiwat Bus Terminal tel. 0 7351 1845 and Su-ngai Kolok Bus Terminal tel. 0 7361 2045 or visit www.transport.co.th

    From Narathiwat: Buses to Bangkok leave from two separate small terminals on Suriyapradit Road, close to the police station. They depart four times a day. Buses to Phuket Province via Pattani, Hat Yai, Songkhla, Trang, Krabi and Phang Nga Provinces leave 3 times a day.

    There are also minivans that connect Narathiwat and Hat Yai Province for 120 baht, Pattani Province for 60 baht, Su-ngai Kolok District for 50 baht, and Yala Province for 60 baht. They leave from different areas around the city.

    Access from Malaysia is convenient via a ninety-minute bus from Kota Bahru. The trip stops at two immigration points where travelers can cross into Thailand or vice versa.
  • By Air:
    Thai AirAsia provides daily air service between Bangkok and Narathiwat. Visit www.airasia.com for more information.

Getting Around Narathiwat

Walking around Narathiwat town is highly recommended as the city can easily be explored on foot. For those who do not want to walk, a motorcycle taxi is a good alternative with rates per ride ranging between 10 and 20 baht depending on the distance.

Car rental service is also available and is provided by some guesthouses. Be aware that only Commercial First Class Insurance provides full coverage on rental cars (as opposed to limited personal or third party only insurance). Most international car rental agencies will offer this insurance (some only for those with a valid international drivers license) while local companies may or may not. You may wish to request a copy of their insurance policy and ensure that it states "For Commercial Use". Regardless, inspect rental vehicles prior to rental and drive with caution, particularly as traffic in Thailand can be quite confusing, especially the habit of Thai motorcycles drivers to drive on the wrong side of the road.

For around 100 to 200 baht per day you may also be able to hire your own motorbike, which will typically require you to leave your passport as a deposit. Be sure to inspect bikes prior to rental and drive with extreme caution as rental motorbikes are not normally insured and accidents are frequent. Helmets are required by Thai law.

To get around the province there are several options if you dont wish to hire your own vehicle. There are both taxis and public busses, including the bus to Sungai Kolok, which costs around 20 baht and takes around an hour via Ban Taba and Tak Bai.


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