Lonely Planet Thailand's Islands & Beaches (Travel Guide) by Planet Lonely & Brash Celeste & Bush Austin & Eimer David & Skolnick Adam

Author:Planet, Lonely & Brash, Celeste & Bush, Austin & Eimer, David & Skolnick, Adam [Planet, Lonely]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Lonely Planet Publications
Published: 2014-05-31T21:00:00+00:00

Narathiwat

pop 40,521

Sitting on the banks of the Bang Nara River, Narathiwat is probably the most Muslim city in Thailand, with many mosques scattered around town. There are still a few old Sino-Portuguese buildings lining the riverfront (although blink and you’ll miss them), and there are some excellent beaches just outside town. But few tourists pass through, due to the security situation.

Sights

Matsayit Klang MOSQUE

Towards the southern end of Th Pichitbumrung stands Matsayit Klang, a wooden mosque built in the Sumatran style and known locally as the ‘central mosque’. It was reputedly built by a prince of the former kingdom of Pattani over a hundred years ago.

Ao Manao BEACH

Five kilometres south of town, Ao Manao is a superb strip of palm tree-fringed sand. You’ll likely have it all to yourself.

Hat Narathat BEACH

Just north of town is Hat Narathat, a 5km-long sandy beach fronted by towering pines, which serves as a public park for locals. The beach is only 2km from the town centre – you can easily walk there or take a săhm·lór.

Wat Khao Kong BUDDHIST TEMPLE

( 9am-5pm) The tallest seated-Buddha image in southern Thailand is at Wat Khao Kong, 6km southwest on the way to the train station in Tanyongmat. Located in a park, the image is 17m long and 24m high, and made of reinforced concrete covered with tiny gold-coloured mosaic tiles that glint magically in the sun.

Sleeping & Eating

Most of the town’s accommodation is located on and around Th Puphapugdee along the Bang Nara river. There are a few riverfront Thai restaurants which serve alcohol; the Muslim ones in town are booze-free.

Ocean Blue Mansion HOTEL $

( 0 7351 1109; 297 Th Puphapugdee; r 400-500B; ) Sound budget choice with a riverfront location. Rooms are decent-sized and come with fridges and cable TV.

Imperial HOTEL $$

( 0 7351 5041; [email protected]; 260 Th Pichitbumrung; r 1000B; ) Not the most exclusive hotel in town, but still a snip at the price and centrally located and secure. Rooms are large and comfortable. There are a few Thai restaurants/bars close by.

Jay Sani MUSLIM-THAI $

(50/1 Th Sophaphisai; dishes 40-80B; 10am-9pm) This is where locals go for excellent Thai-Muslim food. Point to whatever curry or stir-fry looks good, but be sure not to miss the sublime beef soup.

Ang Mo CHINESE-THAI $

(cnr Th Puphapugdee & Th Chamroonnara; dishes 50-150B; 10am-10pm) This exceedingly popular Chinese restaurant is both cheap and tasty, and has even fed members of the Thai royal family.

Information

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT; Narathiwat 0 7352 2411, nationwide call centre 1672) is inconveniently located a few kilometres south of town, just across the bridge on the road to Tak Bai.

Getting There & Around

Air Asia ( nationwide call centre 0 2515 9999; www.airasia.com; Narathiwat Airport) flies daily to and from Bangkok (from 2390B, 1½ hours).

Two buses daily travel to and from Bangkok’s southern bus terminal (685B to 1369B, 15 to 17 hours). Narathiwat’s bus terminal ( 0 7351 1552) is 2km south of town on Th Rangae Munka.

Minivans heading to Hat Yai (160B, three hours), Pattani

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