Narathiwat Attractions 
Narathiwat
Narathiwat lies 1148 km (713 mi.) from Bangkok, but only 67 km (42 mi.) from the Malaysian border. This fact accounts for the problems which characterize life in this town. Traces of the Malaysian way of life are evident everywhere, and a large number of the population speak the language of their neighboring country. Alongside Buddhist temples muezzins call people to prayers, markets sell both pork and lamb. The population of the town have come to an arrangement, even if there are conflicts every now and then, with those who claim a connection with Malaysia. As well as Muslims, many Chinese live in Narathiwat, Thailand's most southerly province. The Thai royal family had a palace built for themselves here, at which they would stay on their yearly tour of southern Thailand (no visits).
By car: from Songkhla highways 408/43/42 (200 km (124 mi.)).
By bus: from Pattani, Betong and Songkhla.
By rail: nearest station Songkhla.
By air: nearest airport Hat Yai (200 km (124 mi.)).
It was not until this century that the southern provinces approached the rulers of Thailand to inform them that many of the local population felt more kinship with Thailand's neighbor than with Thailand itself. Cultural links, developed over centuries, did not weaken even after the drawing up of a border between Thailand and Malaysia in 1786 or as a result of the extensive economic help given by the Thai government. Certainly the Malaysian government had little interest in any union. Young people, in particular, are banding together into a separatist movement. Visitors will see little evidence of all this.
Narathiwat lies 1148 km (713 mi.) from Bangkok, but only 67 km (42 mi.) from the Malaysian border. This fact accounts for the problems which characterize life in this town. Traces of the Malaysian way of life are evident everywhere, and a large number of the population speak the language of their neighboring country. Alongside Buddhist temples muezzins call people to prayers, markets sell both pork and lamb. The population of the town have come to an arrangement, even if there are conflicts every now and then, with those who claim a connection with Malaysia. As well as Muslims, many Chinese live in Narathiwat, Thailand's most southerly province. The Thai royal family had a palace built for themselves here, at which they would stay on their yearly tour of southern Thailand (no visits).
By car: from Songkhla highways 408/43/42 (200 km (124 mi.)).
By bus: from Pattani, Betong and Songkhla.
By rail: nearest station Songkhla.
By air: nearest airport Hat Yai (200 km (124 mi.)).
It was not until this century that the southern provinces approached the rulers of Thailand to inform them that many of the local population felt more kinship with Thailand's neighbor than with Thailand itself. Cultural links, developed over centuries, did not weaken even after the drawing up of a border between Thailand and Malaysia in 1786 or as a result of the extensive economic help given by the Thai government. Certainly the Malaysian government had little interest in any union. Young people, in particular, are banding together into a separatist movement. Visitors will see little evidence of all this.
Nam Tok Bacho
By driving approximately 25 km (16 mi.) to the north of Narathiwat (Highway 42, turn off after 73 km (45 mi.)) travelers will reach the beautiful Nam Tok Bacho waterfalls. Continuing a further 25 km (16 mi.) will bring them to Saiburi, the province's former principal town. Despite this earlier importance, Saiburi has few notable sights.
Surrounding
The marvelous, intensively farmed land around Narathiwat deserves a visit. The vast coconut plantations, where trained monkeys are used as pickers, play an important role in the economy. The coast is rich in beautiful, fine sandy beaches with a number of estates of bungalows in the immediate vicinity.
Townscape
The townscape is characterized by the onion domes of its mosques, its Malaysian-style houses and its brightly-dressed people. The markets and the lively fishing harbors are also very interesting.
