Destination Guide : Pattani

Pattani is an east-coast province in the south, adjacent to the Gulf of Thailand, with the area of approximately 1,940 square kilometres. There are two major rivers: Tani and Sai Buri. Being a civilized town in the past, the present Pattani still maintains some ruined ancient town in Amphoe Yarang. Due to its mountainous area and long seashore of about 170 kilometres, Pattani has been an important port and the centre of the administration, trading, and culture. There are several tourism resources of nature, historical ancient places, and traditional culture which have been the integration of Thai, Chinese and Islam.

Pattani is administratively divided into 12 Amphoe: Muang Pattani, Yarang, Nong Chik, Khok Pho, Yaring, Panare, Mayo, Sai Buri, Kapho, Mai Kaen, Thung Yang Daeng, and Mae Lan.

Boundary

North: Songkhla
South: Narathiwat and Yala
West: Yala and Songkhla
East: Gulf of Thailand.

Attraction

Hat Talo-kapo Beach
This beach is about 18 kilometres from Pattani town. The way to get to the beach is to go along highway no.42 (Pattani - Narathiwat route, turn left at Amphoe Yaring, cross Yamu canal and pass the forest area and villages. With its long white sand, line of pines and coconut trees, this beach is one of the most popular ones in Pattani. There are many Kolae boats with their unique colorful characteristics of the southern fishermen. This beach is extended due to the current of sea move sand in. This venue is most suitable for relaxation and view watching.

Hat Wasukri


The beach is about 52 kilometres from Pattani and about 2 kilometres from Sai Buri. It is in Patatimo Village, TambonTaluban. Visitors can use the Pattani-Narathiwat route or use the route passing Hat Khae Khae to Sai Buri, or directly turn left at the junction to Sai Buri. The beach is parallel to the pine line. Bungalows are also available for service.





Palas Market
Being approximately 30 kilometres from Pattani by highway no.42, the market can be visited in the morning of every Wednesday and Sunday. Also, this venue reflects the real rural lifestyle of the southern Thai Muslims whereby shoppers are clad in their local costumes and colorful batik head bands.

Hat Panare
Situated about three kilometres from Panare town on the same route to Talo-kapo Beach, there are many households of fishermen, Kolae and boats along the beach.

Hat Chalalai


Situated about two kilometres far from District Hall on Pattani - Narathiwat route, the beach is highlighted by a large pond near the pine line, which is shaded for relaxation.







Somdet Phra Srinagarindra Park
Located at Tambon Rusamilae, Amphoe Mueang, about one kilometre from town, this public park is on the left side of the Pattani River, next to the Songkhla Nakharin University. The Park is decorated with many flowers, and a very beautiful landscape.

Pattani Central Mosque
Located on Yarang Road on Yarang - Pattani route in Pattani Mucipality, this is the most beautiful and largest mosques in Thailand. Built in 1954, the construction of this mosque took almost nine years. It is the centre for religious ceremonies to be performed by the Muslims in the South. The architecture is western, with similarity to the Taj Mahal of India. With the big dome in the centre, there are four surrounding small ones with two finerets. A big pond is in front of the mosque and inside is a large hall and two sided corridors.

Chao Mae Lim Ko Niao Chinese Shrine or Leng Chu Kiang Shrine
The location of Chao Mae Lim Ko Niao sculpture and Chinese gods is on A No Ru road. On the day of the 3rd lunar month every year, there is the colorful procession carrying Chao Maes sculpture along several roads in town, walking on fire in front of the shrine, and swimming across the river near Dechanuchit Bridge. The city welcomes numerous worshippers every year.


Khao Ruesi


This is the mountain situated at Mu 2, Tambon Mayo, about 3 kilometres from Mayo town. The highlight of this mount is the natural rocky formation. Also, there are two ponds containing water which has been believed to be very holy and was used in the Coronation of many Kings. On this mount, is also the location of Wat Khao Ruesi Plaeng San which is worshipped by People in Pattani and nearby provinces.







Wat Chang Hai Rat Buranaram


This monastery is at Ban Pa Rai, Tambon Tung Pala, close to the railway (Hat Yai - Sungai Kolok route) between Na Pradu and Pa Rai Stations. It is located about 31 kilometres from Pattani town. By car, visitors can use highway no.42 (Pattani - Khok Pho), pass Na Ket Junction, then use highway no.409 (Pattani-Yala), pass Na Pradu Municipality and Wat Chang Hai Training Centre and turn to Wat Chang Hai for another 700 metres.

This old monastery was built for more than 300 years, with the sculpture of Luang Pu Tuad, once an abbot of the temple. Also, the architecture of stupa, chedi, temple, and bell tower are magnificently beautiful. Luang Pu Thuat, Wat Chang Hai, being respected by people all over the country, Luang Pu Thuat was an educational monk It was told that he was able to turn sea water into fresh water. Died in Malaysia, his body was brought back to Wat Chang Hai. The annual festival to pay respect to his bone and ashes is in April. At Wat Chang Hai, visitors can pay respect during 8 a.m.-5 p.m. daily.

Wat Chang Hai Royal Folk Arts and Crafts Centre The centre displays and sells many southern handicrafts such as batik, imitated Kolae boat, handicrafts, mats, and ceramics.

Namtok Sai Khao National Park
Located in Tambon Sai Khao, covering the forest in Pattani, Yala, and Songkhla, with the total area of 68,750 Rai, this evergreen forest is full of various kinds of plants, and a variety of waterfalls. The most beautiful waterfalls is Sai Khao Waterfalls which can be reached on foot from the Parks Office along the creek. At the end, is the waterfall which is 40 metres high. The surroundings are evergreen forest. Visitors can swim in some natural ponds. Visitors can use highway no.409 (Pattani - Yala)for 28 kilometres to Na Pradu Junction, then turn to Napradu - Sai Khao route for about 7 kilometres. The Park also has bungalows available. For more details, visitors can contact the Forestry Department, Bang Khen, Bangkok, at Tel: 0 2570 5734, 0 2570 7223.

Yaring Natural Study Centre


Located near Yamu Canal, opposite to Yaring District Hall, the centre is in Yaring National Forest, with the area of 500 Rai. There is a 1,250 metre wooden bridge as the walkway for natural study of the forest. Along the natural trail, there are several species of plants, rest area and a bird-watching tower with the height of 13 metres.

Besides, there are delightful boat trips for visitors of nature lovers. There are 3 canals: Bang Pu, Klang, and Kolae. Along both banks, visitors can experience the fertility of water animals, birds, local lifestyles. For more details, contact Pattani Forest Regional Office at Tel: 0 7334 9146 ext.4146.

Dato Mosque
Located at Mu 4, Ban Dato, Tambon Laem Pho, it is about ten kilometres from Yaring District Hall on the same route to Talo-kapo Beach. This old Mosque is surrounded by Islamic community and graveyard, and has been renovated and is still used for religious ceremony.


Yarang Ancient Town

The city was one of the oldest communities in the history of the southern part of Thailand. It is believed that it was the location of the ancient kingdom of Lanka Suka which had its boundary covering the area of Songkhla, Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat of Thailand, Kalantan and Tarang Kanu of Malaysia according to the documents of China, Java, Malayia, and Arab. It was a port with long wide trading history with the foreigners since B.E.12. The structure of the ancient town was the large oval shape in the area of 9 square kilometres. There are three connecting towns as the followings:

Ban Wat Ancient With a square in the centre of town, and is surrounded by moats, the town has more than 25 scattered and ruined ancient hills in the western and northern area.

Ban Cha-le Ancient Town With a pond in the centre of town and is surrounded by square-shape moats, this town is only one kilometre north of Ban Wat Ancient Town. The most important ancient monument is the ruined religious venue made of bricks, with large square base. Due to the discovery of several ancient materials in the area, there is proof that this venue must have been the Buddhist community.

Ban Prawae Ancient Town It is a small rectangular town with 4 forts in the corners. Also, there were canals connecting with Ban Ja-le in the north.

Moreover, there are at least 30 areas of ruined ancient hills. Visitors can use Sirorot Road (highway no.410) from Pattani to Yala for another 15 kilometres, turn left to highway 4061 (Yarang- Mayo) for 1.2 kilometres to Ancient town area. Then turn left to the north for 400 metres to Ban Ja-le Ancient Town.

Visitors in group can contact the Head of the Ancient Yarang Town Exploring Project on the official days and working hours at Tel: 0 7343 9093.

Tourism Authority of Thailand : http://www.tourismthailand.org