Amphoe Muang
Ao
Manao Park
Located at Mu 1, Tambon Kaluwo Nua, the 4-kilometer beach
connects with the eastern coast of Pattani Province. Divided into
several segments by its rocky terrain, Hat Ao Manao borders on
Thaksin Ratchaniwet Palace to the south. The beach is an ideal
place for relaxation with its arboretum and row of pines. In addition,
there is a beach forest study trail for nature enthusiasts. Native
plants such as Chak Thale, Manao Phi and Toei Thale (appearance
similar to a pineapple) can be found in the area. Private accommodations
nearby are available for overnight stays. The beach is situated
approximately 3 kilometers from town along the Narathiwat - Tak
Bai route (Highway No. 4084).
Ban Thon
A traditional Thai Muslim fishing village, Ban Thon is
located approximately 16 kilometers from the city. The village
is a well-known center for production of real and miniature Korlae
boats, which is considered to be an exquisite form of local art.
Boys over 13 years old traditionally make the miniature boats,
costing from a few hundred baht to 2,000 bahts. Moreover, some
children spend their free time making these miniature boats.
In addition, products made of Krachut sedge and Annonaceae leaves
are also sold here. A few popular products are colorful and exquisitely
designed eyeglass holders, bags and mats. They are value-for-money
souvenirs ranging in price from 30 bahts to a few hundred bahts.
Other renowned village products are the sumptuous Budu sauce
and fish crackers. Along the beach visitors will see lines of
dried fish and many Budu sauce vats. The sauce is used extensively
in southern cooking, similar to the use of fish sauce in Thai
cooking. It is possible to see how the sauce is made and purchase
some as souvenirs daily.
Visitors please note that on Fridays, villagers go to prayers
and take the day off. Therefore, it may not be convenient to buy
things on Friday.
The village is located at Tambon Khok Tian, around 16 kilometers
from the town on Highway No. 4136 (Narathiwat-Ban Thon).
Ban Yakang
This is not an ordinary village, but is an old community
established when the province was known as Bang Nara village.
At present, the village is a major Batik production center with
distinctive, traditionally made fabrics that have beautiful designs
and fascinating colors. They are multi-purpose fabrics that are
very popular among both local residents and tourists.
The village is located some 4 kilometers from the Provincial
Hall on Highway No. 4055 (Amphoe Muang-Amphoe Rangae). Turn onto
Soi 6 of Yakang 1 Road and proceed for about 700 meters.
Hat Narathat
This white-powdered sandy beach stretching for 5 kilometers
is located near the estuary of the Bang Nara River, where the
annual Korlae boat races are held. The beach is naturally decorated
with dense pine trees, which provide a tranquil shady area suitable
for pitching tents. Several beachside restaurants serving southern-style
cuisine and accommodation facilities are provided. The view from
the beach is impressive, as there is a backdrop of fishing villages
extending along the river and the bay is full of Korlae fishing
boats.
Narathat Beach is located just 1 kilometer from town on Phichit
Bamrung Road. Visitors can conveniently hire motorcycles, tricycles
or mini-buses from town to the beach.
Khao Kong Buddhist Park
The Park occupies an area of 142 rais (56.8 acres) in
Tambon Lamphu, about 9 kilometers from town on the Narathiwat-Rangae
route (Highway No. 4055). The main attraction in Wat Khao Kong
is a graceful southern Buddha image, the golden Phra Phuttha Thaksin
Ming Mongkhon, which is seated in the lotus position. The construction
of the steel-reinforced concrete image that was decorated with
gold mosaics started in 1966 and was completed in 1969. This mountaintop
Buddha image, which is considered to be the most beautiful and
largest (17 meters wide and 24 meters high) outdoor Buddha image
in southern Thailand, is decorated in the South Indian style.
New Central Mosque
The mosque is located at Ban Bang Nara, just before Narathat
Beach. This mosque, which is the province’s second central
mosque built in 1981, is a religious site highly revered by Thai
Muslims. This 3-story Arabian-style building with a large dome
on top has the main convention hall on the ground floor and the
prayer rooms on the top 2 floors. In addition, there is a high
tower that is used to call Muslims to prayer.
Old Central Mosque
Also widely known as Yumiya Mosque, or Rayo Mosque, the
compound is located to the north of town, further from the Provincial
Hall on Phichit Bamrung Road, just before the intersection at
the clock tower. This original wooden mosque was built in 1938
in the Sumatran-style and is the burial place of the old city
Lord, Phraya Phu Pha Phakdi. Usually there is only one provincial
mosque, but because this mosque is quite small, a new mosque was
built at the mouth of Bang Nara River. However, this old mosque
is still highly respected by locals and is regarded as the central
one.
Phikun Thong Development Study Center
The center was established according to an initiative
of His Majesty the King who saw the necessity for a knowledge
center for land reform in the area. The center has a complete
range of activities such as analyzing and testing plants, livestock
care, providing technical know-how and providing agricultural
training. Occupying an area of 2,784,000 square meters, the center
is divided into office buildings, demonstration plots and testing
plots in swamp forest areas.
Royal projects include a soil project that adds maximum acidity
to paddy soil, then attempts to find a solution so it can be used
to counter acidic soil nationwide. Other projects include a new
concept in agriculture that is used in areas with an abundant
supply of water and planting of oil palm in highly organic soil.
A small, fully integrated factory and Prince of Songkhla University
jointly produce products from palm oil, like oil extracts, soap
and butter that are sold to workers and outsiders. A livestock
factory produces animal waste gas wells. There is also a project
that plants Zalacca palm to supplement rubber plantations.
Furthermore, on weekdays the center operates a training center
on making products from Krachut sedge and Annonaceae leaves.
People who come here to study also receive considerable enjoyment.
This is in accordance with His Majesty the King’s intention
that an observation tour should be similar to a picnic in a park.
Every September, the center holds an exhibition that coincides
with the Narathiwat Products Fair.
The center is located between Ban Phikun Thong and Ban Khok Saya
in Tambon Kaluwo Nuea, about 1 kilometer from the Thaksin Ratchaniwet
Palace and 8 kilometers from Narathiwat town on Highway No. 4084
(Narathiwat-Tak Bai).
Siri Maya Pagoda
The bell-shaped pagoda is situated on the hill adjacent
to the Khao Kong Buddhist Park. Small pagodas housing Phra Phrom
images were built above all four doorways and the holy relics
of Lord Buddha are enshrined at the very top of the pagoda. A
convocation hall, with the outer walls decorated with carved,
terracotta tiles is located on a nearby hill behind which is a
figure of an elephant kneeling to present a lotus. In addition,
the building’s awning portrays a warrior and an angel holding
a jug. Local residents built the pagoda as a dedication to Her
Majesty the Queen.
Thaksin Ratchaniwet Palace
This Palace is on Tanyongmat Mountain, Tambon Kaluwo Nua,
on the coast near Manao Bay. It is 8 kilometers from town on Highway
No. 4084 (Narathiwat-Tak Bai). Situated on an area of 480,000
square meters at the summit of the Tan Yong Mut Mountain, His
Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej commissioned its construction
in 1973 as his royal summer residence. The compound is comprised
of throne halls decorated with an assortment of trees which provide
a good shade for the whole area. A craft center providing training
on pottery and ceramics, as well as selling products is also located
nearby. When the royal family is not in residence, the grounds
are open daily for public viewing between 8.30 a.m. and 4.30 p.m.
The Royal Family normally resides here between October and December.
The garden provides a great view of the adjacent beach and contains
an aviary. To visit the Palace, take a bus that goes to Amphoe
Tak Bai and get off in front of the palace.
