Narathiwat
at a glance
Located approximately some 1,149 kilometers south of Bangkok
is Narathiwat – the southernmost province in Thailand and
one of the nation’s five provinces that borders Malaysia
at Amphoe Su-ngai Kolok, where the southern railway line ends.
Access from Malaysia is convenient via a ninety-minute bus trip
and two immigration points where travelers can cross into Thailand
and vice versa. 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.
Geographically, Narathiwat is situated on the eastern coast of
the Malay Peninsula. The north borders Pattani Province and the
Gulf of Thailand, the west borders Yala Province, the east borders
the Gulf of Thailand, and the south borders Kelantan in Malaysia.
The plains where the Maenam Sai Buri, Maenam Bang Nara, Maenam
Tak Bai and Maenam Su-ngai Kolok converge are adjacent to the
gulf.
With an area of 4,475 square kilometers, of which 75 percent
are jungles and mountains, visitors to the province are provided
with great opportunities to spend days at the beach or in the
forests and take excursion trips to some of the magnificent temples.
Narathiwat has a tropical climate and has only 2 seasons; summer
and rainy. The wettest period is during November to December.
Narathiwat literally means "the residence of good people".
The city of Narathiwat has an abundance of traditional culture
and authenticity with village-like tranquility. The inhabitants
of Narathiwat are largely farmers and fishermen with the majority
being Muslims who use the spoken and written Yawi language (Yawi
has roots from the spoken Malay language and uses Arabic consonants
and alphabets). As such, Narathiwat is an amazing and unique area
with a constant flow of culture and trade between Thais and Malaysians.
Provincial Seal
The provincial seal depicts a sailing boat with a picture of
a white elephant on the sail in a circle. It signifies that Narathiwat
is a province on the coast, engaged in fishing and trading with
neighboring countries and that the province has a white elephant
called Phra Sri Nararat Rajakarin.
History of Narathiwat
In the past, Narathiwat was a southern borderland named "Ban
Bang Nara" or "Manalo". It was located near Maenam
Bang Nara and the sea. In the reign of King Rama I, this village
was under the administration of Sai Buri. Later, it came under
the administration of Ra Ngae town of Pattani province.
In 1906, Bang Nara became a big trading city with well-developed
sea and land transportation. King Rama V moved the administration
office from Ra Ngae to Manalo. In 1915, King Rama VI changed the
name of the town to "Narathiwat".
Today’s Narathiwat
Narathiwat is currently divided into 12 districts, namely Mueang,
Ra-ngae, Su-ngai Padi, Sungai Kolok, Ruso, Yi-ngo, Waeng, Bacho,
Tak Bai, Si Sakhon, Sukhirin, Chanae and one Sub District of Cho
Ai Rong.
Distances from Amphoe Mueang (Town) to Neighboring Districts:
| Chanae |
47 kms. |
| Cho Ai Rong |
31 kms. |
| Tak Bai |
33 kms. |
| Bacho |
28 kms. |
| Yi-ngo |
18 kms. |
| Ra-ngae |
24 kms. |
| Ruso |
48 kms. |
| Waeng |
83 kms. |
| Si Sakhon |
65 kms. |
| Sukhirin |
112 kms. |
| Su-ngai Kolok |
63 kms. |
| Su-ngai Padi |
49 kms. |
