Amphoe Bang Kaeo
Shadow Play Handicrafts Village
This is at Mu 1, Ban Bang Kaeo, Tambon Tha Madua. It is about 9
kilometres from the Phetchakasem-railway intersection and 200 metres
from the railway to the centre. The total distance from Phatthalung
city to the village is about 36 kilometres. The village has 25 members,
all of whom make shadow play figures from hides in various styles
made to order. The work is delicate and beautiful. The products
are sold nationwide and exported to about 16 countries. For persons
interested in seeing and buying shadow play products, please contact
Mr. Im Chanchum, the centres president, or the Amphoe Bang Kaeo
Community Development Office at tel: 0 7469 7380.
Talung (shadow play) is a regional performance of southern Thailand
that is as popular as Nora. Like Nora, Phatthalung is also regarded
as the birthplace of Talung. Each shadow play figure is made from
raw cowhide that has been dried and then cut into shapes. Each figure
is ornately printed with designs, with black usually covering the
entire figure. Thinner hides will have colouring. The figures are
held up by bamboo sticks, with the mouth and hands movable in tune
with the narration. The Talung hall has a thatched roof and three
walls. It has a white cloth screen. Behind it is where the figures
are kept. The entire troupe of musicians and puppeteers number not
more than 8 persons. Musical instruments include pipe, drum and
gong. The figure performance is the duty of the head of the troupe
who both operate the figures and narrate. The stories are from literature
or newly written tales.
Amphoe Khao Chaison
 Wat
Khian Bang Kaeo
This temple is on Highway No. 4081, 7 kilometres past Khao Chaison
district office, in the area of Ban Bang Kaeo at Km. 14. A left-hand
road leads to the temple. Wat Khian is situated on the bank of Songkhla
Lake. This old monastery has the sacred Phra That Bang Kaeo, built
in the same style as Phra Maha That Chedi in Nakhon Si Thammarat
but smaller. This is one of the oldest historical sites of Phatthalung,
dating back to the early Ayutthaya period. It is believed that the
temple area was once the site of Phatthalung town because many laterite
ruins and Buddha images have been found here.
Amphoe Khuan Khanun
 Thale
Noi Waterfowl Reserve
Thale Noi is the largest waterfowl reserve in Thailand. It can be
reached via Highway No. 4048 from Amphoe Muang to Amphoe Khuan Khanun
and to Thale Noi, for a total distance of 32 kilometres. The road
is paved asphalt all the way. The reserve is the responsibility
of the Royal Forestry Department and covers 450 square kilometres,
divided into 422 square kilometres of land (94%) and 28 square kilometres
of water (6%), or Thale Noi. The sea is 5 kilometres wide and 6
kilometres long with an average depth of 1.2 metres. The sea is
covered with assorted flora such as lotus, bulrush, reed, and grass
used for thatching. More than 187 species of waterfowls, migratory
and indigenous birds make their home at Thale Noi. Some live here
throughout the year and some migrate only in winter from October
to March when the population density is at its highest. The low
season is June-September which is the nesting period. Species that
are prevalent here are those of the heron and stork family such
as yellow bittern, great egret, painted stork, red stork; ducks
such as lesser whistling duck, cotton pygmy goose, and garganey;
grebe; rails such as white-browed crake, white-breasted waterhen,
watercock, common moorhen, and Eurasian coot; jacanas such as pheasant-tailed
jacana and bronze-winged jacana; cormorants such as great cormorant
and little cormorant; black-winged stilt; Brahminy kite; red-wattled
lapwing; whiskered tern; common kingfisher; and barn swallow. The
best time to study flora and fauna is during October-March when
there is an abundance of birds and pink lotus in full bloom cover
the reserve. Moreover, tourists can visit villages and see cottage
industries like reed mat making.
Thale Noi has been named the first world ramsar site (wetland site)
in Thailand. This aims to preserve the sustainable ecology of the
area, one that is being developed into one of the countrys most
important nature study centres. As such, there is careful control
of eco-tourism in Thale Noi in order to minimize impact on the environment.
Tourists can take boats from Thale Noi pier and go on two routes;
the first one for tourists with services by the Thale Noi community
and the second for academics and nature study by requesting permission
and guide from a reserve official. The reserve has comfortable accommodation.
For more information, please contact the Royal Forestry Department
in Bangkok, tel: 0 2579 7223, 0 2579 5734, and Thale Noi Non-hunting
Area, tel: 0 7468 5230.
Travel to Thale Noi is easy by boat and car. Access can be made
from seaside districts like Ranot, Sathing Phra and Mueang of Songkhla,
and Pak Phayun, Khuan Khanun and Mueang of Phatthalung. Visitors
by train can alight at Pak Khlong station and continue by car to
Thale Noi for 8 kilometres.
Amphoe Kong Ra
 Namtok
Phraiwan
This waterfall is in the Khao Banthat Wildlife Reserve, Tambon Khlong
Chaloem. To get there, go from Khlong Muai by the Tambon Lam Sin-Ban
Kong Ra road (Highway No. 4122) for about 20 kilometres. The waterfall
entrance is to the west about 3 kilometres away. This is a large
waterfall with serene natural surroundings that are rich in tropical
flora. A parking area and a restaurant are available.
Amphoe Muang
Handicrafts village
Ban Khok Wua, Tambon Chai Buri, is about 6 kilometres from the
city on the road from Sai Yuan intersection. The village is famous
for making products from coconut shells, now called the Million
Baht Coconut Shell Village. The community leader, Mr. Plum Chukhong,
pioneered the idea of getting villagers to make products from coconut
shells that can be found locally. Products include kitchenware,
household items and decorations. Eventually over 100 households
began such an industry and later received support from the Industrial
Promotion Department. Popular items are spoons, coffee cups, mugs,
ladles, plates, bowls, lamps, and other decorations sold domestically
and to 16 countries worldwide. Visitors interested in seeing demonstrations
and buying products can contact Mr. Plum Chukhong, No. 42, Mu 1,
Ban Khok Wua, Tambon Chai Buri, tel: 0 1465 5751.
Hat Saen Suk Lam Pam
Situated 2 kilometres past Wat Wang on Highway No. 4047,
this shady pine-fringed beach on the bank of Songkhla Lake, the
largest freshwater lake in Thailand. In the middle of the rotary
is a sculpture of a school of Lam Pam fish native to the area. A
water pavilion named Sala Lam Pam Thi Rak is ideal for viewing the
scenery. A bridge spans the beach and an islet created by sediment
from the river. In Lam Pam Lake are dolphins, which can be seen
frequently.
Khao Ok Thalu
Situated on Highway No. 4047, Khao Ok Thalu rises majestically east
of the train station. This mountain is a symbol of the province.
It is about 250 metres high. Stairs lead up to the summit where
visitors can get a panoramic view of the province. The name of the
mountain derives from a hole near the top that allows people to
see through it.
Phatthalung Governors Residence
This interesting place is at Tambon Lam Pam, near Wat Wang.
Originally a government place and the home of the city lord, the
part called Wang Kao (old palace), three adjoining Thai houses,
built in the time of Phraya Phatthalung (Noi Chantharotchanawong)
when he was the provincial governor. The palace later became the
property of Mrs. Praphai Mutamara, the daughter of Luang Si Worachat.
The new palace, or Wang Mai, was built in 1889 by Phraya Aphaiborirakchakrawichitphiphitphakdi
(Net Chantharotchanawong), the son of Phraya Phatthalung, then the
provincial governor. The Chantharotchanawong family has given this
palace to the country. The Fine Arts Department declared it a national
historical site in 1983.
Phra Phutthanirokhantarai Chaiwat Chaturathit
This Buddha image is also known as Phra Si Mum Mueang which
is a sacred relic of Phatthalung. It is housed in a square pavilion
in an area between the provincial hall and the provincial court.
This bronze image in the meditation posture was given to the province
by His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej in 1968.
 Phraya
Thukrat monument
This monument is at Tha Miram intersection in Phatthalung municipality.
Records show that Phraya Thukrat was a monk named Phra Maha Chuai
who resided at Wat Pa Lilai during the reign of King Rama I. When
the Nine Armies War took place, Phra Maha Chuai rallied villagers
to help Phraya Phatthalung defeat Burmese forces. When he left the
monkhood, he was appointed by the king to be Phraya Thukrat to help
the city lord. His title of Phraya was of the same level as the
city lord.
 Wat
Tham Khuha Sawan
This temple is at the foot of Khao Khuha Sawan near Phatthalung
market. A left-hand road at Khao Hua Taek takes visitors to the
temple. The temple was built in the Ayutthaya period and was later
upgraded to be the first royal temple in the province. Inside the
cave is a large reclining Buddha image and another in a sitting
posture. The cave walls and entrance are full of initials of many
kings and royal family members.
Wat Wang
This old temple is in Tambon Lam Pam, 6 kilometres from
the city on Highway No. 4047 (on the same route as Khao Ok Thalu).
This is an important historical site of the province. It was built
by Phraya Phatthalung (Thongkhao) in the reign of King Rama III
and was once the place where government officials performed allegiance
pledges in the early Rattanakosin period. Inside the convocation
hall are murals of dusted paint in the time of King Rama IV about
the biography of Lord Buddha and about angels. The main plaster
Buddha image is from the same period. A total of 108 images line
the balcony around the building.
Amphoe Pak Phayun
 Ko
Si and Ko Ha
Both islands, in Songkhla Lake, can be reached by leaving from Tambon
Lam Pam pier (25 kilometres) or Pak Phayun pier (10 kilometres).
The travelling time is about 1 hour. The islands are home of flocks
of sea swallows, so many that they are called Ko Rang Nok (birds
nest island). Concessions are given out for the collection of the
nests for sale. The natural beauty of the islands is one of the
finest in Phatthalung. King Rama V once visited here and left his
initials on a cliff. Nearby is a monument of him. As Ko Si and Ko
Ha are concession areas of the private sector, permission must first
be obtained in Pak Phayun district.
Amphoe Tamot
 Namtok
Tamot
Also called Namtok Mom Chui, this waterfall is 12 kilometres from
the district office. Take Highway No. 4121 and Highway No. 4137
(south of Phatthalung city) from Highway No. 4 all the way to Wat
Tamot. The waterfall is located in Tamot Wildlife Protection Unit,
about 4-5 kilometres past the temple. The waterfall is in the middle
of a lush forest. The waterfall falls down several levels that have
different names to a pool below. A wide rock plateau is suitable
for relaxation.
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