Phatthalung Thailand - Hotels and travel guide

Phatthalung is characterised by towering limestone mountains, home to myriad caves used for meditation, and flat rice growing areas. The popular shadow plays, using puppets carved from buffalo hides, and the famous Nora dance originated here.

The town is dominated by an unusual outcropping, Ok Thalu (Broken Chest) with a large hole in it, while nearby is Hua Taek, a formation resembling a broken head. Legend has it that these are injuries suffered by two jealous women fighting over their lover.

Wat Kuhasawan sits at the foot of a large limestone peak where interlinked caves contain votive tablets dating back to the 8th century Srivijaya period. While just northwest of the town is Malai Cave, an illuminated complex full of enormous stalactites and stalagmites.

The province's most famous attraction is Thale Noi Waterfowl Sanctuary, an extension of Songkhla Lake and Thailand's largest water park. Early morning is the best time to see the hundreds of birds species by longtail boat.

How to get there

Car
From Bangkok, there are 3 ways. The first is via the Phetchakasem National Highway No. 4 to Chumphon (Phathom Phon junction) into Ranong, Phang-nga, Krabi, Trang, and Phatthalung. The total distance is 1,140 kilometres. The second route is to Chumphon and then onto Highway No. 41 (Asia) to Phatthalung, a total distance of around 846 kilometres. The third route is to Nakhon Si Thammarat via Chumphon and Surat Thani, then onto Highway No. 403 and Highway No. 41 to Phatthalung.

Bus
Transport Co. has daily Bangkok-Phatthalung services. For more information, please call 0 2435 1199, 0 2435 1200 or Phatthalung Bus Terminal, tel:0 7461 2070 or visit www.transport.co.th.

Rail
The southern line runs through Phatthalung town, Khuan Khanun, Khao Chaison, Pak Phayun, Pa Bon, and Bang Kaeo. Trains leave the Bangkok Railway Station (Hualamphong) daily at 12.25 p.m., 2.20 p.m., 2.45 p.m., 3.50 p.m. and 10.50 p.m. For more information, please call 1690, 0 2223 7010, 0 2223 7020, Phatthalung Railway Station tel: 0 7461 3106 or visit www.railway.co.th.

Air
Phatthalung does not have an airport but can be accessed via those in nearby provinces. Please call Thai Airways at 1566 (information) or tel: 0 2280 0060 (reservation), in Trang at tel: 0 7521 8066 or 0 7521 9923, in Nakhon Si Thammarat at tel: 0 7531 1158, 0 7534 2491 or 0 7534 3874, and in Hat Yai at tel: 0 7424 5851-2, 0 7424 3711, or 0 7423 3433.

Distance from Amphoe Mueang to Neighbouring Districts

Festivals & events

Phon Beating Festival
This is a famous festival of the province. This popular Buddhist tradition is held at the end of the Buddhist Lent when people have a Buddha image procession by land or water. Phatthalung normally has a land procession accompanied by drums to give the procession a good rhythm. When a procession from one temple passes another temple, the procession participants will challenge the temple people to come out and see who can beat drums to give the best rhythm. This tradition has evolved to become a grand festival of Phatthalung. It is held every October. Processions will go take Buddha images throughout Phatthalung city. The festival is held at Phatthalung Provincial Stadium and Saen Suk Lam Pam beach in Amphoe Muang. Activities of the festival include drum competitions of temples in the province, dramatic arts, boat procession contest, folk plays, religious ceremonies, water sports on Lam Pam Lake such as boat races and water boxing, exhibitions, and arts and culture demonstrations of Phatthalung and nearby provinces like reed mat making and coconut shell products.

Thale Noi Bird Watching Festival
This festival was first held in 1998 as a special activity to mark the Amazing Thailand project and promote the most important tourist destination of Phatthalung. The festival consists of eco-tourism activities lasting 1 month (14 February-15 March) when there are plenty of birds and Thale Noi is at its most beautiful. The festival takes place in the Thale Noi Non-hunting area. Daily activities include boating on long-tailed boats to observe flora and fauna, local performances, agricultural produce for sale, demonstrations of native life, and an assortment of local products for sale.

Thailand Destination Guide

		:: North
		Mae Hong Son Chiang Mai Chiang Rai Phayao Lampang Lamphun Phrae Nan Tak Sukhothai Uttaradit Phitsanulok Kamphaeng Phet Phichit Phetchabun Uthai Thani Nakhon Sawan

		:: North East
		Loei Chaiyaphum Nong Bua Lamphu Khon Kaen Udon Thani Nong Khai Sakon Nakhon Nakhon Phanom Kalasin Mukdahan Nakhonratchasima (Khorat) Maha Sarakham Roi Et Yasothon Amnart Charoen Buriram Surin Si Sa Ket Ubon Ratchathani

		:: East
		Chon Buri (Pattaya) Rayong Chanthaburi Trat

		:: Central
		Chainat Kanchanaburi Suphan Buri Sing Buri Ang Thong Lop Buri Saraburi Ayutthaya Ratchaburi Nakhon Pathom Nonthaburi Pathum Thani Bangkok Samut Songkhram Samut Sakhon Samut Prakan Nakhon Nayok Chachoengsao Prachin Buri Sa Kaeo Phetchaburi (Hua Hin - Cha-Am) Prachuapkhirikhan

		:: South
		Chumphon Ranong Surat Thani (Samui) Phang-Nga Krabi Phuket Nakhon Si Thammarat Trang Phatthalung Satun Songkhla Pattani Yala Narathiwat

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