Chumphon (ชุมพร) is the capital of Chumphon Province. Like Surat Thani most people only stay here in transit going between Bangkok and the southern parts, including the islands inside the Gulf of Thailand.
The National Museum of Chumphon (พิพิธภัณฑสถานแห่งชาติชุมพร), 0 7750 4105/4246. Any trip to Chumphon should start at the national museum. Established in 1995 at Khao Samkaew, the museum provides an overview of province, ranging from prehistory through to the present. Even for those who are not overly interested in history, the museum’s attractive displays and media resources will fascinate and inform. The museum is divided into ground floor and the upper floor, and is open to the public from Wednesday to Sunday 9am–4pm.
Khao Phang Forest Park (วนอุทยานเขาพาง). About 12 km south of the town, about km. 493 along highway 4. Khao Phang Forest Park is one of the province’s newest attractions. Within the national park, there are a great variety of tropical trees, making the park a shady and restful sojourn for nature lovers and a must for students of forestry. A hill, covering an area of about one square kilometer, is located behind the park providing a commanding view of the entire area.
Wat Chao Fa Sala Loi (วัดเจ้าฟ้าศาลาลอย). This temple is about 8 km from the town municipal area on the Chumphon–Ao Thung Wua Laen Road. To get there travel along an asphalt road for 6 km. and continue the journey along a brick road for another 2 km. At this temple lived Luang Pho Song Chanthasaro, a famous religious teacher who passed away at the age of nearly 100 years and his body still remains undecayed. This monk is revered by the people of Chumphon and nearby provinces.
Ao Thung Makham (อ่าวทุ่งมะขาม) - This place is divided into outer Ao Thung Makham and inner Ao Thung Makham. The bays look like a line of 2 semicircles. Roughly in the middle lies a peninsula. Where rocks, large and small, are scattered surround in a mysterious fashion. This peninsula serves as the bays divider. On the north side lies the inner Ao Thung Makham whose white sand beach stretches for 1 km. lined with coconut trees. The distances of the inner and outer Ao Thung Makham from Chumphon city center are 27 km and 31 km respectively using the same highways as going to Hat Sai Ri with the directions shown along the way.
Hat Sai Ri (หาดทรายร)ี - About 20 km along highway 4119 and 4098 with regular bus services from the town center, this long smooth white sand and extensive beach is shaded by majestic pine trees and affords some spectacular views of nearby islands. For historical interest, a monument commemorating the late Admiral Prince of Chumphon is located nearby, complete with a well-preserved WW II warship. A hillside temple at the site offers a panoramic view of the entire area.
Khao Chao Mueang (เขาเจ้าเมือง). About 2.4 km from Hat Sai Ri is Khao Chao Mueang, the district’s highest observation point offering panoramic views of the coast and far out into the distant archipelago are rivaled only by the peace and tranquility offered by the secluded beach located at the base of the mountain.
Ko Samet (เกาะเสม็ด) - One of the group of islands which belongs to the Chumphon’s National Marine Park.This island is at Mu 1 Tambon Pak Nam, about 8 km from Chumphon city. To get there, first, take a bus along the highway 4119 (Chumphon-Pak Nam) about 17 km. Then from this place, take the boat from the shore for 30 minutes to get there. There are beaches at the head, and the middle of this island. It is the Chumphon’s largest island with the end of it, is the big well. This island is crowned with coconut trees making it a suitable place for spending holidays and relaxation.
Ko Tao - Well known as the best diving site in the Gulf of Thailand, its turquoise water is crystalline, coconut plantations cover much of the landscape and many beaches are easily accessible by paved road. There are several transportation options from Chumphon:
-Tha Yang Pier - Boats depart from Tha Yang Pier which is 7 km from town and can be reached by pick-up taxi. The ride takes 20 minutes. Detailed information for the boat arrival and departure can be obtained by tel. 0 7755 3052-4
-Songserm Rung Rueang Co.Ltd. - Boat leaves from Tha Yang Pier daily at 7.00 a.m. and arrives Ko Tao at 10.00 a.m. From Ko Tao, the departure time for Chumphon is 2.30 p.m. and arrival is at 5.30 p.m. For detailed information, please contact tel. 0 2280 7897, 0 7745 6274
-Ko Charoen Car Ferry Co.,Ltd. - Boat leaves from Tha Yang Pier on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 11.00 p.m. and arrives Ko Tao at 5.00 a.m. From Ko Tao, boat departs for Chumphon on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. It arrives Tha Yang Pier at 5.00 a.m. the fare is 250 baht per person. For more information, please contact tel. 0 7758 0030, 08 1797 0276
-Rua Reo Lom Phraya Co.,Ltd. - Boat leaves from Ao Thung Makham Noi Pier at 7.00 a.m. 1.00 p.m. and arrives Ko Tao at 8.30 a.m. 2.30 p.m. From Ko Tao boat departs for Ao Thung Makham Noi Pier at 10.00 a.m. and 3.00 p.m. It arrives at 11.30 a.m. 4.30 p.m.
Prince of Chumphon Shrine (ศาลเจ้าพ่อกรมหลวงชุมพร), Mu 7 Tambon Hat Sai Ri. It is 20 km. from Chumphon city center, along the highways 4119 and 4098. This is a sacred place for the people of Chumphon and nearby provinces. At the shrine stands the monument of Admiral Phra Borommawong Thoe Kromluang Chumphon Khet Udomsak. The shrine is at the north site of Hat Sai Ri facing towards the sea. There is a museum with exhibits about the admiral’s biography and things which he used. A large torpedo-ship named the Royal Chumphon is also here. It is 68 meters long and 6.55 meters wide. This ship was decommissioned on November 26, 1975. The Royal Thai Navy turned over the ship to Chumphon province in 1979. After that it was placed near this monument for the commemoration of the admiral.
Useful Contacts
Immegration Office 0 3863 8674
Highway Police 1193 0 3861 1203
Tourist Police 1155 0 3865 1669
Police Station 0 3887 1106
Rayong Hospital 0 3861 1104
Emergency Calls 191
Weather Forecast Department 0 3865 5075
