Attractions
Ao
Manao Park
 Ao
Manao Park is at Moo 1, Tambon Kaluwo Nua.
It's about 3 kms. away from town along the route Narathiwat - Tak Bai (Highway
No. 4084). The 4-km long bay has an extensive stretch of beach that connects with
the eastern coast of Pattani Province. The beach is divided into several segments
by its rocky terrain. One end of the beach connects to Thaksin Ratchaniwet Palace.
The beach has an arboretum and a row of pines that makes it conducive for relaxation.
There is also a beach forest study trail. Plants found here usually prefer dry
climate, like Chak Thale, Manao Phi and Toei Thale (appearance similar to a pineapple).
Private accommodation nearby is available for overnight stays. |
Ban
Thon
Ban Thon is at Tambon Khok Tian, around 16 kms.
from the town on Highway No. 4136 (Narathiwat-Ban Thon). This is a traditional
Thai Muslim fishing village that is a production centre of real and miniature
Korlae boats. Miniature ones range from a few hundred baht to tens of thousand.
The boats are all the more valuable because they are made by boys ages 13 and
up. Some children spend their free time making these miniature boats, which is
considered to be a form of local art. Apart from taking the boats home as souvenirs,
you may also take back with you fond memories of seeing little kids devoting themselves
to making these masterpieces. Furthermore, products
made of Krachut sedge and Annonaceae leaves are also on sale, like
eyeglass holders, bags and mats of exquisite designs and bright colours. If carefully
maintained, they can last up to 10 years. The products are reasonably priced from
30 baht to a few hundred baht The area is also
well known for producing delicious Budu sauce and fish crackers. Along
the beach you will see lines of dried fish and many Budu sauce vats. The sauce
is used extensively in southern cooking, like fish sauce that is commonly used
in Thai cooking. Tourists can see how the sauce is made and buy souvenirs daily.
However, please note that on Friday villagers go to prayers and take the day off,
so it may not be convenient to buy things on that day. |
Ban
Yakang
Ban Yakang is an old community that has been in
existence since the province was just Bang Nara village. It is now a major Batik
production centre. The fabrics made here have beautiful designs and colours, all
made by traditional techniques. They can be used in a variety of ways and are
very popular among villagers and tourists. The village is around 4 kms. from the
provincial hall on Highway No. 4055 (Amphoe Muang-Amphoe Rangae) and turn into
Yakang 1 Road Soi 6 for about 700 metres. |
Hat
Narathad
 Hat
Narathad has an expansive stretch of pure, white sand that is
about 5 km. long that is located near the estuary of the Bang Nara River, where
the annual Korlae boat races are held. The beach is lined with rows of
pine trees, providing the area a refreshing shade and a suitable area for camping
tents. There are several beachside restaurants that serve native-style cuisine,
and accommodtion facilities are available. Locals like to come here to unwind.
Nearby, fishing villages are spread out along the river and the bay is full of
Korlae fishermen boats. Narathat Beach is about 1 kilometre from town on Phichit
Bamrung Road. Tourists can conveniently take hired motorcycles, tricycles or mini-buses
from town. |
Khao
Kong Buddhist Park
Khao Kong Buddhist Park occupies an area of 142
rais (56.8 acres) in Tambon Lamphu, about 9 kms. from town on the Narathiwat-Rangae
route (Highway No. 4055). The golden Phra Phuttha Thaksin Ming Mongkhon Buddha
image seated in the lotus position is housed in Wat Khao Kong, atop a mountain
that can be seen from afar. Fashioned according to South Indian art style, construction
began in 1966 and was completed in 1969. The image was made of steel-reinforced
concrete decorated with gold mosaics. Measuring at 17 metres wide and 24 metres
high, it is considered the most beautiful and largest outdoor Buddha image in
southern Thailand.
The adjacent hill is the
site of the bell-shaped Siri Maya Pagoda. Above all 4 doorways are small pagodas.
Inside is a Phra Phrom image. At the very top of the pagoda is housed the holy
relics of Lord Buddha. Another hill is the site of a convocation hall, with the
outer walls decorated with carved, fire clay tiles. Behind it is a figure of an
elephant kneeling to present a lotus. The building’s awning portrays a warrior
and an angel holding a jug. |
Korlae
Boat
Korlae Boat is a small, coastal, fishing
boat that is used in the lower southern provinces. The boat ranges in size from
1, 250, 1,100 and 1,000 centimetres. The boat has a unique style, with the bow
and the stern being higher than the hull. Designs on the boat are a combination
of Malay, Javanese and Thai styles, with emphasis on Thai patterns. Such patterns
include a running scroll design, lotus, serpents, magic monkeys, and heads of
birds in literature like “Burong Si-ngo” or Singhapaksi (a
creature with the body of a lion and the head of a bird holding a fish with its
beak) at the bow. The creature has sharp fangs and claws, is powerful, and is
a good diver. Therefore, it has been a favourite of Korlae fishermen ever since
ancient times. The art on the boat is like an “artistic masterpiece on waves”
and is considered art of life as the Korlae boat not only shows off the greatness
of its design, but is also the primary instrument used by fishermen to make a
living. It is said that a Bang Nara villager without a Korlae fishing boat is
like a person without clothes. |
New
Central Mosque
New Central Mosque
is at Ban Bang Nara, just before Narathat Beach. This religious site
for Thai Muslims was built in 1981 and is the province’s second central
mosque. The Arabian-style building has 3 floors. The ground floor is the main
convention hall and the prayer rooms are on the top 2 floors. The top is covered
with a large dome and there is a high tower for calling Muslims to prayer. |
Old
Central Mosque
 Old
Central Mosque is called Yumiya Mosque, or Rayo Mosque. It is in the north
of town, further from the provincial hall on Phichit Bamrung Road, just before
the clock tower intersection. This Sumatran-style wooden mosque was built in 1938.
This is the province’s original mosque and 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 one was built at the mouth of Bang Nara
River. However, locals still revere this old mosque and regard this mosque as
the central one, thus providing Narathiwat with two central mosques. |
Phikun
Thong Development Study Centre
Phikun
Thong Development Study Centre was established according to the wish
of His Majesty the King who wanted it to be a knowledge centre for land reform
in the area. The centre has a complete range of studies, such as analysing and
testing plants, livestock caring, giving technical know-how, and providing agricultural
training. The centre occupies an area of 2,784,000 square metres that 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, complete-cycle 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 centre operates a training centre 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 here should be akin to a picnic in a park. Every
September, the centre holds an exhibition that coincides with the Narathiwat Products
Fair. The centre is located between Ban Phikun
Thong and Ban Khok Saya in Tambon Kaluwo Nua, about 1 km. from the palace and
8 kms. from Narathiwat town on Highway No. 4084 (Narathiwat-Tak Bai). |
Thaksin
Ratchaniwet Palace
 Thaksin
Ratchaniwet Palace is on Tanyongmat Mountain, Tambon Kaluwo Nua, on the
coast near Manao Bay. It is 8 kilometres from town on Highway No. 4084 (Narathiwat-Tak
Bai). Situated on an area of 480,000 square metres at the summit of the Tan Yong
Mut Mountain, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) commissioned its construction
in 1973 as the summer royal residence. The compound comprises throne halls decorated
with an assortment of trees, giving the area a good shade. There is also a crafts
centre that provides training on pottery and ceramics, as well as sells products.
When the royal family is not in residence, the grounds are open daily for public
viewing during 08.30-16.30 hrs. The royal family normally resides here during
October-December. The garden provides a great view of the adjacent beach and contains
an aviary. To get there, take a bus that goes to Amphoe Tak Bai and get off in
front of the palace. |
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