Chumphon Province

Chumphon is one of the southern provinces (changwat) of Thailand on the Gulf of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are Prachuap Khiri Khan, Surat Thani, and Ranong. To the west it also borders the Burmese province of Tanintharyi.

Geography

Chumphon is on the Isthmus of Kra, the narrow landbridge connecting the Malay Peninsula with the mainland of Thailand. To the west are the hills of the Phuket mountain range and its northern continuation, the Tenasserim Hills, while the east is the more flat land on the coast of the Gulf of Thailand. The main river is the Lang Suan River, which originates in Phato District. With a 222 kilometre-long coastline and 44 islands, the Chumphon Archipelago, Chumphon has waterfalls, peaceful beaches, green forests, mangroves, and rivers.

History

The southern part of the province was originally a separate province named Lang Suan. It was incorporated into Chumphon in 1932.

In November 1989 typhoon Gay hit the province hard. 529 people were killed, 160,000 became homeless, 7,130 km2 (2,753 sq mi) of farm land was destroyed. Gay is the only tropical storm on record which reached Thailand with typhoon wind strength.

Today, Chumphon Province is a destination center for massive human trafficking of Rohingyas from nearby Burma (Myanmar).

Etymology

There are two different theories on the origin of the name Chumphon. According to one, it originates from Chumnumporn (lit., accumulation of forces) which derives from the fact that Chumphon was a frontier city. Another theory claims the name derives from a local tree named Maduea Chumphon (มะเดื่อชุมพร, Ficus glomerata), found abundant in the province.

Tourism

In the first 11 months of 2015, Chumphon arrivals grew by 17 percent to 1.86 million and tourism revenue by 21 percent to 7.55 billion baht. Average hotel occupancy rose to 65 percent from 53 percent in 2014. Arrivals are expected to grow by 17 percent in 2016.

Transport Air Chumphon Airport is 30 km north of Chumphon city in Pathio District. It has direct daily flights to Bangkok's Don Mueang Airport (DMK). Flights from Bangkok are around 60 minutes.

Nok Air operates two daily flights between Bangkok (Don Mueang, DMK) and Chumphon Airport (CJM). The airport has transit agents for onward travel to Chumphon and the islands of the Gulf of Thailand including Ko Tao, Ko Pha Ngan, and Ko Samui.

Sights

Tham Thip Prida (ถ้ำทิพย์ปรีดา) A rocky mountain with about 40 caves, some which contain pools.

Khao Chao Mueang (เขาเจ้าเมือง) The district's highest observation point offering panoramic views of the coast and far out into the Chumphon Archipelago.

Khao Phang Forest Park (วนอุทยานเขาพาง) Within the national park, there is a great variety of tropical vegetation.

Watershed forest mountain (สัมผัสยอดเขา) Hiking trail to the top of mountain with views of both the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand

Somdech Phra Srinagarindra Park (สวนสมเด็จพระศรีนครินทร์ฯ ) The park consists of a hill and rivers. There is also a monument to the present king's mother.

Namtok Thap Chang (น้ำตกทับช้าง) A waterfall in Khlong Phrao National Park.

Wat Chao Fa Sala Loi (วัดเจ้าฟ้าศาลาลอย) This old Buddhist temple is particularly important to the people of Chumphon, who revere a monk named Luang Pu Song. This venerable monk is believed to be so holy that his body did not decay after his death. The wat (or temple) contains a large sal tree with orange flowers and a strangely shaped trunk that is considered holy because the Buddha is believed to have been born under a sal tree.

Wat Tha Kwan Mueang (วัดท่าควนเมือง) A temple perched on top of a limestone hill with a commanding view.

Wat Phra Thart Sawi (วัดพระธาตุสวี) A temple next to Sawi River stands a shrine know locally as "San Phra Suea Mueang".

Chumphon National Museum (พิพิธภัณฑสถานแห่งชาติชุมพร) Established in 1995 at Khao Samkaew, the museum provides an overview of the province.

Namtok Heo Lom (น้ำตกเหวโหลม) Waterfalls.

Por Ta Chongdong Summit (ยอดเขาพ่อตาโชงโดง) about 1,000 meters high, on clear days the summit is an Andaman Sea viewpoint.

Por Ta Mangkre Summit (ยอดเขาพ่อตามังเคร)

Khao Thung-Klong Pi waterfall (เขาทุ่ง-น้ำตกคลองปิ) The main waterway of the Lang Suan River and Khlong Pi waterfall.

Haew Ta Jan-Haew Phlu Nang waterfall (น้ำตกเหวตาจันทร์-น้ำตกเหวพลูหนัง)

Culture

Festivals

Phato Rafting (งานเทศกาลล่องแพพะโต๊ะ)Held during February to April. Highlights include a mini-marathon race and rafting.

Lang Suan's Fruit Fair (งานวันผลไม้เมืองหลังสวน) This fair is organized annually around August. The fruit market here exhibits a variety of fruits and there is a fruits contest.

Traditional Boats Procession and Boat Race (งานประเพณีแห่พระแข่งเรือ) Originally, this event began in King Rama III's period around 1844. The festival, commencing annually in October, includes boats decorated with Buddha images from various temples.

Celebration in Honouring Prince of Chumphon Shrine (งานเทิดพระเกียรติ กรมหลวงชุมพรเขตรอุดมศักดิ์) Held annually 19–25 December, honours the Father of the Royal Thai Navy, Admiral Krom Luang Chumphon Khet Udomsak, whose life and work is exhibited at this fair.

Chumphon Sea-World Fair (งานเปิดโลกทะเลชุมพร) The Fair is to promote local incomes and tourism as well as to conserve the natural resources of Chumphon. It is annually held in March at Hat Sai Ri. The activities include a fishing competition, exhibition and contest of pictures of related interesting places as well as mini marathon racing contest.

Chumphon King and Princess's Cup Boat Race (งานแข่งเรือยาวชิงถ้วยพระราชทานพระบาทสมเด็จพระเจ้าอยู่หัวและสมเด็จพระเทพรัตนราชสุดาฯ สยามบรมราชกุมารี) Held annually in August. Competing boats are decorated and are from different parts of the country.