Travel guide Thailand
Phatthalung
A symbol of Phattalung province is the Mount Khao Ok Thalu that is 177 m high. If you climb the steps to the top you will see the whole city.
Phatthalung is often mentioned as a birthplace of Manora Dance (you can see it on YouTube), that is very popular in the South of Thailand. It is believed that this style of dance was influenced by South India.
Thale Noi Waterfowl Reserve, ทะเลน้อย
Thale Noi is the largest Waterfowl Reserve in Thailand. The Thai name translates to "small sea" in English. Its size is 5 by 6 km, and the average depth is only 1.2 meters. The lake is covered with lotuses and reeds, which serves as a building material for birds’ nests.
The best time to visit is when the number of migratory birds reaches its peak, from October to March. Low season is from June to September, although the purple swamphens can be found all year round. Most birds belong to the family of herons and storks.
If you want to see the lake at its best, hire a sampan. To see how the Lotus blooms, you should set out at 5:30 am, the ride takes about 2 hours. You can make an arrangement with a boatman in advance right here on the shore.
Langkawi, Malaysia
We have included this island because it can be easily reached from Koh Lipe by a high-speed ferry. The ferry operates from Bundhaya Resort on Pattaya Beach twice a day from mid-October to the end of May. The trip takes one hour.
Boat schedule:
Lipe – Langkawi 10:30, 16:30*
Langkawi – Lipe 9:30, 14:30*
A one-way ticket cost 1200 baht for an
adult and 720 baht for a child
*Afternoon departures are only available from October to May.
!Please, make sure that you don’t require a visa to enter Malaysia before the trip. If you overstayed your Thai visa an overstay fine should be paid at an Immigration office in the city of Satun on the mainland prior to departure to Malaysia by ferry.
Once you reach Langkawi take a taxi to Pantai Cenang. That is where most of the hotels are located.
If you want to explore the Island rent a motorbike. It costs anywhere from 300 – 800 Malay Ringgit (approx. 300 – 800 baht) depending on season and size of the engine.
Underwater World
The place is worth a visit if you like aquariums and zoos. The Park features sea creatures as well as freshwater inhabitants. There is also a Bird Park.
Cable Car
Coming from Koh Lipe to Langkawi by ferry you will certainly notice a sparkling building on the side of a mountain. Once you get closer you will be able to see gondolas moving on the cable. Malays are well-versed in construction of beautiful monumental projects.
The cable car ride split into 2 sections with a total distance traveled of 2.2 km. When you get to the top station you can go up to an observation deck that is located at 708 m above sea-level. There is also an unusual suspension/sky bridge connecting two mountain peaks.
Clouds at the top bring a pleasant relief from the heat and are so close that you feel like you can touch them.
From Phuket South of Thailand
For many people, the word “South” evokes warm feelings and beautiful images. South of Thailand does not disappoint expectations. People living in the South of Thailand are open and easy going.
Everyone knows that migratory birds fly to the South, but not many know that they stop in Thailand. Follow the path of migratory birds, go to the South and you might get a chance to meet them at Thale Noi Waterbird Reserve, place unknown to most. But we will talk about this in due time…
Following provinces and places of interest should be included
Ron Khlong Thom Waterfall
A 200-meter long path along the crystal clear stream leads to the stone bathtubs. However, it is better to go a little further, to the hot waterfall.
The waterfall consists of about 5 levels. Every level is like a small pool. There are signs that say: the water temperature is about 40 degrees C; mineral composition (mg/l) – lead is less than 0.0001, nitrogen 0.09, fluoride 1.09, copper is less than 0.0001. For health benefits, it is advised to spend 20 minutes in the water, but no longer than 20 min! What can be better for your tired feet and body after a climb than a hot bath? The water here is very clean; there are many natural ledges in the tubs, where you can get comfortable. The waterfall flows into the river where water is cool, perfect for contrast baths.
Go for a Thai massage by the river (50 m from the waterfall) and you will reach nirvana. Don’t forget to take some cash with you.
At the exit of the Park, near the Parking lot, you will find a few restaurants with delicious Thai food, the prices are low. I suggest you order a bowl of fried rice with chicken and egg (Kao pad Gai Kai Dao in Thai.)
! Directions: from the city of Krabi head South on highway 4 for 38 km to the village of Khlong Tom, continue on route 4038, 4021 and follow the signs.
Ticket: 90 bath
Parking: 20 bath
Wat Tham Suea or Tiger Cave
The sign at the entrance says this is a place for meditation. Founded in 1975 by a monk Chamnian Silsetso, known for his knowledge in teachings of Vipassana in 1975 (Note: Vipassana — means to see things as they really are. www.dhamma.org). It is believed that in one of the caves used to live a leopard (not a tiger as the name suggests).
This is a large complex. At the entrance, you will find a small shop. It is better to buy food on the way out otherwise furry tailed inhabitants won’t leave you alone.
The entrance to the Tiger cave is immediate to the left along the cliff. There is a structure built in front of the rock for meditation and meetings with the monks. To enter the cave you need to walk through this structure. Inside you will find a footprint of the Buddha, where you can leave a coin and make a wish.
Going further along the road deep into the complex, on the left side, you will see two paths to the mountains. The first leads to the top of the mountain (1237 steps), the second to the "old" forest.
There are 1237 steps leading to the top of this 600 feet high mountain. It's not an easy walk. The steps are narrow and steep. In some places stair risers are up to 40 cm high, you have to use your hands to help yourself. To keep you occupied this 25-30 min, this is how long it takes to get to the summit, columns are installed along the staircase at the edge that show you how many steps you have ascended. Once you get to the top you will be rewarded with a panoramic view of the surrounding area. Also, cold drinking water is available there.
One day on the way up I passed an old Thai man. He got to the top only 10 minutes behind me. He was 72 years old! This is for those of you who after reading this decided not to climb to the top.
Old forest: once you get over a small hill you get to the forest, it is truly a forest, not a jungle. The walk is easy here, there are many different paths. If you take the far left footpath it will lead you back in a circle to the starting point. On the way, there are a few caves with rock paintings. People come here to enjoy the silence. The trees are tropical with large and wide buttress roots. The largest tree I found was about 9 meters wide at its foundation! Standing next to that tree it was hard to believe that it was a living thing. It felt like I was leaning against a rock. The temperature in the forest is cool so that 20-minute walk around the circle is not tiring.
In the middle of the complex, before the staircase to the summit or in front of the Tiger cave, you will find monks and nuns. If you approach with a smile and ask they will tie a braided bracelet to your wrist, blessed for good luck. Make a wish or they themselves often wish for foreigners a lot of money, do not say “No”.
! Directions: from Krabi head East on highway 4, before you reach Big C supermarket turn left onto highway 6017, follow the road for 2 km.
Suwanna Khuha Monkey Temple
The path to the temple and the statue of reclining Buddha is “guarded” by dozens of monkeys. But you can bribe them with bananas. These furry creatures are not shy and will steal your food given a chance. Keep a firm grip on your belongings. Once you pass the first domed section of the cave you end up in the second part where there are many beautiful stalactites and stalagmites. You can climb to the top of the cave, but be careful – the path is slippery.
In the middle of the first section sometimes you can find a monk who if asked will tie a string around your wrist that will serve you as a protective amulet.
! Directions: from Phuket head towards Phang Nga on highway 402, then turn onto highway 4 before you reach Phang Nga.
Cable Ski
WORKING HOURS
09:00 — 18:30
FEE
Adult
1500 THB
CONTACTS
+66 89 873 0187
COORDINATES
GPS
7°55'36.0"N 98°19'47.2"E
Decimal
7.926652, 98.329763
Do you miss snowboarding? Try cable wakeboarding. The Park offers a range of different obstacles installed on a manmade lake. The lake is 400 x 100 meters in size and the water is clean. Their cable system works without a hitch. A basic set of equipment is provided free of charge with the purchase of a ticket. Professional equipment is also available for rent for more experienced riders.
If you have never tried wakeboarding before there are instructors are on hand to give you your first lesson. Even first-timers after a couple of hours of riding can do simple tricks.
There are showers and a restaurant on site.
! Directions: from Patong head toward Central Festival Shopping mall, once you get down from the hill at the first traffic light, at a Caltex gas station turn left like if you were going to the Kathu Watefall and follow the signs.
