Southern Thailand consists of 14 provinces: Chumphon, Ranong, Surat Thani, Phangnga, Phuket, Krabi, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Trang, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Satun, Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat. The region, located on the peninsula, extends from Chumphon to the Thai-Malaysian border and is bordered in the east by the Gulf of Thailand, to the west by the Indian Ocean.

    Lush tropical islands, palm-fringed beaches, coral reefs teeming with colorful marine life, picturesque fishing villages, remote national parks, forested mountains, cascading waterfalls, ubiquitous rubber estates, and the juxtaposition of temples and mosques clearly define the region's visual appeal.

Climate

    Generally, one can rely on consistently fine weather and calm seas on the western side of the Thai peninsula from November to March and on the eastern side from May to September.

    The southwest monsoon season, which lasts for 6 months from May to October, brings rain and squalls to the coastal areas of the Andaman Sea. There is another rainy period caused by the northeast monsoon, which brings heavy rain to the coastal areas along the Gulf of Thailand from November to September. However, there are frequent periods of fine weather during the monsoon seasons. Tourists who wish to take a boat to any remote island during the monsoon seasons are advised to check the weather before beginning the trip.

Transportation

    From Bangkok's Southern Bus Terminal, regular buses leave for all southern provinces. Schedules can be obtained at the Southern Bus Terminal, Tel: 435-1199, 435-1200.

    The southern railway links Bangkok and a number of eastern coastal destinations including Chumphon, Surat Thani, Thung Song (where it joins lines to Nakhon Si Thammarat and Trang), Phatthalung, Hat Yai,Khok Pho (a district of Pattani), Yala and Sungai Kolok. Contact the Bangkok Railway Station (Hua Lamphong), Tel: 223-7010, 223-7020.

    Thai Airways operates daily flights from Bangkok to major destinations such as Surat Thani, Phuket, Trang, Hat Yai, Nakhon Si Thammarat and Narathiwat. Call 1566 or 280-0060, 628-2000 for more information. Bangkok Airways operates daily flights between Bangkok-Samui and Phuket-Samui. Call 229-3456 for more information. 

SOUTHERN  REGION  PROVINCES