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FAQ: Mu Ko Chumphon Marine National Park
The Mu Ko Chumphon National Park stretches over a large area of the Chumphon coastline and incorporates more than 40 islands. If you enjoy snorkelling or diving, take time to experience the abundant marine life in the waters near Ko Langka Jiew, Ko Ngam Yai, Ko Ngam Noi, Ko Ran Ped and Ko Ran Kai. Expect to see plenty of colourful marine life including clownfish and colourful sea anemones amongst the corals. Mu Ko Chumphon National Park is also a good location to spot whale sharks.
Chumphon is a wonderful destination to relax into local life and learn more about the communities who live and work here. Stay overnight at a homestay on the island of Koh Phitak where most of the residents make their living from fishing. Join a night time squid fishing trip from Ko Phitak with the added bonus of the freshly caught squid being prepared and cooked for you to eat on board the boat. Other homestays are available around Chumphon province including Baan Mai Chai Klong Homestay where you can embrace the charm of Chumphon in a picturesque setting near the waterways and mangrove forests. Learn how to make local speciality dishes, sample delicious seafood, and help plant mangroves that provide sustenance for wildlife. Trips to nearby islands can also be arranged from Baan Mai Chai Klong Homestay.
Chumphon is home to a number of viewpoints where you can admire the scenery of this unspoilt coastal province. Khao Dinsor is the highest spot in Chumphon and offers wonderful views of the area. And between September and November this is also one of the best locations in Thailand for birdwatchers who come here to witness birds of prey on their migratory path between the northern and southern hemisphere. For another perspective of Chumphon, make the trip to the viewpoint at Khao Matsee for excellent views of the Chumphon estuary.
Frequent songthaews run between Chumphon Town and two of Chumphon’s mainland beaches, Hat Thung Wua Laen and Hat Sairee. Although both beaches are popular with Thai visitors, development here is low-key. With your own transport it’s possible to explore even more stretches of quiet sand along the Chumphon coastline with scenic locations including Ao Thung Sang (also known as Thung Zang Bay) and Hat Arunothai. Chumphon is regarded as one of the premier locations in Thailand for kitesurfing with this stretch of coast enjoying excellent conditions when the monsoon winds blow in.
The villages around Nong Yai have fully embraced the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s philosophy of ‘Sufficiency Economy’. For anybody seeking out local experiences, this area of Chumphon is a fascinating destination to visit and an excellent example of the positive impact community based tourism can have. Learn about the water management initiatives inspired by the late King and take part in local conservation efforts.
Chumphon is an outstanding destination for nature lovers with a host of attractions including waterfalls, caves and hot springs. Mother nature also puts on some memorable displays in Chumphon with the fireflies lighting up the night sky at Ban Bang Son and and the birds of prey swooping over Khao Dinsor on their annual migration.
How to get to Chumphon
Flights from Bangkok Don Muang airport to Chumphon take just over an hour. Alternatively, Chumphon railway station is conveniently placed near the centre of the town with trains from Bangkok taking around eight hours. Rail services also connect Chumphon with Hua Hin and Surat Thani.
Sightseeing
In 2012 Somsak Boonsam established the "Local Alike" company which promotes "community-based tourism." Via its online platform, Local Alike offers tourists the chance to leave the resorts and visit over 100 communities, from hill tribes to fishing villages. His aim is to address the current inequality by generating employment and funneling tourism dollars "to the people who need it most," while giving tourists the chance to "have new experiences and make personal connections with local people."
Website
The Mu Ko Chumphon National Park stretches over a large area of the Chumphon coastline and incorporates more than 40 islands. If you enjoy snorkelling or diving, take time to experience the abundant marine life in the waters near Ko Langka Jiew, Ko Ngam Yai, Ko Ngam Noi, Ko Ran Ped and Ko Ran Kai. Expect to see plenty of colourful marine life including clownfish and colourful sea anemones amongst the corals. Mu Ko Chumphon National Park is also a good location to spot whale sharks.
Chumphon is a wonderful destination to relax into local life and learn more about the communities who live and work here. Stay overnight at a homestay on the island of Koh Phitak where most of the residents make their living from fishing. Join a night time squid fishing trip from Ko Phitak with the added bonus of the freshly caught squid being prepared and cooked for you to eat on board the boat. Other homestays are available around Chumphon province including Baan Mai Chai Klong Homestay where you can embrace the charm of Chumphon in a picturesque setting near the waterways and mangrove forests. Learn how to make local speciality dishes, sample delicious seafood, and help plant mangroves that provide sustenance for wildlife. Trips to nearby islands can also be arranged from Baan Mai Chai Klong Homestay.
Chumphon is home to a number of viewpoints where you can admire the scenery of this unspoilt coastal province. Khao Dinsor is the highest spot in Chumphon and offers wonderful views of the area. And between September and November this is also one of the best locations in Thailand for birdwatchers who come here to witness birds of prey on their migratory path between the northern and southern hemisphere. For another perspective of Chumphon, make the trip to the viewpoint at Khao Matsee for excellent views of the Chumphon estuary.
Frequent songthaews run between Chumphon Town and two of Chumphon’s mainland beaches, Hat Thung Wua Laen and Hat Sairee. Although both beaches are popular with Thai visitors, development here is low-key. With your own transport it’s possible to explore even more stretches of quiet sand along the Chumphon coastline with scenic locations including Ao Thung Sang (also known as Thung Zang Bay) and Hat Arunothai. Chumphon is regarded as one of the premier locations in Thailand for kitesurfing with this stretch of coast enjoying excellent conditions when the monsoon winds blow in.
The villages around Nong Yai have fully embraced the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s philosophy of ‘Sufficiency Economy’. For anybody seeking out local experiences, this area of Chumphon is a fascinating destination to visit and an excellent example of the positive impact community based tourism can have. Learn about the water management initiatives inspired by the late King and take part in local conservation efforts.
Chumphon is an outstanding destination for nature lovers with a host of attractions including waterfalls, caves and hot springs. Mother nature also puts on some memorable displays in Chumphon with the fireflies lighting up the night sky at Ban Bang Son and and the birds of prey swooping over Khao Dinsor on their annual migration.
How to get to Chumphon
Flights from Bangkok Don Muang airport to Chumphon take just over an hour. Alternatively, Chumphon railway station is conveniently placed near the centre of the town with trains from Bangkok taking around eight hours. Rail services also connect Chumphon with Hua Hin and Surat Thani.
Sightseeing
In 2012 Somsak Boonsam established the "Local Alike" company which promotes "community-based tourism." Via its online platform, Local Alike offers tourists the chance to leave the resorts and visit over 100 communities, from hill tribes to fishing villages. His aim is to address the current inequality by generating employment and funneling tourism dollars "to the people who need it most," while giving tourists the chance to "have new experiences and make personal connections with local people."
Website