Geography, History, And Demographics.
Chumphon is one of the southern provinces and is a gateway to the South. Neighboring provinces are Prachuap Khiri Khan, Surat Thani and Ranong. To the west it also borders Myanmar.province was originally province named Lang Suan and in 1932 It was incorporated into Chumphon.
In November 1989 the typhoon Gay hit the Chumphon Province, 529 people died, 160,000 became homeless, 7,130 km2 (2,753 sq mi) of farm land was destroyed.
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 to the Burmese. Another theory claims the name derives from a local tree named Maduea Chumphon (มะเดื่อชุมพร, Ficus glomerata), found abundant in the province. This tree is therefore also depicted in the seal of the province.
Population totaled 446,206 persons.Area 6,009.0 km2 (2,320.1 sq mi).
Symbols.
- The provincial seal shows an angel, which gives blessing to the people. It is placed between two Cluster Fig trees.
- The provincial flower is the Indian shot (Canna indica).
- The Provincial tree: Maduea Chumphon (Ficus racemosa).
Administrative divisions.
Chumphon is subdivided into 8 districts.These are further subdivided into 70 subdistricts.and 674 villages .
1.Mueang Chumphon
2.Tha Sae
3.Pathio
4.Lang Suan
5.Lamae
6.Phato
7.Sawi
8.Thung Tako
Tourism Sights.
Khao Phang Forest Park (วนอุทยานเขาพาง) Within the national park, there are a great variety of tropical trees, making the park a shady and restful sojourn for nature lovers and a must for students of forestry.
Haew Ta Jan-Haew Phlu Nang waterfall (น้ำตกเหวตาจันทร์-น้ำตกเหวพลูหนัง) A walking trip to see the fresh atmosphere, natural, and gully.
Watershed forest mountain (สัมผัสยอดเขา) Hiking trail to the top of mountain in the forest of Phato. Overview looking to the both side of Andaman sea and Ao Thai (Gulf of Thailand).
Tham Khao Plu Hot Spring (บ่อน้ำร้อนถ้ำเขาพลู) There are 3 hot spas here at the foot of the mountain slope. In the vicinity, there are also 4 caves with beautiful stalactites and stalagmites. Wildlife such as squirrels, pig-tailed monkeys and birds of different species are scattered around the area.
Hat Tawan Chai (หาดตะวันฉาย) This is a large long beach parallel to the line of coconut palms.
Ko Chorakhe( เกาะจระเข้) Although “Chorakhe” means “crocodile” in Thai.
Ko Ngam Yai and Ko Ngam Noi (เกาะง่ามใหญ่และเกาะง่ามน้อย) This pair of adjacent islands is located 17 kilometers off the southern part of Thung Wua Laen Bay. It is known among locals for the swallows’ nests which are harvested there for export.
Namtok Heo Lom (น้ำตกเหวโหลม) These scenic falls are a perfect fresh water adjunct to Chumphon’s beaches and islands.
Khlong Ruea Homestay (โฮมสเตย์บ้านคลองเรือ) The home stay surrounded by rainforest. Learn to the way of life the villager and nature.
Por Ta Chongdong Summit (ยอดเขาพ่อตาโชงโดง) is about 1,000 meters high from the sea and cover with the very old ancestors. This summit is the natural place for study the biology and ecology of the rainforest, and good point to see Mos, Fern, and sunset viewpoint of Andaman sea.
Por Ta Mangkre Summit (ยอดเขาพ่อตามังเคร) covers with the green filed, wide life animals and the beautiful Mangkre flower.
Khao Thung-Klong Pi waterfall (เขาทุ่ง-น้ำตกคลองปิ) This large mountain is the main waterway of Lang Suan river. Almost area still be the fully rainforest, and enjoy the beautiful view point 50 meters in height of Khlong Pi waterfall.
Hat Thung Wua Laen (หาดทุ่งวัวแล่น) is perhaps Chumphon’s most popular beach. Both native swimmers and experts will enjoy this beach as its fine white sands slope gently into the sea. Sea fans, marine flowers sponges and a tremendous variety of reef fish make the scenery below the surface of the water every bit as spectacular as the beach itself.
Tham Rap Ro (Wat Thep Charoen) ถ้ำรับร่อ (วัดเทพเจริญ) This foothill temple cave actually consists of two adjacent caves, Ai Tay and Sai, which are both, according to legend, purported to contain hidden treasure, The Ai Tay Cave houses an old Buddha image known affectionately as Luang Pho Lak Mueang, or the town god’s revered grandfather.
Hin Chang Spirit House (ศาลเจ้าพ่อตาหินช้าง) Between kilometers 453 and 454 on the Phetchakasem highway in Mu. 2 Tambon Salui, a spirit house was installed for the revered god of the stone elephant image.
Wat Tha Kwan Mueang (วัดท่าควนเมือง) It is a fascinating temple perched on top of a limestone hill. Besides possessing a commanding view amid tranquil surrounding, the temple’s stupas house revered Buddha’s relics.
Wat Phra Thart Sawi (วัดพระธาตุสวี) At the front of the temple next to Sawi River stands a shrine where a human-size effigy is kept. People in Sawi District call this shrine “San Phra Suea Mueang”.
Hat Sai Ri Sawi (หาดทรายรี สวี) It is the most beautiful in the district. It is in Mu 8, Tambon Tha Hin. It is a large sand beach parallel to a long line of many coconut trees.
Tham Thip Prida (ถ้ำทิพย์ปรีดา) This area is a rocky mountain with a stream flowing past the front. This mountain has about 40 beautiful caves, some of which contain pools.
Ko Khai ( เกาะไข่) The island’s beauty, however, lies below the surface of the crystal clear water. It is encircled by colorful coral reefs teeming with fish and other marine life.
Hat Arunothai (หาดอรุโณทัย) The serene beach, is lined with pine trees affording shady resting places. There is also a shrine-memorial to Prince Chumphon erected here.
Wat Chao Fa Sala Loi (วัดเจ้าฟ้าศาลาลอย) At this temple lived Luang Pho Song Chanthasaro, a famous religious teacher who died at the age of nearly 100 years and his body still remains undecayed.[citation needed]
Ko Tao(เกาะเต่า) - there is a Ko Tao near to Chumphon town but this not to be confused with the larger inhabited Ko Tao, in the Samui-phangngan group, which is in Surat thani provence and famous for being a former politcal prison and now water sports haven.
Somdech Phra Srinagarindra Park (สวนสมเด็จพระศรีนครินทร์ฯ ) The park consists of a hill by a rivers. Flowers and plants decorate the area at the foot of the hill. There is also a monument to the present King’s mother.
Tham Khao Ngoen (ถ้ำเขาเงิน) The cave’s interior looks like a big hall or tent. There is a chimney going through the top. The cave’s wall is also inscribed with his Majesty’s initial Chor.Por.Ror.
Tham Khao Kriab (ถ้ำเขาเกรียบ) There are many stalagmites inside. There is a monk residence at the foot of the hill from which 370 steps leading to the cave begin.
Ko Phithak (เกาะพิทักษ์) This island is in Tambon Bang Nam Chuet and is one kilometer from the shore. The island has beautiful rocks and many fishing villages.
Namtok Thap Chang (น้ำตกทับช้าง) This is the most beautiful waterfall in Khlong Phrao National Park. The waterfall is about 65 km (40 mi) from the city center. It is surrounded with various varieties of trees, and many different types of animals live here.
Ko Samet (เกาะเสม็ด) One of the group of islands which belongs to the Chumphon’s National Marine Park.This island is at Mu 1 Tambon Pak Nam, about 8 km (5 mi) from Chumphon city.
The National Museum of Chumphon (พิพิธภัณฑสถานแห่งชาติชุมพร) Established in 1995 at Khao Samkaew, the museum provides an overview of province, ranging from prehistory through to the present.
Hat Sai Ri (หาดทรายรี) This long smooth white sand and extensive beach is shaded by majestic pine trees and affords some spectacular views of nearby islands. For historical interest, a monument commemorating Admiral Prince of Chumphon is located nearby.
Khao Chao Mueang (เขาเจ้าเมือง) The district’s highest observation point offering panoramic views of the coast and far out into the distant archipelago are rivaled only by the peace and tranquility offered by the secluded beach located at the base of the mountain.
Ao Thung Makham (อ่าวทุ่งมะขาม) The bays look like a line of 2 semicircles. Roughly in the middle lies a peninsula where rocks, large and small, are scattered surround in a mysterious fashion. This peninsula serves as the bays divider.
Prince of Chumphon Shrine (ศาลเจ้าพ่อกรมหลวงชุมพร) At the shrine stands the monument of Admiral Phra Borommawong Thoe Kromluang Chumphon Khet Udomsak. There is a museum with exhibits about the admiral’s biography and things which he used.
Activities.
- Raptor Watch Festival (เทศกาลดูเหยี่ยวอพยพ)
- Visit Fruits Garden (เยี่ยมชมสวนผลไม้)
- Snorkeling and Diving (ดำน้ำชมปะการัง)
- Hiking trail and white water rafting in Phato (เดินป่าและล่องแพ อำเภอพะโต๊ะ)
- Fireflies Sightseeing (ล่องเรือชมหิ่งห้อย)
- Bird Watching (ดูนก)
- IPSC Shooting Sport (ยิงปืนระบบรณยุทธ)
Festivals.
Phato Rafting (งานเทศกาลล่องแพพะโต๊ะ) Held during February to April. Highlights include competitions’ mini-marathon race and rafting.
Lang Suan’s Fruits 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, comprises boats beautifully decorated and carrying Buddha images from various temples.
Celebration in Honouring Prince of Chumphon Shrine (งานเทิดพระเกียรติ กรมหลวงชุมพรเขตรอุดมศักดิ์) Held annually during December 19-25th, honours the Father of the Royal Thai Navy, Admiral Krom Luang Chumphon Khet Udomsak, whose life and work has been exhibited in 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 etc.
Chumphon King’s and Princess’cups boats race (งานแข่งเรือยาวชิงถ้วยพระราชทานพระบาทสมเด็จพระเจ้าอยู่หัวและสมเด็จพระเทพรัตนราชสุดาฯ สยามบรมราชกุมารี) Held annually on August at the Khlong Hua Wang-Phanang Tak, Tambon Na Cha-ang around Nong-Yai area. Boats competing the race for the King’s and the Princess’s cups are beautifully decorated and are from different parts of the country.
Local Products.resh Fruits and Fruit Products Coffee bean Seafood Dried Spa Cashew Nut Bakery Artificial Flowers.
Getting to Chumphon Province.
Car.
From Bangkok, drive along Phutthamonthon - Nakhon Pathom - Phetchaburi or route Thonburi - Pak Tho (number 35) was separated Tho district. Highway 4 (Phetkasem) through Phetchaburi. Prachuap Khiri Khan To the intersection Pathomporn. Then left to separate Chumphon town along highway 4001 and approximately 8 km distance 498 km.
Train.
From Railway Station Bangkok (Hua Lam Phong) have train go to Chumphon everyday.
Bus.
Have bus transportation company from the Southern Bus Terminal (Road Borommaratchachonnani). To Chumphon everyday.
Aircraft.
For information, call the Air Andaman Bangkok - Chumphon - Phuket.
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