Thale Ban National Park

Thaleban National Park was declared as the 20th National Park in Thailand on 27th October 1980. The park encompasses a total area of 196km2. Thaleban is approximately 1,000 km south of Bangkok, in the province of Satun. The park covers the mountainous border area between Satun province, Thailand and Perlis state, Malaysia.
Talaybun National Park is situated between Kwuan Doan District and Muang District, Satun Province, with the following adjacent territory

facing Tu Yoh Canal, Tambon Wangprachan, Kwuan Doan District, Satun province
bordering Sadao District, Songkhla province
bordering the Malaysian State of Perlis
facing the Andaman Sea, Indian Ocean

Satun province is normally affected directly by the South-Westerly wind from the Indian Ocean in May through to October and just when the South-Westerly wind is weakening North-Easterly wind from China will move in. However, since Satun province is situated on the west side of the shore line no direct impact from the North-Easterly wind is found, though, during October through to November, there could be certain amount of rainfall which will start decrease accordingly. During December to March, the weather can be quite dry due to the South-Easterly wind which will cause an increase in temperature during these months.

Location and Journey

Thale Ban National Park
Mu 4, Samankarat Burin rd, Wangprachan Sub-district,, Khuan Don, Satun, Thailand 91160
Tel. : 0 7472 2736-7 Fax : 0 7472 2730

By Car
From Bangkok, take Petchakasem Highway to Suratthani then take Highway No. 4 to Rattaphum District, Songkhla province then take Highway No.406 to Kuan Doan District then take the Thai-Malaysian Border Road No. 4184.


By Airplane
There is no direct flight to Satun. The trip by air can be made via Hat Yai Airport then taking a Hat Yai – Satun van to Kuoan Sator junction. The van leaves every hour from 6:00 a.m – 7.00 p.m. at 60 Baht/person. Buses from Hat Yai – Satun leaves every 15 minutes from 6:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. at 38 Baht/person for air-conditioned bus and 35 Baht/person for standard bus.


By Train
Visitors can take a Bangkok-Hat Yai train and get off at the Hat Yai Train Station, continue on to the National Park as by Car.


By Bus
There are buses from Bangkok to Satun daily and the distance from Bangkok to Satun is 973 kilometres or approximately 11hours. The cost for standard bus is 556 Baht.

Tarutao National Park

Tarutao and the west coast of peninsular Thailand are subject to a monsoon climate. In the summer months high temperatures in central China cause the air to rise, thus creating a massive low pressure area. This draws wind from the cooler area over the Indian Ocean. The winds coming off the Indian Ocean pick up moisture and dump heavy rains on the west coast of peninsular Thailand from May through October. Normally 250-400 mm. of rain falls in each of these months. The other six months of the year receive little or no rain. Total yearly rainfall averages about 2500 mm. The monsoon winds make boat travel dangerous from May through October; that is why visitors are encouraged to come to the park from November through April.

The mean yearly temperature is between 27 and 28 degrees C. The warmest month of the year is April, with the April mean about 29 degrees C. High temperatures in April may be 35 degrees C. or more. November and December are the coolest months of the year with mean temperatures of about 15 degrees C.

The mean yearly humidity is about 80%. It is highest in September, October and November and averages about 85%. Humidity is lowest in February and March, varying from 70-72%. The climatic data recorded here was not taken on Tarutao. It is based on data actually collected at Phuket and Trang, and is thus not completely accurate. But it is unlikely that the actual values for Tarutao would be much different.

In rainy season, the national park will be closed (Adang - Rawi Islands) during 16 May - 15 November every year for visitors safety.

The history of Tarutao is tied to the history of democracy in Thailand. The need for an isolated and forbidding environment to lock away enemies of the state caused the Corrections Department to build a penal colony there in 1939.Two important revolutionary groups were imprisoned here: the Bowondet coup group and the Petty Officers' coup group. Their coup attempts were unsuccessful, but ushered in change nonetheless, and soon a democratic constitution was drafted.The first prison was located at Talo Udang Bay, but hundreds of new prisoners came every month, so Talo Wao Bay became the second site. Prisoners were forced to build a road 12 km. long and 6 m. wide between the two bays.From interviews of old guards and prisoners, it was learned that almost 1/3 of the convicts died on the island. Malaria was the main cause of death; but cruelty from guards and starvation were also other major factors.

Location and Journey

Tarutao National Park
Paknam Sub-district,, Langu, Satun, Thailand 91110
Tel. : 0 7478 3485, 0 7472 8027-8, 0 7472 9002-3 Fax : 0 7478 3597

By Bus
There’re 465 km. from Bangkok to Had Yai. From Had Yai, you can go to Pak Ba Ra ferry departure point by Had Yai – Ra Ngoo taxi or take mini bus from La Ngoo to Pak Ba Ra. You can even take the coach or local bus from Had Yai to Pak Ba Ra.

Mu Ko Phetra National Park

The park is situated on the Andaman sea coast in Satun and Trang provinces. It consists of an area of coastline and over 30 islands. The park has many diverse habitats including; open water, coral fringed islands, sandy beaches, forest covered islands to sheer rocky islands which rise steeply out of the sea. There are also a few patches of mangrove forest, beach forest and tropical forest. The islands within the park are small the largest being Khao Yai Island which is about 4.7 sq.km in area. The sea area of the park includes many important fishing grounds for this reason many of the islands act as temporary refuges for fishing boats during monsoon storms.

Location and Journey

Mu Ko Phetra National Park
298, Mu 4, Ban Talo Sai, Paknam Sub-district,, Langu, Satun, Thailand 91110
Tel. : 0 7478 3074, 0 7478 3504 Fax : 0 7478 3504

By Car

From Bangkok, take Highway No. 4 past Prachuap Khiri Khan and Chumphon then take Highway No. 41 to Nakhon Si Thammarat and Phatthalung. From Phatthalung, drive on to Rattaphum District, Songkhla then take Highway No. 4 and turn right to Highway No. 406. It is 973 kilometres from Bangkok.


By Airplane

There is no direct flight to Satun. The trip by air can be made via Hat Yai Airport then taking a taxi or public bus to Satun for 97 kilometres.


By Train

Visitors can take a Bangkok-Ya La or Bangkok-Hat Yai train and get off at the Hat Yai Train Station, then take a taxi from Ratthakan Post Office to Satun. It is 97 kilometres from Hat Yai to Satun. Vans and public buses are also available. Transportation from Hat Yai Train Station is operating daily, departing every hour starting from 6:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Normal buses (Hat Yai –Pakbara–Satun route) from Hat Yai Clock Tower are also operating 3 times daily starting from 7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.


By Bus

The distance from Bangkok to Satun is 980 kilometres. The cost for standard bus is 450 Baht and 580 Baht for air-conditioned bus.

The distance from Satun to Phetra Islands National Park is 60 kilometres. The cost for standard bus is 33 Baht and 50 Baht for taxis.