Phatthalung Province
Tourism
Phra Phutthanirarokhantarai Chaiyawat Chaturathit or Phra Si Mum Mueang (พระพุทธนิรโรคันตรายชัยวัฒน์จตุรทิศหรือพระสี่มุมเมือง) is the Buddha image of the South and an auspicious object of worship of Phatthalung. This bronze Buddha image in the posture of meditation is enshrined in a pavilion with four porches on the foreground between the City Hall and Provincial Court of Phatthalung.
Wat Khuha Sawan (วัดคูหาสวรรค์) This is one of the ancient monuments of Phatthalung. Inside the cave, a giant reclining Buddha image, pagoda, and other Buddha images are found together with some earthen votive tablets of the Srivijaya period.
Ok Thalu Mountain, symbol of Phatthalung Khao Ok Talu (เขาอกทะลุ) It is a symbolic figure of Phatthalung, having a height of around 250 m. There is a flight of stairs leading the way up to the mountaintop overlooking the city of Phatthalung.
Wat Wang (วัดวัง) The temple has many important items. The Ubosot (ordination hall) is in the architectural style of the Rattanakosin era, with the ‘Chofa’- gable finial, ‘Bai Raka’- crockets, and a front portico. One hundred and eight stucco Buddha images are enshrined in the gallery around the ordination hall.
Rulers’ New and Old Palaces (วังเจ้าเมืองพัทลุง วังเก่า – วังใหม่) Once they served as a residence cum office of the governors of Phatthalung. Nowadays, some parts of them remain. The palaces were registered as an ancient monument in 1983.
Phraya Thukkharat (Chuai) Monument (อนุสาวรีย์พระยาทุกขราษฎร์ (ช่วย)Phraya Thukkharat was a former monk named Phra Maha Chuai. During the War of Nine Armies in the reign of King Rama I, Phra Maha Chuai assisted Phraya Phatthalung who headed a force of villagers to fight against and defeat the Burmese army. Later, he left the monkhood and was royally appointed as Phraya Thukkharat in charge of official duties as an assistant to the city ruler.
Hat Saen Suk Lampam (หาดแสนสุขลำปำ) This sandy beach along the coastal line of Songkhla Lake is fringed by shady pine trees. The pavilion jutting into the sea called ‘Sala Lampam Thi Rak,’ serves as a viewpoint to admire the lake’s surroundings.
Coconut Shell Handicraft Centre of Mueang Phatthalung (ศูนย์รวมหัตถกรรมกะลามะพร้าวเมืองพัทลุง) This is a village of handicrafts made from coconut shell.
Thale Noi Non-hunting Area (เขตห้ามล่าสัตว์ป่าทะเลน้อย) This is the first non-hunting area ever founded in Thailand. Interesting things at the Thale Noi Waterfowl Park are the Thale Noi Palace, sea of blooming lotus in the morning, flocks of waterfowls, the nesting and egg-laying grounds of waterfowls at Ao Mo and those at Khuan Thale Mong, Khuan Khi Sian Ranger Station, and the Sala Nang Riam viewpoint.
Wat Khian Kaeo (วัดเขียนบางแก้ว) It was recognized as a model temple for development in 1990. In addition, the temple houses a museum where Buddha images and crockery have been collected.
Laem Chong Thanon (แหลมจองถนน) It is a fishing village in Tambon Chong Thanon.
Namtok Phraiwan (น้ำตกไพรวัลย์) This large-scale waterfall is tranquil and full of shady trees.
Namtok Lan Mom Chui (น้ำตกหม่อมจุ้ย) It is a waterfall amidst a shady forest in the area of the Ban Tamot Wildlife Protection Unit.
Khao Pu – Khao Ya National Park (อุทยานแห่งชาติเขาปู่ – เขาย่า) The most geographical features are forests in the Banthat Range which has a complex of mountains with ‘Khao Hin Thaen’ as the highest mountaintop. Most of the floras belong to a moist evergreen forest. Wild animals consist of 60 species of mammals. In addition, other places of interest are as follows:-
Tham Matcha Pla Won (ถ้ำมัจฉาปลาวน) It is a medium cave, about 2 km from the park headquarters. Inside, there are 3 spacious chambers, stalactites, stalagmites, limestone curtain, and many bats. Furthermore, the Asian giant toad and millipede are also found here.
Pha Phueng (ผาผึ้ง) It is a limestone cliff, around 300 m from the park headquarters. Giant bees always come to make hundreds of hives here every year during February to April.
Nature Trails (เส้นทางเดินศึกษาธรรมชาติ) There are 2 trails within the area of the park headquarters.
Khlong Hu Rae (แอ่งน้ำหูแร่) or Hu Rae Canal is large and full of clear and clean water. The canal’s bottom is sandy and boulders lie at its depth.
Bang Kaeo Shadow Puppet Figure and Handicraft Centre (ศูนย์ศิลปหัตกรรมรูปหนังบางแก้ว) The Bang Kaeo Handicraft village consists of 25 members who carve hides into puppet figures for Nang Talung and Nang Yai shadow plays, as well as new figures in patterns required by customers.
Tham Sumano (ถ้ำสุมะโน) Inside, there are some stalactites and stalagmites, as well as spacious chambers. The cave is cool and shady with spectacular nature. It comprises a system of 18 small caves. The cave is also used for insight development and Dharma practices.