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A Guide to Narathiwat: Southern Thailand’s Hidden Paradise
- Things to Know
- Best Time to Visit Narathiwat
- How to Get to Narathiwat
- Where to Stay in Narathiwat
- The Sekret Hotel
- Green View Boutique Hotel
- Venice Palace Hotel
- Where to Eat in Narathiwat
- Nasir Restaurant
- Roti De Forest
- Ayu Sushi & Shabu
- What to See and Do in Narathiwat
- Visit Wat Khao Kong
- Laze around Narathat Beach
- Check out the Narathiwat Central Mosque
- Hike to the Pajo Waterfall
- Explore Sirindhorn Peat Swamp Forest
- Stroll around Ao Manao-Khao Tanyong National Park
- Enjoy the tranquil atmosphere at Wat Chon Thara Singh
- Admire Wadil-Husen Mosque’s vintage architecture
- Drop by Saloma Patek
- FAQs about Narathiwat
If you’re looking for day trip destinations from Bangkok, Southern Thailand could just be the escape you need. And Narathiwat can tick all the boxes for the perfect escapade but with one great bonus: it’s minus the unruly crowd.
Narathiwat’s attractions, local culture, and food offerings are something everyone should experience at least once!
Think exciting boating competitions, the blend of Buddhist and Malay influences that show in the cuisine and temples, Thailand’s largest swamp forest, and more!
So to help you discover all the great things about Narathiwat, we crafted this guide! Read on to know why Narathiwat is Southern Thailand’s hidden paradise, plus insider tips for an awesome trip!
Things to Know
Currency: Thai Baht
(Check the current exchange rate)
Language: Pattani Malay, Thai (Southern Thai)
Calling Code: (+66)
Location: Narathiwat, Thailand
Nearest Airport: Narathiwat Airport
Best Time to Visit Narathiwat
The best time to visit Narathiwat is between February and April. During this time, the province enjoys dry and sunny weather conditions perfect for exploring its lush nature and must-visit hotspots.
These months also get low average temperatures, so you don’t have to worry about sweltering heat during midday. That means you can go all out from morning to afternoon.
How to Get to Narathiwat
Plane: Booking a flight from Don Mueang International Airport to Narathiwat Airport is the fastest option if you’re traveling from Bangkok. This only takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes, so you get more time to explore the province.
Train: Another option is to board a train from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal to Tanyongmat Train Station in Ra-Ngae District, Narathiwat. Though the train ticket is cheap, this option is also slow since it takes approximately 19 hours.
And you still need to catch a taxi from Tanyongmat to Narathiwat’s town center which can take another 21 minutes.
Bus: Riding a provincial bus at the Bangkok Southern Bus Terminal is also a cheap way to get to Narathiwat. But, this takes the longest to arrive at around 24 hours so we don’t recommend this unless you’re out of options.
The only saving grace is that it’s a direct trip to Narathiwat Bus Station which is in the town center.
Where to Stay in Narathiwat
The Sekret Hotel
Media credit: por28089
Address: 52/3 Prachawiwat Road, Soi 4 Su-ngai Kolok District
Operating Hours: 2 p.m. (Check-in) & 12 p.m. (Check-out)
Contact Number: +66 73 700 181
Website: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100084952351235
Pricing: ฿ – ฿฿
If you’re looking for a place with polished traditional-style rooms, here’s The Sekret Hotel. Their sizable rooms are comfy, so expect to get all the basic amenities while you’re here.
This hotel is also in the center of Narathiwat Town, so it’s ideal for tourists who want to explore the local shops and restaurants. It’s also close to a football field which is a plus if you’re a sports fan.
Green View Boutique Hotel
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Address: Su-ngai Kolok, Su-ngai Kolok District
Operating Hours: 2 p.m. (Check-in) & 12 p.m. (Check-out)
Contact Number: +66 98 671 7037
Pricing: ฿฿
Green View Boutique Hotel is a charming hotel offering spacious rooms with comfy beds and a sublime town view. Their rooms boast traditional Southern-style interiors and chic polished wooden floors.
It’s also surrounded by numerous restaurants—perfect for foodies who want a taste of Narathiwat’s local food scene. But the hotel’s most standout feature is its central garden.
This area has numerous potted plants and a cutesy tiled pond full of colorful koi fish.
Venice Palace Hotel
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Address: 22 Chuenmankha Road Su-ngai Kolok, Su-ngai Kolok District
Operating Hours: 2 p.m. (Check-in) & 12 p.m. (Check-out)
Contact Number: +66 73 611 200
Pricing: ฿
Venice Palace Hotel is an unassuming hotel in the heart of Narathiwat’s town center. It features functional minimalist rooms with basic amenities: flat-screen TV, en-suite bathroom, air conditioner unit, chair, mini table, and closet.
It’s also one of the most affordable hotels in town which is great if you plan to stay for several days to sightsee. Also, it has a live music bar on the ground floor—perfect for nights when you want to drink and listen to tunes before hitting the hay.
Where to Eat in Narathiwat
Nasir Restaurant
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Address: 69, 16-18 Sopapisai Road, Bang Nak
Operating Hours: 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. (Daily)
Pricing: ฿ – ฿฿
Nasir Restaurant is a Muslim-friendly food place, so it’s great for tourists with halal dietary restrictions. The restaurant has two dining sections separating buffet and a la carte customers.
Its large menu focuses on local Thai food, but you also get a variety of international dishes and dessert options. Our favorite was their pang yen. It’s a traditional iced dessert with sweet syrup, milk, and bread toppings which they replaced with Oreos.
Roti De Forest
Media from rotideforest
Address: Rangae Mankha Road, Bang Nak Sub-district
Operating Hours: 6:30 a.m. – 11 p.m. (Daily)
Contact Number: +66 81 169 7735
Website: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083542983633
Pricing: ฿ – ฿฿
Roti De Forest is the place to go for roti in Narathiwat. Their wide range of flavored roti are great snack options, but they’re also available in breakfast sets paired with ham, sausage, fried egg, and massaman curry.
If you don’t like sweets, they also serve various a la carte dishes, from seafood fried rice, tom yum noodles, chicken tenders, beef BBQ skewers, and more. The foodies on our team particularly love their beef martabak.
It’s a delectable spring roll-like dish stuffed with ground beef and spices. Dip it in their sesame sauce for a juicy explosion of flavors.
Ayu Sushi & Shabu
Media from chekkar_restaurant
Address: 436 Bang Nak
Operating Hours: 10:30 a.m. – 9 p.m. (Daily)
Contact Number: +66 83 534 8004
Website: https://www.facebook.com/waefarid.ayunee/
Pricing: ฿฿
Ayu Sushi & Shabu is a well-known Japanese restaurant for people who frequent Narathiwat. It has an excellent selection of reasonably priced Japanese-style dishes and hot pot options.
This place is also halal-certified which is great for Muslim guests. Their best seller is their signature hot pot and it comes with three size options: small, medium, and large.
And these come with a wide array of hot pot inclusions, from beef to chicken, egg, shrimp, squid, vermicelli noodles, fish balls, tofu, and assorted veggies. If you prefer to order a la carte, our top recommendations are sushi and udon.
What to See and Do in Narathiwat
Visit Wat Khao Kong
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Address: Lam Phu
Operating Hours: 6:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. (Daily)
Wat Khao Kong, also known as Khao Kong Buddhist Park, is Narathiwat’s most famous and important Buddhist temple, so it’s definitely worth checking out. The temple’s most notable feature is its principal image of Phra Phutthathaksin Mingmongkhon.
This is a South Indian-style seated Buddha image in its first sermon or teaching posture. It doesn’t attract huge crowds in this predominantly Muslim province, so you can take photos without worrying about others ruining your shot.
But that doesn’t mean you can go horsing around. Even when with Buddhists, wearing proper dress attire is a must so nix that plan to wear something provocative.
Laze around Narathat Beach
Media credit: oceanic.scubadiary
Address: Bang Nak
Operating Hours: 24/7
If you’re looking for a quiet place where you can relax, here’s Narathat Beach. This beach is tree-lined, so you’ll get plenty of cool shade to avoid the sun and soak in the cool ocean breeze.
You can also set up a hammock for a refreshing afternoon nap. Also, it has shallow waters and gentle waves which are perfectly safe for small kids who like to swim.
There are local vendors along the beach selling food and drinks as well. Plus, you can swoop in and buy some souvenirs to remember your trip by.
Check out the Narathiwat Central Mosque
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Address: 12 Phichitbumrung Road, Bang Nak
Operating Hours: 4 a.m. – 10 p.m. (Daily)
Narathiwat Central Mosque is the religious hub in the province. It also serves as a community center so it might be used for wedding ceremonies, festivals, funeral services, and other local events.
The mosque’s most notable feature is its tall tower or minaret which offers a bird’s-eye view of the town center. This is where they perform the Islamic call to prayer, so you’ll definitely need permission to climb it.
Even if you’re a non-Muslim, you still need to dress modesty as a sign of respect. This means you won’t have to show off those micro shorts or barely there dresses.
Hike to the Pajo Waterfall
Media credit: eiji134
Address: Lubo Sawo, Bacho, Bacho District
Operating Hours: 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Daily)
Admission Costs: 200 baht
Pajo Waterfall is a charming cascade within the Budo Su-Ngai Padi National Park. Its stream runs through several tiers which visitors can access by hiking through the park’s nature trails.
This also gives you different viewing angles of the waterfall which is perfect if you plan to snag many photographs. And the numerous local fauna and flora you see along the way are a big plus.
Just make sure you get to observe proper decorum when interacting with the wildlife. Never feed monkeys, for one, and always mind your litter.
Explore Sirindhorn Peat Swamp Forest
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Address: Puyo, Su-ngai Kolok District
Operating Hours: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Daily)
Contact Number: +66 63 424 0833
Website: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100006330672684
If you love nature, your trip to Narathiwat won’t be complete without a visit to Sirindhorn Peat Swamp Forest. This is the country’s last remaining peat swamp forest, so we think tourists should see it at least once.
It’s also a great place for educational trips since there are many information boards about the peat swamp and its naturally occurring flora. Exploring the forest is fun since the wooden walkway lets you observe everything comfortably.
There are also designated rest stops, so you can take your time to soak in the forest’s tranquil atmosphere to the fullest. Just make sure you observe the operating hours as many tourists get lost in the view and fail to head for the exit on time.
Stroll around Ao Manao-Khao Tanyong National Park
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Address: Village 12, Kaluwo Nuea
Operating Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Daily)
Contact Number: +66 73 542 344
Website: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083145500399
Ao Manao-Khao Tanyong National Park is a coastal protected area in Narathiwat. It’s a fun place for family outings since it has a vast sandy shore where you can walk around, play, and take numerous photos.
In fact, it has several photo spots that we think Instagram fanatics will absolutely love, from a wooden heart-shaped platform to a staircase, swing, and statue. You can also observe the different animals within the park.
Think deer, goats, monkeys, crabs, birds, and more. There’s also a small shop selling colorful kites which are fun to fly on a breezy day.
Enjoy the tranquil atmosphere at Wat Chon Thara Singh
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Address: 171 Sman Thadvisut Road, Chehe, Tak Bai District
Operating Hours: 24/7
Wat Chon Thara Singh is a haven for history buffs. It was here that the Anglo-Siamese Treaty of 1909 was signed, reinforcing Thai rule over the provinces of Narathiwat, Pattani, Satun, Songkhla, and Yala.
In fact, the temple has a museum with wooden figures of the Thai foreign minister and British diplomat signing the accord. The museum is usually closed since it doesn’t get a lot of visitors, but the caretakers will open it upon request.
This temple also has numerous ornate shrines and Buddhist statues, so you’ll have a blast strolling around.
Admire Wadil-Husen Mosque’s vintage architecture
Media credit: daniels_thailand
Address: Lubo Sawo, Bacho District
Operating Hours: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Daily)
Wadil-Husen Mosque is a 400-year-old building with a unique architectural style. For one, it was constructed using Malay building techniques, so it’s connected via wooden latches instead of nails and screws.
The mosque also features Chinese-style roofs and Thai-style walls. This harmonious blend of styles and techniques gives it a one-of-a-kind design and strong foundations that make it one of Narathiwat’s must-see attractions to this day.
Drop by Saloma Patek
Media credit: saloma_patek
Address: 72/9 Moo 2, Pasemat Subdistrict, Su-ngai Kolok District
Operating Hours: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Saturday – Thursday)
Contact Number: +66 99 319 3410
Website: https://www.facebook.com/Saloma.Patek/
For cultured tourists, this clothing shop is a must-visit for its colorful and intricate textile products. This place focuses on unique designs that represent their regional identity, so the pieces you get here won’t be like anything you’ve had before.
That’s why it’s one of our go-to places when shopping for gifts for family and friends. Plus, this helps support the traditional patek art which is always good on our books.
