The sleepy provincial capital of Satun (pronounced Sah-toon) sits near the mouth of the Bambang River a few kilometres from the Andaman coast and a whopping 940km from Bangkok. While officially part of Thailand's "Deep South" and home to a majority Muslim population, Satun has largely escaped the strife that plagues some of the neighbouring provinces. Satun is an entirely safe and very friendly place to visit.

Satun is one of Thailand's youngest provinces, having only joined the country in 1933. Don't be confused if you occasionally still see the Malay spelling of the town's name – Satul. Despite the large modern mosque which dominates the central part of town, Satun is more ethnically diverse than most of the far southern provinces with Chinese and Thai communities mixing peacefully with the ethnic Malay Muslim population.

Despite its charms, most travellers barely slow down while passing through town enroute to the glorious offshore islands of Ko Tarutao, Ko Lipe and Ko Bulon Lae. But, as with any Thai town, there's enough minor attractions to keep one busy during an overnight stay. There's a small museum and the sizeable Thale Ban National Park makes a good day trip. Satun is also a little-known gateway into Malaysia, with the Kuala Perlis boat crossing and the almost never-used Wang Prajan land crossing -- so there are a few reasons why you may find yourself in this quiet corner of southwestern Thailand.

Orientation
Your banking needs can be looked after at Bangkok Bank on Buriwanit Rd and Siam Commercial Bank and the Bank of Ayudhya side-by-side on Satun Thanee Rd. All have ATMs, foreign exchange, and Western Union services.

The post office is on Samantha Pradit Rd, just past the Satun Thanee Rd intersection. It has EMS and overseas phone facilities upstairs and is open Mon – Fri: 08:30 – 16:30, Sat, Sun, Holidays: 09:00 – 12:00.

The police station (T: (074) 71 1025) is a five minute walk from the town centre up Satun Thanee Rd and the main hospital (T: (074) 71 1028) is off Satun Thanee Rd, just past the police station. The Immigration Office (T: (074) 71 1080) is on Burivanich Rd, just north of Satun Library.

There are a few internet cafes dotted across town, with Rose Internet (25B/hour), across from the Central Mosque and Satun Cybernet (30B/hour - T: (074) 72 3560) on Satun Thanee Rd, across from the Siam and Ayudhaya banks. The latter has high-speed internet, fax, and overseas calls.

A few doors down from the Sinkiat Thani Hotel, Satun Laundry will wash, dry, and iron for 5B/piece.

Wang Prajan border crossing
This border crossing to Malaysia is unknown to most travellers, and only two km further north of the Thale Ban Park turn-off. Once across you can stay in Malaysia or re-enter Thailand to get a new 30 day visa. The border is open daily from 06:00 – 17:00. There's a small market here, but little else.

To reach the border, public transit is irregular at best. Mini-vans occasionally depart from opposite the Rain Tong Hotel. Enquire with the hotel staff in advance, or cross your fingers and show up before 08:00. If you're making a visa run, motorcycle taxis will run you there and back for 400B and songtheaws for 500B. Remember to pay once you're finished to ensure your driver sticks around.