Chumphon province
Chumphon is geographically similar to nearby Prachuap Khiri Khan province, with a long, narrow coastal plain skirted by beaches and islands along the Gulf of Thailand to the east, and mountains to the west.
Chumphon province is known mostly for the offshore islands in the Gulf of Thailand -- more than 40 of them, some of which figure among the premiere destinations in Southeast Asia. The islands generally offer great scuba-diving and nice beaches. The more popular destinations suffer from overdevelopment, but with so many islands to choose from, it's still very possible to find an 'unspoiled' location to explore.
The strong draw of the islands off the coast leads most visitors to skip the mainland capital of Chumphon, so an effort is being made by the tourist industry here to encourage people to stop over for a few days. It's true that Chumphon province does have some stunning, rarely-visited beaches, and a sweep of verdant mountains featuring forests, waterfalls and caves. Unfortunately, most people only experience the capital city itself, which doesn't have a lot to offer, and the beaches close by are the least attractive along the coast. The Lang Suan district to the south, in particular, is well-endowed with natural attractions.
Fishing is the province's main industry, but this is also where most of Thailand's coffee is grown. As a result, the seafood meals here are fabulous, and the locals proudly serve fresh-brewed Chumphon coffee to visitors.
