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Region: Southern Thailand> Province: Phattalung>Location: Phattalung

Phattalung sights and attractions

Wat Khuhasawan - An interesting place to explore

A 20 minute walk northwest of the market

Description
This pretty Ayutthaya-period wat is set at the foot of the forested limestone hill with a couple of caves behind it. The main cave contains a bunch of Buddha images in various poses. A rock at the entrance to the cave has some royal writing on it, carved by a wandering Rama.

There's a smaller cave nearby which is home to several hundred bats which fly out at dusk to fill the Phattalung skies. Beside the cave there are steps that lead up the hill to a viewpoint, but be careful not to trip over the monkeys which are everywhere.


How to get there: Taking a motorbike taxi is the easiest way to get to Wat Khuhasawan. It's about a 20 minute walk northwest of the market.

Khao Ok Thalu - A scenic hole in the mountain

Description
Just to the east of the train station you cannot miss this limestone crag which towers over Phattalung. Khao Ok Thalu rises 250m above Phattalung. A moderately steep trail with steps leads up to the hole in the mountain. The path is a bit tricky in parts, but the great view makes it worthwhile.


How to get there: From the train station, ford the river and follow the road until you reach the trial head. It's extremely easy to find.

Tham Malai - Bring a flashlight

Description
Tham Malai is not the most spectacular tourist attraction in Thailand, but it is a nice walk to reach the cave. There are some Chinese shrines and great views around the cave. The cave contains some stunning white stalactites and stalagmites in addition to a small pool. Bring a torch or a flashlight.


How to get there: This cave complex is situated a few kilometres to the north of the train station. Follow either the railway tracks or the road out of town to reach it. Any local should be able to direct you. An alternative route is to walk out of town in the direction of Lam Pan for about 1km until you see a track to the left with a roman script sign marking Tham Malai.

Haad Lam Pan - Chill by the lake

7kn from Phattalung

Description
Lam Pan Beach on Songkhla Lake is 7km east of town and is a very pleasant spot for a stroll where you can enjoy a snack or a meal at one of the stands selling tasty local specialities. There are a string of seafood restaurants to the left that serve reasonably priced food and cold beers. This is a great place to kick back and relax in a deck chair by the lake. A river joins the lake at this point and a small wooden bridge leads over to the Lam Pan Resort which has bungalows.


How to get there: The beach is a 10 minute motorbike taxi ride for 30-40B or a 20B songtheaw ride from the post office.

Ban Saensuk Lampam - Beautiful murals

6km from Phattalung

Description
Just before the Lam Pan Beach is Saensuk Lampam village with a couple of interesting sites. Wat Wang is a beautiful old wat housing a 100 year old bot surrounded by Buddha filled cloisters. The bot also contains some attractive murals that illustrate the life and teachings of Buddha. You will probably have to ask a monk to open the courtyard doors for you -- if and when you find a monk. There is a small donation box in the main bot. About 100m down the road towards the beach there is a beautiful old courthouse and the Governor's residence. Both of these are just off the main road and are well worth a look.


How to get there: Take a motorbike taxi or songtheaw six km to Saensuk Lampam village.

Ban Chai Son - Hot spring showers

30km south of Phattalung

Description
This friendly little town around 30km to the south of Phattalung has some hot springs, a cave temple and an interesting wat. It is set in paddy fields dotted with limestone outcrops. The village itself has a small but lively market, a few shops and cafes and plenty of buses to Phattalung. The 60C hot springs are around two km out of town at the foot of the cliffs. The hot springs are not much to look at, but feel free to use the hot showers. Next to the hot springs is a stand selling shadow puppets, a good place to buy one if you want to watch them being made.

Some 500 m further along the cliff face walking back towards Chai Son is a small but attractive cave temple containing a large reclining Buddha, some interesting murals and several wooden carvings. The cave curves around and there are steps that lead to a second entrance further up the cliff. Nuns at the bottom of the stairs will light the lamps for you. In the main cave there is a spring where the water is supposed to have healing qualities.

Further east of Chai Son on the lake side is Wat Khian Bang Kaeo which dates back to the Ayutthaya period. There are several ruins and images of Buddha. Some locals think that once upon a time this area used to be the location of Phattalung town.


How to get there: Direct buses leave to Chai Son from Poh Saat Rd in Phattalung for 25B and take 20 minutes. Also, one can take a bus bound for Hat Yai for 20B and get off at the turn-off for Chai Son. A motorcycle taxi to the caves and hot springs costs 20B. A motorbike taxi to Wat Khian Bang Kaeo from Chai Son market costs 20B.

Khao Pu Khao Ya National Park - A neglected, yet beautiful park

Description
At 700 sq km this is not one of Thailand's smallest national parks, but it is certainly one of the least visited and least funded. Although the park is mostly situated in Phattalung province, it also stretches into Trang and Nakhon Si Thammarat provinces. The lack of visitors is a shame because there is some impressive scenery, a well preserved forest and helpful park wardens.

Mountains reach 1,000m here and are covered with tropical rainforest. Larger mammals no longer exist, but there are still many smaller ones. Encroachment from rubber plantations and hunters is a problem so the park's limited funds go towards preservation rather than to accommodation and the visitor centre.

Nevertheless, the wardens (some of whom speak English) will be glad to guide you for free to any of the nearby sites which include caves and a spectacular cliff face, Pha Phung, or bee cliff as it is known because it is covered with hives. There are fantastic views from the summit. For longer treks 200B a day is required and the park accommodation goes for 200B per night. Food and drinks are available.


How to get there: From Phattalung songtheaws leave from the market and Bangkok Bank. They cost 20B and will drop you off at the turn-off to the park. From here it is a 4km hitch, walk, hike or 30B motorbike taxi ride to the park headquarters.

Thale Noi Waterbird Sanctuary - The highlight of Phattalung

32km north of Phattalung

Description
This waterbird sanctuary 32km north of Phattalung is one of Thailand's top bird spots and is the largest bird park in Thailand. Nearly 200 species live in this marshy swampy area on the northern reaches of Songkhla Lake. Located on Songkhla Lake, the sanctuary area is off limits to both hunting and fishing. The best time to visit the sanctuary is from October to March. Boat trips are available upon request. Accommodation is available, but it is wise to call ahead at (074) 68 5230.

The annual Bird Watching Festival takes place starting in the middle of February. The sanctuary promotes eco-tourism with demonstrations of nature and life during this month long celebration. Everyone comes together to sell their products, food and to watch local performances.


How to get there: Songtheaws from the market or Bangkok Bank in Phattalung cost 30B. Even if you are not interested in birds, the sanctuary is definitely worth a look for its beautiful and tranquil setting.