Narathiwat Information guide
Narathiwat at a glance
Located approximately some 1,149 kilometers south of Bangkok is Narathiwat the
southernmost province in Thailand and one of the nation's five provinces that
borders Malaysia at Amphoe Su-ngai Kolok, where the southern railway line ends.
Access from Malaysia is convenient via a ninety-minute bus trip and two immigration
points where travelers can cross into Thailand and vice versa. With Amphoe Su-ngai
Kolok serving as an economic and border tourism center, the province welcomes
an increasing numbers of Malaysians and Singaporeans on short holidays or shopping
sprees.
Geographically, Narathiwat is situated on the eastern coast of the Malay Peninsula.
The north borders Pattani Province and the Gulf of Thailand, the west borders
Yala Province, the east borders the Gulf of Thailand, and the south borders
Kelantan in Malaysia. The plains where the Maenam Sai Buri, Maenam Bang Nara,
Maenam Tak Bai and Maenam Su-ngai Kolok converge are adjacent to the gulf.
With an area of 4,475 square kilometers, of which 75 percent are jungles and
mountains, visitors to the province are provided with great opportunities to
spend days at the beach or in the forests and take excursion trips to some of
the magnificent temples. Narathiwat has a tropical climate and has only 2 seasons;
summer and rainy. The wettest period is during November to December.
Narathiwat literally means "the residence of good people". The city
of Narathiwat has an abundance of traditional culture and authenticity with
village-like tranquility. The inhabitants of Narathiwat are largely farmers
and fishermen with the majority being Muslims who use the spoken and written
Yawi language (Yawi has roots from the spoken Malay language and uses Arabic
consonants and alphabets). As such, Narathiwat is an amazing and unique area
with a constant flow of culture and trade between Thais and Malaysians.
Provincial Seal
The provincial seal depicts a sailing boat with a picture of a white elephant
on the sail in a circle. It signifies that Narathiwat is a province on the coast,
engaged in fishing and trading with neighboring countries and that the province
has a white elephant called Phra Sri Nararat Rajakarin.
History of Narathiwat
In the past, Narathiwat was a southern borderland named "Ban Bang Nara"
or "Manalo". It was located near Maenam Bang Nara and the sea. In
the reign of King Rama I, this village was under the administration of Sai Buri.
Later, it came under the administration of Ra Ngae town of Pattani province.
In 1906, Bang Nara became a big trading city with well-developed sea and land
transportation. King Rama V moved the administration office from Ra Ngae to
Manalo. In 1915, King Rama VI changed the name of the town to "Narathiwat".
Todays Narathiwat
Narathiwat is currently divided into 12 districts, namely Mueang, Ra-ngae,
Su-ngai Padi, Sungai Kolok, Ruso, Yi-ngo, Waeng, Bacho, Tak Bai, Si Sakhon,
Sukhirin, Chanae and one Sub District of Cho Ai Rong.
Distances from Amphoe Mueang (Town) to Neighbouring Districts:
Chanae 47 kms.
Cho Ai Rong 31 kms.
Tak Bai 33 kms.
Bacho 28 kms.
Yi-ngo 18 kms.
Ra-ngae 24 kms.
Ruso 48 kms.
Waeng 83 kms.
Si Sakhon 65 kms.
Sukhirin 112 kms.
Su-ngai Kolok 63 kms.
Su-ngai Padi 49 kms.
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