Pattani
Pattani General Information
Pattani is an east-coast province in the south, adjacent to the Gulf of Thailand, with the area of approximately 1,940 square kilometres. There are two major rivers: Tani and Sai Buri. Being a civilized town in the past, the present Pattani still maintains some ruined ancient town in Amphoe Yarang. Due to its mountainous area and long seashore of about 170 kilometres, Pattani has been an important port and the centre of the administration, trading, and culture. There are several tourism resources of nature, historical ancient places, and traditional culture which have been the integration of Thai, Chinese and Islam.
Pattani is administratively divided into 12 Amphoe: Muang Pattani, Yarang, Nong Chik, Khok Pho, Yaring, Panare, Mayo, Sai Buri, Kapho, Mai Kaen, Thung Yang Daeng, and Mae Lan.
Pattani Festival Information
- Chao Mae Lim Ko Niao Fair
This fair is celebrated annually 15 days after Chinese New Year. Highlighting the event is the procession to carry the wooden sculpture of Chao Mae Lim Ko Niao-a goddess which is respected by the Chinese in Pattani. This annual fair also features extraordinary arts of endurance such as walking on fire. Before joining the festival for 7 days, participants of the fair need to be vegetarians by having no-meat food at least 7 days before the festival. Normally, the fair is celebrated widely by the people of Pattani and of nearby provinces.
- Fishing Sports in Sai Buri
The event is annually held on the second weekend of May at Hat Wasukri, Amphoe Sai Buri. Due to the long coast and the great amount of a variety of fish, this sport has become very popular and exciting.
Pattani Attactions Information
- King Rama VII Pavilion
This Thai style pavilion was built for King Rama VII during his visit to watch the eclipse in 1929. It is about 26 kilometres from Pattani town on highway no. 42 in Khok Pho District Office.
- Namtok Sai Khao National Park
Located in Tambon Sai Khao, covering the forest in Pattani, Yala, and Songkhla, with the total area of 68,750 Rai, this evergreen forest is full of various kinds of plants, and a variety of waterfalls. The most beautiful waterfalls is Sai Khao Waterfalls which can be reached on foot from the Parks Office along the creek. At the end, is the waterfall which is 40 metres high. The surroundings are evergreen forest. Visitors can swim in some natural ponds. Visitors can use highway no.409 (Pattani - Yala)for 28 kilometres to Na Pradu Junction, then turn to Napradu - Sai Khao route for about 7 kilometres. The Park also has bungalows available.
- Wat Chang Hai Rat Buranaram
This monastery is at Ban Pa Rai, Tambon Tung Pala, close to the railway (Hat Yai - Sungai Kolok route) between Na Pradu and Pa Rai Stations. It is located about 31 kilometres from Pattani town. By car, visitors can use highway no.42 (Pattani - Khok Pho), pass Na Ket Junction, then use highway no.409 (Pattani-Yala), pass Na Pradu Municipality and Wat Chang Hai Training Centre and turn to Wat Chang Hai for another 700 metres.
This old monastery was built for more than 300 years, with the sculpture of Luang Pu Tuad, once an abbot of the temple. Also, the architecture of stupa, chedi, temple, and bell tower are magnificently beautiful. Luang Pu Thuat, Wat Chang Hai, being respected by people all over the country, Luang Pu Thuat was an educational monk It was told that he was able to turn sea water into fresh water. Died in Malaysia, his body was brought back to Wat Chang Hai. The annual festival to pay respect to his bone and ashes is in April. At Wat Chang Hai, visitors can pay respect during 8 a.m.-5 p.m. daily.
Wat Chang Hai Royal Folk Arts and Crafts Centre The centre displays and sells many southern handicrafts such as batik, imitated Kolae boat, handicrafts, mats, and ceramics.
- Chao Mae Lim Ko Niao Chinese Shrine or Leng Chu Kiang Shrine
The location of Chao Mae Lim Ko Niao sculpture and Chinese gods is on A No Ru road. On the day of the 3rd lunar month every year, there is the colorful procession carrying Chao Maes sculpture along several roads in town, walking on fire in front of the shrine, and swimming across the river near Dechanuchit Bridge. The city welcomes numerous worshippers every year.
- Chao Mae Lim Ko Niao Graveyard
Situated at Ban Krue Se, Tambon Tanyong Lulo, Amphoe Mueang on highway no.42 (Pattani - Narathiwat route), near Krue Se Mosque. As per the story from the legend, Lim Ko Niao, a Chinese girl came to Siam by ship to look for Lim To Khiam, her elder brother who had got married with Pattani Governors daughter and had changed his religion to Islam. However, she was not successful. Therefore, she hung herself on the cashew nut tree. Her brother buried her at this place. The Pattani people built the shrine to commemorate her and carved the tree where she hung herself in the shape of her figure.
- Krue Se Mosque
This mosque is on highway no.42 (Pattani - Narathiwat route) at Ban Krue Se, and is about 7 kilometres from the Pattani town. At present, this ancient venue is near Chao Mae Lim Ko Niao Chinese Shrine. Both places had their legend of the relationship depending on the beliefs. This mosque has round pillars which is the middle-east arts style. The most important part is the domes roof which has never been finished. It has been assured that this mosque was built during the reign of King Naresuan the Great (1578 - 1593).
- Palas Market
Being approximately 30 kilometres from Pattani by highway no.42, the market can be visited in the morning of every Wednesday and Sunday. Also, this venue reflects the real rural lifestyle of the southern Thai Muslims whereby shoppers are clad in their local costumes and colorful batik head bands.
- Ban Paseyawo
This is a well-known venue for Kolae Boat making. This kind of boat is for the fishermen in Pattani and Narathiwat. The highlighting characteristics of the Kolae is the narrowing head and tail, with unique color. Besides the real Kolae for fishery, there are also imitations made for souvenirs. The making of Kolae by the local people here has been accepted by its neatness which integrates arts between Thai and Muslims. Otherwise, Ban Paseyawo is also reputed as best in producing tasteful Budu southern sauce.
- Hat Wasukri
The beach is about 52 kilometres from Pattani and about 2 kilometres from Sai Buri. It is in Patatimo Village, TambonTaluban. Visitors can use the Pattani-Narathiwat route or use the route passing Hat Khae Khae to Sai Buri, or directly turn left at the junction to Sai Buri. The beach is parallel to the pine line. Bungalows are also available for service.
- Yarang Ancient Town
The city was one of the oldest communities in the history of the southern part of Thailand. It is believed that it was the location of the ancient kingdom of Lanka Suka which had its boundary covering the area of Songkhla, Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat of Thailand, Kalantan and Tarang Kanu of Malaysia according to the documents of China, Java, Malayia, and Arab. It was a port with long wide trading history with the foreigners since B.E.12. The structure of the ancient town was the large oval shape in the area of 9 square kilometres. There are three connecting towns as the followings:
Ban Wat Ancient With a square in the centre of town, and is surrounded by moats, the town has more than 25 scattered and ruined ancient hills in the western and northern area.
Ban Cha-le Ancient Town With a pond in the centre of town and is surrounded by square-shape moats, this town is only one kilometre north of Ban Wat Ancient Town. The most important ancient monument is the ruined religious venue made of bricks, with large square base. Due to the discovery of several ancient materials in the area, there is proof that this venue must have been the Buddhist community.
Ban Prawae Ancient Town It is a small rectangular town with 4 forts in the corners. Also, there were canals connecting with Ban Ja-le in the north.
Moreover, there are at least 30 areas of ruined ancient hills. Visitors can use Sirorot Road (highway no.410) from Pattani to Yala for another 15 kilometres, turn left to highway 4061 (Yarang- Mayo) for 1.2 kilometres to Ancient town area. Then turn left to the north for 400 metres to Ban Ja-le Ancient Town.
- Hat Talo-kapo Beach
This beach is about 18 kilometres from Pattani town. The way to get to the beach is to go along highway no.42 (Pattani - Narathiwat route, turn left at Amphoe Yaring, cross Yamu canal and pass the forest area and villages. With its long white sand, line of pines and coconut trees, this beach is one of the most popular ones in Pattani. There are many Kolae boats with their unique colorful characteristics of the southern fishermen. This beach is extended due to the current of sea move sand in. This venue is most suitable for relaxation and view watching.
- Yaring Natural Study Centre
Located near Yamu Canal, opposite to Yaring District Hall, the centre is in Yaring National Forest, with the area of 500 Rai. There is a 1,250 metre wooden bridge as the walkway for natural study of the forest. Along the natural trail, there are several species of plants, rest area and a bird-watching tower with the height of 13 metres.
Besides, there are delightful boat trips for visitors of nature lovers. There are 3 canals: Bang Pu, Klang, and Kolae. Along both banks, visitors can experience the fertility of water animals, birds, local lifestyles.
**Information Reference : tourismthailand.org
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