Things To Do In Satun: Places Of Interest And Activities

Satun might not be a popular tourist destination yet in Thailand but the southern province is home to some of the most beautiful islands and beaches in the country.

The mainland has also some great places to offer with amazing caves and waterfalls. If you have no idea what to do in Satun, below are some places of interest which you can include in your itinerary

Places To Visit In Satun: Attractions & Activities

Koh Tarutao National Park

Honoured now by UNESCO, this national park has three archipelagos. The park comes with hundreds of animal species and it is one of the best places to walk around, especially for a nature lover. To get here, you will need to take a boat from Pak Bara Pier.

Koh Khai (Egg Island & Stone Arch)

Koh (Island in Thai), Khai (egg in Thai) which is why this place is been named as egg island. The history of the name comes in various claims and one of it is that sea turtles come to lay eggs on its sandy shore every year. To get here, you will need to take a boat from Pak Bara Pier.

Koh Li Pe

Often described as the “Maldives of Thailand”, this beautiful island has 3 beaches namely, Sunrise beach, sunset beach and the most popular one, Pattaya beach.

Koh Lipe is part of the Tarutao National Marine Park, a large group of over 70 islands. It is famous for diving, snorkelling and for the beautiful beaches. To get here, you will need to take a boat from Pak Bara Pier.

Mu Koh Adang Rawi

Mu koh adang rawi is located 40 kilometres from the east of Tarutao island or 80 Kilometres from Satun Town. The island possesses beautiful sandy beaches and coral reefs. To get here, you will need to take a boat from Pak Bara Pier.

Koh Bulon

Koh Bulon is a small island, just outside of the Tarutao National Marine Park. The island attracts people that are looking for peace. To get here, you will need to take a boat from Pak Bara Pier.

Koh Khao Yai, Pan Yot

Looking for calm water for kayaking? this would be the place for you. Often it is empty and you can enjoy hours here with what nature has to offer. To get here, you will need to take a boat from Pak Bara Pier.

Thale Ban National Park

Thale ban national park was declared the 20th National park in Thailand on the 27th of October 1980. The park encompasses a total area of 196 km2. The park covers the mountainous border area between Satun province of Thailand and the Perlis state of Malaysia.

• Map Location: Google Map link
• GPS Coordinates: 6.710388, 100.170903

Phu Pha Phet Cave (Manang)

Phu pha phet cave is one of the most visited places when you visit Manang district of Satun. This well-kept secret has only recently been exposed to International tourism and for those who enjoy some serious Eco-Tourism, this is a place to visit. This cave is also translated as the Diamond Mountain caves, the third-largest in the world and apparently, unavailable in most international travel guidebooks.

• Map Location: Google Map Link
• GPS Coordinates: 7.126456, 99.997040

Sun Flower Garden / Khao Thanan

The Sun Flower Garden (Khao Thanan) is just about 30 km from Pak Bara in Satun and there is no entrance fee.  The recommended months to visit here are somewhere between January to March.

• Map Location: Google Map Link
• GPS Coordinates: 7.060294, 99.691461

Central Mosque (Masjid Mambang Satul)

It is located on Satun Thani road in the municipality of Satun. Previously, Masjid Bambang was a one-storey building. Its unique three-tier roof was arranged in a pyramid shape with the smallest one on the top and the largest one at the bottom to cover the whole building. The interior was measured 13 meters both in length and width.

• Map Location: Google Map Link
• GPS Coordinates: 6.614942, 100.066059

Satun National Museum (Kuden Mansion)

Satun national museum is located in Phiman, Satun. The Exhibits and displays illustrate Satun geography, history, archaeology, ethnology and folk arts. Many visitors come here to learn about southern Thailand’s history and folk arts.

• Map Location: Google Map Link
• GPS Coordinates: 6.617510, 100.066385

Manang Viewpoint

If you enjoy a scenic road trip like me, Manang viewpoint must be on your list if you’re in Satun/Trang.

• Map Location: Google Map Link
• GPS Coordinates: 6.968690, 99.915203

Wang Saithong Waterfalls

Cascading down several levels, the limestone sedimentation has created some outstanding pools where visitors can sit and relax or splash around the water. The entrance fee is THB200 for foreigners. Check out the video below.

• Map Location: Google Map Link
• GPS Coordinates: 7.089899, 99.909820

Rawai Beach

Rawai/Rayway beach is part of phetra Islands National Park and the beach is accessible by motorcycle and car.

• Map Location: Google Map Link
• GPS Coordinates: 7.000620, 99.670659

Place To Camp (Rawai Beach)

Raway beach offers good facilities, especially for camping. There is also a place to shower and it is really safe here. This camp area is located at Rawai Beach. Check out the quick video below.

Thung Wa Town (Little Penang)

Thung Wa was one of the three original districts of Satun. The main industry at the beginning of the 20th century was pepper production. When the production declined in the 1910s, many natives moved to the farmland of La-ngu minor district, while foreign merchants left the area completely. In 1930 the government adjusted the administrative structure to the changed economic situation, making La-ngu a district and reducing Thung Wa to a minor district under La-ngu.

• Map Location: Google Map Link
• GPS Coordinates: 7.104438, 99.754831

Sungai Upeh (Thung Wa Pier)

100+ years ago, Sungai Upeh (Modern day Thung Wa) was a river port connected closely with Penang (Malaysia) Port. Some of the locals here can still speak the Malay language.

• Map Location: Google Map Link
• GPS Coordinates: 7.107407, 99.747499

Oi View Point (Thung Wa)

Ban Tha Oi View Point of Thung Wa overlooks the local house by the river.

• Map Location: Google Map Link
• GPS Coordinates: 7.122978, 99.758074

Ban Sila Beach (Pak Bara)

Close to Pak Bara, Ban Sila offers an amazing spot if you want to enjoy the sunset. This beach is located next to Nai Thon beach.

• Map Location: Google Map Link
• GPS Coordinates: 6.800135, 99.802017

Pak Bara View Point

Located close to Pak Bara pier, this viewpoint has been the icon of Pak Bara.

• Map Location: Google Map Link
• GPS Coordinates: 6.849437, 99.735991

Pak Bara Pier

The port town of Pakbara is the gateway to Ko Lipe and the islands of Ko Tarutao National park. For the vast majority of visitors, it is just the spot where they wait for their boat to get to the islands. There is also an eatery, and accommodations available in this area.

• Map Location: Google Map Link
• GPS Coordinates: 6.860400, 99.721604

CJS Satun 406 Pitstop (Pak Bara)

Cikgu Joe (left from picture) from Malaysia has been living in Satun, Thailand for more than 7 years. He has been teaching the Malay language on a voluntary basis. He is well known by overlanders as he often assists anyone involved in an accident in Thailand. Cikgu Joe also runs a tour agency called Karlisa Travel for a living and provides excellent service such as below to his customers.

• Assisting tourists within Satun
• Providing tourism packages in Satun such as Koh Lipe, Koh Bulone, Koh Khai Yao islands hopping, kayaking on Manang river.
• Providing transportation services from Wang Kelian (Malaysia-Thai) border to Pak Bara.
• Tuk Tuk service (Small taxi) for cruising around Pak Bara
• Hotels booking within Satun mainland and Koh Lipe.
• BBQ Package etc.

CJS 406 Satun is owned by Cikgu Joe’s family and it’s a one-stop centre mainly catered for tourists/overlanders. If you need to find hotels, food, island hopping packages, transportation etc, you can Contact Cikgu Joe and I am sure he will assist you. CJS 406 Center details are as per below:

• Map Location: Google Map link
• GPS Coordinates: 6.851208, 99.763995
• Cikgu Joe Contact (Whatsapp/call) +66 973513984

Do mention that you got his contact from Rider Chris so he knows you’re a genuine customer.

Bonus: Day Ride/Drive Route

If you want to do a day ride from Wang Kelian (Malaysian border), below is the recommended route but I would personally suggest you stay in Satun for 3 days so you can experience other places.

Day Ride Map: Google Map Link.

If you run into any problems whilst in Thailand and need assistance, you can contact Thailand Tourist Assistance Center.

Personally, I like Satun because it’s calm, not busy like other tourist destinations in Thailand and I must say, the sunset in Pak Bara is amazing.