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Gateway to the
South
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If
you are visiting Thailand you should not miss to
explore the South. It is in Southern Thailand that you
will find Nature at its best: big and small islands,
white sands beaches, coral reefs, Rain Forest, caves,
waterfalls.
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| Well
known are the big islands: Puket, Samui, Koh Tao. Less
known are the myriad of small and very small islands
just off the cost: they are mostly deserted, unspoiled
and rich of corals, fish and beauty. |
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Some of them have
beaches where it is possible to camp, sunbathe or just relax
in complete freedom. Along the cost of Chumphon Province alone,
there are about 50 of those small islands. It is a Paradise
for divers and Nature lovers.If it is forest you are looking
for, the South is the only part of Thailand where you can find
Rain Forest: huge trees, flowers and still many animals. You
can find and explore the Rain Forest especially in the
provinces of Chumphon, Ranong and Surat Thani.
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| To visit Thailand the
natural starting point is Bangkok. If you want to visit the
South, the natural starting point is Chumphon. It is easy to
get there from Bangkok: just one hour by plane, about six
hours by car or by bus, just a bit more by train. |
Once you are
in Chumphon the adventure begins: you can start your
exploration of the South. Chumphon, in spite of
being a very popular destination for Thai tourists,
is still little known to the foreign ones that
consider the town just a starting point to the
island of Koh Tao. 
Chumphon is well worth a few days visiting: some of
the most beautiful beaches in the country can be
found there, some of them are completely deserted,
while some of them are fully serviced with resorts,
restaurants and entertainment. Diving and snorkeling
is possible in the many islands just off the cost
and, even if the service is still not as well
organized as in other more famous places, the beauty
and the variety of the snorkeling and diving sites
is really unique.
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| Just a few kilometers
from town you will find caves with stunningly beautiful
formations. They are not very big and easy to reach. You can
just rent a motorbike and go there by yourself or join one of
the daily tours organized by many tour companies in town. One
company even organizes introduction to caving tours: you can
spend two days visiting caves, crawling, climbing, rappelling
and relaxing in one of the most beautiful environments Nature
can offer. |
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| The tropical
rain forest is also not far. Even if it would be
difficult for you to go there by yourself, tours are
organized regularly with departure from town. Jungle
trekking here is in real jungle: Primary and Secondary
Rain Forest. You can go for one day or for more. White
waters rafting is also organized in the District of
Patho. If you like rafting you can do it in just a one-day
trip. There are many beautiful waterfalls in the
Province: many of them are in the jungle and going and
bathing there gives you the feeling of being in a
movie. |
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The town seems a
little quiet at first view, but it is not really so. Nighttime
entertainment includes 4 discotheques and many pubs with live
music. There is even a blues bar where a jazz band performs
live every night.
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| Accommodation is
available for every pocket: from very cheap guesthouses to
hotels with every comfort. |
| When you are finished
with Chumphon, it is easy to go on to visit the South. Boats
and speedboats leave every day to Koh Tao. Ranong and Surat
Thani are just two hours away. Even the Deep South, at the
border with Malaysia is not more than a day away. |
| That is why Chumphon
is called the Gateway to the South. Just knock and enter: you
are welcome. |
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