By train

The State Railway of Thailand provides daily rapid and express train services departing from Bangkok’s Hualamphong Railway Station.For the Thonburi Railway Station (Bangkok Noi), there are ordinary and rapid trains leaving for Chumphon daily. If coming from Hua Hin - the train fare on the basic non aircon train will cost B49 and take about 5 hours. An aircon two carriage train leaves a little earlier and is much quicker but must be booked in advance. Train leaves at 11.30am (there are others though).

By car

From Bangkok, take either Phutthamonthon-Nakhon Pathom-Phetchaburi route or Thonburi-Pak Tho route (Highway 35) then turn onto Highway 4 (Phetkasem) at Amphoe Pak Tho passing through Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan Provinces before arriving at Pathom Phon Intersection. Take the left turn to go into Mueang Chumphon by Highway 4001 for another 8 kilometers.

By bus

To get to and from these two bus terminals:

a) The distant one: This is several Km out of town in the middle of nowhere! To get into town from here the Writer has noted a white songteow sitting across the road and he wants B250 (as at Nov 2010) to take you into town, irrespective of passenger numbers.

b) The bus terminal inside town: Walk along Saladaeng Rd, away from the railway station road, with the Fame guesthouse on your left, for about 300 metres. Turn left into Prachauthid Rd and walk some 300 metres and you will see a 711 on your right and a street opposite. In this street, which curves sharply left, there is a Yamaha dealer near the corner, and the bus terminal is immediately next to this.

The National Museum, Khao Phang Forest Park, Wat Chao Fa Sala Loi, Tham Rap Ro, Hat Thung Wua Laen

The National Museum

The National Museum of Chumphon was Established in 1995 at Khao Samkaew, the museum provides an overview of province, ranging from prehistory through to the present. Even for those who are not overly interested in history, the museum’s attractive displays and media resources will fascinate and inform. The museum is divided into ground floor and the upper floor, and is open to the public from Wednesday to Sunday 9AM–4PM.

Khao Phang Forest Park

Khao Phang Forest Park About 12 km south of the town, about km. 493 along highway 4. Khao Phang Forest Park is one of the province’s newest attractions. Within the national park, there are a great variety of tropical trees, making the park a shady and restful sojourn for nature lovers and a must for students of forestry. A hill, covering an area of about one square kilometer, is located behind the park providing a commanding view of the entire area.

Wat Chao Fa Sala Loi

This temple is about 8 km from the town municipal area on the Chumphon–Ao Thung Wua Laen Road. To get there travel along an asphalt road for 6 km. and continue the journey along a brick road for another 2 km. At this temple lived Luang Pho Song Chanthasaro, a famous religious teacher who passed away at the age of nearly 100 years and his body still remains undecayed. This monk is revered by the people of Chumphon and nearby provinces.
    
Tham Rap Ro

Located in Tambon Tha Kham about 15 kilometers (9 mi). from the Pathomphon intersection. This foothill temple cave actually consists of two adjacent caves, Ai Tay and Sai, which are both, according to legend, purported to contain hidden treasure, The Ai Tay Cave houses an old Buddha image known affectionately as Luang Pho Lak Mueang, or the town god’s revered grandfather. The caves are further adorned with stunning stalagmites and stalactites.

Hat Thung Wua Laen

Hat Thung Wua Laen is perhaps Chumphon’s most popular beach. Both native swimmers and experts will enjoy this beach as its fine white sands slope gently into the sea. Sea fans, marine flowers sponges and a tremendous variety of reef fish make the scenery

February - May

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