Chumphon

Chumphon (ชุมพร) is a city and a province of the same name on the Central Gulf Coast of Southern Thailand. With its transport hub of Chumphon Airport in Pathio District, Chumphon is the gateway to the south and the islands of the Gulf of Thailand.

Understand
Chumphon Province is in the upper part of Southern Thailand. The province is symbolised by the Banyan tree often referred to as sacred in both Hindu and Buddhist teachings. It is a gateway to the popular Gulf of Thailand islands of Ko Samui, Ko Phangan, Ko Tao, and Ko Khai. In particular, taking the ferry from Chumphon is the fastest way to get to Ko Tao.

Get in
The public bus service operates from two terminals. The main one is some 10 km out of town, and buses from Bangkok and most other places stop there. The other terminal is in town, and buses from there go to and from Hat Yai/Phuket/Ranong only. They stop at the distant terminal both coming and going. There is another bus terminal in town that goes to Bangkok. It's called Chok Anan tour and it's near the fresh market, opposite the 7-Eleven and just by the DIY store.

The railway station is in the centre of Chumphon town or travelers may wish to alight at Pathio station 30 km north of Chumphon if they are headed to the airport, which is only 7 km away.

Various ferry companies operate ferries to, or within reach of Chumphon, and/or a bus service into the centre of town. For those in the gulf islands wishing to return to Bangkok, Chumphon is much more direct than returning via Surat Thani.

By plane


AirAsia and Nok Air operates multiple flights between Bangkok (Don Mueang, DMK) and Chumphon Airport, Pathio District, Chumphon (CJM).

Airport services
The airport has transit agents for onward travel to Chumphon and the islands including Ko Tao and Ko Samui.


 * Organic Farm produce from Prince Chumphon KMITL University.
 * Chumphon Coffee and Gift Shop adjacent to departure gates offers lattes, cappuccino, and fruit smoothies.
 * Fame Tours and Services have a counter at arrivals hall offering transfer and hotel services.
 * Lomprayah has a counter at the airport offering direct connections to the pier for high speed catamaran transfer services Ko Tao, Ko Phangan and onwards to Ko Samui. Songserm no longer operates ferries from Chumphon. Since the airport is north of Chumphon town, and the pier is south of town at Thung Nakham Noi, this journey is 60 km and takes around 1 hour.
 * The TAT (Tourism Authority of Thailand) has a tourism information counter offering information on the region adjacent to the airline counters.

By bicycle
There are many smaller roads with little traffic north and south of Chumphon. The coastal road in Pathio District has dedicated bicycle lanes in a unique red bitumen. Chumphon has a bicycle shops where most parts and repairs can be made.

By car
From Bangkok, take either the Phutthamonthon-Nakhon Pathom-Phetchaburi route or the Thonburi-Pak Tho route (Hwy 35) then turn onto Hwy 4 (Phetkasem Rd) at Pak Tho, passing through Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan Provinces before arriving at the Pathom Phon intersection. Take the left turn to go another 8 km into Chumphon via Hwy 4001.

By bus
The Transport Co. Ltd. provides air conditioned buses from Bangkok’s Southern Bus Terminal, Borom Ratchonni Rd to Chumphon daily. For information, call Tel. +66 24 355605, +66 24 351199. For Chumphon’s Bus Terminal, Tha Taphao Rd, contact Tel. +66 77 502725, +66 77 511099.

Air conditioned buses from private operators:
 * Chok Anant Tour Co., Ltd. Tel. +66 2 4355027, +66 2 4357429 (Bangkok), and Tel. +66 77 511480, +66 77 511757 (Chumphon)
 * Suwannathi Tour Co., Ltd. Tel. +66 2 4355021, +66 2 4355026, +66 2 4355030 (Bangkok), and Tel. +66 77 51 1422, +66 77 501535, +66 77 511244 (Chumphon)

To get to and from these four bus terminals: a) The distant one: Several kilometres out of town in the middle of nowhere! This is the Southern Bus Terminal. Buses from Chokeanan Tour and Patchraporn Tour stop off in here, 16 km from Chumphon city, south along Hwy 41. To get into town from here, wait for a silver coloured minibus to turn up (ask at the bus station), and you will be taken into town for 50 baht, and dropped off any place you request.

You could also hire a taxi or, the cheapest option: turn left from Saladaeng Rd onto Prachauthit Rd and walk about 300 m. On the right is a 7-Eleven and on the left is the in-town bus station. Continue another 200 m to the intersection of Pinijkadee Rd on the right and walk along this for about 100 m. On the other side of the road are white songthaews which go regularly and stop at the bus station. Cost: 50 baht.

b) The bus terminal in-town: walk along Saladaeng Rd, away from the railway station road, with the Fame Guest House on your left, for about 300 m. Turn left into Prachauthid Rd and walk some 300 m and you will see a 7-Eleven on your right and a street opposite. On this street, which curves sharply left, there is a Yamaha dealer near the corner, and the bus terminal is immediately next to this. [This isn't in-town bus terminal as such doesn't exist This is Chok-Anant private station and Suwanathi Tour uses other place in-town]

c) The minibus terminal: This is on Krum Liang Rd (the cheap eats road, at the left end of which is the railway station). Turn right onto it off Saladeng Rd and walk about five minutes, looking up to your right. You will eventually see up an alley a series of minibuses which go regularly to Surat Thani and Hua Hin (every 45 minutes, these stop at Prachuat first). Allow 4 hours to get to Hua Hin as you have to change in Prachuap. Fares to Prachuap, 170 baht, and then on to Hua Hin, another 90 baht.

By train
The State Railway of Thailand provides daily rapid and express train services departing from Bangkok’s Aphiwat Railway Station. Further information, call Tel. 1690, +66 2 2204334, +66 2 2204444 or Chumphon Railway Station at Tel +66 77 511103. For the Thonburi Railway Station (Bangkok Noi), there are ordinary and rapid trains leaving for Chumphon daily. For information, call Tel +66 2 4113102, +66 2 6218701 Ext. 8285106.

Passengers may travel to either Chumphon Station or Pathio Station. Pathio Station is only 15 minutes by taxi to the airport and is the fast-developing transport hub.

If coming from Hua Hin: the fare for the basic non-air conditioned train will cost 49 baht and take about 5 hours. An air conditioned two-carriage train leaves a little earlier and is much quicker but must be booked in advance. Train leaves at 11:30 (there are others though).

There is a 3rd class train from Chumphon to Hatyai via Surat Thani every day at 6am. The fare to Hatyai is 99 baht.

Get around
Local public buses (Route: Chumphon–Sawi–Lang Suan) park in front of the Chumphon market, Tha Taphao Rd from 06:00-18:00.

Motorbike taxis at railway station Taxis are available at the taxi stand which is opposite the Chumphon Bus Terminal. This is the terminal in town. From here buses go to Ranong, then Phuket (08:00, 10:00, 11:15). Pay on the bus. To Ranong 2.5 hours, and Phuket 7-8 hours. The bus goes first to the distant (10 km) terminal.

There are local songthaews but you need local knowledge as to where they are going. White and maybe red ones appear to go at some point to the distant bus terminal.

To orient yourself within the town: The railway station is on Krum Liang Rd. If arriving via train, leave via the ticket office onto the road and walk past the three old steam locomotives mounted on display. After 200 m is the intersection with Saladaeng Rd. Directly ahead on this same road is where the cheap eats are. Turn right into Saladaeng and this appears to be the main hotel strip. You will soon pass the Fame Guesthouse on your left, followed by Sri Chumpon (right), Suriwong (right) and Paradorn (left some 100 m along Soi 4).

See

 * Nationalmuseum Chumphon.jpg

Eat
Pathio Beaches



Chumphon Town



Go next

 * Ko Tao - Known as the best diving site in the Gulf of Thailand, its turquoise water is crystalline, coconut plantations cover much of the landscape, and many beaches are easily accessible by paved road.


 * There are several transportation options from Chumphon:


 * Ko Charoen Car Ferry - Boat leaves from Tha Yang Pier M W F at 23:00 and arrives Ko Tao at 05:00. From Ko Tao, a boat departs for Chumphon on Tu Th Sa. It arrives Tha Yang Pier at 05:00. The fare is 400 baht. For information, contact tel. +66 77 580030, +66 81 7970276.


 * Lomphraya Ferry - Boat leaves from Ao Thung Makham Noi Pier at 07:00 and 13:00 and arrives Ko Tao at 08:45 and 14:45. From Ko Tao boat departs for Ao Thung Makham Noi Pier at 22:00 and 15:00. It arrives at 23:30 and 16:30. The fare is 750 baht.