Narathiwat is one of Thailand's most southern provinces, some 1150 kilometers south of Bangkok. The province, covers a area of of 4,475 Square Kilometers, divided into 12 districts (Amphoe) its neighboring provinces are Yala and Pattani. To the south it borders the Malaysian state of Kelantan.

The province is located on the shore of the Gulf of Thailand on the Malay Peninsula. Bang Nara River is the main river of the province, which opens into the Gulf of Thailand at Narathiwat, near the river estuary is the Narathat beach.

Hat Narathat is a clean white sand beach about 5 kilometers long. It ends at a the mouth of Bang Nara River where the annual Kolae boat races are held. The rows of pines give the area a refreshing shade, locals like to come here to unwind. There are many fishing villages along the riverbank and the bay is full of Kolae boats.

Narathiwat is one of the four Thai provinces which have a Muslim majority, 82% are Muslim, and speak, the Patani Malaysian language. Narathiwat Malaysians are similar in ethnicity and culture to the Malaysians of Kelantan, Malaysia.

The Central Mosque of Narathiwat (Yumiya Mosque or Rayo Mosque) is located 1 kilometer outside the town. It was built in 1981 a three storied Arabian Style building with a high minaret tower, replacing the old wooden mosque built in 1938.

Sungai Kolok is the largest border trading area in the province and the second most important town of Narathiwat Province, bordering directly with Malaysia.

Sungai Kolok, a shopping town for Malaysians who come for consumer goods and enjoy seafood in Thai restaurants because of cheaper prices, Thais make their trips to the Malaysian sister town of Sungai Kolok to shop for items more expensive in Thailand.

The Harmony Bridge across the Golok River connects Sungai Kolok with the Malaysian town of Rantau, Panjang. The Thai border checkpoint is about 1 kilometer from the railway station.

The Malaysian immigration checkpoint is just across the bridge, and can be easily walked, in Malaysia, you can catch a bus or taxi to Kota Bharu or Pasir Mas where you can catch trains to Kuala Lumpur or Singapore.

Budo Su-Ngai Padi National Park is located within the Sankalakhiri mountain range, and covers a total area of 294 square kilometers which includes parts of Yala and Pattani province. The main attraction in the park is the Pacho Waterfall.

National Parks Thailand

Both Rapid and Express Trains depart from Hua Lamphong Station Bangkok to Sungai Kolok at 12:35pm. and 2:00pm. They are scheduled to arrive at 8:35am. and 9:45 am. respectively. Minibuses are available at the station to most destinations in the Narathiwat province, the journey to Narathiwat town takes about a hour.

VIP Air Conditioned Buses, regular and non air conditioned buses depart from Bangkok's Southern Bus Terminal daily to Narathiwat the journey takes about 16 hours.

Air, Rail and Bus Time Tables

Narathiwat - Sungai Kolok has a reasonable selection of Mid Range Hotels, Budget hotels and guesthouses, offering both fan cooled and air conditioned rooms.