Chumphon

With 200 kilometers of coastline, Chumphon features many beautiful and desolate beaches as well as some of the best diving and snorkeling on the gulf coast.

 

Chumphon province is located half way down the Isthmus of Kra, the narrow body of land flanked by Andaman Sea on the west and the Gulf of Thailand on the East; western Chumphon borders Myanmar, while the east of the province consist of more than 200 kilometers of coastline with numerous beaches that are infrequently visited by tourists. Consequently, Chumphon is an ideal destination for those who are seeking relaxation in a natural and quiet atmosphere.

 

Chumphon city, the capital of the province, is the gateway to other southern provinces as well as the islands in the Gulf of Thailand, particularly Koh Tao. While the area isn’t overrun with tourists there are still many opportunities for sunbathing, swimming, yachting, paragliding, diving, and snorkeling. 

 

Historical documents state that Chumphon was continuously inhabited by various communities since the pre-historic period, especially in the area along the banks of the Tha Taphao River. Chumphon was also one of the leading trading centers of Siam (Thailand prior to the Second World War). 

 

As a frontier city, Chumphon is believed to have derived its name from Chumnumphon, which means the accumulation of forces. Whenever there were movements of the army, the soldiers would gather their forces here in this province. Other sources argue that the name is derived from a local plant named Maduea Chumphon, which is abundant in this area. This plant has become a symbol of Chumphon Province.

 

Chumphon city, the capital of Chumphon province, is the gateway to Thailand’s southern provinces as well as the islands in the Gulf of Thailand, particularly Koh Tao. With more than 200 kilometers of coastline featuring numerous unspoiled beaches, Chumphon is an ideal destination for those who are seeking relaxation in a natural and quiet atmosphere and wish to enjoy such activities as sunbathing, swimming, yachting, paragliding, diving, and snorkeling.

 

- If you are so inclined, try some bird’s nest soup; the nests are harvested in the area.