Satun

Understand

Satun is only a few kilometres from the Andaman coast but a whopping 940 km from Bangkok. Although a majority-Malay Muslim town, Satun has largely escaped the strife that plagues some of the neighbouring provinces such as Narathiwat, Yala and Pattani. Satun is a safe and very friendly place to visit. Satun had a population of 24,000 in 2020. The dialect of Malay spoken here is different from that spoken in the other southern Thai provinces, and is instead similar to the Kedah dialect of Malay. Satun is also the name of the province. When looking for transport to Satun, ensure you are booking tickets to Satun town, and not another place in Satun province.

Getting there

By plane The nearest airport is at Hat Yai, about 100 km away. From there, take a minivan, bus, or taxi to Satun.

By train Nearest train stations to Satun town are in Hat Yai (100 km away) or Trang (160 km away).

By bus

From Malaysia Express buses to Kangar, Malaysia leave hourly from Butterworth (RM10.40, 2 hr 15 min). Then, head to Kangar city bus terminal from express bus terminal and take Mara Liner's Kuala Perlis bound bus (RM1.50, 35 min) to the jetty. This kind of city-bound bus departure is infrequent and it is always good to plan ahead. The approximate departure times are 11:45, 13:15, 14:45, and 16:45. The journey can only to be continued with longtail boat from Kuala Perlis's Lembaga Kemajuan Ikan Malaysia (LKIM) jetty, which is about 200 m further from the Langkawi-bound jetty. (See notes below, 2024) Upon reaching Satun Tammalang pier, take red songthaew to Satun (35 baht, 10 min). The songthaew is most probably available when ferry arrives. If you are stuck awaiting a songthaew, a motorcycle taxi is another option, although is more costly (60 baht). From Bangkok Overnight buses leave from Bangkok's Southern Terminal (Sai Tai Mai) to Satun town. These buses are run by Sri Suthep Tour, take about 16.5 hours and cost around 800 baht. The Transport Co. also run overnight buses from Bangkok's Mo Chit bus terminal to Satun town, taking 17.5 hours and also costing 800 baht.

By car To travel by car from Malaysia, first take the road from Kangar towards Padang Besar and take a left turn towards Wang Kelian, approximately 8 km, before reaching Padang Besar. Pass the border checkpoints of Wang Kelian on the Malaysian side and of Wan Pra Chan on the Thai side. You may want to stop at the morning market at the border area for some fresh fruit and vegetables. Drive past some scenic mountains on the way to Khuang Don and take a left turn towards Satun. On the way you will pass by the town of Chalung. The trip from the border check points takes about 90

Getting around

Like elsewhere in Thailand, Songthaews ply fixed routes throughout Satun town.

See

Sights

Satun Central Mosque or Mambang Mosque (มัสยิดกลางจังหวัดสตูลหรือมัสยิดมำบัง) The mosque has modern architecture. Its white building is decorated with glazed tiles, marble, and glass. Satun National Museum – Kuden Mansion / Istana Tengku Kudin of Kedah (พิพิธภัณฑสถานแห่งชาติสตูล – คฤหาสน์กูเด็น) During 1997–2000, the Fine Arts Department rebuilt the Kuden Mansion into a Western two-storey brick building. Its Thai-styled hip-roof is covered with Spanish terra cotta roof tiles. The top of the pediment is adorned with a star-shaped vent in accordance with Islamic architecture. Khao To Phaya Wang Public Park (สวนสาธารณะเขาโต๊ะพญาวัง) Wat Chanathip Chaloem (วัดชนาธิปเฉลิม) The first Buddhist temple in the town of Satun. It is a Thai-styled two-storey building. The first storey is a brick building used as a preaching hall. The second storey is a wooden building for religious practice by Buddhist monks. Laem Tanyong Po and Hat Sai Yao (แหลมตันหยงโปและหาดทรายยาว) A cape jutting into the Andaman Sea where there is a fishing village. Its long sandy beach is fringed with coconut trees and fisher's houses. Tarutao National Park (อุทยานแห่งชาติตะรุเตา) The first marine national park of Thailand. The area was declared a national park on 19 April 1974, and an ASEAN Heritage Park and Reserve by UNESCO in 1982.

Ko Tarutao (เกาะตะรุเตา) The largest island of the park, covering an area of 152 km2. Mountains with moist evergreen forest predominate, with interesting species of plants and wildlife. There is a mangrove forest. There are many bays, both small and large, with beautiful beaches. Attractions on Ko Tarutao: Ao Phante Melaka (อ่าวพันเตมะละกา) A bay with a clean long white beach. The headquarters of Tarutao National Park is here. Ao Chak (อ่าวจาก) This small bay is next to Ao Phante Melaka. Ao Mo Lae (อ่าวเมาะและ) A bay with a clean white sandy beach. Ao Son (อ่าวสน) This curve-shaped bay has sandy beaches which are interspersed with rocky beaches. It is also an eg

Do

International Kite Festival Held every year around February at the Satun Airport, around 4 km (2.5 mi) from the town of Satun. Tarutao – Adang Fishing Club Fair Held every year around March. Satun Marine Tourism Festival Held around December to mark the start of the marine tourism season in Satun. Boat Floating Tradition Observed by Chao Le or sea dwellers at Ko Lipe in Satun around the middle of the sixth and eleventh lunar months of every year. It is intended to dispel bad luck, as well as to call on spirits for bountiful fishing. There is not much excitement in the predominantly Muslim town of Satun. Most visitors head for Tarutao National Park (a group of beautiful islands about 2 hours by ferry from the jetty of Tammalang). Tammalang is the southern gateway to Satun (by ferry from Langkawi or from Kuala Perlis). From Tammalang, the ferry sails to the island of Ko Lipe at 12:30 and takes about three hours. To Ko Tarutao departs at 10:00, arriving at 16:00 (varies, the ferry may turn up at 17:00 or 18:00). Check out island activities at the local tour agent at the Tammalang jetty. After booking your tour, you may want to head back to Satun to stay the night. While in Satun, walk around to discover its quaint attractions and enjoy the local food. Local food includes spicy Thai food, Chinese-style fare, and Malaysian-influenced cooking of roti canai. There are a few pubs along the main town street. The only disco in town is about 3 km from the town centre. Wake up early and try to jog around the Monkey Park. It's just at the back of Phiman School and you will see a rocky mountain and a river besides it. You can circumnavigate this mountain by motorbike or by car as they have built concrete roads here and you will be amazed by the population of tamed monkeys here because they are used to the locals feeding them. Remember to bring some fruits and snacks, but the monkeys now prefer snacks, And be attentive to your belongings and the monkeys are prone to snatch them.

Eat

Restaurants don't seem to have prominent signage or branding. As such it is difficult to label one better than another. Fortunately most of the food is good Thai food with a noticeable lack of Western franchises such as McDonald's or Starbucks. Don't be afraid