Chumphon Province

Chumphon
ชุมพร
Province

Typhoon damage in Chumphon province

Seal

Map of Thailand highlighting Chumphon Province
Country  Thailand
Capital Chumphon
Government
 • Governor Karan Supphakitwilekhakan (since 2008)
Area
 • Total 6,009.0 km2 (2,320.1 sq mi)
Area rank Ranked 38th
Population (2014)
 • Total 498,294[1]
 • Rank Ranked 57th
 • Density 74/km2 (190/sq mi)
 • Density rank Ranked 59th
Time zone Thailand Standard Time (UTC+7)
ISO 3166 code TH-86

Chumphon (Thai: ชุมพร, pronounced [t͡ɕʰūm.pʰɔ̄ːn]) is one of the southern provinces (changwat) of Thailand on the Gulf of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are Prachuap Khiri Khan, Surat Thani and Ranong. To the west it also borders the Burmese province of Tanintharyi.

Geography

Chumphon is located on the Isthmus of Kra, the narrow landbridge connecting the Malay Peninsula with the mainland of Thailand. To the west are the hills of the Phuket mountain range and its northern continuation, the Tenasserim Hills, while the east is the more flat land on the coast of the Gulf of Thailand. The main river is the Lang Suan River, which originates in Phato District.

Islands

A number of small islands in the Gulf of Thailand form the Chumphon Archipelago including

Beaches

Caves

History

The southern part of the province was originally a separate province named Lang Suan. It was incorporated into Chumphon in 1932.[2]

In November 1989 the typhoon Gay hit the province hard - 529 people were killed, 160,000 became homeless, 7,130 km2 (2,753 sq mi) of farm land was destroyed. Gay is the only tropical storm on record which reached Thailand with typhoon wind strength.

Etymology

There are two different theories on the origin of the name Chumphon. According to one, it originates from Chumnumporn (lit. accumulation of forces) which derives from the fact that Chumphon was a frontier city. Another theory claims the name derives from a local tree named Maduea Chumphon (มะเดื่อชุมพร, Ficus glomerata), found abundant in the province. This tree is therefore also depicted in the seal of the province.[3]

Symbols

The provincial seal shows an angel giving blessings to the people standing between two Cluster Fig trees (Ficus glomerata), which is also the provincial tree. The provincial flower is the Indian shot (Canna indica), and the finger banana is another provincial symbol.

Administrative divisions

Chumphon is subdivided into 8 districts (amphoe). These are further subdivided into 70 subdistricts (tambon) and 674 villages (muban). Chumphon and Lang Suan are the two towns (thesaban mueang), there are further 12 subdistrict municipalities (thesaban tambon).

  1. Mueang Chumphon
  2. Tha Sae
  3. Pathio
  4. Lang Suan
  1. Lamae
  2. Phato
  3. Sawi
  4. Thung Tako

Climate

Climate data for Chumphon (1981–2010)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) 30.9
(87.6)		 32.1
(89.8)		 33.4
(92.1)		 34.5
(94.1)		 33.3
(91.9)		 32.3
(90.1)		 31.9
(89.4)		 31.6
(88.9)		 31.6
(88.9)		 31.2
(88.2)		 30.3
(86.5)		 30.1
(86.2)		 31.93
(89.48)
Average low °C (°F) 21.4
(70.5)		 22.2
(72)		 23.3
(73.9)		 24.5
(76.1)		 24.7
(76.5)		 24.6
(76.3)		 24.3
(75.7)		 24.3
(75.7)		 24.1
(75.4)		 23.7
(74.7)		 23.0
(73.4)		 21.4
(70.5)		 23.46
(74.23)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 59.4
(2.339)		 44.7
(1.76)		 97.2
(3.827)		 85.8
(3.378)		 190.8
(7.512)		 167.2
(6.583)		 179.0
(7.047)		 207.5
(8.169)		 178.3
(7.02)		 251.6
(9.906)		 287.9
(11.335)		 123.3
(4.854)		 1,872.7
(73.73)
Avg. rainy days (≥ 1 mm) 7 6 5 8 18 20 21 23 19 20 16 9 172
Average relative humidity (%) 81 79 78 78 82 81 82 82 83 85 84 80 81.3
Source: Thai Meteorological Department (Normal 1981-2010), (Avg. rainy days 1961-1990)

Tourism

Transport Air Chumphon Airport is 30 km north of Chumphon City in Pathio District (alternative spelling Pathiu). It has direct daily flights connections with Bangkok's Don Meueng Airport (DMK). Flights from Bangkok are around 60 minutes. The airport is 1 km from Ao Bo Mao Beach Pathio near Cape Pathiu.

Airlines serving Chumphon Airport, Pathio - Nok Air operates three daily flights between Bangkok (Don Muang, DMK) and Chumphon Airport, Pathio District, Chumphon (CJM). The airport has transit agents for onward travel to Chumphon and the islands of the a Gulf of Thailand including Ko Tao, Ko Pha Ngan, and Ko Samui. The TAT Tourism Authority of Thailand, has a tourism information at the airport.

Sights

National Parks

Tham Thip Prida (ถ้ำทิพย์ปรีดา) A rocky mountain with about 40 caves, some which contain pools.

Khao Chao Mueang (เขาเจ้าเมือง) - The district’s highest observation point offering panoramic views of the coast and far out into the Chumphon Archipelago.

Khao Phang Forest Park (วนอุทยานเขาพาง) Within the national park, there are a great variety of tropical vegetation.

Watershed forest mountain (สัมผัสยอดเขา) Hiking trail to the top of mountain I with views of both Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand

Somdech Phra Srinagarindra Park (สวนสมเด็จพระศรีนครินทร์ฯ ) The park consists of a hill and rivers.There is also a monument to the present King's mother.

Namtok Thap Chang (น้ำตกทับช้าง) A beautiful waterfall in Khlong Phrao National Park.

Hin Chang Spirit House (ศาลเจ้าพ่อตาหินช้าง) Between kilometers 453 and 454 on the Phetchakasem highway in Mu. 2 Tambon Salui, a spirit house was installed for the revered god of the stone elephant image.

Wats and temples

Wat Chao Fa Sala Loi (วัดเจ้าฟ้าศาลาลอย)

History

Wat Chao Fa Sala Loi is a famous temple that has a very long history. This temple was respected by the people of Chumpon. Foreign tourists like to travel at this temple because of beauty, shadiness and not far from the city. Wat Chao Fa Sala Loi is proverbial in Chumpon because it has a high rank monk who has sacred speech. There are a lot of story about his sacred and he known as “Luang Pu Song”. When he died his corpse will not decay and a hundred of turtle will come to adore. Moreover, there is a big pine tree which is the birthplace of Buddha in the area of the temple.

Luang Pu Song Luang Pu Song was born on 30 April 1889. He enters the monkhood for learning about meditation until he becomes expert. Then, he has a trip in the jungle at Melayu and Myanmar frontier for ten years until him success his subject. He comes back for pilgrimage and food offering to a monk. Luang Pu Song is the name that city people call him with respect. He died on 2 August 1983. Nowadays, his corpse is placing for everyone to worship.

Travelling Wat Chao Fa Sala Loi is far from municipality around 8 kilometers, tourists can travel by using Chumpon Ao Thung Wua Laen route. Driving on the main road for 6 kilometers and brick road for 2 kilometers will reach this temple.

Wat Tha Kwan Mueang (วัดท่าควนเมือง) A temple perched on top of a limestone hill with a commanding view.

Wat Phra Thart Sawi (วัดพระธาตุสวี) A temple next to Sawi River stands a shrine know locally as “San Phra Suea Mueang”

Other Sites The National Museum of Chumphon (พิพิธภัณฑสถานแห่งชาติชุมพร) Established in 1995 at Khao Samkaew, the museum provides an overview of province.

Namtok Heo Lom (น้ำตกเหวโหลม) Scenic water falls.

Por Ta Chongdong Summit (ยอดเขาพ่อตาโชงโดง) about 1,000 meters high, This summit is a sunset viewpoint of Andaman sea.

Por Ta Mangkre Summit (ยอดเขาพ่อตามังเคร)

Khao Thung-Klong Pi waterfall (เขาทุ่ง-น้ำตกคลองปิ) The main waterway of Lang Suan river and Khlong Pi waterfall.

Haew Ta Jan-Haew Phlu Nang waterfall (น้ำตกเหวตาจันทร์-น้ำตกเหวพลูหนัง)

Tourist activities

Snorkeling and Diving (ดำน้ำชมปะการัง) There are 44 islands.

Hiking trail and white water rafting in Phato (เดินป่าและล่องแพ อำเภอพะโต๊ะ)

Fireflies Sightseeing (ล่องเรือชมหิ่งห้อย)The both side of Thatapao River. Ar sundown from the day the river is covered with the fireflies which live on the Lamphu tree and other trees along the river.

Bird Watching (ดูนก) A wide range of birds are live in the mangrove forest and also migrational birds pass this coastline from Thailand to Malaysia, Indonesia or Singapore. A Raptor Watching Festival (เทศกาลดูเหยี่ยวอพยพ) is held in Pathio each October.

Visit Fruit Garden (เยี่ยมชมสวนผลไม้) A variety of tropical fruit gardens, Such as orange (Cho-gun), Papaya, Mangoesteen, Durian, Dragon fruits, and orchid flower garden.

Culture

Festivals

Phato Rafting (งานเทศกาลล่องแพพะโต๊ะ)Held during February to April. Highlights include competitions’ mini-marathon race and rafting.

Lang Suan’s Fruit Fair (งานวันผลไม้เมืองหลังสวน)This fair is organized annually around August. The fruit market here exhibits a variety of fruits and there is a fruits contest.

Traditional Boats Procession and Boat Race (งานประเพณีแห่พระแข่งเรือ)Originally, this event began in King Rama III’s period around 1844. The festival, commencing annually in October, comprises boats beautifully decorated and carrying Buddha images from various temples.

Celebration in Honouring Prince of Chumphon Shrine (งานเทิดพระเกียรติ กรมหลวงชุมพรเขตรอุดมศักดิ์)'Held annually during December 19-25th, honours the Father of the Royal Thai Navy, Admiral Krom Luang Chumphon Khet Udomsak, whose life and work has been exhibited in this fair.

Chumphon Sea-World Fair (งานเปิดโลกทะเลชุมพร)The Fair is to promote local incomes and tourism as well as to conserve the natural resources of Chumphon. It is annually held in March at Hat Sai Ri. The activities include a fishing competition, exhibition and contest of pictures of related interesting places as well as mini marathon racing contest etc.

Chumphon King’s and Princess’cups boats race (งานแข่งเรือยาวชิงถ้วยพระราชทานพระบาทสมเด็จพระเจ้าอยู่หัวและสมเด็จพระเทพรัตนราชสุดาฯ สยามบรมราชกุมารี) Held annually on August at the Khlong Hua Wang-Phanang Tak, Tambon Na Cha-ang around Nong-Yai area. Boats competing the race for the King’s and the Princess’s cups are beautifully decorated and are from different parts of the country.

References

  1. ↑ "Population of the Kingdom" (PDF). Department of Provincial Affairs (DOPA) Thailand (in Thai). 2014-12-31. Retrieved 19 Mar 2015.
  2. ↑ พระบรมราชโองการ ประกาศ ยุบรวมท้องที่บางมณฑลและบางจังหวัด (PDF). Royal Gazette (in Thai) 48 (0 ก): 576–578. February 21, 1932.
  3. ↑ Chumporn Travel Guide Information Archived August 20, 2007 at the Wayback Machine

External links

Tanintharyi Region,  Myanmar Prachuap Khiri Khan Province
Ranong Province Gulf of Thailand
   Chumphon Province  
Surat Thani Province
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Chumphon.

Coordinates: 10°29′34″N 99°10′45″E / 10.49278°N 99.17917°E