About Satun
Satun is a city on the southern Andaman coast and the gateway to Thailand's southern islands, such as Ko Tarutao and Ko Lipe. The town itself is small and quiet, with a Malay-Thai character and a significant Muslim community. In the Monkey Park behind the Phiman school you can jog in the morning past a rocky hill and a river. The Mambang Mosque is a well-known building. In the surroundings lie caves, jungle and waterfalls, including in Thale Ban National Park. The Malaysian border is close by. Mostly travellers heading to the islands pass through. The sea is rough from May to October, and ferries to the islands do not always run then. Hat Yai, with its airport, lies about 120 km northeast of Satun. From there buses and minibuses run to the town and to the pier at Pak Bara.
Best time to visit (indicative)
Best from November to April: dry, sunny and calm seas. September and October are the wettest months; from May to October the sea is often rough and some boat trips do not run. From May to October the sea is rough and ferries to the islands do not always run. Weather varies from year to year; this is a guideline based on the climate.
Getting there
From Hat Yai by bus or minivan (about 2 hours); the pier at Pak Bara lies about 60 km further on the coast. Distances and travel times are rounded estimates.
Things to do in Satun
- Monkey Park A park with a rocky hill and a river, good for a morning walk.
- Mambang Mosque A well-known building in the town centre.
- Thale Ban National Park A park with jungle and waterfalls, close to the border.
- Gateway to Ko Tarutao and Ko Lipe Boats to the southern islands depart from the region.
