Gateway to the South
Considered the gateway to the south, Chumphon is often overlooked by tourists who are heading to its neighboring provinces such as Surat Thani, Phang-nga and Phuket. However, Chumphon has a number of natural attributes of interest ranging from high mountain ranges, mangrove forests, offshore islands and fertile coral reefs - especially those found in Chumphon Marine National Park. In addition it has been recently known among international divers as a gateway to Koh Tao. Indeed, touring Chumphon presents a variety of interesting attractions from temples and caves to river rafting and diving.
Geography and weather
Located 463 km south of Bangkok, Chumphon is bordered by a mountain range and the province of Ranong and part of the Thai-Burma border to the west, the Gulf of Thailand to the east, Prachuap Khiri Khan province to the north, and Surat Thani province to the south. Chumphon is vulnerable to monsoonal rains from the Gulf. There are two distinct seasons: the rainy season from June until January, and summer from February to May. The three rivers of Taphao, Chumphon and Lang Suan bring regular, year-round flows of water to Chumphon.
History
Information contained in the “Three Emblems Law” (Kod Mai Tra Sam Duang), during the reign of King Borommatrilokanad of the Ayutthaya Kingdom (15th century), indicates Chumphon to be 600 years old. There are virtually no ancient places of interest in Chumphon or items of antiquity, maybe due to the sparseness of land and the fact the relatively narrow land mass of the Isthmus of Kra was often the scene of battles, making the area unsuitable for development. A target of enemies since the Ayutthaya Period, this area is a focal point for armed forces to congregate and pray for victory in a sacred ceremony before going to war. Here, where armies receive blessings, lies the source of the name “Chum Num Phon” (“chum” means to assemble, “phon” means blessing). Later, Chum Num Phon was changed to Chumphon. During World War II, on December 8, 1941, Japanese troops amassed at the entrance to the river at Chumphon and launched an attack on Tha Nang Sang Bridge. Local residents and young Thai soldiers fought back courageously; an act commemorated in Chumphon to the present day.
