A large fresh water area covering 200 rais, is populated with a species of plant known to the locals as "Bakong" giving a striking natural atmosphere to the place. There is also a pavilion for visitors to relax and admire the beauty of the swamp.

Bung Thale Ban is a large swamp that is situated in the middle of a valley and surrounded by Chin and Wang Pra mountains. The swamp covers an area of 320 square kilometers and is full of freshwater fish and shells. There is an abundance of Bakong trees around the swamp. The park built a pavilion beside the swamp, which is an ideal place for recreation.

How to get to Thale Ban Swamp :
Thale Ban National Park is located in Village No.11, Tambon Khuan Satore, Amphoe Khuan Don, approximately 30 kilometers from the town of Satun. It can be reached by following Highway No . 406 ( Satun - Hatyai ) from Amphoe Muang until reaching Kilometer 19, take a right turn onto Highway No. 4184 (Khuan Satore-Wang Prachan) for approximately 20 kilometers. From Haad Yai, visitors can take a public bus (Hat Yai-Satun) or a taxi, which will take about 80 kilometers. Get off at Khuan Satore T - intersection and board a minibus to the Park.

Facilities :
Thirteen cottages can accommodate 170 visitors to the park. The rates for the accommodation range from 500 - 1,000 Baht/cottage/night. There is a camping site ( campers must bring their own camping gear ), and facilities include lamps for camping, a multi-purpose pavilion, and visitors' service center.

For more information, please contact:
1. National Park Division , Forestry Department, Tel:(02) 5797223 and 5797734 or 5614922 ext 724-5
2. Thale Ban National Park Office, Amphoe K This is a large deep cave with a spacious chamber and a high celing. Before the name Tham Phuphaphet was given to it, this cave was called Tham Lod, Tham Phet and Tham Yao. The name Phuphaphet means diamond cliff. This name reflects the glittering and twinkling characteristics when light shines on stalactites and stalagmites in the cave. It is located in Mu6, Ban Pa Phon, Tambon Palm Pattana of King Amphoe Manang Tarutao is the first marine park of Thailand. It is famous for its distinguished history and natural beauty. It is located in the Andaman Sea 40 kilometres from town or 22 kilometres from Bara Pier. The park borders Mu Ko Phetra National Park in the north and the Thai-Malaysian sea border in the south. The park occupies an area of 1,490 square kilometres and comprises 51 islands. Seven large islands are Ko Tarutao , Ko Adang, Ko Rawi, Ko Li Pe , Ko Klang, Ko Ba Tuang, and Ko Bit Si. Tarutao was proclaimed a National Park on 19 April 1974 and declared by UNESCO as an ASEAN Heritage Park and Reserve in 1982. The best time to visit is from November to April. is where the headquarters of the Tarutao National Park is located. At the front of the bay runs a canal from the eastern side to the west. are the two bays which share similar natural and scenic characteristics. In addition to natural attractions and scenic beauty on the island, visitors to Tarutao are also attracted by historical remains as the island was once used as a maximum security center for first degree criminals and political prisoners, a place reminiscent of pains and bitterness suffered by the detainees. Traces of the building structures such as a 10-kilometer road linking between two detention centers (one at Ao Talo Wao and the other at Ao Talo Udang) can still be seen. There are also ruins of housing for prison staff, a concrete tank for storing fish, tombs, brick furnaces for producing charcoal, and other utensils. Ao Talo Udang is unique in that it is located on the lowest point of the island, with a long history, and the existence of a cave with much sought-after edible swallow's nests. has the most beautiful long pure sand beach in Tarutao Island. The three kilometer long beach is ideal for swimming because there is a fresh water source nearby for swimmers to clean themselves after swimming. In addition to tourist attractions on Tarutao Island, there are also plenty of places to visit on the Tarutao archipelago.

Transportation to Tarutao National Park :
There are boat services running between Pak Bara Pier and Tarutao Island twice a day during tourist season (end of November to early May). To get to Pak Bara pier, visitors can travel from Hatyai in Songkhla Province which is the main hub of southern provinces, by the following ways; Follow Highway No.406 to Satun and turn to Highway No.4078 at Chalong T-intersection to Amphoe La-ngu and proceed further to Pak Bara. Take a Hatyai-Satun bus from Hatyai. Get off at Chalong T-intersection and take a Satun-La ngu bus or take a minibus from Chalong T-intersection straight to Pak Bara Pier. There is a taxi service from Hatyai to La-ngu to Pak Bara. Taxi stand in Hatyai is opposite the post office on Rattakarn Road. A Hatyai-Pak Bara air-conditioned van service operates daily between 6.00-16.00 hrs. A van leaves every hour and the trip takes 1 hour and 50 minutes. The van stand is on Prachathipat Road.

The other alternative to get to the island is to hire a fishing boat from Che Bilang Pier which is a deep sea pier in Tambon Che Bilang 13 kilometers from the town of Satun.
Access to other islands in the archipelago depends on the season. Travelling during the southwest monsoon season is not recommend due to strong wind ans stormy weather. The best time to visit is between late December and early May.

Accommodation :
Accommodations are available on Tarutao and Adang islands. For more information contact the Marine National Park, Forestry Department tel: 0 2561 2918-21 or Tarutao National Park, Tambon Pak Nam, Amphoe La-ngu, Satun 91110 tel: 0 7478 1285 and Tarutao unit tel: 0 7472 9002-3. is located 40 kilometres from the east of Tarutao Island or 80 kilometres from town. The 30 square-kilometre island possesses beautiful sandy beaches and coral reefs. There are several small islands around Mu Ko Adang-Rawi including Ko Li Pe, Ko Dong, Ko Hin Ngam, and Kao Yang . Diving can be done around Ko Adang and Ko Rawi. The area of Ko Adang is mountainous and covered with forest and has a large waterfall where water runs all year round.

Note: There are no ATMs on the island, so make sure you bring enough cash for the time you anticipate to stay, and then double it as most people end up staying longer!

Nearby is located 2 kilometres from the south of Ko Adang. This is where a sea gypsy village is situated. On the 13th-15th day of the waxing moon in May and November, sea gypsies would gather for a traditional celebration for 3 days and 3 nights. They would join in building a boat to float in the sea to in the belief that this would predict that fishing fortunes. The island offers coral reefs, a beautiful bay, and a white sandy beach. Ao Phatthaya is the most beautiful bay on this island. Privately-owned accommodation is available.

Note: There are no ATMs on the island, so make sure you bring enough cash for the time you anticipate to stay, and then double it as most people end up staying longer!

is located in the southwest of Ko Adang. It is full of shiny black pebbles along its beaches. Ko Khai is located in the west of Tarutao Island, 40 minutes from Tarutao. The famous natural stone arch which is somewhat of a symbol of Tarutao National Park is located on Ko Khai. Coral reefs can be found around the island. Camping is not allowed on this island but swimming can be done.

Diving and snorkeling can be done around Ko Cha Bang where light-coloured flower corals lie underneath the sea. Deepwater and shallow-water snorkeling for antler coral and table coral is recommended around Ko Yang and Ko Kata. Snorkeling for hard coral is recommended around Ko Adang, Ko Rawi, Ko Kra, and Ko Dong

The shiny glittering surfaces of the stones reflect the glaring sunshine while the blue waves splash the beaches providing ecstasies for those who witness the event. Of particular joy is the sunset when the last orange rays of the sun touch the pure white foams of the waves giggling on the stones. This memorable scene defies description. To reach Koh Hin Ngam , visitors make a stop at Adang or Lipe islands first rather than proceeding directly to and staying overnight at Koh Hin Ngam as no accommodation is available on the island.

A large stone arch or "stone gate" in Koh Khai becomes a logo of Tarutao National Park. During November and January large sea tortoises come ashore and lay eggs on the beaches. Beautiful beaches are ideal for swimming. Further down are large clusters of beautiful corals which can be seen through the crystal clear water during the tourist season.

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