Phatthalung is an ancient city in southern Thailand. It is a land of mountains. In town is Khao Ok Thalu, which is clearly visible from afar. Phatthalung is regarded as the birthplace of the shadow play and the Nora dance. From ancient times to the present, Phatthalung has been closely linked to Songkhla Province, particularly in terms of geography, history and migratory settlements through many ages.

During the Sri Vijaya period (13th-14th Buddhist century), the Phatthalung community received Indian cultural influence in the way of Mahayana Buddhism. In the reign of King Ramathibodi I (U Thong) of Ayutthaya, Phatthalung became one of twelve royal cities. Later during the reign of King  Rama I in the Rattanakosin period, the king had the Ministry of Defense oversee Phatthalung, upgraded it to secondary city status and moved it to the mouth of Pam River. When there was an administration reform in the reign of King Rama V, Phatthalung prefecture came under Nakhon Si Thammarat prefecture until 1924, when King Rama VI relocated the city to Tambon Khuha Sawan where it has been ever since. Upon the abolition of the prefecture system in 1933, Phatthalung became a province outright. Phatthalung city is situated on the west bank of Songkhla Lake, about 846 kilometers from Bangkok. It has an area of 3,424.473 square kilometers and is divided into 10 districts and 1 subdistrict, as follows: Muang Phatthalung, Khuan Khanun, Pak Phayun, Kongra, Tamot, Khao Chai Son, Pa Bon, Bang Kaeo, Si Banphot, Pa Phayom, and the subdistrict of Si Nakharin.
 

Borders
 » North  : Chauat in Nakhon Si Thammarat and Ranot in Songkhla
 » South : Rattaphum and Khuan Niang in Songkhla and Khuan Kalong in Satun
 » East   :   Songkhla Lake, Ranot, Krasae Sin, Sathing Phra, and Singhanakhon in Songkhla
 » West  :  Nakhon Si Thammarat (Banthat) mountain range, Huai Yot, Muang Trang, Na Yong, Yan Ta Khao, and Palian in Trang

By Bus
Transport Co. has daily Bangkok-Phatthalung services. For more information, please call 0 2435 1199, 0 2435 1200 or Phatthalung Bus Terminal, tel:0 7461 2070.

By Train
The southern line runs through Phatthalung town, Khuan Khanun, Khao Chaison, Pak Phayun, Pa Bon, and Bang Kaeo. Trains leave the Bangkok Railway Station (Hualamphong) daily at 12.25 p.m., 2.20 p.m., 2.45 p.m., 3.50 p.m. and 10.50 p.m. For more information, please call 1690, 0 2223 7010, 0 2223 7020, Phatthalung Railway Station tel: 0 7461 3106 .

By Air
Phatthalung does not have an airport but can be accessed via those in nearby provinces. Please call Thai Airways International (Public) Co., Ltd. to make bookings at tel. 2800060, 6282000 or in Trang at tel. (075) 218066 or 219923, in Nakhon Si Thammarat at tel. (075) 311158, 342491 or 343874, and in Hat Yai at tel. (074) 245851-2, 243711, or 233433.

Long Rua-Lae Nok Thale Noi Festival
was first held in 1998 as a special activity to mark the Amazing Thailand project and promote the most important tourist destination of Phatthalung. The festival consists of eco-tourism activities lasting 1 month (14 February-15 March) when there are plenty of birds and Thale Noi is at its most beautiful. The festival takes place in the Thale Noi Non-hunting area. Daily activities include boating on long-tailed boats to observe flora and fauna, local performances, agricultural produce for sale, demonstrations of native life, and an assortment of local products for sale.

Phon Lak Phra Festival
is the most important festival of the province. This popular Buddhist tradition is held at the end of the Buddhist Lent  when people have a Buddha image procession by land or water. Phatthalung normally has a land procession accompanied by drums to give the procession a good rhythm. When a procession from one temple passes another temple, the procession participants will challenge the temple people to come out and see who can beat drums to give the best rhythm. This tradition has evolved to become a grand festival of Phatthalung. It is held every October. Processions will go take Buddha images throughout Phatthalung city. The festival is held at Phatthalung Provincial Stadium and Saen Suk Lam Pam beach in Amphoe Muang. Activities of the festival include drum competitions of temples in the province, dramatic arts, boat procession contest, folk plays, religious ceremonies, water sports on Lam Pam Lake such as boat races and water boxing, exhibitions, and arts and culture demonstrations of Phatthalung and nearby provinces like reed mat making and coconut shell products.