The gateway to the south, with long Sai Ri Beach, the Prince of Chumphon's warship, dive islands, and robusta coffee
Chumphon is the first province of the south as you drive down from Prachuap Khiri Khan. Most people treat it as a stopover on the way to Koh Tao and Samui, but the province itself has long beaches, islands to dive around, and fresh seafood. Locals are proud of Prince Abhakara of
Start with stays →Fresh seafood — The whole province sits on the Gulf of Thailan
Sai Ri Beach — The long beach that is the face of Chumphon. A
Sai Ri Beach — The long beach that is Chumphon's main bea
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6.4Highlights and sights around Chumphon — nature, city and culture
The long beach that is the face of Chumphon. At its far end sit the Prince of Chumphon's shrine and a replica of the warship HTMS Chumphon by the sea — the spot where people come to pay respects to Sadet Tia and take photos.
Admiral Prince Abhakara of Chumphon, revered by locals as the guardian spirit of the city. He has several shrines and memorials around the province, and people commonly come to make vows about work and health.
A cluster of islands off the coast — such as Koh Ngam, Koh Lang Ka Jiew, and Koh Mattra — where you can take a boat out to dive coral reefs and fish. The water is clear and there are still fewer people than on other coasts.
The Pak Nam area is the main pier where people catch the speedboat onward to Koh Tao, Koh Phangan, and Samui. There are markets and waterfront seafood restaurants to stop at before boarding.
Chumphon is one of Thailand's big robusta-growing areas, with coffee farms and cafes that roast their beans locally. Coffee lovers can stop to taste the local robusta at plenty of spots.
Low hills against the sea around Pathio that look down over the bay and the long beach — a photo stop while driving the coast road in the northern part of the province.
Chumphon's signature food — real local spots, rounded up and ranked
The whole province sits on the Gulf of Thailand, so fish, squid, prawns, shellfish, and blue swimmer crab come straight off the boats. Restaurants by the sea around Sai Ri Beach and Pak Nam cook it every which way.
These waters are a source of short mackerel — plump and rich. Eat it fried, steamed, or in a sour soup. The fresh markets sell both fresh and sun-dried pla tu to take home.
A southern dish easy to find all over town — rice noodles with a punchy southern curry sauce, eaten with fresh raw vegetables. Locals have it for breakfast and lunch all the time.
Bold local southern curries — the intense fish-innards curry (gaeng tai pla) and the sour-spicy yellow curry (gaeng leuang) with fish and vegetables, eaten with hot steamed rice.
This is robusta country — cafes in town and coffee farms brew up local beans with the strong southern roast, served hot or iced, with roasted beans to take home as a gift.
Chumphon is a major fruit-growing area. In the rainy season there's plenty of Monthong durian and mangosteen, with roadside fruit stalls selling them fresh in season.
Dried squid, shrimp paste, chili dips, and processed seafood from the Pak Nam Chumphon area are all there to take home — along with the famous dried lady finger bananas.
A small, slender banana specific to Chumphon — sweet and fragrant, good fresh, but best known dried as the province's signature take-home gift.
Ready-made plans — from a day trip to 2–3 days, plus routes to neighbouring provinces
Best time to go, getting around, and what to know before visiting Chumphon
January–April, when skies are clear and the sea is calm — good for boat dives around the islands and beach days. The rainy season peaks in October–November.
The long beach that is the face of Chumphon. At its far end sit
Admiral Prince Abhakara of Chumphon, revered by locals as the gu
A cluster of islands off the coast — such as Koh Ngam, Koh Lang
The Pak Nam area is the main pier where people catch the speedbo
Chumphon is one of Thailand's big robusta-growing areas, with co
Low hills against the sea around Pathio that look down over the
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🏖️Thailand's narrowest province, home to Hua Hin, the three-bay coast of Prachuap, Khao Takiab, and Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park
Explore Prachuap Khiri Khan →
♨️An Andaman coast town of hot springs, Koh Phayam, and the Myanmar border, known for eight months of rain and four of sun
Explore Ranong →
🛶The 'town of a hundred islands' on the Gulf of Thailand — gateway to Samui, Cheow Lan Lake, and the old temple town of Chaiya
Explore Surat Thani →Chumphon is the first province of the south as you drive down from Prachuap Khiri Khan. Most people treat it as a stopover on the way to Koh Tao and Samui, but the province itself has long beaches, islands to dive around, and fresh seafood. Locals are proud of Prince Abhakara of Chumphon (affectionately called Sadet Tia), and shrines and memorials to him are scattered across several spots.
Beyond the sea, Chumphon grows robusta coffee and fruit like durian and mangosteen. People come here to sleep on quiet beaches, take a boat out to dive the islands, drive along the coast, and stop for roadside seafood. It is a province that is still less crowded than the Andaman side.
Best time: January–April, when skies are clear and the sea is calm — good for boat dives around the islands and beach days. The rainy season peaks in October–November.
