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Introduction |
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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 Khanu n,
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
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Distance from
Phatthalung city to nearby provinces |
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» Nakhon Si Thammarat |
99 kms. |
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» Satun |
134 kms. |
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Songkhla |
121 kms. |
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Trang |
56 kms. |
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Distance from
Amphoe Muang to Others
Districts |
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Bang Kaeo |
40 kms. |
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» Si Banphot |
35 kms. |
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» Pa Bon |
50 kms. |
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» Khao Chai Son |
28 kms. |
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» Khuan Khanun |
17 kms. |
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» Kong Ra |
40 kms. |
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» Pak Phayun |
66 kms. |
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» Pa Si Pa Phayom |
38 kms. |
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» Si Nakharin |
16 kms. |
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» Tamot |
39 kms. |
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How to get there |
By Car
From Bangkok, there are 3 ways. The first is via the Phetchakasem
National Highway No. 4 to Chumphon (Phathom Phon junction) into Ranong,
Phang-nga, Krabi, Trang, and Phatthalung. The total distance is 1,140
kilometres. The second route is to Chumphon and then onto Highway No. 41
(Asia) to Phatthalung, a total distance of around 846 kilometres. The
third route is to Nakhon Si Thammarat via Chumphon and Surat Thani, then
onto Highway No. 403 and Highway No. 41 to Phatthalung.
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. |
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Festivals & events |
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 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.
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Provided by
Tourism Authority of
Thailand
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