The gateway to the south: Gulf beaches at Thung Wua Laen, quiet islands and the boats to Koh Tao.
Chumphon is where southern Thailand begins, on the Kra Isthmus. Its 222 km of Gulf coast run from the beach at Thung Wua Laen to the islands of Mu Ko Chumphon National Park, and fast boats to Koh Tao leave from piers near town. Inland it is farming country: Chumphon ranks second in Thailand for durian, grows much of the country’s robusta coffee and is known for its lady finger bananas. It is about 460 km from Bangkok, close enough for long weekends by car or train, and homes are priced for local buyers.
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