Chumphon: A gorgeous beach hidden on the rural Pathio coast
Few things in travel beat the feeling that comes from finding yourself on a stellar beach that almost no one else seems to know about.
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When it comes to Thailand’s most underrated coastal provinces, Chumphon certainly deserves a mention. Its dozens of islands include the many obscure yet beautiful karst isles of Mu Ko Chumphon Marine Park, as well as charming Ko Phitak and Ko Wiang with its dramatic cliffs. Often with viewpoints situated in between, Chumphon’s mainland beaches also surprise visitors with their scenery.
I’m about to set sail on the next chapter of the Thai Island & Coastal Directory, covering the Mid Southern Gulf, and before too long we’ll reach major destinations like Ko Samui and Ko Tao. But for anyone entering the region from the north by road, sea or rail, the Southern Thai experience begins with Chumphon. Though it’s known for terrific mainland sands, such as Hat Thung Wua Laen west of the capital, the province’s most marvelous mainland beaches are known to few.
One of them makes my extraordinary list and is hereby nominated — at least in my mind — as one of the best mainland beaches in Thailand.