Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
SATUN PROVINCE
Until recently, Satun was mostly overlooked, but that's all changed thanks to the dynamic
white sands of Ko Lipe - a one-time backpacker secret turned mainstream beach getaway.
Beyond Ko Lipe, the rest of the province often passes by in the blink of the eye as visitors
rush north to Ko Lanta or south to Pulau Langkawi in Malaysia. This means, of course, that
most people miss the untrammelled beaches and sea caves on Ko Tarutao, the rugged trails
and ribbon waterfalls of Ko Adang and the rustic beauty of Ko Bulon Leh.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Pak Bara
The small fishing community of Pak Bara is the main jumping-off point for the islands in
the Mu Ko Phetra and Ko Tarutao Marine National Park. Tourist facilities are slowly im-
proving as Pak Bara becomes increasingly busy with tourists discovering these dazzling
isles. The peaceful town has forgettable sleeping options and, aside from the great seafood,
there's no pressing reason to stick around.
The main road from La-Ngu terminates at the pier where there are several travel agen-
cies, internet cafes, cheap restaurants and shops selling beach gear. There's a brand-new
vis-
itors centre
( 0 7478 3485)
for Ko Tarutao Marine National Park just back from the pier, which
is really more of a massive passenger waiting terminal for Lipe and Tarutao bound speed-
boats. You can book Tarutao accommodation and obtain permission for camping here as
well. Local travel agencies can also arrange tours to the islands in the national park.
Getting There & Away
There are hourly buses between 7am and 4pm from Hat Yai to the pier at Pak Bara (100B,
2½ hours). Coming from Satun, you can take an ordinary bus towards Trang and get off at
La-Ngu (70B, 30 minutes), continuing by
sŏrng·tăa·o
u to Pak Bara (20B, 15 minutes).
Air-conditioned minivans leave hourly for Hat Yai (150B, two hours) from travel agen-
cies near Pak Bara pier. There are also minivans to Trang (200B, 1½ hours), which connect
to numerous destinations such as Krabi (450B, four hours) and Phuket (650B, six hours).
From 21 October to the end of May there are several speedboats to Ao Pante Malacca on
Ko Tarutao and on to Ko Lipe. Boats depart from Pak Bara at 11.30am, 2.30pm, 3pm and
