Where the Gulf meets the Andaman — Thailand's overlooked southern gateway
Chumphon sits at the narrow waist of the Thai peninsula where the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea are only 50km apart. Most travellers pass through only to catch night ferries to Ko Tao, but Chumphon has 222km of coastline, 44 offshore islands, and excellent diving at the Chumphon Pinnacle — a seamount far less crowded when accessed from the mainland than from Ko Tao. The town centre is a lively market city with outstanding southern Thai food.
Chumphon is the birthplace of the Thai Navy — Prince Chumphon Khet Udomsak (son of King Rama V) established the Royal Siamese Navy here after training in Britain, and is revered as the 'Father of the Thai Navy.' He is one of Thailand's most widely worshipped royal spirits, with shrines throughout the country.