Chumphon Province
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| Chumphon ชุมพร |
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| Province | ||
| Typhoon damage in Chumphon province
Typhoon damage in Chumphon province
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| Map of Thailand highlighting Chumphon Province Map of Thailand highlighting Chumphon Province |
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| Country |  Thailand |
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| Capital | Chumphon | |
| Government | ||
| • Governor | Karan Supphakitwilekhakan (since 2008) | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 6,009.0 km2 (2,320.1 sq mi) | |
| Area rank | Ranked 38th | |
| Population (2014) | ||
| • Total | 498,294[1] | |
| • Rank | Ranked 57th | |
| • Density | 74/km2 (190/sq mi) | |
| • Density rank | Ranked 59th | |
| Time zone | ICT (UTC+7) | |
| ISO 3166 code | TH-86 | |
Chumphon (Thai: ชุมพร, pronounced [t͡ɕʰūm.pʰɔ̄ːn]) is one of the southern provinces (changwat) of Thailand on the Gulf of Thailand.[2] Neighboring provinces are Prachuap Khiri Khan, Surat Thani, and Ranong. To the west it also borders the Burmese province of Tanintharyi.
Contents
Geography
Chumphon is on the Isthmus of Kra, the narrow landbridge connecting the Malay Peninsula with the mainland of Thailand. To the west are the hills of the Phuket mountain range and its northern continuation, the Tenasserim Hills, while the east is the more flat land on the coast of the Gulf of Thailand. The main river is the Lang Suan River, which originates in Phato District. A number of small islands in the Gulf of Thailand form the Chumphon Archipelago.
History
The southern part of the province was originally a separate province named Lang Suan. It was incorporated into Chumphon in 1932.[3]
In November 1989 typhoon Gay hit the province hard. 529 people were killed, 160,000 became homeless, 7,130 km2 (2,753 sq mi) of farm land was destroyed. Gay is the only tropical storm on record which reached Thailand with typhoon wind strength.
Today, Chumphon Province is a destination center for massive human trafficking of Rohingyas from nearby Burma (Myanmar).[4][5]
Etymology
There are two different theories on the origin of the name Chumphon. According to one, it originates from Chumnumporn (lit., accumulation of forces) which derives from the fact that Chumphon was a frontier city. Another theory claims the name derives from a local tree named Maduea Chumphon (มะเดื่อชุมพร, Ficus glomerata), found abundant in the province.
Symbols
The provincial seal shows a fortune-bringing thevada on a lotus-pedestal, flanked by two ficus trees. In the background a fort and two watchtowers are visible, a reference to the former camp where courageous warriors from the province gathered before going into battle against the enemy.[6]
The provincial flower is the Indian shot (Canna indica), and the finger banana is another provincial symbol.
Administrative divisions
Chumphon is subdivided into eight districts (amphoe). These are further subdivided into 70 subdistricts (tambon) and 674 villages (muban). Chumphon and Lang Suan are the two towns (thesaban mueang), there are further 12 subdistrict municipalities (thesaban tambon).
Climate
| Climate data for Chumphon (1981–2010) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average high °C (°F) | 30.9 (87.6) |
32.1 (89.8) |
33.4 (92.1) |
34.5 (94.1) |
33.3 (91.9) |
32.3 (90.1) |
31.9 (89.4) |
31.6 (88.9) |
31.6 (88.9) |
31.2 (88.2) |
30.3 (86.5) |
30.1 (86.2) |
31.93 (89.48) |
| Average low °C (°F) | 21.4 (70.5) |
22.2 (72) |
23.3 (73.9) |
24.5 (76.1) |
24.7 (76.5) |
24.6 (76.3) |
24.3 (75.7) |
24.3 (75.7) |
24.1 (75.4) |
23.7 (74.7) |
23.0 (73.4) |
21.4 (70.5) |
23.46 (74.23) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 59.4 (2.339) |
44.7 (1.76) |
97.2 (3.827) |
85.8 (3.378) |
190.8 (7.512) |
167.2 (6.583) |
179.0 (7.047) |
207.5 (8.169) |
178.3 (7.02) |
251.6 (9.906) |
287.9 (11.335) |
123.3 (4.854) |
1,872.7 (73.73) |
| Average rainy days (≥ 1 mm) | 7 | 6 | 5 | 8 | 18 | 20 | 21 | 23 | 19 | 20 | 16 | 9 | 172 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 81 | 79 | 78 | 78 | 82 | 81 | 82 | 82 | 83 | 85 | 84 | 80 | 81.3 |
| Source: Thai Meteorological Department (Normal 1981-2010), (Avg. rainy days 1961-1990) | |||||||||||||
Tourism
Transport Air Chumphon Airport is 30 km north of Chumphon city in Pathio District. It has direct daily flights to Bangkok's Don Mueang Airport (DMK). Flights from Bangkok are around 60 minutes.
Nok Air operates two daily flights between Bangkok (Don Mueang, DMK) and Chumphon Airport (CJM).[7] The airport has transit agents for onward travel to Chumphon and the islands of the Gulf of Thailand including Ko Tao, Ko Pha Ngan, and Ko Samui.
Sights
Tham Thip Prida (ถ้ำทิพย์ปรีดา) A rocky mountain with about 40 caves, some which contain pools.
Khao Chao Mueang (เขาเจ้าเมือง) The district's highest observation point offering panoramic views of the coast and far out into the Chumphon Archipelago.
Khao Phang Forest Park (วนอุทยานเขาพาง) Within the national park, there is a great variety of tropical vegetation.
Watershed forest mountain (สัมผัสยอดเขา) Hiking trail to the top of mountain with views of both the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand
Somdech Phra Srinagarindra Park (สวนสมเด็จพระศรีนครินทร์ฯ ) The park consists of a hill and rivers. There is also a monument to the present king's mother.
Namtok Thap Chang (น้ำตกทับช้าง) A waterfall in Khlong Phrao National Park.
Wat Chao Fa Sala Loi (วัดเจ้าฟ้าศาลาลอย) This old Buddhist temple is particularly important to the people of Chumphon, who revere a monk named Luang Pu Song. This venerable monk is believed to be so holy that his body did not decay after his death. The wat (or temple) contains a large sal tree with orange flowers and a strangely shaped trunk that is considered holy because the Buddha is believed to have been born under a sal tree.[8]
Wat Tha Kwan Mueang (วัดท่าควนเมือง) A temple perched on top of a limestone hill with a commanding view.
Wat Phra Thart Sawi (วัดพระธาตุสวี) A temple next to Sawi River stands a shrine know locally as "San Phra Suea Mueang".
Chumphon National Museum (พิพิธภัณฑสถานแห่งชาติชุมพร) Established in 1995 at Khao Samkaew, the museum provides an overview of the province.[9]
Namtok Heo Lom (น้ำตกเหวโหลม) Waterfalls.
Por Ta Chongdong Summit (ยอดเขาพ่อตาโชงโดง) about 1,000 meters high, on clear days the summit is an Andaman Sea viewpoint.
Por Ta Mangkre Summit (ยอดเขาพ่อตามังเคร)
Khao Thung-Klong Pi waterfall (เขาทุ่ง-น้ำตกคลองปิ) The main waterway of the Lang Suan River and Khlong Pi waterfall.
Haew Ta Jan-Haew Phlu Nang waterfall (น้ำตกเหวตาจันทร์-น้ำตกเหวพลูหนัง)
Culture
Festivals
Phato Rafting (งานเทศกาลล่องแพพะโต๊ะ)Held during February to April. Highlights include a mini-marathon race and rafting.
Lang Suan's Fruit Fair (งานวันผลไม้เมืองหลังสวน) This fair is organized annually around August. The fruit market here exhibits a variety of fruits and there is a fruits contest.
Traditional Boats Procession and Boat Race (งานประเพณีแห่พระแข่งเรือ) Originally, this event began in King Rama III's period around 1844. The festival, commencing annually in October, includes boats decorated with Buddha images from various temples.
Celebration in Honouring Prince of Chumphon Shrine (งานเทิดพระเกียรติ กรมหลวงชุมพรเขตรอุดมศักดิ์) Held annually 19–25 December, honours the Father of the Royal Thai Navy, Admiral Krom Luang Chumphon Khet Udomsak, whose life and work is exhibited at this fair.
Chumphon Sea-World Fair (งานเปิดโลกทะเลชุมพร) The Fair is to promote local incomes and tourism as well as to conserve the natural resources of Chumphon. It is annually held in March at Hat Sai Ri. The activities include a fishing competition, exhibition and contest of pictures of related interesting places as well as mini marathon racing contest.
Chumphon King and Princess's Cup Boat Race (งานแข่งเรือยาวชิงถ้วยพระราชทานพระบาทสมเด็จพระเจ้าอยู่หัวและสมเด็จพระเทพรัตนราชสุดาฯ สยามบรมราชกุมารี) Held annually in August. Competing boats are decorated and are from different parts of the country.
References
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- ↑ Thailand Human Trafficking Datasheet, http://www.brandeis.edu/investigate/slavery/docs/Thailand-UNIAP-datasheet_2010.pdf
- ↑ "Putrajaya's migrant deluge woes", The Star, Kuala Lumpur, 13 May 2015, http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2015/05/13/Putrajayas-migrant-deluge-woes-Emergency-meetings-held-to-find-solutions/
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External links
Chumphon travel guide from Wikivoyage- Official homepage (Thai & English)
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Tanintharyi Region,  Myanmar |
Prachuap Khiri Khan Province | |
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| Ranong Province |  |
Gulf of Thailand | ||
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| Surat Thani Province |
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Chumphon. |
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