Chumphon, Thailand: travel guide
Gateway to the south — a gateway town for island hopping, quiet beaches, and access to southern Thailand diving spots.
- Country
- Thailand
- Currency
- THB
- Time zone
- Asia/Bangkok
- Nearest airport
- CJM
Top places to visit in Chumphon
Krom Luang Chumphon Naval Shrine
Temple · 4.7 rating · about 1 h
Shrine to Prince Chumphon Khet Udomsak — "Father of the Royal Thai Navy" — born here in 1880. Deeply venerated by Thai naval personnel. Small museum documents his life and the founding of the Thai navy.
Wat Phra That Sawi
Temple · 4.2 rating · about 0.8 h
Chedi housing relics of the Buddha, set in peaceful grounds with ornate naga stairways.
Khao Matsii Viewpoint
Viewpoint · 4.6 rating · about 1 h
Hilltop viewpoint overlooking Chumphon town, coast and distant islands. Manageable steep walk.
Thung Wua Laen Beach
Beach · 4.5 rating · about 2.5 h
Chumphon's most popular 3-km beach with clear water, pine-fringed shore and Koh Tao ferry nearby.
Pak Nam Chumphon & Islands
Nature · 4.4 rating · about 1.5 h
Estuary fishing village with offshore islands (Ko Tao, Ko Ngam) accessible by speedboat.
Hat Sai Ri Beach
Beach · 4.5 rating · about 2 h
Long, tranquil beach on the mainland coast — rarely crowded even in high season.
Chumphon Night Market (Krung Talay)
Market · 4.1 rating · about 1.3 h
Bustling evening market on Krung Talay Road with southern Thai dishes and fresh seafood.
Ao Thung Makham
Beach · 4.4 rating · about 1 h
Quiet bay south of Chumphon town split into North and South beaches by a small headland.
Hat Arunothai Beach
Beach · 4.5 rating · about 2 h
Quiet, undeveloped beach 20 km north of Chumphon town. Casuarina trees line the shore and a fishing community occupies the northern headland. Far fewer visitors than Thung Wua Laen; ideal for an uncrowded stretch of sand. Safe for swimming…
Koh Ngam Noi & Koh Ngam Yai
Nature · 4.6 rating · about 6 h · entry THB 200
Twin limestone islets 20 km offshore, famed for swallow-nest harvesting and exceptional snorkelling. Visibility regularly exceeds 20 m at submerged pinnacles. Day trips from Pak Nam pier combine both islands in one excursion.
Mu Ko Chumphon National Park (Thung Wua Laen)
Nature · about 5 h
Marine national park covering islands off Chumphon's coast, popular for diving and snorkelling day trips.
Mu Ko Chumphon National Park Islands
Nature · 4.4 rating · about 5 h · entry THB 200
Things to do
- Ko Ngam Yai Snorkelling Day Trip Water · 8 h · from THB 950 per person
- Ko Tao Day Trip by Speedboat from Chumphon Water · 9 h · from THB 1,600 per person
- Pak Nam Chumphon Seafood Market Tour Food · 2.5 h · from THB 400 per person
- Krom Luang Chumphon Shrine & Naval Museum Cultural · 1.5 h · from THB 79 per person
- Snorkelling Trip to Mu Ko Chumphon Activity · 5 h
- Chumphon Fishing Village Boat Tour Activity · 2.5 h
Day trips and tours
- Chumphon Islands Snorkelling Day Trip 8 h · from THB 960
- Chumphon Beaches & Temples Highlights 5 h · from THB 340
Where to stay in Chumphon
- Beach Town about THB 2,000 per night
Coastal area with beach accommodation and dive base
Hotels
- Chumphon Cabana Resort & Diving Centre 4-star · THB 3,200 to THB 7,500 per night
- A-Te Chumphon Hotel 3.5-star
- Paradorn Inn Chumphon 3-star · THB 1,100 to THB 2,200 per night
- Fame Guesthouse Chumphon 2-star · THB 380 to THB 850 per night
- Sri Chumphon Hotel 3-star
Where to eat
- Papa Seafood Seafood, Thai · about THB 400 per person
- Mae Mai Seafood Seafood, Thai · about THB 500 per person
- Green Kitchen Chumphon Vietnamese, Japanese, Thai · about THB 200 per person
- Le Betole Italian, Thai · about THB 450 per person
- Grannies Laem Thaen Seafood Seafood, Thai · about THB 400 per person
- Krua Lung Pod Thai, Seafood · about THB 350 per person
- Ruen Cha Mao Restaurant Thai, Seafood · about THB 400 per person
- Prikhorm Restaurant Thai · about THB 200 per person
Getting around
- Car Rental Self main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Motorbike Rental main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Walking
Every city has walking. 2.5 km ceiling is a placeholder default, not a researched per-city figure -- Singapore is sheltered and air-conditioned, Bangkok often has no pavement.
Safety and scams to avoid
Generic tourist overcharge
Major tourist zones
Tourists are quoted significantly above local price.
How to avoid it: Verify prices upfront. Use registered taxis/apps.
Best time to visit Chumphon
- May 34°C · WMO 1991-2020 normal for May: 171 mm, 13 days with >=1 mm (TMD station CHUMPHON (WMO 48517)).
- Jun 33°C · WMO 1991-2020 normal for June: 163 mm, 14.2 days with >=1 mm (TMD station CHUMPHON (WMO 48517)).
- Jul 32°C · WMO 1991-2020 normal for July: 195 mm, 16.5 days with >=1 mm (TMD station CHUMPHON (WMO 48517)).
- Aug 32°C · WMO 1991-2020 normal for August: 199.2 mm, 16 days with >=1 mm (TMD station CHUMPHON (WMO 48517)).
- Sep 32°C · WMO 1991-2020 normal for September: 178.9 mm, 15.4 days with >=1 mm (TMD station CHUMPHON (WMO 48517)).
- Oct 31°C · WMO 1991-2020 normal for October: 247.2 mm, 15.9 days with >=1 mm (TMD station CHUMPHON (WMO 48517)).
- Nov 31°C · rough · WMO 1991-2020 normal for November: 258.6 mm, 11.9 days with >=1 mm (TMD station CHUMPHON (WMO 48517)). TAT park status list: "Mu Ko Chumphon National Park - Open. All islands in Mu Ko Chumphon, Accommodation zone3 (Ko Kula) - Open and will be closed 1 November-15 December". https://www.tatnews.org/2023/07/the-latest-opening-and-closing-status-of-thailands-national-parks/
- Dec 30°C · moderate · WMO 1991-2020 normal for December: 172.6 mm, 6.9 days with >=1 mm (TMD station CHUMPHON (WMO 48517)). Mu Ko Chumphon closed 1 November - 15 December; the first half of the month is inside the closure. https://www.tatnews.org/2023/07/the-latest-opening-and-closing-status-of-thailands-national-parks/