In the far south of Thailand, Satun is a laid-back coastal village near the border with Malaysia. It’s a popular last stop en route to the Malaysian resort island of Langkawi. As far as tourists in Thailand are concerned, Satun is interesting due to its sprinkling of Sino-Portuguese architecture and its inviting beach.
Accommodation in Satun consists mostly of budget bungalows with basic facilities, but there are plenty of mid-range options. The major appeal of booking a room in Satun is the chance to explore nearby Thale Ban National Park and the outlying coastline. Local tour operators specialize in ecotourism.
One of the most popular attractions near Satun town is Ku Den Museum. It's housed in an old mansion that was built to accommodate King Rama V when he visited the region in the early 1900s. This king was famous for embracing Western modernization, and the house's architecture is vaguely European. Other attractions in Satun include
Mambang Satul Mosque and Chanathipchaloem Buddhist temple.
Most visitors just stay one night at hotels in Satun town before heading out to Lipe Island, the biggest tourist draw in the region. The island's mountainous interior is ringed with sandy beaches, which are developing a tidy community of easy-going resorts. Several hundred chao leh or 'sea gypsies' enjoy a moderate degree of autonomy here, and their villages are primary attractions.
The nearest airport to Satun is in Hat Yai. Tourists from elsewhere in Thailand fly from Bangkok to Hat Yai and connect by bus to Satun. Otherwise, the easiest way in or out is by sea via Tammalang pier. Ferries to Langkawi take about 90 minutes to arrive.
For more information on hotels and landmarks in the different areas of Satun, click on the interactive Satun map on the left-hand side of the page.
