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 Southern
Thailand consists of 14 provinces ;
Chumphon, Ranong, Surat Thani, Phangnga,
Phuget, Krabi, Nakhon Si thammarat,
Trang, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Satun,
Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat. The region,
located on the peninsula, extends from
Chumphon to the Thai-Malaysian border
and is bordered in the east by the Gulf
of Thailand, to the west by the Indian
Ocean.
Lush
tropical islands, palm-fringed beaches,
coral reefs teeming with colourful marine
life, picturesque fishing villagas,
remote national parks, forested mountains,
cascading waterfalls, ubiquitous rubber
estates, and the juxtaposition of temples
and mosques clearly define the region's
visual appeal. |
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| Climate |
 Generally,
one can rely on consistently fine weather
and calm seas on the western side of
the Thai peninsula from November to
March and on the eastern side from May
to September.
The
southwest monsoon season, which lasts
for 6 months from May to October, brings
rain and squalls to the coastal areas
of the Andaman Sea. |
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There is another rainy
period caused by the northeast monsoon,
which brings heavy rain to the coastal
areas along the Gulf of Thailand from
November to September. However, there
are frequent periods of fine weather
during the monsoon seasons. Tourists
who wish to take a boat to any remote
island during the moonson seasons are
advised to check the weather before
beginning the trip.
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| History |
Prior
to the 9th century A.D., civilisation
of the Malay peninsula consisted of
a number of independent city-states:
Pahang, Trengkanu, Kelantan, Tamphoning
( present-day Nakhon Si Thammarat ),
Khorahi ( Chaiya ), Langkhasuka ( in
Malaysia ), Keta ( Sai Buri ), Kratak
Kola ( Takua Pa ), and Panpala ( in
Myanmar ). From the 11th-13th centuries,
they were consolidated into a single
mighty military and commercial power
known as the Srivijaya Empire, with
the capital city on the island of Sumatra.
The population of Srivijaya was Buddhisst
and the remnants of this once-powerful
empire, its ruins and artefacts, show
a strong indian cultural influence.
 After
the disintegration of the empire in
the 13th century, Nakhon Si Thammarat
became an independent kingdom and extended
its power over other cities in this
peninsula before it was brought under
the dominion of Ayutthaya in the 14th
century.
During
the early Rattanakosin period ( early
19th century ), the southern provinces
remained largely autonomous under the
control of principal governors. However,
due to the dangers posed by Western
colonial expansionism in South Asia,
King Rama IV sought to enlarge his authority
over the region and made two personal
visits to the area to strengthen the
relationship between the southern provinces
and Bangkok.
The
massive administrative reforms under
King Rama V included the consolidation
of the southern provinces into several
regions with administrative centres
at Phuket, Chumphon, Nakhon Si Thammarat
and Pattani; each under the direct control
of Bangkok. |
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