Lightly at Sukirin

"เบาๆ ที่สุคิริน": A Relaxing Getaway in Southern Thailand

This article describes a leisurely trip to Sukhirin, a district in Narathiwat province, Thailand. The focus is on experiencing the local culture and enjoying the natural beauty of the area, rather than strenuous activities like hiking or whitewater rafting.

The journey begins in Pattani, with a leisurely drive towards Sukhirin. Upon arrival in the afternoon, the group of three (two from Bangkok and one local guide from Pattani) checks into a homestay in a village near a scenic viewpoint. The accommodation, offered by a friendly host named P'Dang, costs 150 baht per person per night, including morning coffee.

Before settling in, the group embarks on a sightseeing tour, exploring the local attractions.

Let's get to know Sukirin first.

A Journey to Sukhirin: Immersing in Nature, Culture, and Community

Nestled amidst breathtaking natural beauty, Sukhirin welcomes visitors with open arms and a warm embrace. This community, renowned for its vibrant Buddhist traditions and the unique southern firecracker festival, offers a unique opportunity to experience authentic Thai life.

Embark on a homestay adventure with the Cultural Tourism Community of Phu Khao Thong and witness the transformation of seasonal fruits into delectable preserves. Ascend to the panoramic viewpoint of Ban Phu Khao Thong, where a mesmerizing sea of mist unfolds before your eyes, a spectacle that graces the landscape year-round.

Venture onto a bamboo raft, pan for gold, and navigate through a thicket of leeches to encounter the majestic giant fig tree. Immerse yourself in the diverse flora and fauna, and witness the genuine rhythm of community life.

Reaching Sukhirin is a seamless journey. Take a train to Sungai Kolok, hop on a shared taxi to Sukhirin, and contact your chosen homestay for a convenient pick-up.

Sukhirin beckons you to explore its natural wonders, cultural heritage, and the warmth of its people. Come, experience the essence of Thailand in this idyllic haven.

The name "Sukirin" was bestowed upon the residence by Her Royal Highness Princess Srinagarindra during her visit in 1967. It signifies "lush green foliage," aptly reflecting the local landscape characterized by forests, mountains, and diverse flora.

The first stop is the Toh Moh Gold Mine, where gold was transported out of the mine through a cave. Visitors can enter the cave, but the community guide warns that there may be snakes lurking inside, waiting to prey on small animals. Visitors are advised to use a flashlight before entering.

The path leading to the cave is characterized by lush vegetation.

The second point is the suspension bridge. This is a popular spot for photos among visitors to Sukirin, and I was no exception.

The abundance of water resources in this region is evident from the numerous large reservoirs.

Crossing the bridge to find a photo angle, you will find another angle of the bridge and the scenic view of this place.

After leaving this point, we stopped by the village and met some people who were busy stirring durian. Today, they were stirring local durian. Out of curiosity, we got to try durian jam, mangosteen jam, and rambutan jam.

The southern fruit season arrives later than in the east, resulting in lower prices. Therefore, the community has added value by making dried fruits. We particularly enjoy dried mangosteen, which is sweet and sour and very much to our taste. We would love to take a pot home.

The third stop was the Airpajo Model Farm, but we didn't go for a walk. We sat on a raft by the water and ordered simple food for dinner. There were also duck boats for the children to pedal, which cost 10 baht each.

The food here includes both noodles and à la carte dishes at regular prices. You can order any flavor you like. Today's meal costs 180 baht.

As dusk settled, we arrived at our homestay, where Ms. Daeng had thoughtfully arranged separate rooms for men and women. The beds were incredibly comfortable, and as the night grew chilly, the blankets proved invaluable.

We will sleep early tonight, as we have an appointment to see the sea of fog at 5:30 am tomorrow morning. We slept very comfortably tonight.

The fourth point, the viewpoint of the sea of mist at Phra That Phu Khao Thong. The next morning, I left the homestay and went to the viewpoint of the sea of mist at Ban Phu Khao Thong. I was the first to arrive, so I was very happy with the atmosphere.

In just a moment, the fog has spread.

People have started arriving. Before going to other places, we took photos of Phra That Phu Khao Thong first.

This area offers accommodation managed by the Phu Khao Thong Subdistrict Administrative Organization. It is a large house that can accommodate more than 10 people. You can contact them for accommodation, whitewater rafting, and sightseeing. Phu Khao Thong Subdistrict Administrative Organization, Sukhirin, Narathiwat

The viewpoint overlooking the sea of mist has many durian trees, and many have fallen. These two fruits have also fallen.

The sentence is empty. Please provide a sentence or phrase for me to translate.

The fifth point, the giant fig tree, walked through the leech forest not far, went to the first group again as usual, the leeches were not awake, walked across the bridge like this to the other side, walked along the path across the tree bridge and arrived just in time.

How big is the giant grouper compared to us?

The sentence is already in English and does not require translation.

Return to the fallen tree for a stunning shot.

We were taking photos from this angle when the group we met at the viewpoint screamed in fear of the slugs. We quickly left the spot before the slugs could crawl onto us.

The sixth point is a reservoir with a floating platform, not far from the community. The path is quite overgrown. The platform has been abandoned for so long that ferns have grown on it. They only poled to the edge of the bank because the platform was starting to sink.

Emerging from the raft, we were about to board the car for our return journey when we stumbled upon a cluster of bamboo mushrooms, also known as veil mushrooms, and bamboo shoots that were just beginning to sprout. This was a sight we had never witnessed before, and it filled us with a sense of wonder and excitement.

No text provided for translation.

The sentence is already in English and does not require translation.

Seventh Point: Toh Moh Shrine

This concise translation captures the essence of the original text while maintaining a formal academic style. It avoids personal pronouns, colloquialisms, and unnecessary details, focusing solely on the essential information.

Feeling hungry? Today, we tried a restaurant opposite the demonstration farm. The food was delicious and only 50 baht for a filling meal.

The eighth point is gold panning. Brother Daeng brought his son to pan for gold. They panned until their feet were sore, but there was no sign of gold. If you come here to visit, you can pan for gold and take it home as a souvenir.

At this point, we were bitten by a leech. We didn't get bitten in the forest, but by the river. After that, we returned to our accommodation to shower, pack our belongings, pay for our stay, and head to our final destination, Sukirin.

The ninth point, the Khao Thoi Thong mountain house relaxation point, the Thai-Malaysian border, boundary marker 65/149, the southernmost border of Thailand in Phu Thoi Thong sub-district, Sukhirin district, Narathiwat province, with Yalae, Kelantan state.

On the way out of Sukirin, we stopped to buy durian by the roadside. The young sellers were very enthusiastic, using the catchy phrase "Only she-durians, no male-durians" to attract customers. We laughed and ended up buying a durian for 150 baht.

"Sukirin" is a fun and memorable road trip. The three provinces are not as scary as we were led to believe.

Follow other travel trips at:

Page: Solo backpacking travel

IG: @prapat / @0roamholic0 (Exploring solo with a backpack)

The sentence is already in English and does not require translation.