Maat'S Guide To Living Near Chumphon Town

[Pathio 2]

During 2013 there has been a lot of activity at Chumphon Airport with traffic doubling between jan and September. Here's some details for 2014

Chumphon Airport is 30km north of Chumphon City in Pathio District (alternative spelling, Pathiu) and gateway to the Chumphon Archipelago. . It has direct multiple daily flight connections with Bangkok's two airports, Don Mueng Airport (DMK) and Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK). There are also onward flights to Ranong Airport (UNN). Flights from Bangkok are around 50 minutes. The airport is 5 minutes from the unspoiled beaches of Pathio and direct access to island connections.

Nok Air operates two daily flights between Bangkok (Don Mueang, DMK) and Chumphon Airport (CJM).

Happy Air operates a flight between Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport )BKK) to Chumphon and onwards to Ranong and Chumphon to Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi Airport) 6 times a week (M, W, Th, F, Sa, Su).

Airport services[edit]

The airport has transit agents for onward travel to Chumphon and the islands including Ko Tao and Ko Samui.

Chumphon Coffee and Gift Shop adjacent to departure gates offers lattes, cappuccino, and fruit smoothies. The airport has several ATMs.

Fame Tours and Services have a counter at arrivals hall offering transfer and hotel services.

Lomprayah has an counter at the airport offering direct connections to the pier for high speed catamaran transfer services between Ko Samui, Ko Phangan, Ko Tao, and Chumphon.

The TAT (Tourism Authority of Thailand), Chumphon has a tourism information counter offering information on the region adjacent to the airline counters.

[blowin 577]

I have a farm and home in 35k from Chumphon and stayed at Pirates Terrace in Thung Wua Laen Beach. I can highly recommend this place the rooms were basic but the food was very good. On a side note the owner Fon her honesty was refreshing and it seemed her main aim was to make sure her

customers were happy and not how much money she could take off them. They also run tours and visa runs and hire bikes. I have noting to do with this business it just we stayed there the last time we flew with Nok air which I can also recommend no more long drives from Bangkok. Now I wish I was

in Chumphon instead of rainy Ireland.

[migrant 25]

Went to Champion a couple years ago andliked it. Papa 2000 restaurant still there? It had a decent steak.

How is medical services? My mother in law ( Thai) has diabetes, high everything and may eventually need dialysis.

Thanks!

[maithigh 4]

Hi Maat, u can add this to your list if u wish.

1) Take the yellow Songthaew to Thung Hua Laen for 30 baht from next to the main market 7 Eleven (opp the bus station, big Yamaha sign) on Saladaeng. There's an hourly service to/fro

2) Opposite the Railway station is Papa's seafood restaurant, and next to it is Papa's coyote club. It was freezing in there but some good looking girls were dancing. Only gets busy after 11pm though.

3) The mini bus station is situated next to the Ocean Mall or in the alley directly opposite Nanaburi Hotel.

4) The lady who runs the internet cafe opp Farang bar has amazing knowledge of the area around and is very helpful.

[4evermaat 819]

Lots to update here, I'll be brief since my last response got lost when my browser restarted.

In the Chumphon Town:

- HomePro has been finished for quite some time. Their selection of household appliances, furniture, and carpentry/building supplies for the home is pretty comprehensive. Prices are hit/miss, but they appear to have daily specials. Usually I check at least 1-2 of the other chains (e.g. Tesco) on appliances before making a purchase.

- homemart seems to have been either rebranded or renamed sgh solutions

- Kasikorn bank has a new branch outside of the HomePro. They moved their ATM/CDM/Passbook kiosks out of the BigC shopping center and it is now outside the new branch.

- There is a market on Fridays/Saturdays outside of the Tess-a-ban in the Town (behind the fire station)

- Pizza Company has a buy one, free one discount card valid for 6 months. But they made their jumbo puff a permanent part of their menu, replacing the smaller puffs which I actually liked how they were made. but the jumbo puffs are a good deal, but you are limited in how they are made (only 4 topping styles). You have to order the one closest to what toppings you want, and then remove everything else you don't want.

- AEON atms are now charging the 150 baht to use their ATMs with a foreign atm card....no longer free like before. I haven't verified it personally, but other TV members seemed to have verified this. Oh well You could try to send a polite email to aeon customer service or call and show them your opinion. The last option to avoid the ATM fee is to go into the Bangkok Bank inside Ocean Mall and request a counter withdraw on your credit/debit card. You need to bring your passport. I cannot confirm if any of the other banks do the counter withdraw cash advance.

- Bangkok Bank inside Ocean Mall now closes at 7pm, which is in line with the other banks. Previously they closed at 8pm.

- Banana IT is now inside Tesco Lotus and it is bigger. TRUEmove kiosk is inside the bananaIT.

- I'm not sure if there is an on-site Samsung tech representative that is in Tesco Lotus. It appeared so in the phone section, but I have not confirmed yet.

Saphli/Pathio

- sapli has a 7-eleven now next to the saphli market. It's about 4 months old already.

- Pathio now has 2 7-elevens. The new 7-11 is at the PTT gas station. They also have a Tesco Express near the 4-way intersection. As you are coming from the PTT, make a right at the 4 way intersection as if to go to the Airport and it is on your right.

- Kasikorn ATM is upgraded to a CDM/ATM combo, so you can deposit money as well. Bangkok Bank now has an ATM attached to the 7-eleven.

- there is a new market only on Fridays called Saphli Walking Street. It is where the pier is across the street from the Saphli market/7-eleven.

- rumors of a new pier being built where the Saphli bridge is (fishing boats are docked there). This will be for tours to come by boat. Unsure if/when it will be completed.

- Relax Thai Massage is now re-opened across the street from the Thung Wua Laen elementary school. Still one of the best and affordable in the area.

- Armonia Resort has all you can eat pizza every Saturday evening starting @ 6pm. 250 baht for each adult, 125 for each kid between 6-12 years old, under 6 years is free (It used to be under 12 years old is free, not sure if that will come back). It is the italian-style pizza (real wood fire brick oven) and cal-zone/pizza puff (ask for it "cal-zo-neh'....it's not on the menu). Some of the toppings are imported like the pepporoni (salami), so it's not limited to Makro bought stuff that the other pizza shops have. This deal has started to attract a crowd, get there before 7pm to avoid long wait times for pizza. If you want to takeaway any pizza, it is an extra 150 baht per pizza/cal-zone. Free wifi also.

There is also a separate restaurant with menu (specializing in Italian food). The entire resort appears to be catering to wealthier expats; free wifi, 2 pools, spa, massage, workout room, and an open area to host events/catering. Phase 2 where there are offering house plots which have their own mini driveways. The resort is not on the beach road, but on a side road that goes 'behind' Cabina Resort.

- Seabeach Bungalo has practically doubled their capacity in building new bungalos. Still the same affordable prices.

- This year was probably the best kitesurfing/kiteboarding season in a while for Thung wua Laen beach. The wind was very strong the last 4 months or so and it just died down this past week or two.

- Rat glue traps are the most cost effective methods I've seen to catch those rats/mice. When it got cold during the beginning of kitesurf windy season, rats seemed to find a warm spots in the kitchen, which then migrated into the rest of the house. Tried the metal cages, but they are poorly designed and the rats ate the bait and the door does not trip shut (not foolproof design). The snap traps might be a disaster for toddler's wandering fingers or toes. The mouse glue traps with a piece of papaya/chicken did the trick (didn't have any peanut butter). Just put them in the general path of the rats before going to bed. Placing double-sided tape on the bottom of the tray so it doesn't move around too much. between 5 traps, I caught 10 in 2 days, 5 in one trap. One was caught within 15 minutes while I was setting the other one.Tesco sells 2 pack for 32 baht for the large round ones. And yes, buy the pre made ones. Buying the glue separately and having to spread it out manually on a plate or cardboard is a huge waste of time and messy. Use vegetable oil to clean it off of your hands.

It was the first time I saw Thais wearing long sleeve shirts and light jackets en masse; the wind chill had me turn off my fan that normally stays on nearly 24/7.

A lot of tourists have commented that this beach in Chumphon is a very nice place to relax or live without the 24/7 "fun" associated with places like in Phuket, Pattaya, or the overpriced Koh Samui. We were not affected by the Shutdown Bangkok protests (although on a suspected march through town, the schools got a week off). We still have a decent selection of shopping choices, and it is not far from Bangkok in the sense that it is accessible via train, bus, air, and car if you want to drive.

Good to see this thread is very focused on Chumphon. I hope it stays that way. Thanks to everyone who has contributed.

Edited February 15, 2014 by 4evermaat

[4evermaat 819]

Quick update: Armonia Resort is discontinuing their all-you-can-eat pizza starting June 1st. They have already modified it so that the menu is now fixed type of pizza (about 20) to choose from. Cal-zones/pizza puffs are now on the specialty menu, which means they are charged separately per item (I think 260 or 280). So no more 3-4 cal-zones for 1 price

Takeaway is now 180 baht vs 150 baht.

After June 1st, all pizza will be priced individually per pizza. I think the cheapest pizza will be 180 or 200 baht. I also think they will be opening the pizza shop more often instead of just Saturdays. I think they will be making their pizzas a bit bigger now though.

I guess in a way it was a business decision. They are the only real Italian-style pizza and dish you'll probably find in the area; but now I won't feel too much of a loss if I cannot make it.

Happy Songkran. I believe it is Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of next week. Not sure if anyone will be doing anything on Saturday/Sunday, but I'm sure the beach will be packed.

Edited April 11, 2014 by 4evermaat

[4evermaat 819]

Fame had reported several people having problems with the recent 'crackdown' in consecutive border runs for those getting visa exempt stamps ('Out-In'); some people were unable to leave if they were on their 4th Out-In.

Anyway, I ended up getting a new visa in Malaysia and documented the whole process here, including how to leave from Chumphon Town and get to Penang: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/728728-single-entry-non-o-visiting-family-visa-run-penang/ . A new visa of any kind will reset the Out-In count.

People who already have a visa (tourist visa, non-imm, extensions of stay with re-entry permit) are unaffected. It is only for people who need a new visa.

[michaelgeorge 2]

Hi Maat,

do you know anything about salt water fishing around, I am coming to Chumphon next week and wondering if I should bring my tackle.

Any help or contacts would be appreciated.

Regards Mike D.

[shaggy851 150]

Very interested in visiting here. Sounds like a decent and inexpensive place to live. Thanks for the thorough guide.

[Tom89 21]

I was just in Thung Wua Lang in June 2015. I liked the area and the people, but the flies were horrendous. I was wondering how long the fly season lasts and what measures the locals take to deal with it.

I'll retire in a few years and am making my way around southern Thailand looking for my future home.

[4evermaat 819]

I was just in Thung Wua Lang in June 2015. I liked the area and the people, but the flies were horrendous. I was wondering how long the fly season lasts and what measures the locals take to deal with it.

I'll retire in a few years and am making my way around southern Thailand looking for my future home.

The flies were particularly bad at one point in some areas where the venue is not properly sealed off (open air part of the restaurant or lounge area). Lots of locals use either the paper fly traps (a folded piece of paper with sticky glue....the flies just land on it and get stuck. Or you can use the coil bug repellant where you ignite the coil and it burns slowly. This is usually for mosquitoes.

I usually stay under my mosquito net, so I don't have an issue. Geckos are plentiful also. They are mostly gone now anyway. The larvae often grow around rotten food, especially if it is moist or is mixed in water.

I only noticed them when I would sometimes sit down to eat somewhere.

Hi Maat,

do you know anything about salt water fishing around, I am coming to Chumphon next week and wondering if I should bring my tackle.

Any help or contacts would be appreciated.

Regards Mike D.

Fishing, people usually go out in boats at night with nets Not sure about the daytime fishing....only saw a couple of people do this by the old pier. They are building a new pier about 200 meters from the old one (where the Saphli bridge is); this is supposed to be for new tour boats that will be coming there. Should be done by early next year....about 60-70% complete already.

Diving is something people do regularly here. There is even a new Diving club next to Albatross guesthouse literally making noise with some of their parties.

[AsianExport 64]

Is Chumphon the best place to live in Thailand ? Usually this is what people think about the place where they live, when actually it's quite similar everywhere in this country.

 

 

[4evermaat 819]

Is Chumphon the best place to live in Thailand ? Usually this is what people think about the place where they live, when actually it's quite similar everywhere in this country.

 

 

When you say 'best', can you be more specific? It's like a beach town but much more unspoiled. I think it is largely due to airport not being very busy, as Chumphon is centrally located. Most electronics repair centers are located in Hat Yai, Bangkok, Surat Thani. So it is important that you buy appliances and such from reputable dealers. But just about everything you need can be found in Chumphon Town, with the occassional trip to Surat or Bangkok if needed.

If you need any major surgery or medical work, you are likely going to need to go to Hua Hin.

The good news is that it is accessible and cheap for you to check out, air, train, or bus

[Fiandti 2]

Hi Maat,

thank you for the great info. I was in Chumphon in March 2000 and then a couple of times in the following years, and I am finally about to go back there in the next few days. I was wondering if you have time for a quick update about accommodation for one month both in town and by the beach (even considering the weather forecast). Thanks again for the detailed and accurate info: I always stayed in town and only went to the beach once (I think the songthaew was about 7.50 baht at the time), this time I would like to stay in town but visit the beach a bit more often (again, weather permitting). Best, Ti

[4evermaat 819]

3 hours ago, Fiandti said:

Hi Maat,

thank you for the great info. I was in Chumphon in March 2000 and then a couple of times in the following years, and I am finally about to go back there in the next few days. I was wondering if you have time for a quick update about accommodation for one month both in town and by the beach (even considering the weather forecast). Thanks again for the detailed and accurate info: I always stayed in town and only went to the beach once (I think the songthaew was about 7.50 baht at the time), this time I would like to stay in town but visit the beach a bit more often (again, weather permitting). Best, Ti

 

Not much has changed, except there are maybe double the amount of accommodations.  You know how Thais will like to build an entire resort and then sit on it for years....that kind of thing.  So expect to see a lot more coffee shops, guesthouses, etc.

 

The yellow song theaw that is near 7-eleven across from ChokeAnan bus station is about 25 baht to Saphli.

 

The staff Farang Bar should provide some assistance.   I suppose you could stay in the town and then rent a scooter to go back and forth to the beach.  Or rent for a few days in each place and then see what setup you like best.

 

There is a local immigration office at the bus station OUTSIDE of town .  Previously, you had to go to Ranong immigration office to get most things like extensions of stay, etc processed.    

 

It is windy season, so the kite surfers are out until at least January.  On more quiet days, I suppose you can go in the water.   Plenty of resorts with pools now also.

Edited December 19, 2016 by 4evermaat