Day 7, Sunday, 10th March - Narathiwat

Pattani Third Day....... We've had two full days in Pattani Province, and we can pack in the third without staying a forth night. My plan today is to add some missed attractions before we break new ground. That plan has to work since I have already booked accommodation for tonight in Narathiwat. As far as Pattawia Resort is concerned I will miss the convenience of having the car parked right outside the door. Tonight will be different because I've booked a multi story hotel.
Packing up though has taken longer than it should and leaving after 10.00 am is not ideal given how much there is to do. However, when it comes to time wasted, the first visit on my list could have been done earlier.
Ratchadapisek Beach....... Ratchadapisek Beach lies to the west of Pattani on a promontory on the coast of Nong Chik District. As it's earlier in the day there are few visitors here beside this beach so it's quite pleasant to wander about taking in the ocean views. The land behind the beach is cross crossed by klongs making it unusable except for the tame goats that graze here. We next revisit Khok Pho District where I might see more trains but another reason to backtrack is to add one more attraction that I will not have to opportunity again to visit.
King Rama VII Pavilion....... King Rama VII Pavilion is easily missed as I found out, just walking distance from the train station. The pavilion was created after King Rama VII visited here in 1929. In that year, international astronomers predicted a solar eclipse and set up their telescopes in the town. The King planned a visit here for the event but at the predicted time the weather was dull over Khok Pho, and he moved to the city. Nevertheless, the pavilion was built to commemorate his visit.
At the railway station there is no service due in the next half hour and I'm not prepared to wait. There is just one more attraction I plan to visit before we head east.
Suan Bai Jai Ni....... All I knew about Sauan Bai Jai Ni before arrival is that it is a family attraction and could have limited appeal for us. We arrive and it is indeed a popular attraction this weekend. We find a decent parking space away from the busy road packed with food sellers and pay an entrance fee of just 10 baht. Once inside I confirm that this is a family attraction consisting of a boating lake with various activities, a mini zoo and a skywalk. For the price no wonder it's popular. It's one more attraction to cross of my list. From here we head on around the bypass and into Yaring District where we were yesterday. Passing some attractions we visited then, we are now in totally new territory.
The route now takes us further along the coast traveling east where there are a number of beaches. The first is Wae Yama Beach, but we cannot get access to is. The GPS flags it as having no access. Well, let's try the next not far away.
Panare Beach....... Panare Beach is located in Panare District and is quieter than the beaches around Pattani despite there being plenty of parking space although the best locations are occupied under the sea pine trees. Notable are the stronger than usual waves, due to an offshore breeze blowing in. This exposed beach is definitely more like one I could spend time on but all we have time for is to take lunch here. As we continue after mostly flat terrain around Pattani it becomes more mountainous.
Luang Pho Non Pagoda....... With so much emphasis on the coast planned for today, Luang Pho Non Pagoda provides something different due to its location on a medium-sized hill. There is a narrow twisting roadway to a car park near the top but a staircase to reach the pagoda. This Buddhist temple seems out of character for this province but welcome to my partner, while I'm unfazed by the steps leading up to the pagoda which offers lovely views over towards the ocean to the right. We can now get back to the coast again.
Khae Khae Beach....... At Khae Khae Beach, gone are the wide sand banks occupied by goats and huge crowds of humans as the mountains reach the sea. A twisting road leads down to a cove but there are still enough people here to clog the road which passes through a stone field of huge boulders creating a wonderful photo opportunity. If we could park somewhere I would love to stay awhile but let's just complete the list for today in Pattani.
Wasukri Beach....... The Wasukri Beach (Patatimoh) in Saiburi District, is about 80 km from Pattani City on HWY 42. It is a long stretch of white sand beach shaded by rows of pine trees, eminently suitable for relaxation and swimming. To reach it from the north requires completing a loop to cross the Saiburi River and an opportunity to stop at the Phru Khae Khae Watergate. As beaches go this one is typical of many beaches in Pattani.
Bang Sai Beach....... Bang Sai beach 10 km further on is another long white sand beach which has a large river or canal running parallel to it. There are even fewer people here at this beach and you can picnic under the sea pine trees in peaceful surroundings. A couple of minor attractions are near this beach. A compound contains and ancient monument Makam Marahom. This is a memorial that recently received funds to provide a wall and gate. It is unknown to whom the cemetery was created for. Across the road on the bank of the Laweng Canal are twin pavilions. It is a place of a Royal visit by Princess Sirindhorn in the past. We are also told that there was a wooden bridge near here commemorating a visit by the late Bhumibol Adulyadej (King Rama IX) but it has since been destroyed.
For most of the trip this afternoon traveling from Pattani we have been near the beach, the long coastal road seemingly endless and the views repetitive but I've had a good opportunity to see the coastline here, having otherwise covered nearly all of Thailand's coastline now. Today has been a day in transit so no advantage has been taken to stop along this coast other than to take photographs. To wrap this day of up we just need to drive the final 30 minutes to Narathiwat. At 5.10 pm we enter the province and after an overnight stay or site visit I can add the 76th out of 77 provinces that I've visited and the furthest from Bangkok too. Remarkable!
Imperial Narathiwat Hotel....... We head into Narathiwat and check in at The Imperial Narathiwat Hotel which sounds posh. That's because it once was. This morning still uncertain of a 'walk in', I booked this hotel and appeared to get a great deal with breakfast included. It was a gamble as I hadn't had time to spend comparing different options. What we've ended up with is a room with a walk in price for 1,200 baht and paid just over 700. All should be good but you know it is a vintage style hotel when they still have a bathtub from another century. I'm OK with that but my partner doesn't like old style, so I'm surprised she's put up with me for so long! She doesn't take long to come up with alternatives. Am I in for the chop I wonder.
Finally as we are right in the city here we can walk out for dinner. We end up with seafood and it just confirms how cheap it is in Thailand's deep south. As for the meal well, please could someone give me the recipe. I'm all for more of that!
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