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The southernmost and
smallest of the Andaman coast provinces, Satun
is one of those quiet, peaceful places that most
travelers overlook. The population here is
predominantly Muslim and this province was only
regarded part of Thailand in 1932 but like other
southern provinces, the local Muslim here still
fight for an independent state. Topping the list of natural
sights is Tarutao Marine National Park, which
comprises 51 mountainous and forested islands,
with caves, mangrove swamps and beaches strung
along their shorelines. For the visitor there
are various walking trails, fine beaches, superb
views and much more to discover, including a
comparatively rich fauna among which wild pigs,
crab-eating macaques, dusky langurs and monitor
lizards are all fairly common and it is perfect
for adventure seekers and the best time to visit
is around November to May. The surrounding
waters are home to dolphins and sea turtles,
while whales and dugongs, although rare, have
also been spotted.
Less well known than
Tarutao is Satun's other big tourist attraction, the Thale Ban National Park, which in its limestone
hills and dense cover of rainforest affords a
glimpse of how the southern Thai peninsula must
have appeared before modern-day development took
hold. The virtually untouched scenery is
complemented by a remarkable variety of
wildlife, and bird watching is richly rewarding
with well over 200 species having been sighted
within the preserve. For those who are
interested to learn more about the traditional
lifestyles of the local Muslims here, then a
visit to the Satun National Museum is a must.
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