The same-named provincial capital of Satun is a decidedly sleepy affair, but that it its charm.
For example, at the local branch of the National Museum, I was probably the only visitor that afternoon so both (sic!) staff took it upon themselves to give me a guided tour. However, as tourists rarely come to town, the tour was in Thai as the staff wasn't proficient in English.
Satun is mostly mountainous, with plains flattening out the central and coastal areas. The province is also home to Thale Ban National Park, easily visited on motorcycle from the provincial capital.Bung Thale Ban is a large swamp that is situated in the middle of a valley and surrounded by Chin and Wang Pra mountains. In the mountains, there are several beautiful waterfalls and caves. Communist insurgents are said to have hidden themselves in some of the caves during the 1970s.
The swamp covers an area of 320 square kilometers and is full of freshwater fish and shells. There is an abundance of Bakong trees around the swamp.
