Narathiwat is one
of five southern provinces that border Malaysia.
The economic and border tourism centre is
at Amphoe Su-ngai Kolok where Malaysians
and Singaporeans like to spend their holiday
and shop. The area has a constant flow of
culture and trading.
The majority of the population is Muslims,
with the Yawi language used in speaking
and writing (Yawi has roots from the spoken
Malay language and uses consonants and
alphabets of the Arabic language).
Narathiwat has a total area of 4,475
square kilometres. It is on the eastern coast
of the Malay Peninsula. The north borders Pattani
and the Gulf of Thailand, the west borders Yala,
the east borders the Gulf of Thailand, and the
south borders Kelantan in Malaysia. Most of
the area is jungles and mountains. The plains
where 4 rivers converge are adjacent to the
gulf. The rivers are Sai Buri, Bang Nara, Tak
Bai, and Su-ngai Kolok. Narathiwat has a tropical
climate and has only 2 seasons; summer and rainy.
The wettest period is during November to December.
History
Originally, Ban Bang Nara or Manalo was just
a village on the bank of the Bang Nara River
next to the sea. In the reign of King Rama I,
Ban Bang Nara was under the administration of
Sai Buri. It later became a precinct and came
under the responsibility of Rangae in Pattani
precinct. In 1906, in the reign of King Rama
V, Ban Bang Nara grew into a large community,
with active land and sea trades. The provincial
office was moved from Rangae to Ban Manalo and
in 1915, King Rama VI visited Bang Nara and
gave it the name of “Narathiwat,”
meaning “home of good people.”
Distances from Amphoe Muang (Town) to Neighbouring
Districts:
