Southern Thailand · Phatthalung

Phatthalung travel guide: Thale Noi wetlands and Khao Ok Thalu

Phatthalung is a quiet province of rice fields and limestone hills between Trang and Songkhla. TAT describes its internationally protected wetlands, locally made sedge weaving and its own cuisine. The highlight is Thale Noi, the 'little sea', Thailand's largest waterfowl reserve, where boats glide through lotus at dawn.

AsiaVela editorial teamUpdated 1 October 20263 min read

Pink and white lotus flowers and lily pads spreading across the water of Thale Noi — Lotus on Thale Noi.

Suggested time: 1–2 days
Where to stay: Phatthalung town or near Thale Noi
Season and timing: November to March for the most birds, according to TAT.

The short answer

Spend a day or two. Take an early-morning boat on Thale Noi, about 30 kilometres north of town, for waterbirds and lotus — birdlife is most abundant from November to March, according to TAT. Climb the steps of Khao Ok Thalu for the view over town. Phatthalung has no airport; TAT suggests combining it with Nakhon Si Thammarat, which has flights from Bangkok.

Thale Noi

Thale Noi is the country's largest waterfowl reserve, TAT explains, part of a 460-square-kilometre wetland listed by the IUCN, with a section protected under the Ramsar Convention. More than 180 species of resident and migratory birds have been recorded, including herons, storks and purple swamphens.

The lake itself covers about 30 square kilometres and is linked to Songkhla Lake by the 2-kilometre Nang Riam canal, according to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports' directory, with lotus, swamp forest and water buffalo grazing in the shallows.

A dawn boat trip

Longtail boats leave from the village on the west shore, home to about 2,000 households, the directory notes. Go at sunrise, when birds are active and the light is soft.

Ask boatmen to keep their distance from nesting birds and buffalo.

A long wooden walkway stretching across the still water of Thale Noi lake — A walkway over Thale Noi.

Traditional lift-net fishing frames standing in the wetlands of Thale Noi — Fishing nets in the Thale Noi wetlands.

Make time for the local food

What to eat and where to look

Southern Thai cooking

Spicy southern curries and stir-fries, which TAT describes as part of Phatthalung's own cuisine.

Where to look: Local restaurants in town.
Fit it into your day: Lunch.

Very spicy.

Lakeside fish

Freshwater fish from Thale Noi at simple restaurants by the lake.

Where to look: Thale Noi village.
Fit it into your day: Breakfast or lunch after the boat trip.

Fish bones.

Market snacks

Rice sweets and fruit at the morning market.

Where to look: Phatthalung town market.
Fit it into your day: A snack before the drive.

Early hours.

Khao Ok Thalu

Khao Ok Thalu, about 250 metres high, has a hole right through its upper part and is the symbol of the province, as the directory describes. More than a thousand steps lead to the top and a view over Phatthalung town.

Locals believe the mountain is home to a guardian spirit; go early to avoid the heat.