Chum Kho: Bays, Temples and Coral Reefs

The Chum Kho subdistrict is home to coastal landscapes, marine attractions, caves and religious sites. To start planning your trip, you can consider whether you are especially interested in beaches and bays, coral reefs, cultural sites or conservation. These different themes can guide you when looking for hotels in Chum Kho and planning your trip around your own interests.

Beaches, Bays and Views

Hat Bo Mao in Moo 6 is a crescent-shaped beach with white sand. It is considered suitable for relaxing and swimming in the sea. Ao Thung Sang in Moo 5 also has fine white sand; attractive rock formations also shape the coastal landscape there. The two descriptions therefore emphasize different features: Hat Bo Mao is noted for its beach shape and for swimming and relaxation, while Ao Thung Sang is characterized by its sand and rocks.

Ao Yang is a small bay in Moo 5 of Chum Kho Tambon. It lies about 500 meters from Ao Thung Sang and is known for its particularly beautiful views. Laem Thaen in Moo 1 of Chum Kho Tambon is a low hill that extends out into the sea. A statue of the Prince of Chumphon also stands here, where visitors can pay their respects. This is distinct from the Laem Thaen Daen Song Tawan viewpoint, where you can watch the sun rise over the sea in the east in the morning. In the evening, the sun is described as setting behind the mountains in the west.

The Sea, Coral Reefs and Protected Areas

Ko Khai is located in Chum Kho Tambon and is described as a place for diving and observing corals and giant clams. The coral reefs on the northwest side cover 70 rai, while those on the south side cover 47 rai. Both areas were rated “very good.” Thus, along with diving, the different area figures for the two sides of the reefs are also a key feature. The Chum Kho giant clam sanctuary is located in Moo 5 and Moo 6, near Ao Hin Kob and Ao Bang Chak.

There are also distinctive natural features inland. Tham Nam Lot is a relatively small cave in Moo 3; water emerges on the other side of the mountain. This description sets it apart from the coastal bays and the caves associated with temples and Buddha images.

Caves, Temples and Images

Wat Tham Khao Phlu is located in a limestone cavern and is known in Pathio and Chumphon as the temple of Luang Pu Jeet. Luang Pu Jeet had the temple restored after it had been abandoned and fallen into disrepair. Tham Khao Phlu also contains a replica of the statue of Luang Pho Jeet Punyasaro, the former abbot of Wat Tham Khao Phlu. At Laem Thaen, you can visit the statue of the Prince of Chumphon; visitors can pay their respects there.

Buddha images also feature prominently in the caves. The cave Tham Khao Phlu contains an old image in the Maravijaya posture, about 200 years old, called Pathio Phra Lak Mueang. Another image in the same posture is located in the large cave at Wat Tham Khao Phlu. It is estimated to be at least 225 years old and measures 80 centimeters wide and 120 centimeters high. The age and dimensions refer to this second image.

Mangroves and Wildlife

The mangrove forest in Moo 2 is a mangrove conservation area and a learning site about the mangrove forest ecosystem for schoolchildren and students. A planting event on August 1, 2022, involved 300 seedlings of the small-leaved mangrove. Conservation and environmental education are therefore among the community’s themes, alongside coastal landscapes and temple history.

The dusky leaf monkeys protected by Wat Tham Khao Phlu live on a hill near the temple. The Khao Phlu wildlife, plant and environmental sanctuary is also a place where dusky leaf monkeys can be observed. When planning your trip, you can compare these nature-related attractions with the coastal and cultural sites and decide which themes you want to shape your stay in Chum Kho.

Discover more destinations: Thung Kha, Ban Na, Phato, Pak Tako, Wang Mai, Wang Phai, Tha Taphao, Saphli

For the broader travel overview: Chumphon.