Narathiwat
นราธิวาส · Narathiwat Province
Population
40K
Budget / Month
$250
Internet
50 Mbps
Best Season
February to April (driest)
About Narathiwat
Narathiwat is Thailand's southeastern-most province, bordering Malaysia's Kelantan state. The small capital city sits at the mouth of the Bang Nara River with a pleasant waterfront. The province is overwhelmingly Malay-Muslim, with a culture, language, and food tradition more closely linked to Malaysia than to Bangkok.
The coastline is surprisingly beautiful, with long sandy beaches and mangrove forests. Like Pattani and Yala, Narathiwat has been affected by the southern insurgency since 2004. Violence has decreased in recent years. Travelers who do visit find an extraordinarily warm welcome and a cultural experience available nowhere else in Thailand.
The food is distinctly Malay — biryani, roti canai, nasi kerabu, and teh tarik rather than pad thai and som tam. This is one of the most conservative Muslim areas in Thailand; alcohol is essentially unavailable.
Historical Note
Narathiwat was historically part of the Malay Pattani sultanate before being incorporated into Siam. The province's Malay-Muslim identity remains strong. The area has experienced an ongoing insurgency since 2004, though violence has decreased in recent years.
Best time to visit: February to April (driest)
At a Glance
Thai Name
นราธิวาส
Province
Narathiwat
Region
Southern
Population
40,000
Area
4,475 km²
Elevation
5 m
Postal Code
96000
Airport
NAW
Local Language
Pattani Malay, Thai
Cost of Living
budget
/month9,000 THB
~$250 USD
comfortable
/month17,000 THB
~$472 USD
luxury
/month30,000 THB
~$833 USD
food
| Item | Low (THB) | High (THB) |
|---|---|---|
| Street food meal | 35 | 50 |
| Local restaurant meal | 50 | 100 |
| Coffee (iced) | 20 | 35 |
| Teh Tarik | 20 | 35 |
| Water 1.5L | 10 | 15 |
accommodation
| Item | Low (THB) | High (THB) |
|---|---|---|
| Basic guesthouse per night | 250 | 400 |
| Mid-range hotel per night | 500 | 1,000 |
| Best available per night | 1,000 | 2,000 |
transport
| Item | Low (THB) | High (THB) |
|---|---|---|
| Motorbike taxi across town | 20 | 40 |
| Motorbike rental per day | 200 | 300 |
entertainment
| Item | Low (THB) | High (THB) |
|---|---|---|
| Massage (1 hour) | 150 | 250 |
Internet & Connectivity
Speed Test Averages
vs Bangkok Average (200 Mbps)
25% of Bangkok speed
Providers
Coworking Spaces
0
Weather & Climate
February to April for the driest weather. The monsoon season brings heavy rain. Check government travel advisories before visiting as the area is affected by the southern insurgency.
| Month | High °C | Low °C | Rain (mm) | Humidity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 29 | 23 | 120 | 80% |
| Feb | 30 | 23 | 50 | 75% |
| Mar | 31 | 24 | 60 | 75% |
| Apr | 32 | 24 | 80 | 78% |
| May | 32 | 25 | 120 | 80% |
| Jun | 32 | 25 | 100 | 78% |
| Jul | 32 | 25 | 100 | 78% |
| Aug | 32 | 25 | 110 | 78% |
| Sep | 31 | 24 | 130 | 80% |
| Oct | 31 | 24 | 200 | 85% |
| Nov | 30 | 24 | 350 | 88% |
| Dec | 29 | 23 | 280 | 85% |
Things to Do
Bang Nara River Waterfront
Walk along the river in the city center with food stalls in the evening.
Narathiwat Central Mosque
Beautiful white mosque near the river — the spiritual center of the city.
Tak Bai
ตากใบ
Historic border town with a scenic river and traditional wooden houses on stilts.
Narathat Beach
Long, uncrowded beach on the Gulf of Thailand.
Mangrove Forest Boardwalks
Several preserved mangrove areas around the province for nature walks.
Bacho Waterfall
Multi-tiered waterfall in the forested interior of the province.
Food & Dining
ข้าวหมก
Khao Mok
Local biryani with chicken or goat — a Malay-influenced rice dish.
40-80
Local restaurants and market stalls
โรตีจะนาย
Roti Canai
Flaky flatbread with curry dipping sauce, the breakfast staple of the deep south.
15-30
Morning market stalls
นาซิเกอราบู
Nasi Kerabu
Blue-tinted rice with herbs, fish, and sambal — distinctly Malay.
40-60
Morning markets
เตตาริก
Teh Tarik
Pulled tea, Malaysian-style, frothy and sweet.
15-30
Tea stalls everywhere
ปลาเผา
Ikan Bakar
Grilled fish with sambal, Malay-style.
60-120
Seafood restaurants
Night Markets
- Narathiwat Night Market
Accommodation
Hostel Dorm
200 - 350
THB / night
Budget Hotel
250 - 500
THB / night
Mid-Range
500 - 1,000
THB / night
Luxury
1,000 - 2,000
THB / night
Studio /mo
2,500 - 4,000
THB / night
1BR /mo
3,500 - 6,000
THB / night
Best Areas for Tourists
Best Areas for Long Stay
Booking Tip
Very limited options. No international chains or boutique properties. Tanyong Hotel and Imperial Narathiwat are the best available.
Getting There from Bangkok
Narathiwat Airport
Airport Code: NAW
Flight
1.5 hours
1,500-4,000 THB
Bus/minivan from Hat Yai
3-4 hours
200-400 THB
Getting Around
Motorbike taxi
WidespreadMain way to get around town
20-40
Motorbike rental
LimitedFor exploring the province
200-300
Songthaew
LimitedLimited shared transport
15-30
Neighborhoods
City Center / Riverfront
Quiet and localMain town area with the river, mosque, market, and accommodation.
Best for: All visitors
Narathat Beach Area
Empty and peacefulCoastal strip east of the city. Quiet and scenic.
Best for: Beach time
Tak Bai
Traditional Malay-ThaiHistoric border town 30 km south with stilt houses and river views.
Best for: Culture, border crossing
Festivals & Events
Hari Raya Aidilfitri
Major celebration with feasting and community gatherings. The biggest holiday in the deep south.
Long Boat Racing
Traditional boat races on the Bang Nara River.
Practical Info
Hospital
Narathiwat Rajanagarindra Hospital
Best SIM Provider
AIS
ATM Availability
Common
Language Tip
Pattani Malay is the primary language with Thai as second. Virtually no English. Translation app essential.
Drinking Water
Do not drink tap water. Bottled water available.
Tipping Culture
Not expected
7-Eleven Density
Common
Emergency Numbers
Tourist police 1155, Emergency 191
Day Trips
Tak Bai
Scenic border town with stilt houses and river.
Sungai Kolok
Border town with market and crossing to Malaysia.
Bacho Waterfall
Multi-tier waterfall in forested hills.
Hala-Bala Wildlife Sanctuary
Dense rainforest with hornbills and rare wildlife. Requires permit.
Nearby Cities
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Narathiwat safe?
It is part of the insurgency-affected deep south. Violence has decreased but continues. Check your government advisory and exercise heightened caution.
Is there alcohol available?
Essentially no. This is one of the most conservative Muslim areas in Thailand.
What is the food like?
Malay-Muslim cuisine closer to Malaysian Kelantan than central Thailand. Biryani, roti, nasi kerabu, grilled fish with sambal.
Can I cross to Malaysia?
Yes, via Sungai Kolok or Tak Bai border crossings with valid passport.