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Thailand Province Guide

Narathiwat

นราธิวาส · South Thailand

responsible travel researchborder cultureadvisory area
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About Narathiwat Province

Narathiwat is the southernmost of Thailand's deep-south provinces, sharing a long border with the Malaysian states of Kelantan and Perak. Like Yala and Pattani, it has been affected by an ongoing separatist insurgency since 2004, and the UK Foreign Office, US State Department, and many other governments advise against all but essential travel to the province because of the risk of attacks, ambushes, and improvised explosive devices. Travel insurance is often invalid in advisory areas.

Key facts

Population
804,429 (2020)
Area
4,475 km²
Density
180 / km²
Districts
13
Capital
Narathiwat
ISO code
TH-96
Airport
Narathiwat Airport (NAW)

National parks (1)

Ao Manao - Khao Tanyong National Park

All 13 districts

Bacho · Chanae · Cho-airong · Mueang Narathiwat · Ra-ngae · Rueso · Si Sakhon · Su-ngai Kolok · Su-ngai Padi · Sukhirin · Tak Bai · Waeng · Yi-ngo

Top Highlights

  • Active travel advisory: foreign offices generally advise against non-essential travel to Narathiwat

  • Tak Bai and Su-ngai Kolok border crossings with Malaysia

  • Budo-Su-ngai Padi National Park (Khao Tanyong-Mas) rainforest area

  • Royal Project initiatives in rural agriculture and community development

Getting There

Narathiwat has a small domestic airport with limited flights, primarily from Bangkok. Many travellers instead use Hat Yai (Songkhla) and continue by road or southern train, or cross overland from Malaysia at Su-ngai Kolok. Security advisories should be checked before departure.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Sources

Facts on this page last checked 1 August 2026.

  1. 1.Q271442 — population, area, districts, coordinates — Wikidata (Wikidata), retrieved 1 August 2026
  2. 2.Background reading — Wikipedia (Wikipedia), retrieved 1 August 2026Linked for context; no text is reproduced from it.
  3. 3.Official provincial website — Provincial administration (Official source), retrieved 1 August 2026

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Factual claims on this page are sourced and dated. Where something could not be verified, we say so rather than guessing.

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Narathiwat

นราธิวาส

Region

South Thailand

Capital

Mueang Narathiwat

Best For

responsible travel researchborder cultureadvisory area

Highlights

  • Active travel advisory: foreign offices generally advise against non-essential travel to Narathiwat
  • Tak Bai and Su-ngai Kolok border crossings with Malaysia
  • Budo-Su-ngai Padi National Park (Khao Tanyong-Mas) rainforest area
  • Royal Project initiatives in rural agriculture and community development
View all 76 province guides →
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