By public bus it takes 24 hours 30 minutes to travel from Chiang Rai to Phattalung. A quicker option would be to fly from Chiang Rai to Bangkok, then take another flight to Nakhon Si Thammarat, and then a bus from Nakhon Si Thammarat to Phatthalung.
Bus Timetable from Chiang Rai to Phatthalung
- Click on the Chiang Rai – Phattalung link in the timetable below for more information and to buy tickets.
Bus Stop in Chiang Rai
Bus services to Phatthalung depart from Chiang Rai Bus Terminal 2, Phahonyothin Rd, Tambon San Sai, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Rai, Chang Wat Chiang Rai 57000.
Arrival in Phatthalung
Bus services from Chiang Rai to Phatthalung terminate at Phatthalung Bus Station.
About Phatthalung
Phatthalung is a medium sized town in the South of Thailand with a town centre population of about 40,000. Very few foreign tourists come to Phatthalung except perhaps to visit Thale Noi, which is a large wildlife reserve near to the town which is largely wetlands and a good place for bird watching. Phatthalung town is laid back place with farming being the major industry in the area.
The town has a few fairly good hotels which are relatively cheap, such as the Merdelong Hotel, but little in the way of Western style restaurants or bars.
Khuha Sawan Cave in PhatthalungThe two main places to visit in Phatthalung are Wat Khuha Sawan and Khao Ok Thalu. Wat Khuha Sawan is a Buddhist temple on side of a mountain with a cave with shrines in it. The area has been used as a spiritual retreat for a very long time and the temple has existed in one form or another for around 1,000 years.
Khao Ok Thalu is a steep sided hill which rises 250 metres from an otherwise flat landscape and is the town’s major landmark. There is a staircase leading up to the top of Khao Ok Thalu with some shrines on route. There is a hole in the top of the hill through which you can see the town.