Things to Do in Chumphon – Caves, Nature and Local Markets
Things to do in Chumphon. What are the best places to visit? The city is not known for its cultural vibrancy. However, as everywhere else, there are always a few surprises.
What to Do in Chumphon? Caves, Nature and Local Life
Often seen as a stopover before heading to Koh Tao, Chumphon hides a few quiet gems worth discovering. Here are some ideas to make the most of your time in this lesser-known Thai town.
Explore Chumphon City
Downtown Chumphon is modest and not particularly rich in cultural landmarks. A couple of temples, such as Wat Phra Borommathat Saw and Wat Chao Fa Sala Loi, are worth a short visit. There’s also a small and dated local museum. The nearby beaches tend to be underwhelming and not always clean.
Chumphon Night Market
The Chumphon night market is the liveliest place in town. It’s filled with food stalls and local products. Just 300 meters away, the Chumphon Night Bazaar offers even more variety.
Chumphon Night Market – Practical Info:
- 📍 Location
- 🕓 Open daily from 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM
- 🚶 Easily walkable from the city center
Exploring Beyond the City
Tham Rup Ro Cave (Phu Khao Phra)
Just 30 kilometers from the city, Tham Rup Ro Cave, also known as Phu Khao Phra, is one of the most interesting natural attractions in the area. Easily reached by songthaew for about 40 baht, it’s a great escape into the countryside.
The cave is next to Wat Thep Charoen, a small temple dating back to 1936. After a short walk uphill, you’ll reach two main chambers filled with large Buddha statues and shimmering stalactites made of silica and calcite. Bring a headlamp to enjoy the full experience.
The forest around the cave is vibrant with tropical plants and colorful bougainvillea. Be prepared for mosquitoes, especially in the shade.
Tham Rup Ro Cave – Practical Info:
- 📍 วัดเทพเจริญ 60 หมู่ 4 ถนนราษฏร์เจริญ Tha Kham, Tha Sae District, Chumphon 86140 – View map
- 🕗 Open daily from 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM
- 🚕 Getting there: Take a songthaew (shared taxi) for 40 baht. Departure is from the parking area beyond Saladaing Road, 100 meters after the Phorramin Mankha Road junction (on the left).
Namtok Kapo Forest Park
Not far from the cave lies the Namtok Kapo Forest Park, a calm and scenic area with small waterfalls and dense greenery. It’s a peaceful extension to your day trip from Chumphon.
Namtok Kapo Forest Park – Practical Info:
- 📍 View on Map – Hong Charoen, Tha Sae District, Chumphon 86140
- 🕣 Open daily from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
- 🚍 No direct transport. Some buses heading toward Prachuap Khiri Khan can drop you nearby, but return transport must be arranged in advance.
Khao Matsee Viewpoint
The Khao Matsee Viewpoint offers a panoramic view over Chumphon’s coastline and nearby islands. It’s a great place to watch the sunrise or sunset and capture breathtaking photos.
Beaches near Chumphon
Not far from Chumphon, there are a few beaches that will satisfy swimming enthusiasts. Mainly frequented by Thai tourists, these beaches are not very appealing in the low season. They are more appealing in the high season due to more regular cleaning and maintenance.
Hat Sai Ri Beach
This is undoubtedly the most convenient beach. Not far from Chumphon, there are many bungalows and rooms for rent directly overlooking the beach (with a road in between). It is not particularly charming, but the beach is pleasant when it is not sand fly season. There are many accommodation and dining options.
Hat Sai Ri Beach
Thung Makham Noi Beach
A little further away than the previous beach, this place must have had its heyday and charm. Now there is a dirty beachfront with numerous shacks housing shops. There are a few hotels renting out bungalows. When we visited, the beach was really unattractive… which is a shame because the setting is actually quite nice.
Thung Makham Noi Beach
Thung Wua Laen Beach
There are many amenities on site, but the same problems remain: dirt and neglect. However, it seems better maintained than Thung Makham Noi Beach.
Thung Wua Laen Beach
To get to these beaches, every hour a songthaew – a shared taxi truck with 2 (song) benches (taew) – makes the trip to each of them.
Nature Bonus: Migrating Eagles
Between September and October, thousands of eagles migrate from Siberia to southern Thailand. Chumphon is one of the few places where this spectacle can be witnessed.
Related Article
👉 Complete Travel Guide to Chumphon
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
When is the best time to visit Chumphon?
The dry season from December to April is ideal for outdoor activities and exploring the countryside.
How to get to Tham Rup Ro Cave?
Take a shared taxi (songthaew) from Saladaing Road. It costs around 40 baht and takes about 30 minutes.
What to do in Chumphon in one day?
Visit Tham Rup Ro Cave, stroll through the night market, enjoy the Khao Matsee viewpoint, and relax in the forest park.
