This trip was a two-girl journey. We flew from Don Mueang to Hat Yai and then rented a car to drive to Satun. The whole trip took three days and included visits to Satun, Hat Yai, and Songkhla. However, I will only review the Satun part of the trip, as I haven't seen many reviews about it.

This trip started with a short elderly journey, with the flight departing at 9:50 AM and arriving in Hat Yai at 11:00 AM. The return flight was in the late afternoon at 5:05 PM. I usually travel with the earliest departure and latest return, but this time I opted for a more relaxed schedule due to several consecutive trips beforehand.

As the plane approached Hat Yai Airport, the view from above revealed a vast expanse of red trees, forming a vibrant carpet interspersed with patches of green. The scene resembled the changing foliage witnessed during travels abroad. Unfortunately, due to restrictions on electronic devices, no photographs were captured. The memory, however, remains vivid.

I stopped for lunch at a restaurant near the airport, Noen Khum Thong Garden. I didn't expect the restaurant to be so crowded. When I arrived, it was packed. I ordered the runny egg menu, chicken curry with chili paste, and stir-fried leaves with egg. The food was decent, but the curry wasn't very spicy. From what I observed, other tables tended to order rice noodles more often.

After feeling full, we stopped by the shop to buy some snacks, such as sesame salad and coconut jelly, to eat on the way.

We have arrived in Satun! I'm a little excited because usually when people talk about Satun, they only think of Koh Lipe. Look, just the front gate of the city invites you to explore.

Driving along, we saw patches of yellow and red leaves (probably rubber trees, but I didn't ask anyone). Some sections with wide, flat areas offered stunning views, but I couldn't take any pictures because we were driving quite fast. Braking suddenly would have sent us tumbling. Even when we stopped, I didn't dare get out to take photos. There were only two of us, women, and the roadside was very quiet. I didn't feel safe getting out. What we saw from the plane, looking from the same level, was still beautiful. Why hasn't anyone reviewed this? Thailand also has changing leaves, which are incredibly beautiful.

Before planning to visit Satun, I had many other destinations in mind. However, a few weeks before my trip, I saw an advertisement for the "Khao Lae Wa" tourism campaign.

<<<In a cave larger than 50 rai, the power of emerald light is hidden.>>>

Based on my research, this is the fourth largest cave in the world. Let's go check it out. I'm not usually a fan of caves, but I've been to some world-renowned caves in other countries. This one is right here in Thailand, so I have to go see it for myself.

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After a rough calculation of the time, I realized that it would be impossible to reach the cave today. Therefore, I decided to visit the Ban Sea instead. The reasons for this decision are as follows:

1. The name is interesting, worth a visit.

2. It is said that there are water dogs... Personally, I raise dogs and like dogs (actually, it has nothing to do with water dogs at all).

There aren't many reviews here.

4. Fellow travelers do not contradict their faith.

With so many compelling reasons, let's go for it.

The drive was long, and upon reaching the city of "Cha Cha," I was eager to quench my thirst with a cup of the famous "Cha Cha" tea. However, I was unable to stop in time and ended up with a coconut shake with milk and basil seeds instead. After purchasing it, I discovered that it must be a popular drink in the area, as I saw it being sold at several shops. Don't miss out on trying it yourself!

Feeling that it was too far away and wondering why it wasn't here yet, I asked the water vendor again to confirm the directions.

The mosque is beautiful...but...actually, what we see like this sometimes is not a mosque. For example, in this picture, it is a school. I don't know how to distinguish them. If I see something like this, I will call it a mosque first. Or maybe the mosque and the school are the same place, just like in the old days when the school was in the temple. Huh, confused. Let's wait for the experts to clarify.

Lost in the scenic drive, I failed to brake in time. Fortunately, the road was practically deserted. I reversed a long way and turned into an alley.

After purchasing tickets and stamping the park pass at the visitor center, we continued our journey.

Digressing for a moment, I stopped by the tourist information center restroom. The faucet in the sink was constantly running and couldn't be turned off. I informed one of the staff members in the office, but they responded nonchalantly, stating that it wasn't their concern as they weren't the ones paying the water bill. Disheartened, I could only grimace and leave. (To those responsible, please consider repairing the faucet in the restroom.)

Continuing on to "Talay Ban", which originates from the Malay word "Leid Reoban", meaning a sunken sea or a sea formed by the subsidence of land. It is not a real sea, but rather a large lagoon in the middle of a valley. The lagoon is surrounded by an abundance of mangrove trees.

The afternoon sun at Banyan Beach is not only strong, but the wind is also equally powerful.

Ban Tha Le is a large community of barking frogs, also known as "waak" frogs. If you come here and don't see any barking frogs, at least hearing their calls is a good sign. Otherwise, it's like you haven't arrived at all. They are called barking frogs because they make sounds similar to puppies at night, and during the breeding season, they croak loudly. When I visited, I could hear their calls constantly, so loud that I wondered if the park rangers had secretly installed loudspeakers to trick us. We tried to find them, but we couldn't see them. Later, I talked to a shopkeeper in Satun town, and he told me that barking frogs are very small and cling to bakong trees. So I tried looking down at the base of the trees, but I still couldn't see them.

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It is said that it is like this. Let's try to find it.

He took a short walk around the area, not daring to venture too far. The deeper he went, the more eerily quiet it became.

After strolling and taking photos to their heart's content, they waved goodbye.

Scattered monkeys frolic around. The sign claims that hornbills also reside here, but I haven't spotted any with my own eyes. Instead, I only encountered their statues.

There are also statues of various rare animals. I wonder if these animals will only become statues for future generations to remember. It's sad to think about.

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The Thai-Malaysian border market is located approximately 2 kilometers from the Thale Ban National Park. It is a small market with a limited selection of goods. We drove through the market and enjoyed the scenery.

As we drove into the city center of Satun, we were greeted by a multitude of beautiful mosques. If we had been skilled photographers, the pictures we could have captured would have been truly stunning. Instead, we could only manage to snap a few quick shots on our phones, even though we were shooting against the light.

The mosques here are diverse in style and color, truly beautiful... why has no one mentioned this before?

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The heart of Satun city is marked by the iconic clock tower and the Masjid Mambang. No matter where we drive, we always seem to find ourselves circling back to these landmarks.

Our accommodation today is located in front of Khao Phraya Wang, which is also a rabbit garden… ah… no, it's V Valley Resort. This place raises 13 rabbits, allowing them to run freely. There are also a number of cats that occasionally chase and play with the rabbits. However, the little rabbits don't seem to mind, they just hop away and continue eating grass.

Relaxing and watching the rabbits, I don't want to leave this place.

The mischievous cat enjoys teasing the rabbit.

A relaxing seating area with a view of Khao Phraya Wang, where a cool breeze blows constantly.

The limited number of accommodations creates a tranquil atmosphere, making it ideal for relaxation.

The interior of the room appears clean and tidy.

The bathroom utilizes natural light, eliminating the need for artificial lighting during the day. However, it lacks a designated space for hanging toilet paper and a soap dispenser or liquid soap near the sink. Additionally, the water pressure is somewhat weak.

Ending the day with a photo of a mischievous cat before heading out to explore the city.

Our destination for this evening was simple: to find the southernmost point of Thailand on the mainland. We consulted a map and decided that Satun would likely have a spot that met our criteria. We drove along the road, following it to the very end to see what we could find. Along the way, we retraced the steps of Nong La, the chicken skewer vendor, visiting the scene of the incident in front of the 7-Eleven and the shop where she had purchased her skewers.

After leaving the city, there were cyclists and runners along the way. It was quite a distance, so I admire their dedication.

The view at the end of the road is breathtaking, with the vast ocean stretching as far as the eye can see. This is the Tamalang Pier.

A beautiful view from the pier, not a panoramic view, just a picture with the model cut out from the bottom.

The guardian crab at the end of the earth, similar to the one in Krabi, right? Many people may think so. There is also a nature study trail here, but we arrived too late in the evening, so we could only peek at the entrance from the front.

To continue our energy, the must-try items are roti and teh tarik. There are many roti and teh tarik shops in Satun. The shop we visited was Kam Pong.

Starting with the Thai tea, it was a bit too sweet for our taste.

A roti tissue, as large as a tray, seems like it will never end... but in the end, everything is finished.

Fresh fish crackers, or "ga-poh," are delicious when eaten hot. If they are not hot, they become very chewy. This basket is too much, too much for two people to eat.

Enhance your meal with protein-packed sardine roti, a delightful and surprisingly harmonious combination.

At exactly 8 pm, I rushed to Twin Shop Satun. I had heard that this local shop had a beautiful design, so I wanted to see it for myself.

The design is truly beautiful, and the owner is very kind.

It also has a small souvenir corner.

Let's continue walking on the walking street. On the walking street, there are many things to use and eat.

The deciding factor for our purchase before the market closed was the pateh fabric. The patterns resembled those sold near our home, but we decided to buy a few pieces (6-7) after the kind auntie offered to teach us how to wear it.

After returning to the accommodation, we played with the rabbits before going to bed. We slept soundly until morning and woke up early. We visited the Khao Phraya Wang Public Park, which is located in front of the resort.

Stop by to pay respects to the Buddha.

I drove and drove and found another mosque.

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A must-visit program for every trip is to stop by the morning market to see what food and goods are available. There are not many things to buy and eat here, but there are a lot of fresh products.

Stopped by Ko Ouan for dim sum.

We continued with rice porridge at the resort, which was delicious. I'm stuffed!

Seeing the cat and rabbit playing together so happily, I don't want to check out yet.

Our first stop was the Satun National Museum, also known as the Guillemard Mansion.

A Place to Narrate the History of Satun: The Wild Mangosteen of the Sakai People, the Traditional Occupations of Satun's Inhabitants, and Their Way of Life

This location serves as a platform to recount the rich history of Satun, including the significance of the wild mangosteen to the Sakai people, the traditional occupations of Satun's inhabitants, and the diverse aspects of their way of life.

We planned to grab another round of roti afterwards, but the shop was already closed, much to our disappointment. So, we decided to stop by and buy some batik fabric instead.

Upon arriving, the shop appeared closed, but the vendor informed us it was open. We had to help her open the shop by removing the cloth coverings from the clothes. Almost every garment was covered with a plastic bag, likely due to the strong winds in Satun that constantly blow in dust. After much deliberation over the patterns, we left the shop feeling light.

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Stop by Wat Chanathippharat before leaving the city.

A true southern temple, look at it, look at it.

Let's embark on a journey to our main destination for today: the Emerald Light Tunnel at Phupha Phet Cave.

As I mentioned, this is a city of beautiful mosques. You will see stunning mosques along the way at regular intervals.

Following Google Maps' directions, we embarked on our journey to the cave. The initial stretch of the road was a series of steep ascents and descents, resembling a thrilling roller coaster ride. As we ventured further, the surroundings transformed into an eerie silence, punctuated by sharp left and right turns. The winding path and constant elevation changes left us feeling weary by the time we reached our destination.

To quench our thirst and ask for directions, we stopped at Cha Na Kahlong, a popular tea shop with numerous branches reminiscent of Cha Payom in central Thailand.

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The plan was to stop for lunch, but the driver, with a lead foot, sped right past. Lunchtime hunger pangs were quelled with snacks from the emergency stash. A public park with stunningly colored water was spotted, but a photo stop was skipped due to concerns about arriving late for the cave tour.

We've arrived at Palm Development. Look, it's full of palm trees!

The eerie silence and complete absence of life around them created an unsettling atmosphere, as if they had driven through a portal into another dimension.

Before reaching the destination marked on the pin, I noticed that the road I was on was different from the one indicated by the sign. I decided to follow the sign instead, but the sign disappeared after a while, causing me to get slightly lost. Fortunately, I met someone who helped me with directions. As I continued driving, I was once again greeted by the beautiful sight of the red forest. Although I couldn't capture its beauty in photos, it remains a vivid memory.

We have found the cliff, the cave must be nearby. We are confident.

We have arrived at Phupha Phet Cave. The car ride was quite long.

The cave is accessible, as evidenced by the presence of elderly individuals and children who have successfully navigated it. After paying an entrance fee of 50 baht per person, visitors can rent a flashlight for 20 baht at the entrance, as the interior is very dark. The ascent involves climbing several hundred steps, likely exceeding 300. During the climb, visitors may encounter individuals descending from the cave, who often express amazement at its beauty and the rewarding experience. Encouragement is also offered, with assurances that the destination is near and the effort will be worthwhile.

After a three-hour break, we finally arrived at the cave entrance. We waited for a group to form, as a guide was required to navigate the cave. Although there were paths inside the cave, it was vast and had multiple routes. The section open to the public was only the second level of the three-layered cave. For safety reasons, a guide was mandatory for entry.

Reaching the cave entrance is no easy feat. The narrow opening presents a challenge, only allowing those of a certain size to pass through. Those who are overweight may find it difficult to enter.

The cave is lit intermittently, but not with the orange lights seen in the advertisement. The guide explained that the orange lights were installed by the tourism authority specifically for the filming of the advertisement. However, by the time of our visit, the orange bulbs had all burned out, leaving only white lights. The filming had only taken place on January 15th, so the editing team must have worked very quickly.

For those with claustrophobia, fear not, only the entrance is narrow. Once inside, the cave opens up into a spacious area with a refreshingly cool atmosphere. The total exploration time for the cave is approximately 2 hours.

The Cave's Enthralling Beauty and Environmental Concerns

The guide meticulously explained the various points of interest within the cave. The cave's interior was truly magnificent, but the lighting was extremely poor, making it difficult to capture clear photographs. The extensive walk left our necks sore, as we constantly had to look up, to the sides, and follow the guide's instructions. The vastness of the cave was overwhelming.

One of the cave's most remarkable features is that it is a living cave, with ongoing stalactite and stalagmite formations. In some areas, water droplets could be seen falling periodically. Unlike many other caves, this one was devoid of artificial lighting or colored displays. However, it was disheartening to observe that some visitors had vandalized the formations by breaking off pieces of stalactites. It is estimated that it takes decades for these beautiful formations to develop. The thought of their destruction is deeply concerning. As the number of visitors increases, it is likely that controlling such behavior will become increasingly challenging.

Let's take a look at the highlights of this place, the "Emerald Light Tunnel". I'm so excited, I could cry. I can see it in the distance.

This is the only point in the cave where light can penetrate. Originally, the entire floor was green, but as more and more people entered, the green color remained only within the fenced-off area, as you can see.

The emerald light's power is hidden in a cave larger than 50 rai, just like in the advertisement. Here it is.

The cave is divided into several chambers, each with its own unique features. One chamber, the "Naga King's Coiling Chamber," is particularly noteworthy. It is said to be 3,000 times darker than normal, and when the lights are turned off, visitors cannot even see their own hands or glowing watches. The darkness is so intense that it could potentially cause death from fear.

The majority of the rocks in the cave shimmer like diamonds, which is likely the origin of the name "Phu Pha Phet Cave".

Translation:

The Journey Concludes: From Majestic Mosques to Emerald Tunnels and Crimson Fields

The journey concludes, leaving behind a trail of memories woven from majestic mosques, elusive otters, emerald tunnels, and fields ablaze with autumn hues. As we drive towards Hat Yai, the setting sun casts a golden glow upon the crimson foliage, creating a breathtaking spectacle that etches itself into our minds. The sheer beauty of this moment leaves us awestruck, a fitting culmination to an unforgettable adventure.

Upon returning from the trip and opening the photos on my computer at home, I was deeply shocked. I had set the camera to capture images in the smallest size possible. I screamed as if I had been doused with holy water. Farewell, everyone. See you on the next trip. Thank you for following and supporting me until the end.

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