Hi there, we use cookies to improve your experience on our website. You can update your settings by clicking the Privacy policy link at the bottom of the page. I'm currently on Koh Tao, and have a ferry booked to Chumphon on 14th Feb. I will arrive in Chumphon at around am, and I have a sleeper train booked which will depart from Chumphon train station that night at pm.
So my question is, how can I kill time from am until my train at pm, staying within easy distance to the train station? Hate to be the bearer of bad news but Chumphon is a hole, even by Thai standards I was there several years ago and revisited again last month: it has not changed and is still a dump.
The 'beach' area about 15km out of town is touted as being nicer: it's dirty, full of litter and one of the few places in Thailand where I have actually felt unsafe took a wrong turn and ended up driving through an area that was full of drug addicts and low life. The place I ended up staying in a few kms from there which was lovely, but had no facilities was locked when I got there and the gate was promptly locked behind me "because not safe".
My take on Chumphon is not as negative as Andie's, but nearby the railway station is mostly just a grid of small roads with travel offices, a few guesthouses, restaurants, noodle stalls, etc.
Not much to hold the fascination of your average backpacker, and the nearest beach is well beyond walking distance. With most of a day to kill I would go by tuk tuk 15km north to Thung Wua Laen beach. Better than hanging around town all day. Wow, I've had a lucky escape! I happen to like Isan women too Captain Bob is spot on with his tip. You will get some fine cheap street food at the night market which kicks off at around 5.
