Minister of Tourism and Sports Surasak launched a visit to Phatthalung, highlighting the "Hot Springs - Nora Bridge - Khao Daeng Water Cave" as key points, aiming to upgrade infrastructure and promote the secondary city to a major tourist destination.
Mr. Surasak Phanjaroenworakul, Minister of Tourism and Sports, along with his team, continuously visited Phatthalung Province throughout the day on 8 August 2026 to advance a comprehensive tourism development strategy to elevate Phatthalung from a secondary city to a primary tourist destination.
During the morning and afternoon visits, the Minister was warmly welcomed and joined a tour to assess tourism potential with local officials, led by Air Commodore Athikun Kongmee, Member of Parliament for Phatthalung District 1 from the Bhumjaithai Party; Mr. Tharawut Chuaykoet, Deputy Governor of Phatthalung; Mr. Phait Thanprajasin, Director of Phatthalung Rural Roads; Mr. Prayut Thongphum, Chief District Officer of Khao Chaison; Mr. Charoen Rakram, Head of Khao Chaison Subdistrict Administrative Organization; along with heads of agencies and local leaders. Together, they pushed forward strategies focused on three main points:
1. Promote “Khao Chaison Hot Springs and Cold Stream” as the Southern Wellness Tourism Center: The Ministry of Tourism and Sports is committed to supporting improvements and upgrading facilities to meet safety and quality standards, promoting the natural healing wonders. This includes integrating hot and cold spring activities with lodging, homestays, and community products to attract health-conscious and affluent tourists, thereby channeling income into the grassroots economy effectively.
2. Accelerate construction of “Nora Bridge” to enhance tourism infrastructure: The site visit to the Nora Bridge construction over Songkhla Lake aimed to directly listen to local residents’ concerns and needs. The project is being expedited to finish on schedule to serve as a critical transport link. Additionally, local cultural arts like “Manora” will be leveraged to create added economic value for areas surrounding the project.
3. Highlight “Khao Daeng Water Cave and Phaya Khan” to connect natural and spiritual tourism routes: After surveying the beauty of Khao Daeng Water Cave and visiting sacred sites significant to Phatthalung, the Ministry aims to integrate all tourism routes—including lake, mountain, cave, hot springs, and cultural ways of life—into a seamless travel experience. This will encourage longer stays and broaden income distribution sustainably across communities.
Local tourism operators in Phatthalung requested the government to expedite the construction of Phatthalung Airport, increase tourism budget support, build the province’s tourism image and identity, and ease regulations to attract Malaysian tourists beyond Songkhla Province. They also proposed bringing pygmy elephants from Malaysia to Thale Noi Waterbird Park to boost tourism, recalling that pygmy elephants once lived in the area.
They also called for establishing a Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) office in Phatthalung to effectively drive tourism development, support tourism promotion via railway, and back varied tourism activities at Tha Khae Temple in Mueang Phatthalung District, recognized as the origin of Manora dance. However, current efforts still lack efficiency in cultural tourism promotion.
Mr. Surasak added, "Phatthalung has abundant treasures in nature, culture, and lifestyle. The Ministry of Tourism and Sports is fully prepared to coordinate and push for the remaining infrastructure improvements to accommodate tourists and create tangible economic opportunities for the people of Phatthalung."
Later at 7:00 PM, Mr. Surasak traveled to Wat Khao Mueang Kao in Chai Buri to join the opening ceremony of the event titled "397 Years of Chai Buri: The Miracle of Love in Phatthalung." The ceremony was presided over by Mr. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, along with senior officials including the Governor of Phatthalung and representatives from the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).
Meanwhile, Mr. Surasak emphasized the Ministry’s key goal that future tourism must balance economic value with cultural significance. This event showcases the historical identity, faith, and community lifestyle of old Chai Buri in a contemporary form, opening opportunities for local communities and operators to participate. This approach will attract tourists, generate income, and sustainably distribute economic opportunities to the grassroots in Phatthalung.
