Narathiwat is one of five southern provinces that border Malaysia. The economic and border tourism centre is at Amphoe Su-ngai Kolok where Malaysians and Singaporeans like to spend their holiday and shop. The area has a constant flow of culture and trading.

The majority of the population is Muslims, with the Yawi language used in speaking and writing (Yawi has roots from the spoken Malay language and uses consonants and alphabets of the Arabic language).

Narathiwat has a total area of 4,475 square kilometres. It is on the eastern coast of the Malay Peninsula. The north borders Pattani and the Gulf of Thailand, the west borders Yala, the east borders the Gulf of Thailand, and the south borders Kelantan in Malaysia. Most of the area is jungles and mountains. The plains where 4 rivers converge are adjacent to the gulf. The rivers are Sai Buri, Bang Nara, Tak Bai, and Su-ngai Kolok. Narathiwat has a tropical climate and has only 2 seasons; summer and rainy. The wettest period is during November to December.

History

Originally, Ban Bang Nara or Manalo was just a village on the bank of the Bang Nara River next to the sea. In the reign of King Rama I, Ban Bang Nara was under the administration of Sai Buri. It later became a precinct and came under the responsibility of Rangae in Pattani precinct. In 1906, in the reign of King Rama V, Ban Bang Nara grew into a large community, with active land and sea trades. The provincial office was moved from Rangae to Ban Manalo and in 1915, King Rama VI visited Bang Nara and gave it the name of “Narathiwat,” meaning “home of good people.”

Distances from Amphoe Muang (Town) to Neighbouring Districts:

Chanae 47 kilometres
Cho-airong 31 kilometres
Tak Bai 33 kilometres
Bacho 28 kilometres
Yi-ngo 18 kilometres
Ra-ngae 24 kilometres
Rueso 48 kilometres
Waeng 83 kilometres
Si Sakhon 65 kilometres
Sukhirin 112 kilometres
Su-ngai Kolok 63 kilometres
Su-ngai Padi 49 kilometres