Phatthalung lies between 2 mountain
peaks, Khao Ok Talu (Punctured Chest Mountain) to
the northeast and Khao Hua Taek (Cracked Skull Mountain)
to the northwest. Local legend says these 2 mountains,
the ‘mistress’ and ‘wife’,
fought over the male Khao Muang (City Mountain),
with both incurring injuries. The 250-m Khao
Ok
Talu has a naturally formed tunnel near its peak,
the ‘punctured chest’, while Khao Hua
Taek has a dented peak (cracked skull).
Located on Khao Hua Taek, the Ayutthaya-style Wat
Tham (cave) Kuha Sawan became the province’s
first royal temple and contains many Buddhist grottoes.
Numerous statues of monks and Buddha images are
housed inside the lower cave, while the upper cave
has a great view of Khao Ok Talu and the surrounding
areas. The front of the cave contains inscriptions
written by various members of the royal family.
Phra Phut Nirokuntarai Chaiyawat Chaturathit, or
commonly known as ‘Phra Si Muem Muang’,
is the holiest Buddha image in Southern Thailand
and the principal image associated with Phatthalung.
The gold-casted image is housed in the Chaturamuk
Pavilion in the foreground area between the provincial
hall and the provincial court.
Contrary to its name, Thale Noi (Small Lake) Waterfowl
Park is the largest wetland bird reserve in Thailand
that serves as a resting and feeding ground for
thousands of exotic migratory birds flying from
China and Siberia to Sumatra and Australia. Though
it has a swamp-like appearance, it is actually a
freshwater lake with a maximum depth of 1.5 meters.
The best way to explore the 30 sq km park is by
long-tailed boats, though a viewing platform in
the middle of the lake is ideal for bird-watching,
especially at dawn. The 150 plus migratory bird
species visit the park during the months of January
and April, swelling the population to as high as
100,000. The population starts to shrink in May
and only a small number of native species are left
during October to December.
The restored Governor’s Palace occupies a
peaceful site in the small fishing community of
Lam Pam, slightly east of the city. Built in 1889,
the palace is comprised of 2 individual buildings.
Closer to the road, the outer teak building served
as the living quarters for the governor’s
family. The main building is built around a courtyard
with a large tree and is situated by the river.
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