INTRODUCTION

Chumphon province is located in the most upper part of the Southern region. Following the Highway No.4, it is approximately 463 kilometers from Bangkok or about 476 kilometers by railroad. The total area of Chumphon is about 6,009 square kilometers,the fourth largest province of the South.

The province is divided into 8 Districts, 70 Tambons, and 655 villages. Considering the administrative area, there are 2 municipal areas 12 sanitary areas and 66 Sub-district Administration Organization The boundary to the north is Prachuap Khiri Khan, to the south is Surat Thani. The Gulf of Thailand situates on the east, while the west are the Union of Myanmar and Ranong. The shape of the province is long and narrow, the west consisted of mountains which are also the natural international boundary. The plain area which is suitable for farming is in the central part. The east of Chumphon consist of 222 kilometers long coastal with beaches. Raining season in Chumphon is relatively long, last from May to November. The temperature is not too high in summer and not too low in winter as well.
At June 1997 the population residing in Chumphon is 444,820,222,865 are male and 217,955 are female. The population density is 72 per square kilometer. The highest population was found in Chumphon district while the lowest are is in Patao district. About 15.47% of total population live in the urban areas 65.41% are over 13 years old with 52.78% of labour force and 2.13% of unemployed persons. The minimum wage in Chumphon is 130 baht daily.
In 1996, it is found that 55.38% of total area is cultivated land, 19% are under forest and 41.68% are under residential land.

Economic Background
Chumphon is the small province with the high growth rate. Gross Provincial Product has been increased 3 times in 10 years. Compare to the Gross Domestic Product the product share of Chumphon is constantly at 0.55% except in 1989-1990 the share was down to 0.5% due to the typhoon "Gay" Anyway, Chumphon per capita income has been growing at the high rate. In 1995, per capita income was 49,324 baht, accounted for the 7th highest of the south or the 26th highest of the kingdom. The economic growth rate is also relatively high which was 10.27% compare to 6.24% of the South, 4.23% of Surat Thani, and 8.84% of the whole Kingdom.
During the last 10 years, agriculture has been the most important sector, followed by trade sector and service sector, manufacture sector. In agriculture sector, cultivation is the main actively, about 40% of GPP. In 1995, the main crop was coconut, para rubber, coffee, durian, rambutan and mangosteen. However, some of these are under government subsidy and may get some negative impact by GATT and AFTA. Fishery is the second most important activity and has the potential to develop. Manufacture sector in Chumphon is small and has not fully developed. Most factories are small agro-in dustried factories, such as cannery and vegetable-oil extraction. Chumphon is the center of manufacturing. For the rest of economic sector, the change has been slightly during last decade. In general, Chumphon is the province with the good economic condition and high purchasing power. Anyway, Chumphon economy depends upon only agriculture sector which is so sensitive to the uncontrolled factors, such as natural disaster and world market condition.

Tourism
There are several natural beauty both inland and coastline, including beaches, islands, national parks and mountains. Basically, most natural places still keep their original charm and this strong point should be promoted for tourism.

Banking and Insurance.
There are 11 banks with 37 branches operating in Chumphon. The saving bank, the bank for agriculture and cooperative, and the branches of insurance companies also have their business operating. At the end of 1997, the total deposit was 12,637.6 million baht, 13.90% increase from last year, while the total credit was 12,637.6 million baht; 12.33% increase from last year. By this figures, it was found that credit-deposit ratio has been increasing over time.

Festivals & events what's happening on the local scene

MAJOR EVENTS
Buddha Effigy Procession and Boat Race in Lang Suan District.

A tradition of Lang Suan District which is over a 100 years old. It is believed that on the 1st night of the waning moon in the 11th month the Lord Buddha returns to Sungkassa in India from heaven. Many Buddhists therefore go to receive him. The most convenient form of journey during that time was by boat. So, the people had a chance for a social gathering. Later it became a Buddha procession and a boat race. These events take place on the 1st night of the waning moon in the 11th month (around August) of every year. They last for about 5 days. The major activities are a Buddha Effigy Boat Procession (many majestically adorned temple boats oin in) and a boat race in Lang Suan River.

Chumphon's Marine Festival
It takes place during the middle of March and April every year The aim is to promote Chumphon tourism-in order to distribute incomes among the local people, conserve natural resources. Main events : Angling competition, Tourism Photo Competition, Tourism Exhibition and Mini-Marathon.

Krom Luang Chumphon Khet Udomsak Commemoration
This event takes place near City hall around 19-25th December every year. The aim is to commemorate the Admiral Phra Chao Borommawongthir Krom Luang Chumphon Khet Udomsak, the person who is highly revered by people in Chumphon, he is also the father of the Royal Thai Navy. The main activities are Krom Luang Chumphon khet Udomsak Exhibition, Southern Art Exhibition and acting at night time.

Lang Suan Fruit Festival
It is held annually around August. Its main objective is to promote agricultural products, especially orchard products of Lang Suan District. Major events : Fruit competition, Jam Competition, Fruit Fair, Flower Car Competition and Fruit Maiden Pageant.

Local flavor from food to handicrafts

Local Foods and Goods
After seeing interesting places, be it the beauty of nature, hills, trees, caves, waterfall, beaches, coral, fish and blue sea, you may wish to buy souvenirs for your folks. So, we recommend that you buy fresh fruit, or jams such as durian, small bananas, mangosteen or pineapple which are readily available at the markets in Lang Suan District and Sawee District and at the local probuct center near Phetkasem Highway in Village No.4, Na Pho Subdistrict , Sawee District.
The persons who wish to buy sea products such as shrimp paste, fish sauce, dried cuttlefish and salt fish should go to the places where they are made or Sa Phlee Village, Pa Thiew District, Tako Mouth, Thung Tako District or Lang Suan Mouth. And the other items we want to recommend are :

• Hok Ha Brand anchovy fish sauce at Tako Mouth
• Phet Thaksin Brand fish sauce in Chumphon Mouth and Muang Chumphon Municipality
• Gayuthong Brand cashew nuts at Tang Tsun Kee Restaurant.
• Mattress made of lepironia articulata Domin of Cyperaceae family, the local handicraft available only in 14 southern provinces, on sale at Mrs. Thanom Samritkul's house, No. 11/1 Village No. 1, Hat Sairee Subdistrict, Muang District, which is near the road and easy for parking.

The persons who wish to buy many kinds of local products all in one go should go the shops named Kiat, Wanich and Phornphan which stand together at the back of Chumphon Coach station.
The last piece of souvenir is the sweet honey-pickled small bananas. Nearly everyone who tasted them bought them. They are generally on sale at the market in Lang Suan, Sawee and Muang Chumphon Districts.