Chumphon (sometimes rendered as "Chumpon" or "Chumporn" or "Chomphon") Province is a relatively quiet, low-key tourist destination, roughly halfway between Bangkok and the border with Malaysia. For many travelers, it's little more than "a point of passage" to the fabled Gulf of Thailand islands, especially Ko Tao. However, Chumphon Province boasts beautiful beaches, excellent scuba diving, and exceptional natural amenities; there are several national parks nearby where jungle treks or motorcycle tours to waterfalls and caves can easily be arranged, with guides or independently. As an outpost of Thai kingdoms dating back to the Ayutthaya period, there are also a few historical sites. Naturally, the seafood is exceptional.

Chumpon has a small airport (CJM). Unfortunately, as of January 2006 there are no flights at all, as both PBAir and Andaman Air have stopped their flights. There are direct train services to Chumphon from as far away as Bangkok to the north and Butterworth in Malaysia to the south. There are frequent direct bus services from Bangkok's Southern Bus Terminal (about 7 hours) and numerous other destinations.

Diving: Although the beaches are very nice, uncrowded and interesting, there isn't much shore diving around Chumphon. The prime diving destinations lie around local islands and rock outcrops that range from 30 minutes to 3 hours away by speedboat: Ko Ngam Noi (famous as a source of prized birds' nests), Ko Ngam Yai, Hin Lak Ngam and Hin Pae. 

Fish and nudibranches are plentiful in this area, although large pelagics are less common; sea turtles can be found regularly at a few dive spots.

The striking rock outcrops visible above water are even more spectacular under the surface, where they're covered with colourful hard and soft coral formations, and there are many narrow 'swim-throughs' and small caves to explore. Visibility varies substantially due to tide and wind conditions; it ranges from better than 18mr on a good day to 8-10mr under less favourable conditions.

WARNING: lionfish and devil scorpionfish are plentiful in some locales, and trigger fish are not uncommon. Be careful with your buoyancy, stay off the bottom (also to avoid stirring up the loose sediment), and don't touch anything you don't absolutely have to!