The town is in the Mueang Narathiwat District and was established in 1936.

Narathiwat is on the east coast of the Malay Peninsula, by the Gulf of Thailand.

The immediate vicinity of the town is flat or gently rolling, but there are hills both to the west and south.

Since Narathiwat is very close to the equator, there is little change in temperature during the year.

The town is served by Narathiwat Airport, 13 kilometres (8.1 mi) to the north.