Surat Thani Province (often in short Surat, Thai: ????????????) is the largest of the southern provinces (changwat) of Thailand, on the eastern shore of the Gulf of Thailand. Surat Thani means City of Good People, the title given to the city by King Vajiravudh (Rama VI). Surat Thani is a gateway to the islands of Thailand's eastern coast: Ko Samui, Ko Tao (great for scuba diving), and Ko Pha Ngan and also the natural beauty of 6 National Park
Surat Thani Airport(URT) ({{IATA|URT}} | {{ICAO|VTSB}}) is about 20 km west of the city in Phunphin district. [http://www.thaiair.com/mainpage.shtml Thai Airways international] ,[http://www.airasia.com/ Thai Air Asia] and [http://www.fly12go.com/ One-Two-Go Airlines]operate daily flights to/from Don Mueang International Airport and Suvarnabhumi Airport Bangkok. And connect by bus or car rent (buy ticket and rent in the airport) to the main town. Phantip Travel have bus service connecting all flights to airport from Surathani city. Phantip travel (Tel. 077-421-121) is located on Thanon Taladmai. Price one way is 100bath for foreigner.
The Surat Thani train station, despite its name, is located in Phunphin district, about 12km west of the town center. Most comfortable are the overnight trains from Bangkok, which arrive in early morning. There are always many who try to catch the tourists and sell them trips to Surat or the islands directly - usually the most aggressive sellers are the most expensive. However, it's not a big problem to reach a 'Surat Thani City' from Phunphin district - 'Surathani' railway station - by municipal bus (departure every 30 mins) from the train station building. It costs only 20 baht. Taxis from Phunphin to Surat Thani City are around 150-200 baht.
The Surat Thani new bus terminal is located a bit outside the city, however if you plan to go directly into the city it's usually possible to ask for a stop before. The old bus terminal in the middle of city is now only frequented by the some private buses, which are however much more risky than the government buses.There are many bus companys from Southern Bus Terminal Bangkok to Surat Thani Bus terminal. If coming from Phuket,takes about 6 hours to reach Surat Thani.And connect by bus ,tuk-tuk or Songthaew from bus terminal to the main town.
If you are arriving at the train station, and your plans call for transit to Phuket, buses depart every few hours, up until about 3:30pm. The ticket price is very reasonable by Western standards. Travel time is three to four hours. The bus departure area is about 100 meters away from the train station. For specific directions, just ask the representative at the railroad information desk.
You can take the ferry from any of the islands nearby, taking about an hour. There is food on board and movies as well.
When you get off the 2 Ferry compannys(departure every 30 mins)(Seatran Ferry and Raja Ferry)there is a bus ride included with the trip (note the strange system of paper tickets combined with circular stickers that you stick on your shirt). It is a 45 minute bus ride down backroads from the ferry terminal to Surat Thani. More than one ferry terminal services Surat Thani. As on Surat Thani
'''TaladSanjoa'''(???????????) is the food walk street The night market has some great food vendors and many fantastic food. In the evening hours there are also some food stalls there, however the night market concentrates at a sidestreet next to Wat Sai.
'''Night Bandon pier'''(??????????????)is thai fruit walk street and food.
''''Surat Thani City Pillar Shrine(????????????)''' (Srivijaya style) It's beautiful thai art style place and centre of the city.
'''Si Surat Stupa(??????????????????) and '''Khao Tha Phet Nature and Wildlife Study Centre (???????????????????????????????????????????????)'''
Pra tad sri surat appoint on Khao Tha Phet(??????????)(thapech hills) is a hill near the town of Surat Thani. The hill has an altitude of about 210m (689ft) above sea level and offers a good view over the town Surat Thani.On top of the hill is the Si Surat stupa (also known by its common name Phra That Khao Tha Phet), which was built in Srivijavan style in 1957. The stupa contains a Buddha relic donated by India. Next to the stupa is a Sweet Shorea tree (Shorea roxburghii) planted by King Bhumibol Adulyadej. 6 kilometres south of the provincial capital along Highway 4009 (Surat Thani - Na San) and 1.5 kilometres along the access road, this centre is located on a hill called Khao Tha Phet and covers an area of 4.65 square kilometres. The designated trail allows visitors to see some rarely-seen trees and to take a close look at the levels of soil, sandstone, and dry evergreen forest. The hilltop, some 200 metres above sea level, offers commanding panoramic views of Surat Thani town and the Tapi River. Phrathat Si Surat, a candle-like stupa on the hill, was built in 1957 and contains Lord Buddha_fs relics donated by the Indian government.
'''Nai Bang Area''' (?????)
Nai Bang is an alluvial plain around the mouth of the Tapi River which is crisscrossed with networks of canals. The canals are lined with mangrove forest alternating with traditional southern-styled houses, behind which are coconut farms and orchards. The people here still maintain a simple way of life and make their living on indigenous natural resources, despite the bustling economy in the Ban Don (town) market just opposite the river. Access to Nai Bang is by the bridge across the Tapi River or by long-tail boat from Ban Don. The boat can carry 6 ? 8 people and charges 250 baht per hour. Visitors may contact the travel agents in Surat Thani which sell a one-day package tour to the Nai Bang area. If u can see the light iseect ,can do trip on the night.
'''Tapee River Dinner''' Have romantic dinner on the boat in Tapi River to see Tapi River view,entrane Tapi River to the sea or see view beside the river in restaurant.
'''Ko Lamphu(????????)''' A popular place for picnic as well as for sports is '''Ko Lamphu''', a small car-free island in the river Tapi, connected by bridge to the city at the city pillar shrine. A nice view is the riverfront, built as a promenade.
'''Patthanaram Temple(???????????)'''Locaed near Talad Sanjao next to the small food night walk street, Taladmai Rd. Lung Po Pat Na Ra To is one of southern Thailand's most revered Buddhist ecclesiastics.in The temple have the old the wood building, usually the finest one, in a Buddhist monastery,where the priests are assembled for rites, other large buildings being and old building in the temple.
There are several Buddhist as well as Chinese temples within the city, however none really notable. To the north is the Roman Catholic St.Raphael Cathedral, actually a small wooden church.
''(mid-October)''
Surat Thani celebrates the official end of the annual 3-month Buddhist Rains Retreat (Ok Phansa) with the Chak Phra Festival (literally 'the procession of hauling the Buddha image_f). The tradition stems from the belief that the Buddha ascended to Heaven during Phansa to preach to his mother. The festival marks the Buddha's return to Earth, and is an occasion for religious merit-making and general celebrations. Local people organise dazzling land and waterborne processions of revered Buddha images (to symbolise the Buddha's return to Earth) and boat races on the Tapi River where long boats, manned by up to 50 oarsmen, are ebulliently raced. Religious devotion, spectacle and merriment combine to make Surat Thani's Chak Phra Festival a memorable annual event.It is celebrate in many place in south of thailand but in Surat Thani is the biggest.It is Chak Phra Festivals on land and on the Tapi River.Before Chak Phra Day ,on the night there are build the screen of Buddha's story around the city and celebrate its all day all night.On land,the splendidly adorned floats are pulled across the town by the participants.At the same time,on watera float decorated in colorful Thai design of a float made to carry the Buddha image.Chak Phra Festivals then concludes with and exciting boat race and treaditional game.
''(13th April)''
Thai New Year (water festival) in Surat Thani is celebrated every year on 13 April at Bandon bay street and around the town and Ko Samui is celebrated on 13-15 April at chaweng beach lamai beach and around the island street. Surat Thani
''(November Full Moon)''
Loy Krathong Festival on the Tapi River It is held on the full moon of the 12th month in the traditional Thai lunar calendar. In the western calendar this usually falls in November. During the night of the full moon, many people will release a raft like this on a river and have celebitity all night.
''(August)''
(Southern Treditional) It is held on the full moon of the 10th month in traditional calender (about August). Many people will go to the temple and remember for the ancestor.Friend and relations will come back home and go to temple altogether.Treditional people can made sweetmeat for this festival.
60 km north of Surat Thani is a small town called Chaiya, which gives a good representation of what small town life used to be like in Southern Thailand. It is one of the oldest towns in Thailand - dating to the 8th and 10th centuries. This was during the Srivijaya empire (~200 - 1400).
Halfway between Phuket and Surat Thani but still within the province of Surat Thani is the town Ban Takhun. There is little to do here but this is a very convenient stopping point for people on the way to Phuket, Khao Sok National Park and the Rajjaprabha Dam. Tourist information is available behind the bus shelter opposite the Takhun Temple at both the Pet Shop and the Ice Shop next door where the owners can speak English. The Pet Shop Girl also has cold drinks and English language books for sale.
At the Rajjaprabha Dam there is a beautiful view point which looks out onto the reservoir and the ring of limestone mountains surrounding it. There are refreshments and basic Thai food available there. Unless accommodation has already been booked visitors are not allowed to stay overnight and are required to leave by 7pm. Accommodation is available either on raft houses (ask at the pier) out on the reservoir or in hotels near the view point.
Most travellers in Surat Thani are on their way to or from the islands:
Like most Thai towns Surathani appears inaccessible but with a bit of courage to brave the streets, not the sidewalks it can be a great place.
Diamond Plaza Hotel. Has a ramp at the front. About 1500 thb a night. Looks nice but you could be anywhere.
Riverside Hotel. Direct access. Around 600 thb a night. Untested.
The very pleasant promenade and park along the river has good access including ramps at the end near the Wong Thai Hotel. in thew middle of the river reached by the Bridges is set aside for recreation and is a pleasant spot.
Koh Lampu the island in the river reached by the two bridges has been set asside for recreation and is accessible.
The Tourist Authority of Thailand has steps and all attempts to attract their attention failed.
There is a fully accessible supermarket near the Surithani hospital. (Not the Thaksin Hospital)
The only nearly accessible Bank I found was The Siam Commercial Bank near the ferry terminal. THe ATM can almost be used but if you get inside the staff will come out and help you use the ATM.
The Atm at the Supermarket near the hospital is not on a pedestal and can be approached directly though it may be a little high for some.
The main police station has a very well built ramp, one of the few in Surathani.