Surat Thani Map and Travel Guide
Surat Thani Travel Guide
The largest province of the South located 685 kilometers from Bangkok
is Surat Thani the province with a name that literally means "City
of the Good People". A former capital of the Srivijaya Empire,
the province covers an area of approximately 12,891 square kilometers.
Surat Thani Province borders the Gulf of Thailand to the north and
east, Chumphon Province to the north, Nakhon Si Thammarat and Krabi
Provinces to the south, Phang-Nga and Ranong Provinces to the west
and Nakhon Si Thammarat Province to the east.
High plateaus and forested mountains are located to the west of
the province, while there are low basins in the center and along
the eastern coast. This topography has created 14 river basins including
Tapee, Pum Duang, Tha Thong, Tha Krajai, Chaiya, Tha Chang which
are the most important basins. All rivers in Surat Thani flow east
of the province to the Gulf of Thailand.
The numerous islands along the coast makes Surat Thani (often known
as Surat in short) a perfect hideaway for vacationers from around
the world. The ideal destination for many is the Penang-sized Ko
Samui, Thailand's third largest island, and its neighbour Ko Pha-ngan
a celebrated island that hosts the biggest beach full moon party.
North of Ko Pha-ngan is Ko Tao, renowned for its excellent coral
reefs. To top it all is the dazzling 250-square-kilometer Ang Thong
Marine National Park, where a stunning archipelago awaits to greet
visitors with their charming palm-fringed beaches, crystal clear
water and colorful coral reefs. The best time to enjoy one of these
islands to the fullest is from April November.
History of Surat Thani
Surat Thani is a city with a long history. Archeologists believe
that it was once a community of prehistoric tribes of indigenous
people including the Saemang and original Malays who built their
communities on the Tapee River Basin and Ao Ban Don. Later on, the
Indians migrated into the area and gradually spread out their culture,
as evidenced in the discovery of ruins of ancient communities in
Tha Chana and Chaiya Sub-districts.
In the 13th century, the city became a part of and, as some historians
might claim, a center of the glorious Srivijaya Empire the kingdom
that dominated the whole Malay Peninsula and much of Java. It was
during this period that Mahayana Buddhist reached its height of
influence. The empires grandeur can still be admired in many areas
of Chaiya District.
When the empire hit the bottom, it was divided into 3 main cities
namely Chaiya, Tha Thong and Khiri Rat. They were all under the
jurisdiction of Nakhon Si Thammarat until King Rama IV decided to
move Tha Thong City to Ban Don and required that it report directly
to Bangkoks administration. The name Ban Don was, at the time, changed
to Kanchanadit. It was with the establishment of the Monthon, a
former administrative unit, that all three cities were merged into
one under the name Chaiya. In 1915, King Rama VI changed the name
Chaiya to Surat Thani.
The seal of Surat Thani says a lot about its history. Featuring
the pagoda of Phra Boromathat Chaiya, the seal is proof of the influence
of Mahayana Buddhist on Surat Thani. Phra Boromathat Chaiya is the
most revered and important historical place in the province. It
is believed that the pagoda contains Buddha relics.
Today, Surat Thani is an important commercial and shipping hub
for rubber and coconut trading.
How to get there
By Car
Surat Thani can be most conveniently reached by car from Bangkok
by taking Highway No. 4 to Chumphon Province via Phetchaburi and
Prachuap Khiri Khan Provinces and then taking Highway No. 41 and
Highway No. 401 directly to Surat Thani City.
By Bus
Air-conditioned buses depart from Bangkok's Southern Bus Terminal
to Surat Thani Province everyday. Call the southern Bus Terminal
tel: 0 2434 5557-8 or visit www.transport.co.th
By Train
Trains leave Bangkok's Hua Lamphong Railway Station 10 times daily
from 12 p.m. until 10.50 p.m. The trip takes approximately 12-13
hours. Ask for the train from Bangkok to Phun Phin, the closest
station to Surat Thani. For further details, please call 1690, 0
2223 7010, 0 2223 7020 or visit www.railway.co.th.
Surat Thani Railway Station is 12 kilometers from town. A bus service
between the station and the town is available.
By Air
Thai Airways International has 2 daily flights connecting Bangkok
with Surat Thani. The flight time is approximately 70 minutes. For
more information, contact their Bangkok office at tel. 1566, 0 2280
0060, 0 2628 2000 or get your on-line e-ticket at www.thaiairways.com
By Boat
Seatran (077 275060, 136 Na Meuang Road) operates a bus/boat combination
to Ko Samui. The fee is 150 baht.
Phantip Travel (077 272230, 293/6-8 Talat Mai Road) offers tickets
to Ko Tao (500 baht), Ko Pha-Nhan (250 baht), and Ko Samui (140
baht). The operator is Raja Ferry (07 314523, 077 371151 or 077
371206) who offers bus/boat combinations to the islands.
Getting around the city
Apart from the local orange bus (9 baht / trip / person),songthaews
are another option to get around the city. It costs 10 baht / trip
/ person. Samlors will cost approximately 20-30 baht. The orange
bus departs from the Phu Phin train station to the city every 10
minutes from 6.00 a.m. until 8.00 p.m. The same ride by taxi will
cost approximately 100 baht.
Air-conditioned vans connecting the airport and town costs 70-80
baht / person / trip. Tickets can be purchased at travel agencies
or THAI office (077 272610).
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