Surat Thani Province is on the east coast of Southern Thailand. The province covers an area of 12,800 Square Kilometers with an extensive coastline. It shares borders with Chumphon Province, Krabi Province, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, Phang Nga Province and Ranong Province, as well as Myanmar and the Gulf of Thailand.

The province comprises of 19 districts (Amphoe) Mueang Surat Thani, Ban Na Doem, Ban Na San, Ban Ta Khun, Chai Buri, Chaiya, Don Sak, Kanchanadit, Khian Sa, Khiri Rat Nikhom, Koh Pha ngan, Koh Samui, Phanom, Phra saeng, Phunphin, Tha Chana, Tha Chang, Vibhavadi and Wiang Sa.

Surat Thani the provincial capital is 685 kilometers from Bangkok. The city is situated at the mouth of the Tapi River on the eastern side of the peninsula. Surat Thani is the major destination and gateway for travelers on there way to Koh Samui, Koh Tao and Koh Pha Ngan.

Koh Lamphu is a popular place for picnics and sports. The small car free island in the Tapi River is connected by bridge to the city at the city pillar shrine.

The small island provides some nice views of the riverfront. In the evening hours there are some food stalls selling tasty Thai food. The night market concentrates at a sidestreet next to Wat Sai.

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 Thai people still maintain a simple way of life and make their living on indigenous natural resources.

Ratchaprapa Dam this large man made dam was built to provide hydro electricity for Surat Thani and other towns in the province. Over a 100 islands dots this massive lake, most of the clustered in the narrow west part of the lake. Known as Chong Kaeb Khao Ka Loh. The dam is a 65 Kilometers drive from Khao Sok National Park headquarters. The local Thai people run boat trips and trekking around the Dam.

The Dam is a beautiful view point where you look out over the reservoir and see the ring of limestone mountains surrounding it. Refreshments and basic Thai food is available there. Unless accommodation has already been booked visitors are not allowed to stay overnight and are required to leave by 7:00 pm. Accommodation is available either on raft houses on the reservoir and in hotels near the view point.

Kang Krung National Park is located in Thachana District, Chaiya District, Thachang District, and Wipawadi District, Surat Thani Province. The park consists of forest and a complex mountain range.

Its the source of many rivers in Surat Thani Province and Chumpon province, stunning waterfalls, streams, hot water springs and mountains, Klongsa River is idea for enjoying exciting river rafting.

Khao Sok National Park is one of the most beautiful national parks in Thailand, due to it's majestic scenery and biological diversity. The park has a total area of 738.74 square kilometers.

It covers parts of the Khlong Yee and Khlong Pra Sang forests as well as portions of the Krai Son and the Khao Pung sub districts. Also the district of Ban Ta Khun, Khlong Sok and Panom sub districts in the province of Surat Thani.

Tang Nam is where two majestic cliffs can be seen facing each other. Which  are located on the deep end of the Sok canal. which serves as the habitat for a variety of fish species. Tang Nam is just 6 kilometers away from the parks headquarters and requires 3.2 kilometre walk from the Bang Wing Hin Waterfall.

Bang Hua Rat Waterfall - Lum Khlong Sok has big rapids. The water drops down looking like stairs and is famous for whitewater rafting and shooting the rapids.

Khlong Phanom National Park the high mountain range of Klong Phanom has many steep bare cliffs. That are typical of the limestone mountains in this area with fertile forests draping them and many streams flow beneath the towering greenery.

Klong Phanom is a vital water source for surrounding communities and towns. The streams that flow from Klong Phanom converge create the Klong Sok River.

Nam Lord Khao Wong Cave has a lot of water running through it and a great number of bats inhabit the cave. The cave is decorated with beautiful stalagmite and stalactite. Situated two kilometers from the cave is Khao Wong Waterfall a stunning eight tier waterfall of natural beauty.

Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park is an archipelago in the gulf of Thailand consisting of 42 separate islands. The principle islands being Phaluai, Wua Ta Lap, Mae Ko, Sam Sao, Hin Dap, Nai Phut and Phai luak. All the islands are in Ang Thong district of Amphur Koh Samui, Surat Thani province.

The park covers a total area of 102 Square Kilometers of which about only 18 Square Kilometers is land. The National park does not encompass the entire island chain. Its jurisdiction covers about 82% of the total area.

National Parks Thailand

Thai Airways International and Air Aisa operate daily flights between Bangkok and Surat Thani. The flying time is about 60 minutes.

Trains depart from Hua lamphong Railway Station Bangkok to Surat Thani 10 times a day from 7.45 a.m. The journey takes approximately 13 hours to Surat Thani Railway Station in the Phunphin District 12 kilometers from the town. Bus services are available between the station and the town.

Joint tickets for train bus and ferry from Bangkok to Koh Samui, can be purchased in advance at Hua Lamphong Railway Station Bangkok, advance booking office and many travel agents in Thailand.

VIP Air Conditioned Buses regular and non air conditioned buses depart from Bangkok's Southern Bus Terminal daily for the 11 hour journey to Surat Thani. Many private tour companies run tour buses from Bangkok to Surat Thani and then on to Koh Samui.

Air-Rail and Bus Time Tables

There are many daily ferry and express boat servies available from Surat Thani and Don Sak (40 kilometres from town) to Koh Samui, Koh Pha Ngan, Koh Tao and Chumphon. Below are some of the options.

Seatran Express Boat departs from Don Sak pier (40 kilometers from town) 2 times daily at 9.30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Travel time is 1 hour.

Seatran Ferry departs Don Sak every 2 hours from 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Travel time is 2 hours. Bus services from the railway station and Surat Thani town to Don Sak are available for passengers at a additional charge.

Racha Ferry departs 7 times a day from Don Sak 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The Night Ferry departs from Ban Don Pier in Surat Thani town at 11:00 p.m. daily.

Songserm Express ferry departs from Surat Thani at 8:00 a.m. daily to Koh Pha Ngan via Koh Samui, travel time is 3 hours.

There are plenty of places to shop in Surat Thani. Sanjao Market opposite the Sahathai Department store. The Night market along the river bank Ban Don Road, Pacific Plaza a big shopping centre, Big C, Makro and Tesco Lotus.

In the evenings the night market along the river bank on Ban Don Road. You  will find plenty of food stalls selling tasty Thai snacks. There are excellent seafood restaurants, chinese cafes and Pubs and Bars along Na Muang Road.

The major hotels have western buffets and coffee shops serving western snacks. You will also find KFC, Dunkin Doughnuts, The Pizza Company and Swensens in Tesco Lotus.

The Grand Saowaluk Hotel. Surat Thani is known for the first Sports and fitness centre in Surat Thani. Most of the large hotels have swimming pools and Thai massage centers.

The National parks in the province are idea for nature lovers. They offer some wonderful jungle tours. Elephant trekking, bird watching, whitewater rafting and kayaking is available, plus camping and overnight accommodation in some.

Surat Thani is the gateway to Koh Samui and some of Thailand's most exotic islands. The city has plenty of budget accommodation and rooms starting at less than 200 Baht a night.

Luxury hotels from 2000 Baht a night. The majority stay less than 24 hours. If you are traveling from Bangkok you only need wait a few hours for one of the express boats or ferries to take you to your chosen destination.