Surat Thani Travel Essentials
Ideal duration: 2-3 days
Best Time: November to January Read More
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"Thailand’s ferry hub for islands like Koh Samui"
Surat Thani Tourism
Not a go-to destination in itself, Surat Thani provides a base point from which travellers meander to its neighbouring provinces and regions in Thailand. Once the seat of the Srivijaya empire, Surat Thani today is an important trade and transport hub. A typical suburban town in the country, Surat Thani is a laid-back town with a few night markets, historical and religious sites, and great Thai street cuisine on offer.
With important provinces like Krabi, Chumphon, Phang Na and Ranong neighbouring Surat Thani, it is considered an essential zone for trade, transport and tourism in Thailand. Travellers prefer to stop by to get cheap and easy access to other Thai cities. Being an old town, some ruins are still visible to this day and can be visited and explored.
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Things To Do In Surat Thani
Top Hotels In Surat Thani
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Nightlife in Surat Thani
- Surat Thani has a bustling night market for those looking for something outside the party scene.
- For those who like to drink at cheap rates, some of the popular options for bars are the On Street Bar Samui, Bear Cocktails, Pirate Bar and Pride Bar Samui.
- Bars are spread across all areas in the province and there is something available for every budget.
Shopping in Surat Thani
- The night market doubles as a shopping paradise for tourists and locals alike.
- Vendors selling jewellery, souvenirs, small items and handmade products are seen on every corner.
- For those who prefer a more organized approach to shopping the CentralPlaza Surat Thani is the best option.
Daily Budget & Money Exchange
The daily budget for Surat Thani is 1500-1600 THB.
- Surat Thani has many options for those looking to exchange foreign currency. The main options are at the airport.
- Various exchange booths are spread across the city and offer more or less the same rate. The most preferred bank is the Siam Commercial Bank (SCB).
Do's and Don'ts in Surat Thani
- When in Surat Thani, remember to always greet with a smile and a traditional folding of the hands.
- General customs such as paying respect to the royal family, not pointing feet toward anyone etc. are followed here, too as in the rest of Thailand.
Language of Surat Thani
Thai is spoken in Surat Thani. Being a major central point to get to other areas in Thailand, you might bump into many English speakers. Local vendors will however have limited knowledge about the same so be prepared with a dictionary and a smile on your face if you get into a tough situation.
History of Surat Thani
King Vajiravudh is said to have given the name Surat Thani to this province upon his return from Surat, India. The province is really old and has been influenced culturally by the Semang and the Malayan tribes which used to inhabit the centre. There is even a river Tapi in the province which is named after the Indian river Tapi. The province remains to this day one of the largest and busiest in Thailand.
Religion of Surat Thani
Buddhism is the major religion in Surat Thani.
Best Time to Visit Surat Thani
Nearby Places
How to Reach Surat Thani
How to Reach Overview
Surat Thani is well connected by Rail, Road, Air and Waterways. Depending upon your budget and time limitations you can choose an option to enter an exit the city.
How to reach Surat Thani by flight
The Surat Thani International Airport is located in the Phun Phin district. Direct flights to and from Bangkok, Chiang Mai and other cities are available.
How to reach Surat Thani by road
Although car is not a popular mode of transport to reach Surat Thani as more convenient options are available but if you enjoy driving then multiple car rental services are available. Do not drive at night and take care when crossing intersections when in the area.
How to reach Surat Thani by train
The Surat Thani train station has trains coming in from Bangkok everyday which is the most convenient way to travel in terms of cost and time efficiency. The train station is only 20 minutes away from the city center which makes it easy for people arriving at the city late in the night.
How to reach Surat Thani by bus
Buses from Krabi will take you to the heart of the city while those from Phuket will frop you off at the bus station which is a little further off from the city. Local buses and songathews run aplenty too in case you wish to take a detour or stop somewhere ahead and take some other public transport to reach the city center quickly.
How to reach Surat Thani by waterways
Ko Samui and Ko Phang Nga are connected to Surat Thani by ferries which start at the Donsak port. Ferries to Ko Tao are also run on a frequent basis.
Local transport in Surat Thani
There are three bus stations in the city and motorcycle rentals are abundant. All major tourist places are within walking distance from the city centre but if you prefer comfort over expense then a taxi might be a good option for you. Mind you, getting around in a taxi can take hours due to the traffic situation.
Surat Thani Photos
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FAQs on Surat Thani
What is the best time to visit Surat thani?
July, August and December-February is the best time to visit Surat Thani, Thailand. Hotels are the most expensive during these months along with the airfare. March through May is the spring season in Surat Thani, and the average high temperature ranges between 97.2°F (36.2°C) and 92.8°F (33.8°C). 4 to 10 days of rain every month is common in this season, and it is also the slowest month in tourism.
So, if you are looking for good deals while travelling to Surat Thani, you can plan your trip during spring. June, July and August are the summer months, and the high temperatures are quite warm and uncomfortable for tourists during the day time. There’s a moderate precipitation rate of around 4-10 days per months. September-November is the fall season in Surat Thani.
Daily highest temperature ranges between 92.1°F (33.4°C) and 85.9°F (29.9°C), which feels nice even with a good amount of humidity. December-February, the winter months in Surat Thani are again quite crowded for the excellent weather conditions. The highest temperatures are between 92.8°F (33.8°C) and 86°F (30°C). This is a busy tourist season in Surat Thani, and you should make the bookings ahead of time to experience the best at a manageable cost.
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So, if you are looking for good deals while travelling to Surat Thani, you can plan your trip during spring. June, July and August are the summer months, and the high temperatures are quite warm and uncomfortable for tourists during the day time. There’s a moderate precipitation rate of around 4-10 days per months. September-November is the fall season in Surat Thani.
Daily highest temperature ranges between 92.1°F (33.4°C) and 85.9°F (29.9°C), which feels nice even with a good amount of humidity. December-February, the winter months in Surat Thani are again quite crowded for the excellent weather conditions. The highest temperatures are between 92.8°F (33.8°C) and 86°F (30°C). This is a busy tourist season in Surat Thani, and you should make the bookings ahead of time to experience the best at a manageable cost.
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What is the local food in Surat thani?
Food in Surat Thani is a blend of Thai along with western influences as many tourists stop by here. It is easy to get spicy Thai curry along with fresh fruit and seafood here all year round.
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What is the best way to reach Surat thani?
Surat Thani is well connected by Rail, Road, Air and Waterways. Depending upon your budget and time limitations you can choose an option to enter an exit the city.
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What are the things to do in Surat thani?
The top things to do in Surat thani are Wat Phra Boromathat Chaiya Ratchaworawihan, Oyster Farm , Rock Fish Museum, Namtok Vibhavadi, Monkey Training College, Khanom. You can see all the places to visit in Surat thani here
What are the places near Surat thani?
The top places near to Surat thani are Koh samui which is 86 km from Surat thani, Phuket which is located 170 km from Surat thani, Krabi which is located 125 km from Surat thani, Phi phi islands which is located 164 km from Surat thani, Khao lak which is located 126 km from Surat thani