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Surat Thani
From Wikitravel
Contents
- For other places with the same name, see Surat (disambiguation).
Surat Thani (สุราษฎร์ธานี) is a city at the Central Gulf Coast of Southern Thailand.
[edit] Understand
Surat Thani (often just Surat in short) is the largest province of Southern Thailand. Surat Thani means City of Good People, the title given to the city by King Vajiravudh (Rama VI). It is a gateway to the islands of Thailand's Gulf Coast: Ko Samui, Ko Pha Ngan and Ko Tao are much-visited destinations, as well as Ang Thong National Marine Park.
[edit] Get in
[edit] By plane
Surat Thani Airport(URT) (IATA: URT | ICAO: VTSB) is about 20 km west of the city in Phunphin district. Thai Airways international ,Thai Air Asia, Nok Air and One-Two-Go Airlinesoperate 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.
[edit] By train
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.
[edit] By bus
The Surat Thani new bus terminal is located a bit outside the city; however if you plan to go directly into the city, it is usually possible to ask for a stop before. The old bus terminal in the middle of city is now frequented only by some private buses, which are however much more risky than the government buses. There are many bus companies from Southern Bus Terminal Bangkok to Surat Thani Bus terminal. If you are coming from Phuket, it takes about 6 hours to reach Surat Thani. Connexions by bus, tuk-tuk, or Songthaew from the bus terminal to the main town are available.
If you are arriving at the train station, and your plans call for transit to Phuket, buses depart every few hours, 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.
[edit] By boat
You can take the ferry from any of the islands nearby, taking about an hour. There is food on board and movies as well.
From islands such as Ko Samui, Ko Pha Ngan and Ko Tao a ferry ride takes between 7 and 9 hours depending on whether you take the fast or slow boat. The Slow boat from Ko Tao is overnight and features mattresses for sleeping. The skipper is especially friendly.
The ride will generally cost between 500 and 600 Baht depending on the season. Be wary of black market tickets as people will try to sell you tickets for over 2000baht promising food and dvd's included in the price.
Always go to a TAT approved travel agency.
[edit] Get around
When you get off, there are two ferry companies with departures every 30 minutes (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 serves Surat Thani.
Within Surat Thani:
- Tuk-Tuks are small local pick-up trucks/public passenger pick-up vehicles (cost around 10-20 baht/per) around the town. Hail one on any major road with a wave or yell, negotiate a fare, and sit down on the bench in the back. In the event you wish to hire own personally, then you ought to negotiate the cost first.
- Tricycles are the local vehicles can be found around the town. There is not enough room for 2 persons to sit down on the bench in the back as a tricycle. It isa fantastic vehicles.
[edit][add listing] See
[edit][add listing] Do
[edit][add listing] Buy
[edit][add listing] Eat
[edit][add listing] Drink
Lamoon is a pub situated on Amphur Road and is run by Kai who recently returned to Surat after spending many years in Switzerland. He is fluent in both English and German and has created a beautiful beer garden which also has some indoor seating. The food isn't the best but the surroundings, the atmosphere and the clientele more than make up for that. Friday night parties with lucky numbers and drinking games are a regular occurrance as are (fortunately very short) acoustic performances by a local American teacher.
[edit][add listing] Sleep
[edit] Budget
- Chayo Bar is on the riverfront, opposite Ban Don Pier where the night boats leave for the islands. Free accommodation in a limited number of rooms, but do not expect anything special: mattress-on-floor rooms, fans and shared bathrooms. Run by Chayo and Toto who will look after you well but do not suffer fools gladly. Also serves food. Notice: Chayo and Toto have since moved due the the rising rents near the pier. Their new shop is on Talad Mai Road near the entrance Talad Kaset 2 Bus Station.
- Ban Don Hotel is a place for really cheap and clean rooms, but for 300 baht, don't expect anything fancy. Most rooms don't have air-con or hot water and the entrance is through a shady looking restaurant. But, if you're looking for a place just to stay a night while passing through, it's pretty good for the price. Located close to Ban Don Road and Na Mueang Road.
- Tapee Hotel [1] is a mid-range priced hotel at 300-500 baht. The price differences range from fan to a/c and I think view, but I'm not sure. As a woman traveling alone I liked the bright entrance, manned desk and short distance to the market and bus stations. The rooms were older, very clean, the A/C worked quietly, there was one English channel on TV (also spanish and a cantonese one I think) and it had a hot water shower. Located on Chonkasem Road, it's about a 10 minute walk from the two bus stations and five from the waterfront and night market, which you should not miss. Turn left from the lobby, right at the next main road and follow your nose. The walk home later in the evening is interesting, as many of the 'short time' hotels have their ladies out, but the area is safe.
[edit] Mid-range
- 100 Islands Resort and Spa, [2] - 770 to 1200 baht a night. Clean, spacious rooms. Wide range of facilities and amenities including air conditioning, minifridge in the room, a pool, spa and restaurant on site. It's located slightly outside the city centre. If your taxi driver doesn't know where it is, they should know where Tesco-Lotus is, the hotel is near there.
- Southern Star Hotel - 650 baht a night, many travel agents willing to show high class hotels and places to travel to.
[edit] Splurge
- The Diamond Plaza hotel is the best hotel in town. It's on the outer edge as you enter from Phun Phin station. You can take any of the orange train station buses to get there.
[edit] Get out
Most travellers in Surat Thani are on their way to or from the islands:
- Ang Thong National Marine Park
- Ko Samui - backpacker paradise gone upmarket
- Ko Tao - popular diving spot and a good place to get certified
- Ko Pha Ngan - home of the infamous Full Moon Parties
- Khao Sok National Park - jungle adventures
| Routes through Surat Thani |
| Bangkok ← Lang Suan ← | N  S
| → Trang → Hat Yai |
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