Surat Thani, or the City of the Good People, is a hidden gem in Southern Thailand, which is often overlooked as a mere transit point.
Photo by Joshua Kettle on UnsplashMany tourists pass through Surat Thani en route to popular destinations like Koh Phangan and Koh Samui. While these destinations are stunning and easily accessible from Surat Thani, you must make it a point to spend at least a day in Surat Thani to discover its beauty. For example, the next time you are traveling here, don’t forget to take a bus from Surat Thani to Ratchaprapha Dam, which is a multipurpose dam offering a breathtaking view and the perfect spot for hiking, swimming, rafting, tubing, kayaking, canoeing, or seeing waterfalls and hidden caves. If you have enough time, you can even spend a couple of days on floating bungalows and raft houses on Cheow Lan Lake.
Once you have had your fill of what Surat Thani has to offer, it is time to move forward. Below are the top 5 must-visit places from Surat Thani:
Koh Samui
This island paradise is accessible from Surat Thani by ferry, and it takes around 1 hour and 45 minutes to reach. The lush jungles, pristine beaches, and vibrant nightlife of Koh Samui are huge attractions that attract lots of tourists to this island.
In Koh Samui, Chaweng Beach is popular for its lively atmosphere and wide range of shops, restaurants, and bars, and Lamai Beach is also a popular beach known for its quiet and relaxed vibe. Chaweng Beach is for those who want to party and shop, while Lamai Beach is for those looking to sunbathe in solitude, swim, or indulge in watersports.
The Ang Thong National Marine Park,a famous attraction in Koh Samui, must not be missed. It is a stunning archipelago of 42 islands, offering amazing opportunities for hiking, kayaking, diving, or snorkeling.
Koh Phangan
Koh Phangan is an iconic island in the Gulf of Thailand, famous for its full-moon and half-moon parties. From Surat Thani, it takes around 2 hours and 45 minutes to reach Koh Phangan.
However, the lively atmosphere and the electrifying parties are not the only reasons people come to this island. There’s also a tranquil side to this island with lots of water sports and amazing local Thai dishes.
The main beach on this island is the Haad Rin Beach. This is where the full moon parties take place, and you’ll find this beach crowded almost all year round. To go shopping and enjoy a relaxed time at bars, head to Thong Sala.
If you have partied enough and want a break, the Than Sadet Waterfall is the perfect spot for picnicking and swimming.
Khao Sok National Park
Khao Sok National Park is a must-visit when you visit Thailand. From Surat Thani, there are direct bus services to Khao Sok National Park, and the entire journey takes approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes. This national park is a vast rainforest and home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, including exotic birds, gibbons, and elephants.
The park can be explored on foot, by elephant ride, or by boat. You can enjoy different adrenaline-rushing activities, such as jungle trekking, kayaking, camping, and elephant trekking.
Phuket
Phuket is a popular tourist destination, offering stunning beaches, a high-octane nightlife, and a wide variety of activities, such as watersports, sunbathing, or swimming. From Surat Thani, you can reach Phuket via trains, ferries, buses, flights, taxis, or vans. The total journey is approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes.
Once you’ve reached Phuket, don’t forget to explore Patong Beach, Kata Beach, and Phuket Town. Are you a James Bond fan? Visit James Bond Island, which is a limestone formation featured in The Man with the Golden Gun.
Koh Tao
Koh Tao is the quieter, demure cousin of the party-loving Koh Samui and Phuket. From Surat Thani, you can rent a speedboat to reach Koh Tao, and the journey will take approximately 3 hours. This less touristy island is famous for its great diving and snorkeling spots, and pristine beaches. Mainly, this island attracts divers and people who like to have a quiet time. There are plenty of restaurants on this island where you can enjoy lip-smacking Thai dishes. A famous viewpoint from this island is Koh Nang Yuan, which is another small island next to Koh Tao. It has smaller beaches but is great for snorkeling.
The popular beaches in Koh Tao you must explore are Sairee Beach, Freedom Beach, Mango Bay, Tanote Bay, Jansom Bay, and Chalok Baan Kao Bay.
While you are not encouraged to treat Surat Thani only as a transit point, the five destinations mentioned above are a must-visit, and they are easily accessible from Surat Thani. There are plenty of transport options from this gorgeous city to connect you to the nearby islands.
Plan your Thailand trip in a way that allows you to explore the beauty of Surat Thani before going forward.
