//
City in southern Thailand
Photo: via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Surat Thani (สุราษฎร์ธานี) is a city and a province on the Central Gulf Coast of southern Thailand.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
A "must see" in Surat Thani, this picturesque riverside market offers a range of ready-to-eat foods. The market also features a large fish pond, live music, and canal boat rides (at a cost). This market is on Sundays only and even though it's open until 15:00, it’s best to go before noon.
ศาสหลีกเมือง
Former site of the provincial administration building. The building was first destroyed when the Japanese invaded Thailand on 8 December 1941 and landed in Surat Thani. The building caught fire during the short battle and burned down. It was reopened in 1954. On 19 March 1982 it was destroyed again by a bomb planted by communist rebels, killing 5 people. This is a religious shrine and, although it is not a temple, dress appropriately and to remove shoes when entering the structure.
Khao Tha Phet (เขาท่าเพชร)
Khao Tha Phet is a hill outside of the city centre. It has an elevation of about 210 m (689 ft) and offers a good view over the town. On top of the hill is the Sri Surat stupa (also known by its common name, Phra That Khao Tha Phet), which was built in Srivijavan-style in 1957. The stupa contains a Buddha relic donated by India. Next to the stupa is a sweet shorea tree (Shorea roxburghii) planted by King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
เกาะลำพู
A small, car-free island on the Tapi River offering walking & biking paths, exercise equipment, and a playground. Great place to play volleyball and basketball.
A city park offering walking & biking paths, exercise equipment, and a playground. There's also a large fish pond where you can buy fish food to feed the fish.
Khuntalay Swamp
Khun Thale Swamp, despite its name, is a picturesque marshland just south of the city centre. A local fishing spot for many years, the area is undergoing renovations (May 2018) to make the area more accessible. Despite ongoing renovations to the boardwalk, the area is still a great place for cycling. Paddle boats are available for a small fee to take out into the swamp. A troop of wild monkeys also lives on the south side of the swamp.
Rubber Tree Road is a scenic stretch of Talad Klauy-Kaouhaoukway Road in Muang Surat Thani with rubber trees that form a shaded canopy over the road.
This small rice paddy is in the middle of the city. The rice paddy can be viewed free of charge, just walk through the OTOP shopping center.
สะพานศรีสุราษฎร์
Tallest bridge in southern Thailand.
First Monkey School/วิทยาลัยฝึกลิงเพื่อการเกษตร
Founded in 1957 by Somporn Saekhow to train pig-tailed macaques how to properly pick coconuts. Somporn's daughter, Somjai, now runs the school. The college remains first and foremost a training centre for coconut farmers' monkeys. Visitors are of course welcome but please contact the school before your visit. The training is done in an animal-friendly fashion. No punishments are given, only rewards. Also offers home stay ("home stay" is a word frequently used to indicate basic accommodations, and joining the host for meals) in two basic bungalows.
วัดถ้ำคูหา
Cave temple filled with multiple Buddha images of various styles including Dwaravati, Srivichai, Indian Pallava, and Siam Ayutthaya.
สินมานะฟาร์มสเตย์
Oyster farm.
วัดเขาพระนิ่ม
Hillside view of the mountains and nearby fishfarms.
สำนักสงฆ์ถ้ำบ่อน้ำทิพย์, Tham Bo Nam Thip Bureau of Monks
Cave temple.
วัดพระพุทธบาทศรีสุราษฎร์, Wat Phra Phutthabat Si Surat
Hilltop temple.
น้ำตกภูริน
Small waterfall.
สำนักสงฆ์เขาพนมวัง, Khao Phanom Wang Bureau of Monks
Display of large golden Buddha statues
น้ำตกวิภาวดี
Medium size waterfall. Popular socializing venue after school and on weekends.
พิพิธภัณฑ์ปลาหิน์์
Collection of hand carved fish made out of stone. This museum was established in 1992 by Mr. Kitti Sin-udom, an old fisherman who spent more than 10 years carving stone here. More than 1,000 lifelike sculptures of marine fish found in the Gulf of Thailand are on display.
วัดเขาสุวรรณประดิษฐ์
Wat Khao Suwanpradit was founded in 1982 by one of Southern Thailand’s most revered monks, Luang Pho Choi. The 45-m-tall stupa contains Buddha relics from Wat Phra Kiat from Chiang Mai. This hilltop monastery offers a great panoramic view of Don Sak as well as the Gulf of Thailand and the nearby islands.
A horse (pony) and sheep farm with beautiful flower gardens and a café.
เกาะแรต
A traditional Chinese fishing village. It's also the smallest populated island in Thailand connected to the mainland via bridge. You can walk around the entire island in less than an hour and enjoy the views of the nearby gulf islands. Has multiple traditional homestays for visitors.
น้ำตกโฉ
A small stream popular with the locals. Surrounded by food stalls and a couple small restaurants, people go to cool down or have their feet cleaned by "doctor fish" in the natural fish spa.
คลองน้ำใส
A crystal clear stream. Popular local swimming spot.
หินพัด
A giant fan-shaped rock that sits on top of a cliff. It has been a popular viewpoint among locals for many years but only became an "official tourist attraction" in 2014.
น้ำตกธารทอง
Small waterfall, popular with the locals as a swimming spot.
ผาสวนกวางฟาร์ม
An animal farm/petting zoo with multiple animals including: deer, rabbits, turkeys, ponies, buffalo, and crocodiles.
วัดถ้ำสิงขร
Wat Tham Singkhorn is an ancient temple built in the Ayutthaya period (1351 to 1767). Behind the temple is a large cave with multiple Buddha statues.
บ่อนำร้อนถำสิงขร
Nine natural hot springs. The hottest is around 70°C.
ป่าต้นน้ำบ้านน้ำราด
Clear, fresh water swimming spot. As of 2018, this spot has been featured in numerous local travel blogs making it very popular. Get there early in the morning if you want to avoid the crowds.
สวนคุณฝ้าย
U-Pick strawberry farm. Strawberries don't grow very well in the southern Thai heat so be sure to check ahead to see if there is any fruit available.
สนามกอล์ฟเขื่อนรัชชประภา
Par 72, 18-hole course.
สะพานแขวนบ้านเขาเทพพิทักษ์
Wooden suspension bridge with a heart shape mountain in the background.
บ้านถ้ำผึ้ง
Small farming village offering numerous homestays and cabins for visitors. Fruit orchards, rubber and palm plantations, and vegetable farms. Small waterfall and hotspring nearby.
Ratchaprapha Dam, Cheow Lan Lake/Chiao Lan (เชี่ยวหลาน)
165-km2 (64-sq mi) man-made lake in Khao Sok National Park. Known for its floating raft-houses, it's an extremely scenic place great place for wildlife watching, swimming, kayaking, and even diving.
แหล่งปลาวัดพนม
Fish viewing area. Fish include: tinfoil barb, silver barb, ponyfish, catfish, and carp.
น้ำตกแม่ยาย
The only waterfall in Khao Sok National Park that can be reached by car. Approximately 30 m high. Best time to visit is during the rainy season.
พิพิธภัณฑ์พื้นบ้าน วัดมูลเหล็ก์
หนองทุ่งทอง
A wildlife sanctuary/no-hunting area. It is home to over 70 species of migratory birds, the oriental small-clawed otter, and the Asian Golden Cat. The area is mixed grasslands, marshes, and swamps. During the rainy season (October-December) the area is almost completely flooded.
อุทยานธรรมเขานาในหลวง
Hilltop temple with a picturesque view.
ศูนย์เรียนรู้และท่องเที่ยวเชิงอนุรักษ์ประวัติศาสตร์ ค่าย ๕๑๔
Formerly the People's Liberation Army 514 Camp. Provides information on the tropical rainforest’s ecosystem, social history, fighter and mass struggle during the movement of the Communist Party of Thailand, folk wisdom, indigenous values, and the concept of sacrifice for common good to youth.
อ่างน้ำผุด
Clear water spring. You can see the bubbles come up from the sand. Cabomba, a non-native invasive aquatic plant with pretty white flowers, can be viewed in the clear water. In addition to swimming, kayaks and paddleboats are available to rent.
สถานที่ท่องเที่ยวบางสวรรค์
River swimming spot.
สนามยิงปืน นาควารี
Shooting range with a variety of pistol and rifle rentals. Memberships also available.
บางใหญ่ฟิชชิ่งปาร์ค
Stocked fishing park pond. Bring your own rod.
Regularly shows (EN/TH) & (TH/EN) films.
Regularly shows (EN/TH) & (TH/EN) films.
Mostly in Thai (TH/--), but will screen (TH/EN) and (EN/TH) occasionally.
Mostly (TH/--) but will screen (TH/EN) occasionally.
ชักพระ
Celebrates the return of Gautama Buddha from heaven to earth to be greeted by multitudes. The celebration takes place every year immediately after the end of three month rain retreat, about October. It is celebrated in many parts of southern Thailand, but especially in Surat Thani. The evening prior to Chak Phra Day, billboards are erected showing Buddha's story around the city and celebrations continue day and night. On land, the splendidly adorned floats are pulled across the town by the participants. At the same time, on water a float decorated with colourful Thai designs carries Buddha's image. Chak Phra festivities conclude with a boat race and traditional games.
Rambutan trees were first planted in Surat Thani at Ban Na San in 1926 by Mr. K. Vong, a Chinese Malay. The annual Rambutan Festival is held during the August harvest.
Held on the full moon of the 10th month in traditional calendar (about August). People go to the temple in remembrance of ancestors.
Thai New Year water festival is celebrated every year on 13 April.
Held on the full moon of the 12th month in the traditional Thai lunar calendar. In the Western calendar this usually falls in November. During the evening of the full moon, people launch symbolic floating "krathong" on the river.
งานสุราษฎร์ฯ ไบค์ วีค
Held annually in February in Muang Surat Thani.
มหกรรมว่าวนานาชาติ ท่าชนะ
Held annually in February or March in Tha Chana District.
งานประเพณีแห่ผ้าห่มพระธาตุศรีสุราษฎร์แลธรรมชาติเขาท่าเพชร
Held annually in March in Muang Surat Thani.
งานสุราษฎร์ธานี ฟู้ดแฟร์
Held annually in March along the Tapi River in Muang Surat Thani.
Mushroom Pool
Nicknamed 'The Mushroom Pool' for its mushroom waterfall structure. Popular swimming spot for the local expat English teachers.
Olympic-sized swimming pool
Partially shaded swimming pool with a children's pool and 2 small water slides. Popular with locals for children's swimming lessons.
Talat Sanjao - ตลาดศาลเจ้า
Walk the block and pick up whatever treats catch your eye, or grab a table at one of the restaurants and watch the market scene as you dine. Freshly juiced fruits, corn on the cob, squid-kebabs, fried chicken, saffron rice, pad Thai, sushi.
ท่าเรือกลางคืน
A popular spot for tourists to eat and drink beer before boarding the night boat to Ko Tao or Ko Pha Ngan. Lots of food carts selling seafood and noodles and standard Thai fare at only slightly elevated prices. If you walk further down the road toward the bridge, you'll find fruit vendors galore.
One of the newer night markets in town. Smaller selection of food compared to the other night markets like San Jao and Diamond, but has one of Surat's best beer gardens, sit-นี่.
One of the largest night markets in Surat Thani. Good variety of food.
กำปั่น
A cut above your average Thai restaurant. Small menu, great choice of beer and whiskey. Mix of Thai and Western music, with a live Thai band.
แซ่บอีหลีเด้อ2
This Thai Isan restaurant is located on a lotus pond. Indoor and outdoor seating. Menu is in Thai only but has pictures.
บ้านบนเขา วิวสวย
On a hill, BaanBonKhao ViewSuay has amazing views of nearby mountains and the surrounding rubber tree farms. Has an extensive menu of Thai food including hard to find local specialties. Menu is in Thai only.
Closest thing that Surat Thani has to “fine dining”, along with Day & Night. Offers Thai, southern Thai, European, Japanese, Korean, and Chinese fusion dishes.
Opened in 2016, Day & Night is Surat Thani's fine dining restaurant. Enormous drink menu with imported beer, wine and spirits. Their menu includes pizza, salad, burgers, lamb, salmon, and Canadian lobster. Indoor and outdoor seating. Popular wedding venue. Same owners have a restaurant of the same name in Phuket.
Cafeteria style vegetarian restaurant with a nice garden ambiance. Selection of juices as well as free cleansing tea to go with your meal. Open since 2006.
Lampoo 3
Lampu 3 offers up some of the freshest seafood in Surat Thani. Giant river prawns, shrimp, crab, squid, cockles, fish, and Surat Thani's famous giant oysters. Menu in Thai and English.
One of the more expensive Japanese restaurants in town.
Formally MyCup Cafe, the building underwent renovations in 2018 and re-opened as On-Zen. This cafe serves Japanese food such as sushi, donburi, ramen, curry, as well as sandwiches, burgers, and salads.
Specializes in cakes and Chazen boba tea. Same owners as Baan Cake.
บ้านเค้ก the homemade lover
Known for their young coconut cake.
Specializes in Bingsu, a Korean shaved ice dessert.
นำโชค ร้านไอศครีม
Homemade ice cream with the option of a frozen egg on top. Famous in Surat Thani for decades. Flavours include: coconut, durian, strawberry, vanilla, coffee, and chocolate.
ไอติมหม้อไฟยศเส
Ice cream served in a Thai fire pot (maw fai/หม้อไฟ) with dry ice added to give it a smoke effect.
All you can eat soup, salad, pasta, and dessert bar. Also offers steak, grilled meat, and burgers.
4 branches: Central Plaza, Tesco-Lotus, Coliseum, and Saha Thai
DQ
5 branches: Central Plaza (1st FL. and 3rd FL.), Tesco Lotus, Saha Thai, and Big C. Seasonal blizzard flavours include mango and sticky rice, green tea, Thai tea with jelly, and durian.
2 branches: CentralPlaza and Tesco Lotus. Famous for their suki (hot pot) and roast duck.
DIY tableside BBQ
Thai and Thai-style western dishes.
Specializes in chicken dishes.
Large menu offering sandwiches, salads, and steak.
Outdoor beer garden
Signature shots, cocktails, and fire shows. Also hosts the Surat Thani Teacher bi-monthly pub quiz on occasions.
Cafe & restaurant, food, international beer, cocktail, whisky, wine, and music.
Contender for the best coffee in Muang Surat Thani, The Grounds lives up to its name as a popular hangout spot. Western style breakfast available. Fantastic milkshakes and smoothies.
A small café at Sky Hill Restaurant with beautiful views of the city.
A small café overlooking the Khun Thale marsh offering excellent coffee and a Thai-Western menu. Owned by a Thai couple, Ken & Pop, who spent a number of years overseas in Australia.
A small dessert and coffee café with signature drinks flavours like navel orange, coconut, and charcoal.
บ้านยูอาร์ที โรงแรมใกล้สนามบินสุราษฎร์ธานี
Clean, comfortable rooms, sells tickets to the island and provides free breakfast and free transfers to the airport.
โรงแรมบ้านดอนโฮเต็ล
A place for really cheap and clean rooms, understandably not fancy. Most rooms don't have air-con or hot water and the entrance is through a cheap restaurant. If you're looking for a place to stay and you're watching your money, it's pretty good value.
Single room, fan, toilet outside, start at 199 baht. Bath inside from 290 baht. Clean good-sized rooms. Free Wi-Fi.
โรงแรมตาปี
The price differences range from fan to air-con and view. Bright entrance, staffed front desk, and short distance to the market and bus stations. The rooms are older, very clean, and the air-con worked quietly. Five minutes from the waterfront and night market.
โรงแรมไทยรุ่งเรือง
Business hotel. Relatively nice, quiet, clean and good-sized rooms. Some have TV and hot water (probably just the air-con rooms). Wi-Fi available via username and password for 100 baht/24 hr. The hotel staff are very helpful and polite and speak enough English to answer your questions.
Opened in 2016. Free wifi, shared bathrooms, kitchen with fridge, microwave and rice cooker, rooftop 6F.
โรงแรมแกรนด์ธารา
Clean, spacious rooms. Wide range of facilities and amenities including air conditioning, minifridge in the room, a pool, spa, and restaurant on-site.
Muslim owned and operated. The only Halal hotel in Surat Thani.
Reputedly the best hotel in town although on a dismal commercial stretch of road.
นารายา ริเวอร์ไซด์ รีสอร์ท
Modern hotel that backs onto the river. Large outdoor pool, fitness center, and children's playground.
Good selection of Western foods, including bakery products, cheese, wine, beer, and sweets. Also carries 'Waitrose' products imported from the UK.
One of the larger grocery stores in Surat Thani. Good selection of meat, produce, and grocery items. Also carries 'Tesco Finest' products imported from the UK.
One of the larger grocery stores in Surat Thani. Good selection of meat, produce, and grocery items.
Most items sold in bulk. Cheap meat and vegetables. Large selection of spices as well as some imported products. No membership needed, pick up a pass from the customer service desk on the way in.
Large number of souvenirs and local handicrafts, including hand woven baskets, coconut and mango wood products, pearls, clothing, dried fruit, and fish products.
Selection of Thai products and souvenirs, including hand woven baskets, coconut and mango wood products, clothing, and cosmetics.
By plane
The province has two international airports: Surat Thani International Airport in Phunphin and Samui Airport on Ko Samui.
By train
The province is crossed by the southern railway, with Surat Thani Railway Station in Phunphin, about 15 km from downtown. A branch line to the west ends at Kirirat Nikhom Railway Station.
By bus
There are 3 main bus & coach terminals in Muang Surat Thani: Talad Kaset 1, Talad Kaset 2, and Surat Thani Bus Terminal.
By boat
The islands Ko Samui and Ko Pha Ngan are connected with the mainland by ferries, which mostly embark from Don Sak, while the ferries to Ko Tao start at Surat Thani or Ko Samui.
By motorbike
By car
Car hire services are available at Surat Thani International Airport.
By taxi
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Surat Thani · Regional · URT
Loading places around the airport…
Articles and travel topics about Surat Thani and Thailand.
Travel tipsFull 2026 list of visa-free countries for Philippine passport holders. Check ASEAN entry rules, stay limits, and Bureau of Immigration clearance tips.
6 min read
Travel tipsExplore the rainy seasons in Asia month by month. Compare Southwest and Northeast monsoons, typhoon belts, dry island escapes, and travel dates.
8 min read
InspirationExplore the best places to visit in February across snow festivals, world-famous carnivals, tropical island beaches, and polar night aurora displays.
6 min read
InspirationDiscover the best places to visit in April. Compare Dutch tulip fields, Thailand's Songkran water festival, Roman spring gardens, and cherry blossoms.
6 min read
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.