Is Surat Thani Worth Visiting?

Surat Thani is also known as Surat which is located on the western shore of the Gulf of Thailand. Surat Thani is both a city and a province with Surat Thani city being the capital of Surat Thani province. The population of Surat Thani city is over 130,000 people. So, is Surat Thani worth visiting?

Surat Thani is not really a tourist destination but if it is worth visiting it depends. The city itself has no major tourist attractions but is used by tourists as a stopover when going to the islands of Koh Samui, Koh Tao, and Koh Pha Ngan. In the province, there is Khao Sok National Park. The city is a very Thai town but it does have a charm about it and the locals are friendly.

In this post, we will go through is Surat Thani worth visiting. Let’s get started!

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Is Surat Thani Worth Visiting?

Surat Thani is not a tourist destination but if it is worth visiting it depends. For a lot of people, it is not visiting. The city itself has no major tourist attractions but is used by tourists as a gateway for travelers that are going to the islands of Koh Samui, Koh Tao, and Koh Pha Ngan.

There is not much nightlife in Surat Thani and it is not easy to find Western food so don’t expect to find any. But in the province of Surat Than, there is Khao Sok National Park. The city is a very Thai town but there is a charm about it and the locals are friendly.

There are three reasons that Surat Thani is worth a visit. These are as follows.

• Friendly People.
• Markets.
• Food.

Friendly People

The locals from Surat Thani are generally friendly. There will be a bit of a language barrier as the town is not very touristy. They are happy to welcome visitors from other countries and are happy to help visitors.

Markets

One thing about Surat Thani is that it is a typically Thai town so it is blessed with plenty of night markets dotted around the city. The markets are one of the best ways to enjoy good local Thai food and it is cheap making it great for budget travelers.

Food

Thailand is famous for its food and Surat Thani will not disappoint. Surat Thani mainly offers local food Thai food but it is a lot harder to find Western food. If you do it will be more expensive.

Does Surat Thani Have An Airport?

Yes, Surat Thani does have an airport. It is called Surat Thani International Airport which is located about 21 kilometers west of Surat Thani City. It is a small International Airport that has only a single paved runway.

Is Surat Thani A Party Town?

No, Surat Thani is not a party town. You may have a good night out but it is unlikely that you will have a crazy night. Remember that the town is used as a gateway to the islands.

How Do You Get Around Surat Thani?

Getting around Surat Thani is fairly straightforward. There are a couple of options. These are as follows.

• Walking – It is fairly easy to walk around the city and you never know what you may find.
• Moped – Renting a moped is a good way to get around the city and province. You can rent a moped for around 200 baht a day. You do need to check reviews of the place before renting a moped.
• Tuk-Tuk – Tuk-tuks can be inexpensive but they can add up if used for multiple trips.
• Taxis – Taxis can be more expensive than tuk-tuks but they are a more comfortable way of traveling.

Things To Do In Surat Thani Thailand

Surat Thani city itself has no major tourist attractions but the province has a few places worth a look at. These are the main things to do in Surat Thani, Let’s go through the list.

Visit Khao Sok National Park

Khao Sok National Park is considered one of the oldest tropical rainforests in the world. The park consists of a thick rainforest, waterfalls, limestone cliffs, and an island-stubbed lake. This park covers an astounding area of 739 square kilometers.

At the park, you can hike into the forests with a guide where you can see rivers, cascading waterfalls, and beautiful lagoons along with wildlife. You can also go kayaking or bamboo rafting in the lakes.

Enjoy The Surat Thani Night Market

The Surat Thani night market is a great place to enjoy local Thai food along with local tropical fruits and drinks. The best part is that the price for the food and drink are fair cheap so it is great for any budget traveler.

See The Surat Thani City Pillar Shrine

This is a shrine so you need to be respectful and not show too much skin to cover up. This shrine is used daily where the locals come to pray and offerings.

At night there is a light show at the shrine that is very colorful and it’s just within walking distance to major attractions around the city.

Visit Sonchana Farm And Elephant Sanctuary

This is an elephant sanctuary in Surat Thani, there are a number of sanctuaries dotted around Surat Thani. At this particular elephant sanctuary, you can feed and bathe the elephants in an ethical way. This is a family-run business.

Wrapping Up

Finally, Surat Thani is not really a tourist destination but if it is worth visiting it depends on your interests. The city itself has no major tourist attractions but is used by tourists as a gateway when going to the islands of Koh Samui, Koh Tao, and Koh Pha Ngan. The city is a very Thai town but it does have a charm about it and the locals are friendly.

And that’s it for now! I’d love to know if this guide on is Surat Thani worth visiting has helped you. Let me know if you have any questions and let me know if there is more to add.

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