Surat Thani
สุราษฎร์ธานี · Surat Thani Province
Population
130K
Budget / Month
$320
Internet
45 Mbps
Best Season
December to April (dry season on Gulf coast)
About Surat Thani
Surat Thani, often shortened to just Surat, is the largest province in southern Thailand and serves as the mainland gateway to the Gulf islands. The city itself is not a tourist destination. It is a busy, sprawling commercial centre where travelers pass through on their way to ferry piers at Don Sak.
Most visitors spend at most one night, usually arriving late by bus or train and catching a morning ferry. The town has a lively night market, a bustling Tapi River waterfront, and good Thai food, but nothing that competes with what lies offshore. Combined bus-and-boat tickets handle connections seamlessly.
Surat Thani's value is practical: good transport connections, cheap accommodation, and efficient island ticketing. The province also contains Khao Sok National Park, one of Thailand's most spectacular rainforests with Cheow Lan Lake and floating bungalows, well worth a multi-day visit.
Historical Note
Surat Thani was part of the ancient Srivijaya Empire, evidenced by Wat Phra Boromathat Chaiya, one of Thailand's oldest temples. The province became an important trade and administrative centre for southern Thailand. The modern city grew as a transport hub connecting Bangkok with the Gulf islands.
Best time to visit: December to April (dry season on Gulf coast)
At a Glance
Thai Name
สุราษฎร์ธานี
Province
Surat Thani
Region
Southern
Population
130,000
Area
12,891 km²
Elevation
10 m
Postal Code
84000
Airport
URT
Local Language
Thai (southern dialect)
Cost of Living
budget
/month11,300 THB
~$320 USD
comfortable
/month20,200 THB
~$575 USD
luxury
/month39,000 THB
~$1,115 USD
food
| Item | Low (THB) | High (THB) |
|---|---|---|
| Street food meal | 40 | 60 |
| Local restaurant meal | 50 | 100 |
| Western restaurant meal | 120 | 250 |
| Coffee at cafe | 35 | 60 |
| Beer (large draft) | 60 | 90 |
accommodation
| Item | Low (THB) | High (THB) |
|---|---|---|
| Guesthouse fan room | 200 | 400 |
| Hotel air-con | 350 | 700 |
| Business hotel | 900 | 2,000 |
| Monthly apartment | 3,000 | 5,500 |
transport
| Item | Low (THB) | High (THB) |
|---|---|---|
| Combined bus+boat to Samui | 350 | 550 |
| Combined bus+boat to Koh Tao | 500 | 700 |
| Songthaew in town | 15 | 30 |
| Motorbike rental per day | 150 | 250 |
utilities
| Item | Low (THB) | High (THB) |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile internet (monthly) | 300 | 600 |
entertainment
| Item | Low (THB) | High (THB) |
|---|---|---|
| Thai massage (1 hr) | 200 | 250 |
Internet & Connectivity
Speed Test Averages
vs Bangkok Average (200 Mbps)
23% of Bangkok speed
Providers
Coworking Spaces
0
Weather & Climate
December to April for the driest weather on the Gulf coast. November is peak monsoon. The Chak Phra Festival in October is genuinely impressive if timing works.
| Month | High °C | Low °C | Rain (mm) | Humidity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 31 | 22 | 60 | 78% |
| Feb | 32 | 22 | 30 | 75% |
| Mar | 33 | 23 | 50 | 75% |
| Apr | 34 | 24 | 80 | 77% |
| May | 33 | 24 | 150 | 80% |
| Jun | 33 | 24 | 110 | 79% |
| Jul | 33 | 24 | 120 | 79% |
| Aug | 33 | 24 | 130 | 79% |
| Sep | 32 | 23 | 160 | 81% |
| Oct | 31 | 23 | 260 | 85% |
| Nov | 30 | 23 | 330 | 86% |
| Dec | 30 | 22 | 160 | 82% |
Things to Do
Night Market (Talat San Chao)
ตลาดศาลเจ้า
Large and lively night market along the river with excellent cheap food. The best reason to spend an evening in Surat.
Tapi River Waterfront
Walk along the river in the evening. The town's most pleasant area with some restaurants and cafes.
Wat Phra Boromathat Chaiya
วัดพระบรมธาตุไชยา
Important Buddhist temple about 50 km north, one of the oldest in Thailand with Srivijaya-period architecture.
Khao Sok National Park
อุทยานแห่งชาติเขาสก
Thailand's most spectacular rainforest with Cheow Lan Lake, floating bungalows, and incredible biodiversity. Located 2 hours west in the province.
San Chao Morning Market
Bustling morning market with local produce and prepared southern Thai food.
Monkey Training College
Unusual attraction where macaques are trained to harvest coconuts, a traditional southern practice.
Food & Dining
ขนมจีน
Khanom Chin
Rice noodles served with various curries, eaten for breakfast and lunch throughout the south.
25-40
Morning market and street stalls
หอยนางรม
Hoi Nang Rom (Fresh Oysters)
Surat Thani province is known for oyster farming; fresh oysters are cheap and excellent.
60-150
Night market and seafood restaurants
แกงส้มปลา
Gaeng Som Pla
Sour curry with fish, a fiery southern Thai staple.
40-70
Local rice-curry shops
กาแฟใต้
Kopi Tai
Strong, sweet southern-style coffee made with a cloth filter.
15-30
Traditional coffee shops and market stalls
Night Markets
- Talat San Chao Night Market
Accommodation
Hostel Dorm
150 - 300
THB / night
Budget Hotel
200 - 400
THB / night
Mid-Range
400 - 900
THB / night
Luxury
900 - 2,000
THB / night
Studio /mo
3,000 - 5,500
THB / night
1BR /mo
4,000 - 7,000
THB / night
Best Areas for Tourists
Best Areas for Long Stay
Booking Tip
No need to book ahead except during Thai holidays. Walk-ins are always available. Stay near the bus station for early morning ferry connections.
Getting There from Bangkok
Surat Thani Airport
Airport Code: URT
Flight
1.5 hours
1200-3500 THB
Train
10-12 hours
250-900 THB
Bus
9-11 hours
400-600 THB
Getting Around
Songthaew
LimitedShared trucks around town
15-30
Grab
WidespreadAvailable with reasonable coverage
40-100
Motorbike rental
LimitedFor local exploration
150-250/day
Neighborhoods
Town Center / Station Area
Busy, functionalTrain station, bus station, markets, and most guesthouses. Noisy and busy but convenient.
Best for: Transit, food, practical needs
Tapi River Waterfront
Relaxed, scenicMost pleasant area with riverside walkway, restaurants, and cafes.
Best for: Evening strolls, dining
Festivals & Events
Chak Phra Festival
ชักพระ
Surat Thani's biggest festival marking the end of Buddhist Lent with boat processions on the Tapi River and land-based float parades.
Rambutan Fair
Celebrates the local rambutan harvest with fruit stalls, parades, and cultural shows.
Songkran
สงกรานต์
Standard water festival celebrations.
Practical Info
Hospital
Surat Thani Hospital
Best SIM Provider
AIS or TrueMove
ATM Availability
Everywhere
Language Tip
Thai predominantly; basic English at tourist-facing transport offices.
Drinking Water
Drink only bottled water
Tipping Culture
Not expected
7-Eleven Density
Everywhere
Emergency Numbers
191 (police), 1669 (ambulance), 1155 (tourist police)
Day Trips
Khao Sok National Park
Rainforest, Cheow Lan Lake, and floating bungalows. Deserves multiple days.
Wat Phra Boromathat Chaiya
Ancient Srivijaya-period temple complex, one of Thailand's oldest.
Khanom
Quiet beach town with pink dolphin sightings.
Nearby Cities
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I stay in Surat Thani or go straight to the islands?
Go straight to the islands unless you arrive too late for the last ferry. Combined bus+boat tickets handle all connections seamlessly.
How do combined bus+boat tickets work?
One ticket covers bus/minivan to the pier and ferry to your island. Buy from Lomprayah or Seatran for the most reliable service.
Is the train station in the city?
No, the main station (Phunphin) is about 15 km west. Free shuttle buses connect to the city and ferry buses.
Can I fly directly to Koh Samui instead?
Yes, Bangkok Airways flies direct, but it is expensive (3,000-6,000+ THB one way). Flying to Surat Thani and taking the ferry is much cheaper.
Is Surat Thani city interesting?
Not particularly for tourists. The night market is good, and the Chak Phra festival in October is impressive, but otherwise it is a transit city.
Is Grab available?
Yes, Grab works here with reasonable coverage, unlike many smaller southern Thai towns.