Koh Samui

Koh Samui is also on the list of popular islands. Most travellers are fascinated by its white beaches, emerald Sea reflecting blue sky. Hat Chaweng and Hat Lamai are the beaches for sunbathing and swimming all day. There are natural beauty of Hin Ta and Hin Yai – a surprising-shaped rocks in Hat Lamai.

Not only beautiful beaches, travellers can also go snorkeling or diving to see beautiful coral reefs, or go to Khao Tha Phet Wildlife and Nature Education Station which is at the 210 meter height above sea level to see the city’s view. Visitors can enjoy Seafood at the restaurants around Tapee River or having seafood with the sea view at Aow Ban Don Tai.

There are many delicious food and sweet in Surat Thani including Khanom Jung, Phumriang shell, oyster, Khanom Chin (thin rice noodles) with spicy curry Paste in southern style, Khanom Chindae, and bitter beans which has its unique smell.

The name of Surat Thani may mean “City of the Good People” but Surat Thani is also known as “the province of a thousand islands” — many of which lay off the coast in the Gulf of Thailand, including the archipelago that contains Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao, and the Mu Koh Ang Thong Marine National Park.

Once the refuge of backpackers, the islands of Surat Thani are now some of the most visited places in Thailand; however, there are a number of Historical, cultural, and natural attractions on the Thai mainland to make a stop in Surat Thani province worthwhile on the way to or from the islands.

The largest province of the South, located 685 kilometers from Bangkok, Surat Thani means “City of the Good People.” A former capital of the Indonesian Srivijaya Empire, Surat Thani remains a vibrant city that is both a commercial and transportation hub and an area with many historical and cultural attractions.

Surat Thani Province covers an area of approximately 13,000 square kilometers of high plateaus and forested mountains in the west of the province that diminish to low basins towards the eastern coast. This mountainous topography has created 14 river basins all of which flow east of the province to the Gulf of Thailand; similarly, almost all visitors to Surat Thani invariably head to the Gulf, where the islands of Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao, and the Mu Koh Ang Thong Marine national park are located.

Key Tips

  • While the weather is generally good year round, the best time to enjoy the islands of Surat Thani is between April and November.