Surat Thani Province
Encyclopedia
Surat Thani is the largest of the southern
provinces
(changwat) of Thailand
, on the eastern shore of the Gulf of Thailand
. Surat Thani means City of Good People, the title given to the city by King Vajiravudh
(Rama VI).
and Malayan tribes. Founded in the 3rd century, until the 13th century the Srivijaya
kingdom dominated the Malay Peninsula
. The city Chaiya
contains several ruins from Srivijaya times, and was probably a regional capital of the kingdom. Some Thai historians even claim that it was the capital of the kingdom itself for some time, but this is generally disputed. Wiang Sa
was another main settlement of that time.
After the fall of the Srivijaya it was divided into the cities (Mueang
) Chaiya, Thatong (now Kanchanadit) and Khirirat Nikhom. While Chaiya was administrated directly from the capital, Thatong and Khirirat were controlled by the Nakhon Si Thammarat kingdom
. In 1899 they were merged into one province named Chaiya. In 1915 also the court of the Monthon
Chumphon
was moved to Bandon, which received its new name Surat Thani on July 29, 1915 during a visit of King Vajiravudh
(Rama VI). The monthon was renamed to Surat accordingly. In 1926 it was abolished and incorporated into monthon Nakhon Si Thammarat. In 1933 the monthon was dissolved, so the province became the first level administrative subdivision.
The provincial administration was at first located in a building in Tha Kham (Amphoe Phunphin). It was moved to the city of Surat Thani directly at the shore of the Tapi river in World War II
, but when the Japanese invaded Thailand on December 8, 1941, and landed in Surat Thani as well, the building caught fire during the short battle and burned down. It was reopened in 1954. On March 19, 1982, it was destroyed again by a bomb planted by communist rebels, killing 5 people. A new building was built in the south of the city, the former site of the provincial hall is now the city pillar shrine
(Lak Mueang).
The province is subdivided into 19 districts (Amphoe
), which are further subdivided into 131 subdistricts (tambon
) and 1028 villages (muban
).
The province has one city (thesaban nakhon), 3 towns (thesaban mueang) and 24 subdistrict municipalities (thesaban tambon). The most important ones are the following 6 (complete list). There are also 109 tambon administrative authorities (TAO), responsible for the non-municipal areas.
Surat Thani City is also a center of the Surat Thani Metropolitan Area.
For the national elections, the province is subdivided into two constituencies, both eligible to elect three members of parliament.
Neighboring provinces are (from north clockwise) Chumphon
, Nakhon Si Thammarat
, Krabi
, Phang Nga
and Ranong
.
Geographically the center of the province is the coastal plain of the Tapi river
, mostly grassland interchanged with rubber tree and coconut plantings. In the west are limestone
mountains of the Phuket range
mostly covered with forests. The Khao Sok
National Park is located in these mountains. To the east the hills of the Nakhon Si Thammarat (or Bantat)
mountain range start to rise, protected in the Tai Rom Yen National Park
. Many islands in the Gulf of Thailand
belong to the district, including the tourist islands Ko Samui
, Ko Pha-ngan
and Ko Tao
, as well as the Ko Ang Thong marine national park. The main rivers of the Surat Thani province are Tapi River and Phum Duang River
, which join at the town Tha Kham shortly before they drain into the Bandon Bay
. The delta
of these rivers, locally known as Nai Bang (ในบาง), is located directly north of the city Surat Thani. It consists of several channels with small islands mostly covered by mangrove
or orchards.
Further protected areas in the province are the Khlong Phanom
and Kaeng Krung
national park, Than Sadet-Ko Pha-Ngan
marine national park, the non-hunting areas Khao Tha Phet
and Nong Thung Thong
and the wildlife sanctuaries Khlong Phraya
, Khlong Saeng
and Khlong Yan
. The Hat Khanom - Mu Ko Thale Tai
, which will contain a few small island south of Ko Samui, is currently in process of creation.
National park
about 132,637.3 million Baht (4,019.31 million US$) and GPP per capita was 134,427 (4,073.54 US$). Compare with about 122,398 million Baht (3,599.94 million US$) and GPP per capita was 125,651 (3,695.62 US$) in 2007 census, the GPP was growth by 8.37% and per capita was growth by 6.98%. The main agricultural products of the province are coconut
and rambutan
. The coconuts are often picked from the tree by specially trained monkey, mostly Pig-tailed Macaque
s (Macaca nemestrina). The monkey school of late Somporn Saekhow is the most famous training center for these monkeys. The rambutan trees were first planted in Surat Thani in 1926 by the Chinese Malay Mr. K. Vong in Ban Na San
. An annual rambutan fair is held in beginning of August, including a parade of highly decorated floats on the Tapi river. Also rubber tree planting are common in the province.
A notable local product is the hand-woven silk clothes from the coastal village Phum Riang in Chaiya district. Chaiya is also the most famous source of the red eggs, a local specialty. Ducks fed are with crabs and fish, and the eggs are then preserved by salinating them in a soil-salt mixture. Oysters from farms at the coast of Kanchanaburi district are another local specialty.
Tourism is a major income at the four islands Ko Samui
, Ko Pha Ngan
, Ko Tao
and Ko Ang Thong
located at Phunphin
about 15 km from downtown. A branch line to the west ends in Kirirat Nikhom, originally planned to run till the coast next to the island Phuket
, but construction ended in 1956. In total it has 32 railway stations in Surat Thani province.
(Thailand Route 41
). The major road in east-west direction is Route 401
connecting Takua Pa
with Nakhon Si Thammarat
, and Route 44
in southwestern direction from Kanchanadit to Krabi
. Route 44 was built as part of the landbridge project connecting the Gulf of Thailand with the Andaman Sea. Unlike other highways there are no crossing intersections, the wide space between the two lanes is reserved for pipeline and railway.
in Phunphin and Samui Airport
on Ko Samui
. The Surat Thani International Airport is served by three airlines: Thai Airways International
Thai AirAsia
One-Two-Go Airlines from Don Mueang International Airport The Samui Airport is served by Bangkok Airways
and Thai Airways International
from Suvarnabhumi Airport
, Hong Kong
, Singapore
, Kuala Lumpur
, Phuket
, Chiang Mai
and Penang
, which mostly start at Don Sak, while the ferries to Ko Tao
start at Surat Thani
or Ko Samui
.
The two most important Buddhist monasteries of the province are both located in Chaiya district. Phra Boromathat Chaiya is highlighted by the chedi
in Srivijaya style, dating back from the 7th century but elaborately restored. Buddha relics are enshrined in the chedi, in the surrounding chapels are several Buddha statues in Srivijaya style. Adjoining the temple is the Chaiya national museum.
Also nearby is Wat Suan Mokkhaphalaram, a forest monastery founded by the famous monk Buddhadasa Bhikkhu.
The seal of the province shows the pagoda
of Phra Boromathat Chaiya, which is believed to have been built 1200 years ago. The flag of the province also shows the pagoda in middle, placed on a vertically split flag with red color in top and yellow in bottom.
The provincial symbolic flower is the Bua Phut (Rafflesia kerrii
), a parasitic plant with one of the biggest flowers of all plants. The provincial tree is the Ton Kiam (Cotylelobium melanoxylon
).
The provincial slogan is เมืองร้อยเกาะ เงาะอร่อย หอยใหญ่ ไข่แดง แหล่งธรรมะ ชักพระประเพณี, which translates to City of 100 islands, delicious rambutan, big shells and red eggs, center of Buddhism. Red eggs are a local culinary speciality of pickled
duck eggs, while the big shells refer to the plenty of seafood available. Center of Buddhism refers to the pagoda of Chaiya.Chak Phra Festivals
Mueng Suratthani
Recommened Food in TaladSanjoa(ตลาดศาลเจ้า) and Surat Thani
Pad Thai Chaiya(ผัดไทไชยา)Thai noodle in Surat Thani Style with Sea Food.
Kanomjean(ขนมจีน)white noodle with cerry
Thaifruit Thai Crips and Thai Dessert
Night Bandon pier(ท่าเรือกลางคืน)is thai fruit walk street and food.
'Surat Thani City Pillar Shrine(ศาสหลีกเมือง) (Srivijaya style) It is a beautiful Thai art style place and centre of the city.
Si Surat Stupa(พระธาตุศรีสุราษฎร์) Pra tad sri surat appoint on Khao Tha Phet(เขาท่าเพชร)(thapech hills) is a hill near the town of Surat Thani. The hill has an altitude of about 210 m (689 ft) above sea level and offers a good view over the town Surat Thani. On top of the hill is the Si 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. 6 kilometres south of the provincial capital along Highway 4009 (Surat Thani - Na San) and 1.5 kilometres along the access road, this centre is located on a hill called Khao Tha Phet and covers an area of 4.65 square kilometres. The designated trail allows visitors to see some rarely-seen trees and to take a close look at the levels of soil, sandstone, and dry evergreen forest. The hilltop, some 200 metres above sea level, offers commanding panoramic views of Surat Thani town and the Tapi River. Phrathat Si Surat, a candle-like stupa on the hill, was built in 1957 and contains Lord Buddha’s relics donated by the Indian government.
Nai Bang Area (ในบาง) Nai Bang is an alluvial plain around the mouth of the Tapi River which is crisscrossed with networks of canals. The canals are lined with mangrove forest alternating with traditional southern-styled houses, behind which are coconut farms and orchards. The people here still maintain a simple way of life and make their living on indigenous natural resources, despite the bustling economy in the Ban Don (town) market just opposite the river. Access to Nai Bang is by the bridge across the Tapi River or by long-tail boat from Ban Don. The boat can carry 6 – 8 people and charges 250 baht per hour. Visitors may contact the travel agents in Surat Thani which sell a one-day package tour to the Nai Bang area. If u can see the light iseect, can do trip on the night.
Tapee River Dinner
Have romantic dinner on the boat in Tapi River to see Tapi River view, entrane Tapi River to the sea or see view beside the river in restaurant.
Ko Lamphu
(เกาะลำพู) is a small car-free island in the river Tapi. It is connected by bridge to the city at the city pillar shrine. Ko Lamphu is a popular place for picnic as well as for sports. A nice view is the riverfront, built as a promenade.
There are several Buddhist as well as Chinese temples within the city, however none really notable. To the north is the Roman Catholic St. Raphael Cathedral, actually a small wooden church.
Ko Samui
Ko Pha-ngan with the beautifil beaches of Chalok lam Bay, Ban Khai, Haad Son, Haad Yao, Bootle Beach and Haad Rin - The full Moon party location.
Chaiya
Phanom and Ban Ta Khun
Nai Bang Area (ในบาง) Nai Bang is an alluvial plain around the mouth of the Tapi River which is crisscrossed with networks of canals. The canals are lined with mangrove forest alternating with traditional southern-styled houses, behind which are coconut farms and orchards.
Khao Tha Phet Nature and Wildlife Study Centre (สถานีพัฒนาและส่งเสริมอนุรักษ์สัตว์ป่าเขาท่าเพชร) This centre is located on a hill called Khao Tha Phet. The hilltop offers commanding panoramic views of Surat Thani town and the Tapi River. Phrathat Si Surat, a candle-like stupa on the hill, contains Lord Buddha's relics donated by the Indian government.
Monkey Schools (สถานที่ฝึกลิง) In the southern provinces, monkeys work for humans in the harvesting of coconuts. Expert climbers, they show quick skills that are a boon to farmers.
Oyster Farm (ฟาร์มหอยนางรม) Surat Thani people take so much pride in their big and delicious oysters that they have become a part of the province's motto. Most oysters are raised around the mouth of Kradae and Than Thong canals.
Ban Khlong Sai Monkey Training Centre (ศูนย์ฝึกลิงบ้านคลองทราย) Located in front of Wat Ampharam, Mu 3, Tambon Khlong Sai, Amphoe Tha Chang, the centre trains monkeys to pick up coconuts.
Wat Suan Mokkhaphalaram (วัดสวนโมกขพลาราม) Suan Mokkh's founder, the late Buddhadasa Bhikkhu, was highly respected both locally and internationally. His 'back to basics' form of Buddhism, mirroring that led by the Buddha's earliest disciples more than 2,500 years ago, attracted many Buddhist monks and lay meditators from many countries.
Phra Borommathat Chaiya (พระบรมธาตุไชยา) Constructed along Mahayana Buddhist's beliefs of the 7th Century, the great chedi is reputedly the best preserved Srivijaya artwork in Thailand. The stone chedi has 3 receding tiers, each of which are decorated with small stupas. The Buddha's relics are enshrined inside the chedi.
Wat Wiang, Wat Kaeo and Wat Long (วัดเวียง วัดแก้ว และวัดหลง) These 3 temples are supposedly contemporaries of Wat Phra Borommathat Chaiya. The seated Buddha statue protected by naga, made in 1183, and a sand stone, Chaiya-styled, Buddha statue were found at Wat Wiang. Wat Kaeo and Wat Long have Chaiya-styled brick chedi on indented square bases.
Phumriang Village (หมู่บ้านพุมเรียง) This Muslim fishing village is famed for its hand-woven silk cloth in red, yellow and black. Buddhist Thais in the village weave hats from leaves.
Namtok Vibhavadi (น้ำตกวิภาวดี) The petite waterfall enjoys bucolic surroundings and attracts a lot of local people during weekends.
Wat Khao Suwan Pradit (วัดเขาสุวรรณประดิษฐ์) This temple was founded by Luang Pho Choi, one of southern Thailand's most revered Buddhist ecclesiastics. The hilltop 45-metre pagoda contains Buddha relics and commands striking coastal views of Ban Don district.
Rock Fish Museum (พิพิธภัณฑ์ปลาหิน) This museum was established in 1992 by Mr. Kitti Sin-udom, an old fisherman who spent more than 10 years in stone carving work. More than 1,000 life-like sculptures of marine fish found in the gulf of Thailand are on display.
Khao Sok National Park (อุทยานแห่งชาติเขาสก) As part of the largest moist evergreen forest in Southern Thailand, the park is rich with diverse flora including certain families of lotus, white palm, and fern.
Khao Sok is also one of the best bird-watching spots in Thailand. Attractions in the park include:
Ratchaprapha (Rajjaprabha) Dam - The complete of this dam in 1988 gave birth to a huge inland lake of about 168 square kilometres, which is adorned with hundreds of islands and islets
Tham Nam Thalu – Much preparation is needed to visit this cave, as the trail is rather physically demanding.
Tang Nam – Streams chiseled across 2 ridges to create this striking gorge. Many people came to pay respect to this place, around which the venerable Buddhadasa Bhikkhu's ashes were traditionally showered.
Namtok Than Sawan – This scenic waterfall is 3 kilometres from Tang Nam.
Namtok Sip Et Chan – This 11-leveled waterfall originates from Bang Len canal. The first level is largest and most picturesque.
San Yang Roi Trail – This 2-kilometre trail begins at the park headquarters and runs along the mountain shoulder past streams, waterfalls and moist evergreen forest. A trail to a rarely seen plant called Bua Phut at Bang Luk Chang Mountain.
Khlong Phanom National Park (อุทยานแห่งชาติคลองพนม) comprises high limestone mountains connected with Khao Sok National Park. Attractions in the park include Kiriwong and Chong Yung waterfalls and several caves full of stalactites and stalagmites.
Kaeng Krung National Park (อุทยานแห่งชาติแก่งกรุง) Its mountainous area is covered by fertile moist evergreen forests, where some rare and endangered species such as tree-ferns can be found. Attractions in the park include hot springs, Bang Hoi Waterfall and Khlong Pa Waterfall.
Tai Rom Yen National Park (อุทยานแห่งชาติใต้ร่มเย็น) The 425 - square kilometre - forest areas in Kanchanadit, Ban Na San and Wiang Sa were designated National Park in 1991. The diluting mountains of the Nakhon Si Thammarat Range are mostly covered with moist evergreen forest and exotic and rare flora and fauna. Attractions in the park include:
Namtok Tat Fa – The perennial 13-leveled waterfall is highest in Surat Thani. The 4th level is most attractive with its 80 metres high cliff.
Tham Khamin or Tham Men – Exotic stalagmites and stalactites can be admired in this cave. The walkway is well lit and fit with stairs when needed, to ensure maximum safety.
San Yen – The eastern range, about 40 kilometres long and 1,000-1,300 metres high is fertile with rare flora, fauna and wildlife.
Namtok Mueang Thuat – The 7-leveled waterfall has a large basin.
Salted Eggs: Ducks in Chaiya eat mollusk, crab and fish on the farm, which make their egg yolks particularly red. Eggs are covered with soil mixed with salty water and husk.
Oysters: Surat Thani's oysters are well known for their size, cleanliness, taste, and smell.
Rambutan: Rambutan here is probably the best in Thailand, thanks to its sweet taste, crisp meat, big size, small seeds, and thin peel.
Phumriang Silk: are hand-woven products of a Muslim village. The weavers here create their own patterns which are embossed on the silk by shuttle looms.
Southern Thailand
Southern Thailand is a distinct region of Thailand, connected with the Central region by the narrow Kra Isthmus.-Geography:Southern Thailand is located on the Malay Peninsula, with an area around 70,713 km², bounded to the north by Kra Isthmus as the narrowest part of the peninsula. The...
provinces
Provinces of Thailand
Thailand is divided into 76 provinces , which are geographically grouped into 6 regions. The capital Bangkok is not a province but a special administrative area and is included as the 77th province since it is administered at the same level as the other 76 provinces. The name of the provinces are...
(changwat) of Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
, on the eastern shore of the Gulf of Thailand
Gulf of Thailand
The Gulf of Thailand , also known in to Malays as Teluk Siam literally meant Gulf of Siam, is a shallow arm of the South China Sea.-Geography:...
. Surat Thani means City of Good People, the title given to the city by King Vajiravudh
Vajiravudh
Phra Bat Somdet Phra Poramentharamaha Vajiravudh Phra Mongkut Klao Chao Yu Hua , or Phra Bat Somdet Phra Ramathibodi Si Sintharamaha Vajiravudh Phra Mongkut Klao Chao Yu Hua , or Rama VI was the sixth monarch of Siam under the House of Chakri, ruling from 1910 until his death...
(Rama VI).
History
The area of Surat Thani was already inhabited in prehistoric times by SemangSemang
The Semang are a Negrito ethnic group of the Malay Peninsula. Lowland Semang tribes are also known as Sakai, although this term is considered to be derogatory by the Semang people. They are probably the indigenous peoples of this area. They have been recorded to have lived here since before the...
and Malayan tribes. Founded in the 3rd century, until the 13th century the Srivijaya
Srivijaya
Srivijaya was a powerful ancient thalassocratic Malay empire based on the island of Sumatra, modern day Indonesia, which influenced much of Southeast Asia. The earliest solid proof of its existence dates from the 7th century; a Chinese monk, I-Tsing, wrote that he visited Srivijaya in 671 for 6...
kingdom dominated the Malay Peninsula
Malay Peninsula
The Malay Peninsula or Thai-Malay Peninsula is a peninsula in Southeast Asia. The land mass runs approximately north-south and, at its terminus, is the southern-most point of the Asian mainland...
. The city Chaiya
Chaiya
Chaiya is a district and town in Surat Thani Province in southern Thailand. The town itself has a population of 13,133 , while the whole district has a population of 47,750.-Geography:...
contains several ruins from Srivijaya times, and was probably a regional capital of the kingdom. Some Thai historians even claim that it was the capital of the kingdom itself for some time, but this is generally disputed. Wiang Sa
Amphoe Wiang Sa, Surat Thani Province
-Geography:Wiang Sa is located in the southeast of Surat Thani province. Neighboring district are Phrasaeng, Khian Sa and Ban Na San of Surat Thani, and Phipun, Chawang and Tham Phannara of Nakhon Si Thammarat Province....
was another main settlement of that time.
After the fall of the Srivijaya it was divided into the cities (Mueang
Mueang
Mueang were historical semi-independent city-states or principalities in present-day Thailand, Laos, parts of northern Vietnam and the Shan State of Myanmar. Smaller Mueang were subordinate to more powerful neighboring Mueang, which in turn were subordinate to the central king, as described in...
) Chaiya, Thatong (now Kanchanadit) and Khirirat Nikhom. While Chaiya was administrated directly from the capital, Thatong and Khirirat were controlled by the Nakhon Si Thammarat kingdom
Nakhon Si Thammarat kingdom
Nakhon Si Thammarat Kingdom was one of the major constituent city states of the Siamese kingdoms of Sukhothai and later Ayutthaya and controlled a big part of the Malay peninsula...
. In 1899 they were merged into one province named Chaiya. In 1915 also the court of the Monthon
Monthon
A monthon |]], literally "circle") was a country subdivision of Thailand in the beginning of the 20th century. The Thai word 'monthon' is a translation of the word Mandala. These were created as a part of the thesaphiban bureaucratic administrative system, introduced by Prince Damrong Rajanubhab...
Chumphon
Monthon Surat Thani
The Monthon Surat was an administrative subdivision of Thailand in the beginning of the 20th century. It covered the northeastern part of Southern Thailand.-History:...
was moved to Bandon, which received its new name Surat Thani on July 29, 1915 during a visit of King Vajiravudh
Vajiravudh
Phra Bat Somdet Phra Poramentharamaha Vajiravudh Phra Mongkut Klao Chao Yu Hua , or Phra Bat Somdet Phra Ramathibodi Si Sintharamaha Vajiravudh Phra Mongkut Klao Chao Yu Hua , or Rama VI was the sixth monarch of Siam under the House of Chakri, ruling from 1910 until his death...
(Rama VI). The monthon was renamed to Surat accordingly. In 1926 it was abolished and incorporated into monthon Nakhon Si Thammarat. In 1933 the monthon was dissolved, so the province became the first level administrative subdivision.
The provincial administration was at first located in a building in Tha Kham (Amphoe Phunphin). It was moved to the city of Surat Thani directly at the shore of the Tapi river in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, but when the Japanese invaded Thailand on December 8, 1941, and landed in Surat Thani as well, the building caught fire during the short battle and burned down. It was reopened in 1954. On March 19, 1982, it was destroyed again by a bomb planted by communist rebels, killing 5 people. A new building was built in the south of the city, the former site of the provincial hall is now the city pillar shrine
Lak Mueang
Lak Mueang are City pillars found in most cities of Thailand. Usually housed in a shrine which is also believed to house Chao Pho Lak Mueang , the city spirit deity; it is held in high esteem by citizens....
(Lak Mueang).
Administrative divisions
Amphoe
An amphoe is the second level administrative subdivision of Thailand. Usually translated as district, amphoe make up the provinces, and are analogous to a county seat...
), which are further subdivided into 131 subdistricts (tambon
Tambon
Tambon is a local government unit in Thailand. Below district and province , they form the third administrative subdivision level. As of the 2009 there are 7255 tambon, not including the 169 khwaeng of Bangkok, which are set at the same administrative level, thus every district contains 8-10 tambon...
) and 1028 villages (muban
Muban
Muban is the lowest administrative subdivision of Thailand. Usually translated as village, they are the subdivision of tambon. As of 2008, there are 74944 administrative villages in Thailand. As of the 1990 census, the average village consisted of 144 households or 746 persons.A muban does not...
).
|
|
The province has one city (thesaban nakhon), 3 towns (thesaban mueang) and 24 subdistrict municipalities (thesaban tambon). The most important ones are the following 6 (complete list). There are also 109 tambon administrative authorities (TAO), responsible for the non-municipal areas.
Surat Thani City is also a center of the Surat Thani Metropolitan Area.
| Nr. | City | Thai Thai alphabet Thai script , is used to write the Thai language and other, minority, languages in Thailand. It has forty-four consonants , fifteen vowel symbols that combine into at least twenty-eight vowel forms, and four tone marks .... |
Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Surat Thani Surat Thani Surat Thani is a city in Amphoe Mueang Surat Thani, Surat Thani Province, southern Thailand. It is the capital of the province Surat Thani. The city has a population of 128,179 , and an area of 68.97 square kilometers. The city's population density is 1,858.47 inhabitants per km².Suran Thani is... |
เทศบาลนครสุราษฎร์ธานี | 127,550 | Capital of the province, Historic town, Tourism, Main bus station |
| 2. | Ko Samui Ko Samui Ko Samui island of Surat Thani Province , or often, simply Samui as it is referred to by locals, is an island off the east coast of the Kra Isthmus in Thailand, close to the mainland Surat Thani town. It is Thailand's second largest island, with an area of 228.7 km2 and a population of over... |
เทศบาลเมืองเกาะสมุย | 52,510 | Tourism, |
| 3. | Tha Kham Tha Kham Tha Kham is a town in southern Thailand. As of 2006 it covers an area of 14.10 km² and has a population of 20,349. It covers parts of the subdistrict Tha Kham of Phunphin district, Surat Thani Province.It is located at the shore of the Tapi River... |
เทศบาลเมืองท่าข้าม | 20,363 | Main railway station, Airport. |
| 4. | Na San | เทศบาลเมืองนาสาร | 19,851 | |
| 5. | Talat Chaiya Talad Chaiya Town Talat Chaiya is the one of two subdistrict municipalities in the Chaiya district, Surat Thani Province, southern Thailand. It was founded as the center of Chaiya district in 1915 on the area of former Srivijaya city of Chaiya... |
เทศบาลตำบลตลาดไชยา | 12,955 | Historic town. |
| 6. | Don Sak Amphoe Don Sak Don Sak is a district in eastern Surat Thani Province. The ferry port to Samui Island is located in the district.Neighboring districts are Khanom and Sichon and the district Kanchanadit... |
เทศบาลตำบลดอนสัก | 11,357 | Main port. |
| 7. | Ko Pha-ngan Ko Pha Ngan Ko Pha Ngan is an island in the Gulf of Thailand in South East Thailand. It is famous for its full moon party at Haad Rin Beach and as a backpackers destination. Ko Pha Ngan has two sister islands: the larger Ko Samui to the south and the smaller Ko Tao to the north.* Area: about 168 km²*... |
เทศบาลตำบลเกาะพะงัน | 3,357 | Tourism. |
For the national elections, the province is subdivided into two constituencies, both eligible to elect three members of parliament.
Geography
Chumphon Province
Chumphon ) is one of the southern provinces of Thailand, at the shore of the Gulf of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are Prachuap Khiri Khan, Surat Thani and Ranong...
, Nakhon Si Thammarat
Nakhon Si Thammarat Province
Nakhon Si Thammarat is one of the southern provinces of Thailand, at the eastern shore of the Gulf of Thailand...
, Krabi
Krabi Province
Krabi is one of the southern provinces of Thailand, at the shore of the Andaman Sea. Neighbouring provinces are Phang Nga, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat and Trang. The Phuket province to the west is also neighbouring, but without any land boundary...
, Phang Nga
Phang Nga Province
Phang Nga is one of the southern provinces of Thailand, on the shore to the Andaman Sea. Neighboring provinces are Ranong, Surat Thani and Krabi. To the south is the Phuket province, but without land boundary to Phang Nga....
and Ranong
Ranong Province
Ranong is one of the southern provinces of Thailand, on the coast of the Andaman Sea. It is the province with the fewest citizens. Neighboring provinces are Chumphon, Surat Thani and Phang Nga...
.
Geographically the center of the province is the coastal plain of the Tapi river
Tapi River, Thailand
The Tapi river is the longest river in southern Thailand. The river originates at the Khao Luang, and has a wide estuary into the Gulf of Thailand at Bandon Bay near the town of Surat Thani. It has a length of 230 km....
, mostly grassland interchanged with rubber tree and coconut plantings. In the west are limestone
Limestone
Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed largely of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different crystal forms of calcium carbonate . Many limestones are composed from skeletal fragments of marine organisms such as coral or foraminifera....
mountains of the Phuket range
Phuket mountain range
The Phuket mountain range is a mountain range in the Kra Isthmus, Thailand.-Geography:This chain of hills is one of the southern sections of the central cordillera, the mountain chain which runs from Tibet through all of the Malay peninsula....
mostly covered with forests. The Khao Sok
Khao Sok
Khao Sok national park is located in Surat Thani province in Thailand. Its land area is 739 km², and it includes the Chiao Lan reservoir dammed by the Ratchaprapha dam. The park comprises the largest area of virgin forest in Southern Thailand and is a remnant of rainforest which is older and more...
National Park is located in these mountains. To the east the hills of the Nakhon Si Thammarat (or Bantat)
Nakhon Si Thammarat mountain range
The Nakhon Si Thammarat mountain range is a mountain range on the Malay peninsula in southern Thailand, running in a north-south direction. This mountain chain is also sometimes named Banthat mountain range , a name which is however also used to refer to the Chanthaburi mountain...
mountain range start to rise, protected in the Tai Rom Yen National Park
Tai Rom Yen National Park
The Tai Rom Yen National Park is located in the east of the Surat Thani Province in Southern Thailand. The park consists of the northern end of the Nakhon Si Thammarat mountain range and is mostly covered with forests...
. Many islands in the Gulf of Thailand
Gulf of Thailand
The Gulf of Thailand , also known in to Malays as Teluk Siam literally meant Gulf of Siam, is a shallow arm of the South China Sea.-Geography:...
belong to the district, including the tourist islands Ko Samui
Ko Samui
Ko Samui island of Surat Thani Province , or often, simply Samui as it is referred to by locals, is an island off the east coast of the Kra Isthmus in Thailand, close to the mainland Surat Thani town. It is Thailand's second largest island, with an area of 228.7 km2 and a population of over...
, Ko Pha-ngan
Ko Pha Ngan
Ko Pha Ngan is an island in the Gulf of Thailand in South East Thailand. It is famous for its full moon party at Haad Rin Beach and as a backpackers destination. Ko Pha Ngan has two sister islands: the larger Ko Samui to the south and the smaller Ko Tao to the north.* Area: about 168 km²*...
and Ko Tao
Ko Tao
Ko Tao is an island in Thailand located near the western shore of the Gulf of Thailand. It covers an area of about 21 km². Administratively it forms a tambon within the district Ko Pha Ngan of Surat Thani Province. As of 2006 its official population is 1382...
, as well as the Ko Ang Thong marine national park. The main rivers of the Surat Thani province are Tapi River and Phum Duang River
Phum Duang River
The Phum Duang River is a river in Surat Thani Province, Southern Thailand, the main tributary of the Tapi River....
, which join at the town Tha Kham shortly before they drain into the Bandon Bay
Bandon Bay
Bandon Bay is a bay in the Gulf of Thailand in the Surat Thani Province, extending from the Sui cape in Chaiya district in the northwest to the Kanchanadit district to the east. The total coastline is about 100 km. The bay is dominated by the estuary of the rivers Tapi and Phum Duang...
. The delta
River delta
A delta is a landform that is formed at the mouth of a river where that river flows into an ocean, sea, estuary, lake, reservoir, flat arid area, or another river. Deltas are formed from the deposition of the sediment carried by the river as the flow leaves the mouth of the river...
of these rivers, locally known as Nai Bang (ในบาง), is located directly north of the city Surat Thani. It consists of several channels with small islands mostly covered by mangrove
Mangrove
Mangroves are various kinds of trees up to medium height and shrubs that grow in saline coastal sediment habitats in the tropics and subtropics – mainly between latitudes N and S...
or orchards.
Further protected areas in the province are the Khlong Phanom
Khlong Phanom National Park
Khlong Phanom is a national park in southern Thailand, protecting 410.4 km² of forests within the Phuket mountain range. It has been declared a national park on November 17, 2000....
and Kaeng Krung
Kaeng Krung National Park
Kaeng Krung is a national park in southern Thailand, protecting 541 km² of forests within the Phuket mountain range. It has been declared a national park on December 4, 1990....
national park, Than Sadet-Ko Pha-Ngan
Than Sadet-Ko Pha-Ngan National Park
Than Sadet-Ko Pha-Ngan is a national park in southern Thailand, protecting 65.93 km² mostly on the island Pha Ngan. The park was established on December 31st 1983, covering an area of 39.12 km²; and was enlarged to its present size on February 10 1999....
marine national park, the non-hunting areas Khao Tha Phet
Khao Tha Phet
Khao Tha Phet is a hill near the town of Surat Thani, southern Thailand. It is located in Tambon Makham Tia, Amphoe Mueang Surat Thani. The hill has an altitude of about 210m above sea level and offers a good view over the town Surat Thani....
and Nong Thung Thong
Nong Thung Thong
Nong Thung Thong is a swamp on the east bank of the Tapi River in Khian Sa district, Surat Thani Province, southern Thailand.The area, together with the Nong Tung Ka on the west bank of the river, forms a complex of grassland and swamps along the river...
and the wildlife sanctuaries Khlong Phraya
Khlong Phraya Wildlife Sanctuary
Khlong Phraya is a wildlife sanctuary in southern Thailand, located at the boundary of Surat Thani and Krabi Province.It covers an area of 153.6 km² of the districts Plai Phraya, Phrasaeng and Chai Buri...
, Khlong Saeng
Khlong Saeng Wildlife Sanctuary
Khlong Saeng is a wildlife sanctuary in southern Thailand, located in the west of Surat Thani Province.It covers an area of 1155 km² of the districts Khiri Rat Nikhom and Ban Ta Khun, located directly north of the Khao Sok national park....
and Khlong Yan
Khlong Yan Wildlife Sanctuary
Khlong Yan is a wildlife sanctuary in southern Thailand, located in the west of Surat Thani Province. It is located between the Khao Sok and Kaeng Krung National Park within the hills of the Phuket mountain range....
. The Hat Khanom - Mu Ko Thale Tai
Hat Khanom - Mu Ko Thale Tai National Park
Hat Khanom - Mu Ko Thale Tai is a National Park in process of establishment. It is located in southern Thailand, covering territory of the districts Khanom and Sichon of Nakhon Si Thammarat Province and Don Sak and Ko Samui of Surat Thani Province....
, which will contain a few small island south of Ko Samui, is currently in process of creation.
National park
- Ko Ang Thong marine national park***
- Khao SokKhao SokKhao Sok national park is located in Surat Thani province in Thailand. Its land area is 739 km², and it includes the Chiao Lan reservoir dammed by the Ratchaprapha dam. The park comprises the largest area of virgin forest in Southern Thailand and is a remnant of rainforest which is older and more...
national park*** - Khlong PhanomKhlong Phanom National ParkKhlong Phanom is a national park in southern Thailand, protecting 410.4 km² of forests within the Phuket mountain range. It has been declared a national park on November 17, 2000....
national park - Kaeng KrungKaeng Krung National ParkKaeng Krung is a national park in southern Thailand, protecting 541 km² of forests within the Phuket mountain range. It has been declared a national park on December 4, 1990....
national park - Than Sadet-Ko Pha-NganThan Sadet-Ko Pha-Ngan National ParkThan Sadet-Ko Pha-Ngan is a national park in southern Thailand, protecting 65.93 km² mostly on the island Pha Ngan. The park was established on December 31st 1983, covering an area of 39.12 km²; and was enlarged to its present size on February 10 1999....
marine national park - Tai Rom Yen National ParkTai Rom Yen National ParkThe Tai Rom Yen National Park is located in the east of the Surat Thani Province in Southern Thailand. The park consists of the northern end of the Nakhon Si Thammarat mountain range and is mostly covered with forests...
Climate
Economy
In 2008 census, the province was had a GPPMeasures of national income and output
A variety of measures of national income and output are used in economics to estimate total economic activity in a country or region, including gross domestic product , gross national product , and net national income . All are specially concerned with counting the total amount of goods and...
about 132,637.3 million Baht (4,019.31 million US$) and GPP per capita was 134,427 (4,073.54 US$). Compare with about 122,398 million Baht (3,599.94 million US$) and GPP per capita was 125,651 (3,695.62 US$) in 2007 census, the GPP was growth by 8.37% and per capita was growth by 6.98%. The main agricultural products of the province are coconut
Coconut
The coconut palm, Cocos nucifera, is a member of the family Arecaceae . It is the only accepted species in the genus Cocos. The term coconut can refer to the entire coconut palm, the seed, or the fruit, which is not a botanical nut. The spelling cocoanut is an old-fashioned form of the word...
and rambutan
Rambutan
The rambutan is a medium-sized tropical tree in the family Sapindaceae, and the fruit of this tree. It is native to Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and elsewhere in Southeast Asia, although its precise natural distribution is unknown. It is closely related to several...
. The coconuts are often picked from the tree by specially trained monkey, mostly Pig-tailed Macaque
Southern Pig-tailed Macaque
The southern pig-tailed macaque is a medium-sized Old World monkey found in the southern half of the Malay Peninsula , Borneo, Sumatra and Bangka Island. This omnivorous macaque is mostly found in forest, but will also enter plantations and gardens...
s (Macaca nemestrina). The monkey school of late Somporn Saekhow is the most famous training center for these monkeys. The rambutan trees were first planted in Surat Thani in 1926 by the Chinese Malay Mr. K. Vong in Ban Na San
Amphoe Ban Na San
-Geography:Neighboring districts are Nopphitam and Phipun of Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, Wiang Sa, Khian Sa, Ban Na Doem, Mueang Surat Thani and Kanchanadit....
. An annual rambutan fair is held in beginning of August, including a parade of highly decorated floats on the Tapi river. Also rubber tree planting are common in the province.
A notable local product is the hand-woven silk clothes from the coastal village Phum Riang in Chaiya district. Chaiya is also the most famous source of the red eggs, a local specialty. Ducks fed are with crabs and fish, and the eggs are then preserved by salinating them in a soil-salt mixture. Oysters from farms at the coast of Kanchanaburi district are another local specialty.
Tourism is a major income at the four islands Ko Samui
Ko Samui
Ko Samui island of Surat Thani Province , or often, simply Samui as it is referred to by locals, is an island off the east coast of the Kra Isthmus in Thailand, close to the mainland Surat Thani town. It is Thailand's second largest island, with an area of 228.7 km2 and a population of over...
, Ko Pha Ngan
Ko Pha Ngan
Ko Pha Ngan is an island in the Gulf of Thailand in South East Thailand. It is famous for its full moon party at Haad Rin Beach and as a backpackers destination. Ko Pha Ngan has two sister islands: the larger Ko Samui to the south and the smaller Ko Tao to the north.* Area: about 168 km²*...
, Ko Tao
Ko Tao
Ko Tao is an island in Thailand located near the western shore of the Gulf of Thailand. It covers an area of about 21 km². Administratively it forms a tambon within the district Ko Pha Ngan of Surat Thani Province. As of 2006 its official population is 1382...
and Ko Ang Thong
Transportation
Rail
The province is crossed by the southern railway, with the main railway stationSurat Thani Railway Station
Surat Thani Railway Station is the main railway station in Surat Thani Province. It is located on S.R.T. Southern Railway line km. 635+106, on the east bank of Tapi River in Tha Kham town, Phun Phin district. Surat Thani Station first opened in 1915, and was originally named Phun Phin Station...
located at Phunphin
Phunphin
Phunphin is a district in the province Surat Thani in the south of Thailand. The town Tha Kham as the central town of the district has 22,478 citizens in an area of 14.2 square kilometer.-Geography:...
about 15 km from downtown. A branch line to the west ends in Kirirat Nikhom, originally planned to run till the coast next to the island Phuket
Phuket Province
Phuket , formerly known as Thalang and, in Western sources, Junk Ceylon , is one of the southern provinces of Thailand...
, but construction ended in 1956. In total it has 32 railway stations in Surat Thani province.
Road
Parallel to the railway in north-south direction runs the Asian Highway 2AH2
The AH2 is a road in the Asian Highway Network running 8230 miles from Denpasar, Indonesia to Khosravi, Iran. The route is as follows:-Indonesia:Denpasar — Surabaya — Surakarta — Semarang — Cikampek — Jakarta...
(Thailand Route 41
Thailand Route 41
Route 41 starts at intersection with Route 4 in Chumphon Province. It goes southward passing through Surat Thani Province and Nakhon Si Thammarat Province. It ends at Phatthalung Province joining Route 4 again.-Route Details:...
). The major road in east-west direction is Route 401
Thailand Route 401
Thailand Route 401 is a highway in southern Thailand. It starts from the west coast of the Thai-Malay Peninsula at an intersection with Route 4 near Amphoe Takua Pa, Phang Nga Province....
connecting Takua Pa
Amphoe Takua Pa
Takua Pa ) is a district in the province Phang Nga in the south of Thailand.-Geography:The district is located at the coast to the Andaman Sea. To the north of the district is the Si Phang-nga National Park...
with Nakhon Si Thammarat
Nakhon Si Thammarat
Nakhon Si Thammarat is a town in southern Thailand, capital of the Nakhon Si Thammarat Province and the Nakhon Si Thammarat district. It is about south of Bangkok, on the east coast of the Malay Peninsula. The city was the administrative center of southern Thailand during most of its history. ...
, and Route 44
Thailand Route 44
Route 44 is part of land bridge project. It starts at intersection with Route 4 in Krabi Province, running northeast, and ends at intersection with Route 401 in Surat Thani Province.-Route Details:...
in southwestern direction from Kanchanadit to Krabi
Krabi
Krabi is a town on the west coast of southern Thailand at the mouth of the Krabi River where it empties in Phangnga Bay. As of 2005 the town has a population of 24,986. The town is the capital of Krabi Province and Krabi district...
. Route 44 was built as part of the landbridge project connecting the Gulf of Thailand with the Andaman Sea. Unlike other highways there are no crossing intersections, the wide space between the two lanes is reserved for pipeline and railway.
Air
Two regional airports are located in the province - Surat Thani International AirportSurat Thani Airport
Surat Thani Airport is situated in the Phunphin district, Surat Thani province, Thailand. The airport, which is located 21 km west of Surat Thani, is also the Wing 7 Airforce base...
in Phunphin and Samui Airport
Samui Airport
Samui International Airport , also known as Ko Samui Airport or Koh Samui Airport, is a privately owned airport on the island of Ko Samui in Thailand. The airport is located roughly 2 km north of the main village Chaweng....
on Ko Samui
Ko Samui
Ko Samui island of Surat Thani Province , or often, simply Samui as it is referred to by locals, is an island off the east coast of the Kra Isthmus in Thailand, close to the mainland Surat Thani town. It is Thailand's second largest island, with an area of 228.7 km2 and a population of over...
. The Surat Thani International Airport is served by three airlines: Thai Airways International
Thai Airways International
Thai Airways International Public Company Limited is the national flag carrier and largest airline of Thailand. Formed in 1988, the airline's headquarters are located in Chatuchak District, Bangkok, and operates out of Suvarnabhumi Airport. Thai is a founding member of the Star Alliance. Thai is a...
Thai AirAsia
Thai AirAsia
Thai AirAsia is a joint venture of Malaysian low-fare airline AirAsia and Thailand's Asia Aviation. It serves AirAsia's regularly scheduled domestic and international flights from Bangkok and other cities in Thailand....
One-Two-Go Airlines from Don Mueang International Airport The Samui Airport is served by Bangkok Airways
Bangkok Airways
Bangkok Airways Co., Ltd. is a regional airline based in Chatuchak District, Bangkok, Thailand. It operates scheduled services to destinations in Thailand, Cambodia, China, Laos, Maldives, Burma, India and Singapore...
and Thai Airways International
Thai Airways International
Thai Airways International Public Company Limited is the national flag carrier and largest airline of Thailand. Formed in 1988, the airline's headquarters are located in Chatuchak District, Bangkok, and operates out of Suvarnabhumi Airport. Thai is a founding member of the Star Alliance. Thai is a...
from Suvarnabhumi Airport
Suvarnabhumi Airport
Suvarnabhumi Airport , also known as Bangkok International Airport, is an international airport serving Bangkok, Thailand. It was officially opened for limited domestic flight service on 15 September 2006, and opened for most domestic and all international commercial flights on 28 September...
, Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
, Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
, Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur is the capital and the second largest city in Malaysia by population. The city proper, making up an area of , has a population of 1.4 million as of 2010. Greater Kuala Lumpur, also known as the Klang Valley, is an urban agglomeration of 7.2 million...
, Phuket
Phuket Province
Phuket , formerly known as Thalang and, in Western sources, Junk Ceylon , is one of the southern provinces of Thailand...
, Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai sometimes written as "Chiengmai" or "Chiangmai", is the largest and most culturally significant city in northern Thailand. It is the capital of Chiang Mai Province , a former capital of the Kingdom of Lanna and was the tributary Kingdom of Chiang Mai from 1774 until 1939. It is...
and Penang
Penang
Penang is a state in Malaysia and the name of its constituent island, located on the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia by the Strait of Malacca. It is bordered by Kedah in the north and east, and Perak in the south. Penang is the second smallest Malaysian state in area after Perlis, and the...
| No. | Airport | IATA | ICAO | Movements | Departure | Arrival | Transit | Total | Loaded | Unloaded | Transfer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Surat Thani International Airport Surat Thani Airport Surat Thani Airport is situated in the Phunphin district, Surat Thani province, Thailand. The airport, which is located 21 km west of Surat Thani, is also the Wing 7 Airforce base... |
URT | VTSB | 2,874 | 168,154 | 170,374 | 455 | 338,983 | 853,562 kg. | 585,402 kg. | 269 kg. | 3 kg. |
| 2. | Samui Airport Samui Airport Samui International Airport , also known as Ko Samui Airport or Koh Samui Airport, is a privately owned airport on the island of Ko Samui in Thailand. The airport is located roughly 2 km north of the main village Chaweng.... |
USM | VTSM | 17,707 | 691,283 | 673,851 | 305 | 1,365,439 | 1,097 kg. | 366,311 kg. | 0 kg. | 0 kg. |
Water
The islands Ko Samui und Ko Phan Ngan are connected with the mainland by ferriesFerry
A ferry is a form of transportation, usually a boat, but sometimes a ship, used to carry primarily passengers, and sometimes vehicles and cargo as well, across a body of water. Most ferries operate on regular, frequent, return services...
, which mostly start at Don Sak, while the ferries to Ko Tao
Ko Tao
Ko Tao is an island in Thailand located near the western shore of the Gulf of Thailand. It covers an area of about 21 km². Administratively it forms a tambon within the district Ko Pha Ngan of Surat Thani Province. As of 2006 its official population is 1382...
start at Surat Thani
Surat Thani
Surat Thani is a city in Amphoe Mueang Surat Thani, Surat Thani Province, southern Thailand. It is the capital of the province Surat Thani. The city has a population of 128,179 , and an area of 68.97 square kilometers. The city's population density is 1,858.47 inhabitants per km².Suran Thani is...
or Ko Samui
Ko Samui
Ko Samui island of Surat Thani Province , or often, simply Samui as it is referred to by locals, is an island off the east coast of the Kra Isthmus in Thailand, close to the mainland Surat Thani town. It is Thailand's second largest island, with an area of 228.7 km2 and a population of over...
.
Culture
Pagoda
A pagoda is the general term in the English language for a tiered tower with multiple eaves common in Nepal, India, China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam and other parts of Asia. Some pagodas are used as Taoist houses of worship. Most pagodas were built to have a religious function, most commonly Buddhist,...
in Srivijaya style, dating back from the 7th century but elaborately restored. Buddha relics are enshrined in the chedi, in the surrounding chapels are several Buddha statues in Srivijaya style. Adjoining the temple is the Chaiya national museum.
Also nearby is Wat Suan Mokkhaphalaram, a forest monastery founded by the famous monk Buddhadasa Bhikkhu.
Festivals
- Chak Phra Festival. When BuddhaGautama BuddhaSiddhārtha Gautama was a spiritual teacher from the Indian subcontinent, on whose teachings Buddhism was founded. In most Buddhist traditions, he is regarded as the Supreme Buddha Siddhārtha Gautama (Sanskrit: सिद्धार्थ गौतम; Pali: Siddhattha Gotama) was a spiritual teacher from the Indian...
return to earth from heaven and was greeted by crowd.Chak Phra annually take place immediately after the end of 3 month rain retreat about October. It is celebrate in many south but in Surat Thani is the biggest. It is Chak Phra Festivals on land and on the Tapi RiverTapi River, ThailandThe Tapi river is the longest river in southern Thailand. The river originates at the Khao Luang, and has a wide estuary into the Gulf of Thailand at Bandon Bay near the town of Surat Thani. It has a length of 230 km....
.Before Chak Phra Day, on the night there are build the screen of Buddha's story around the city and celebrate its all day all night. On land, the splendidly adorned floats are pulled across the town by the participants. At the same time, on water a float decorated in colorful Thai design of a float made to carry the BuddhaGautama BuddhaSiddhārtha Gautama was a spiritual teacher from the Indian subcontinent, on whose teachings Buddhism was founded. In most Buddhist traditions, he is regarded as the Supreme Buddha Siddhārtha Gautama (Sanskrit: सिद्धार्थ गौतम; Pali: Siddhattha Gotama) was a spiritual teacher from the Indian...
image. Chak Phra Festivals then concludes with and exciting boat race and treaditional game.
- RambutanRambutanThe rambutan is a medium-sized tropical tree in the family Sapindaceae, and the fruit of this tree. It is native to Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and elsewhere in Southeast Asia, although its precise natural distribution is unknown. It is closely related to several...
and Thai Fruits Festivals The rambutan trees were first planted in Surat Thani in 1926 by the Chinese Malay Mr. K. Vong in Ban Na San. An annual rambutan fair is held during August harvest time.
- Boon Sad Dean Sib Festival (Southern Traditional) It is held on the full moon of the 10th month in traditional calendar (about August). Many people will go to the temple and remember for the ancestor. Friend and relations will come back home and go to temple altogether. Traditional people can make sweetmeat for this festival.
- Surat thani Songkran festival, Thai New YearThai New YearThe Songkran festival is celebrated in Thailand as the traditional New Year's Day from 13 to 15 April. It coincides with the New Year of many calendars of South and Southeast Asia....
(water festival) @Surat Thani is celebrated every year on 13 April at Bandon bay street and around the town and Ko Samui is celebrated on 13–15 April at chaweng beach lamai beach and around the island street.
- Surat Thani Loy KrathongLoy KrathongLoi Krathong is a festival celebrated annually throughout Thailand and certain parts of Laos and Burma .-Overview:...
Festival on the Tapi RiverTapi River, ThailandThe Tapi river is the longest river in southern Thailand. The river originates at the Khao Luang, and has a wide estuary into the Gulf of Thailand at Bandon Bay near the town of Surat Thani. It has a length of 230 km....
.It is 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 night of the full moon, many people will release a raft like this on a river.
- Bull Fighting (กีฬาชนวัว) This ancient popular sport on Ko Samui was once held on large undecorated terrain in coconut fields or farms. Now, permanent stadiums in various districts take turns hosting the monthly bull fighting.
Symbols
Pagoda
A pagoda is the general term in the English language for a tiered tower with multiple eaves common in Nepal, India, China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam and other parts of Asia. Some pagodas are used as Taoist houses of worship. Most pagodas were built to have a religious function, most commonly Buddhist,...
of Phra Boromathat Chaiya, which is believed to have been built 1200 years ago. The flag of the province also shows the pagoda in middle, placed on a vertically split flag with red color in top and yellow in bottom.
The provincial symbolic flower is the Bua Phut (Rafflesia kerrii
Rafflesia kerrii
Rafflesia kerrii is a member of the genus Rafflesia. It is found in the rainforest of southern Thailand and peninsular Malaysia, with the most famous population in the Khao Sok National Park. The local Thai names are Bua Phut and Bua Tum .The red flowers have a diameter of 50–90 cm and smell...
), a parasitic plant with one of the biggest flowers of all plants. The provincial tree is the Ton Kiam (Cotylelobium melanoxylon
Cotylelobium melanoxylon
Cotylelobium melanoxylon is a tropical rainforest tree found in Maritime Southeast Asia. The name melanoxylon is derived from Greek and describes the dark heartwood. It is a very good quality timber, as it has very hard and heavy as well as durable wood. C...
).
The provincial slogan is เมืองร้อยเกาะ เงาะอร่อย หอยใหญ่ ไข่แดง แหล่งธรรมะ ชักพระประเพณี, which translates to City of 100 islands, delicious rambutan, big shells and red eggs, center of Buddhism. Red eggs are a local culinary speciality of pickled
Pickling
Pickling, also known as brining or corning is the process of preserving food by anaerobic fermentation in brine to produce lactic acid, or marinating and storing it in an acid solution, usually vinegar . The resulting food is called a pickle. This procedure gives the food a salty or sour taste...
duck eggs, while the big shells refer to the plenty of seafood available. Center of Buddhism refers to the pagoda of Chaiya.Chak Phra Festivals
Tourism
- TaladSanjoa (ตลาดศาลเจ้า)is the food walk street The night market has some great food vendors and many fantastic food. Next to the Sahathai department store have fast food there is a Pizza Company outlet, a Swensens ice-cream, minimart, Super Market and coffee café. In the evening hours there are also some food stalls there, however the night market concentrates at a sidestreet next to Wat Sai.
Recommened Food in TaladSanjoa(ตลาดศาลเจ้า) and Surat Thani
Pad Thai Chaiya(ผัดไทไชยา)Thai noodle in Surat Thani Style with Sea Food.
Kanomjean(ขนมจีน)white noodle with cerry
Thaifruit Thai Crips and Thai Dessert
- Tricycles Tricycles have no motor. You can take it and have tricycles driver to ride.
Night Bandon pier(ท่าเรือกลางคืน)is thai fruit walk street and food.
'Surat Thani City Pillar Shrine(ศาสหลีกเมือง) (Srivijaya style) It is a beautiful Thai art style place and centre of the city.
Si Surat Stupa(พระธาตุศรีสุราษฎร์) Pra tad sri surat appoint on Khao Tha Phet(เขาท่าเพชร)(thapech hills) is a hill near the town of Surat Thani. The hill has an altitude of about 210 m (689 ft) above sea level and offers a good view over the town Surat Thani. On top of the hill is the Si 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. 6 kilometres south of the provincial capital along Highway 4009 (Surat Thani - Na San) and 1.5 kilometres along the access road, this centre is located on a hill called Khao Tha Phet and covers an area of 4.65 square kilometres. The designated trail allows visitors to see some rarely-seen trees and to take a close look at the levels of soil, sandstone, and dry evergreen forest. The hilltop, some 200 metres above sea level, offers commanding panoramic views of Surat Thani town and the Tapi River. Phrathat Si Surat, a candle-like stupa on the hill, was built in 1957 and contains Lord Buddha’s relics donated by the Indian government.
Nai Bang Area (ในบาง) Nai Bang is an alluvial plain around the mouth of the Tapi River which is crisscrossed with networks of canals. The canals are lined with mangrove forest alternating with traditional southern-styled houses, behind which are coconut farms and orchards. The people here still maintain a simple way of life and make their living on indigenous natural resources, despite the bustling economy in the Ban Don (town) market just opposite the river. Access to Nai Bang is by the bridge across the Tapi River or by long-tail boat from Ban Don. The boat can carry 6 – 8 people and charges 250 baht per hour. Visitors may contact the travel agents in Surat Thani which sell a one-day package tour to the Nai Bang area. If u can see the light iseect, can do trip on the night.
Tapee River Dinner
Have romantic dinner on the boat in Tapi River to see Tapi River view, entrane Tapi River to the sea or see view beside the river in restaurant.
Ko Lamphu
Ko Lamphu
'Ko Lamphu' is a small island in the Tapi River, Thailand. This island is located about 9 km from the river mouth, near the town center of Surat Thani. It is connected by bridge to the city at the Pillar Shrine....
(เกาะลำพู) is a small car-free island in the river Tapi. It is connected by bridge to the city at the city pillar shrine. Ko Lamphu is a popular place for picnic as well as for sports. A nice view is the riverfront, built as a promenade.
There are several Buddhist as well as Chinese temples within the city, however none really notable. To the north is the Roman Catholic St. Raphael Cathedral, actually a small wooden church.
Ko Samui
Ko Pha-ngan with the beautifil beaches of Chalok lam Bay, Ban Khai, Haad Son, Haad Yao, Bootle Beach and Haad Rin - The full Moon party location.
Chaiya
Phanom and Ban Ta Khun
Sights
Khao Tha Phet Nature and Wildlife Study Centre (สถานีพัฒนาและส่งเสริมอนุรักษ์สัตว์ป่าเขาท่าเพชร) This centre is located on a hill called Khao Tha Phet. The hilltop offers commanding panoramic views of Surat Thani town and the Tapi River. Phrathat Si Surat, a candle-like stupa on the hill, contains Lord Buddha's relics donated by the Indian government.
Monkey Schools (สถานที่ฝึกลิง) In the southern provinces, monkeys work for humans in the harvesting of coconuts. Expert climbers, they show quick skills that are a boon to farmers.
Oyster Farm (ฟาร์มหอยนางรม) Surat Thani people take so much pride in their big and delicious oysters that they have become a part of the province's motto. Most oysters are raised around the mouth of Kradae and Than Thong canals.
Ban Khlong Sai Monkey Training Centre (ศูนย์ฝึกลิงบ้านคลองทราย) Located in front of Wat Ampharam, Mu 3, Tambon Khlong Sai, Amphoe Tha Chang, the centre trains monkeys to pick up coconuts.
Wat Suan Mokkhaphalaram (วัดสวนโมกขพลาราม) Suan Mokkh's founder, the late Buddhadasa Bhikkhu, was highly respected both locally and internationally. His 'back to basics' form of Buddhism, mirroring that led by the Buddha's earliest disciples more than 2,500 years ago, attracted many Buddhist monks and lay meditators from many countries.
Phra Borommathat Chaiya (พระบรมธาตุไชยา) Constructed along Mahayana Buddhist's beliefs of the 7th Century, the great chedi is reputedly the best preserved Srivijaya artwork in Thailand. The stone chedi has 3 receding tiers, each of which are decorated with small stupas. The Buddha's relics are enshrined inside the chedi.
Wat Wiang, Wat Kaeo and Wat Long (วัดเวียง วัดแก้ว และวัดหลง) These 3 temples are supposedly contemporaries of Wat Phra Borommathat Chaiya. The seated Buddha statue protected by naga, made in 1183, and a sand stone, Chaiya-styled, Buddha statue were found at Wat Wiang. Wat Kaeo and Wat Long have Chaiya-styled brick chedi on indented square bases.
Phumriang Village (หมู่บ้านพุมเรียง) This Muslim fishing village is famed for its hand-woven silk cloth in red, yellow and black. Buddhist Thais in the village weave hats from leaves.
Namtok Vibhavadi (น้ำตกวิภาวดี) The petite waterfall enjoys bucolic surroundings and attracts a lot of local people during weekends.
Wat Khao Suwan Pradit (วัดเขาสุวรรณประดิษฐ์) This temple was founded by Luang Pho Choi, one of southern Thailand's most revered Buddhist ecclesiastics. The hilltop 45-metre pagoda contains Buddha relics and commands striking coastal views of Ban Don district.
Rock Fish Museum (พิพิธภัณฑ์ปลาหิน) This museum was established in 1992 by Mr. Kitti Sin-udom, an old fisherman who spent more than 10 years in stone carving work. More than 1,000 life-like sculptures of marine fish found in the gulf of Thailand are on display.
Khao Sok National Park (อุทยานแห่งชาติเขาสก) As part of the largest moist evergreen forest in Southern Thailand, the park is rich with diverse flora including certain families of lotus, white palm, and fern.
Khao Sok is also one of the best bird-watching spots in Thailand. Attractions in the park include:
Ratchaprapha (Rajjaprabha) Dam - The complete of this dam in 1988 gave birth to a huge inland lake of about 168 square kilometres, which is adorned with hundreds of islands and islets
Tham Nam Thalu – Much preparation is needed to visit this cave, as the trail is rather physically demanding.
Tang Nam – Streams chiseled across 2 ridges to create this striking gorge. Many people came to pay respect to this place, around which the venerable Buddhadasa Bhikkhu's ashes were traditionally showered.
Namtok Than Sawan – This scenic waterfall is 3 kilometres from Tang Nam.
Namtok Sip Et Chan – This 11-leveled waterfall originates from Bang Len canal. The first level is largest and most picturesque.
San Yang Roi Trail – This 2-kilometre trail begins at the park headquarters and runs along the mountain shoulder past streams, waterfalls and moist evergreen forest. A trail to a rarely seen plant called Bua Phut at Bang Luk Chang Mountain.
Khlong Phanom National Park (อุทยานแห่งชาติคลองพนม) comprises high limestone mountains connected with Khao Sok National Park. Attractions in the park include Kiriwong and Chong Yung waterfalls and several caves full of stalactites and stalagmites.
Kaeng Krung National Park (อุทยานแห่งชาติแก่งกรุง) Its mountainous area is covered by fertile moist evergreen forests, where some rare and endangered species such as tree-ferns can be found. Attractions in the park include hot springs, Bang Hoi Waterfall and Khlong Pa Waterfall.
Tai Rom Yen National Park (อุทยานแห่งชาติใต้ร่มเย็น) The 425 - square kilometre - forest areas in Kanchanadit, Ban Na San and Wiang Sa were designated National Park in 1991. The diluting mountains of the Nakhon Si Thammarat Range are mostly covered with moist evergreen forest and exotic and rare flora and fauna. Attractions in the park include:
Namtok Tat Fa – The perennial 13-leveled waterfall is highest in Surat Thani. The 4th level is most attractive with its 80 metres high cliff.
Tham Khamin or Tham Men – Exotic stalagmites and stalactites can be admired in this cave. The walkway is well lit and fit with stairs when needed, to ensure maximum safety.
San Yen – The eastern range, about 40 kilometres long and 1,000-1,300 metres high is fertile with rare flora, fauna and wildlife.
Namtok Mueang Thuat – The 7-leveled waterfall has a large basin.
Local Products
Oysters: Surat Thani's oysters are well known for their size, cleanliness, taste, and smell.
Rambutan: Rambutan here is probably the best in Thailand, thanks to its sweet taste, crisp meat, big size, small seeds, and thin peel.
Phumriang Silk: are hand-woven products of a Muslim village. The weavers here create their own patterns which are embossed on the silk by shuttle looms.