Surrounded by Ranong, Phang Nga, Krabi, Nakhon Si Thammarat and Chumphon provinces, Surat Thani is the largest of Thailand’s southern provinces. Lying on the Gulf of Thailand, Surat Thani is used to seeing a lot of tourists. This coastal plain of the Tapi River is home to forest covered mountains and mangroves.
The province is often visited as a stop off point by travelers on their way to the islands of Koh Pha Ngan, Koh Samui and Koh Tao, but highlights in Surat Thani town include the small island of Koh Lamphu and the small but beautiful Roman Catholic church grandly called the St Raphael Cathedral.
Nearby attractions include the picturesque Nai Bang area and the incredible monkey schools where monkeys are trained to do people’s work. The historical town of Chaiya has been relatively unchanged by tourism and gives a good idea of what much of the country was like before tourism arrived.
In the mountainous west of the province lies the beautiful Khao Sok National Park, home to ancient virgin forest and the rare bua phut flower. The Nakhon Si Thamarat mountain range lies to the east of the park and is home to several national parks, most notably Khao Luang and Namtok Yong.
The province is served by two regional airports and an excellent railway network. It is easily reached from Bangkok and the rest of the country by air, bus or rail. A wide range of accommodation options can be found throughout the area including guesthouses and hotels.