Surat Thani Province
What you need to know before you go
Surat Thani is the capital city of its namesake province, home to over 130,000 people and covering an area of just over 42 square miles. It sits on the Gulf of Thailand near the mouth of the Tapi River and is mainly famed as an ideal staging base for visiting the nearby attractions on Ko Pha Ngan, Ko Tao and Ko Samui. This town does have its own attractions, however. Ko Lamphu Public Park offers recreational and play spaces plus cultural events on an island in the river. The City Pillar Shrine offers a lovely urban green space in the heart of the city.
Khao Tha Phet offers forested natural terrain you can explore on miles of hiking trails. Khun Thale lake offers the chance to enjoy peaceful serenity away from the hustle and bustle. To experience local culture and discover dozens of vendors selling food, handmade arts and crafts, check out the Pra Cha Rat Traditional Floating Market, Ban Don Floating Market or Saturday Night Market.
Top destinations in Surat Thani Province
Where will you go next?Ko Pha-ngan
Koh Phangan (also spelt Ko Pha-Ngan) is Thailand’s 5th biggest island and one of the most beautiful and wild. Located 70 km from the mainland and just 12 km from Koh Samui, Phangan does not have an airport and...Koh Samui
Koh Samui (Samui Island) is a popular resort island in the Gulf of Thailand with stunning beaches and plenty of...Koh Tao
Koh Tao – meaning ‘Turtle Island’ – lives up to its name, being the scuba diving destination of choice in Thailand. The...
What to see & do in Surat Thani Province
Featured stories & fun stuff21 Best Things to Do in Koh Samui
The best things to do in Koh Samui include varied and interesting highlights that range from splendid natural features to manmade attractions. Beyond the gorgeous beaches where you can spend a day out under the tropical sun, there are attractive...23 Best Things to Do in Koh Phangan
The best things to do in Koh Phangan will keep you busy during your holiday on this charming, barely developed...10 Best Beaches in Koh Samui
The best beaches in Koh Samui are the main reason why the island appears on the bucket list of so...10 Most Instagrammable Places in Koh Samui
The most Instagrammable places in Koh Samui are also coveted by amateur and professional photographers. They can find the perfect...18 Must-See Temples in Koh Samui
The must-see temples in Koh Samui are great for experiencing the island's traditional lifestyle and taking a break from...6 Best Viewpoints in Koh Samui
Looking for the best viewpoints in Koh Samui? This Go Guide shows you some of the best spots to head...7 Best Islands Near Koh Samui
The best islands near Koh Samui are the top choices for island-hopping adventures in the Gulf of Thailand. It’s...5 Best Snorkelling Beaches in Koh Samui
Koh Samui beaches are not renowned for offering outstanding snorkelling opportunities, but a few spots around the island offer decent...10 Best Beaches in Koh Phangan
The best beaches in Koh Phangan are exactly what many travellers often dream of when they think of a Thai...
Where & what to eat in Surat Thani Province
10 Great Restaurants in Koh Samui
Our pick of great restaurants in Koh Samui shows how the island is now a culinary destination in its own right. It boasts several world-class restaurants featuring extremely talented and innovative chefs. From genuine, traditional Thai cuisine to trendy...27 Great Restaurants in Chaweng
The great restaurants in Chaweng listed below make up a dining scene that’s on par with the popularity of this...10 Best Local Thai Food to Try in Koh Samui
Most of the best local Thai food to try in Koh Samui are available throughout the country, but a few...
Where to shop & what to buy in Surat Thani Province
9 Best Places to Go Shopping in Samui
The best shopping opportunities in Samui are located in the most popular resort towns on the island. The largest town of Chaweng hosts an impressive scene of boutiques and shopping malls, including the giant Central Festival Samui. Lamai, Bophut, and...10 Best Places to Go Shopping in Koh Phangan
The best places to go shopping in Koh Phangan make it easy to shop until you drop and find unique...11 Best Places to Go Shopping in Chaweng
Our list of the best places to go shopping in Chaweng features the most renowned boutiques and shops in Samui’s...
Where to go & what to do at night in Surat Thani Province
10 Best Sunset Bars in Koh Samui
The best sunset bars in Koh Samui give you the opportunity to discover the lesser-known beaches on the west coast of the island – as well as the chance to enjoy them with a few drinks. Among these beaches are...11 Best Things to Do After Dinner in Koh Samui
The best things to do after dinner in Koh Samui are mostly concentrated around Chaweng Beach. Among the great choice...5 Best Night Markets in Samui
The best night markets in Samui offer a huge selection of shopping and dining opportunities, with the added advantage that...
Useful information
1st Time in Samui: Where Should I Stay?
It can be daunting to plan your first trip to Koh Samui, with so much information to absorb before you can make an informed decision on where to stay. Get it right, and you’ll find a beach that perfectly suits...5 Mistakes People Make When Visiting Koh Samui
The mistakes the people make when visiting Koh Samui can be quite expensive and potentially ruin your holiday experience. However...Getting Around Koh Samui
Getting around Koh Samui is not at all difficult, thanks to a modest but adequate range of transport options. Being...