Surat Thani
Surat Thani is southern Thailand's largest province and has an extensive coastline lapped by Thai Gulf waters. It boasts some of Thailand's loveliest islands, namely Ko Samui, Thailand's third largest island, palm-fringed jewel of a sparkling archipelago that includes the stunning 250-square-kilometre Angthong Marine National Park.
City Attractions includes the Khao Tapet Nature & Wildlife Centre Si Surat Stupa , also known as Phra That Khao Tapet and located on the summit of Tapi Hill in the Khao Tapet Nature & Wildlife centre
housing Buddha relics
Khao Sok National Park - Comprising largely jungle with complexmountain ranges, the park contains a great deal of wildlife, including elephants, bantengs, tapirs, bison, bears and black panthers. Places within the park worth visiting, largely by foot, include the Sip EtChan (Eleven Stages) Waterfall, some 4 kilometres from the park office, the Tang Nam pool 6 kilometres from the park office, the Bang Hua Raed Waterfall, 3 kilometres from the park office, and the Tan Gloy Waterfall,
Ko Samui
Samui island is Surat Thani's major tourism attraction with its numerous lovely  beaches and bays, and is almost literally an island of coconuts and forested hills. Reached in just over one hour by
domestic flight from Bangkok, or by train and ferry.
Samui's best beaches line the northern and eastern coasts, the most popular being Chawaeng and Lamai, where generally attractive accommodation can be found. Most hotels are either low rise
pavilions, or bungalows and villa set along white sandy stretches of beach. Samui is
famous for its coconut palms and you can witness trained monkeys climbing to the top of
palms to twist coconuts away from the tree.
Chaweng Beach has the most
entertainment by way of bars, shops and restaurants. We suggest a lovely villa at Poppies, set
amongst stone walled tropical gardens. In a cove at the southern end of the
beach is the Imperial Samui.
Bo Phud and Mae Nam are other popular beaches. Maenam Beach along the north coast ismore remoteand
we recommend either a spacious bungalow at The Seafan Resort or a luxury villa at Dusit
Santiburi.
In the north east corner of the
island at Ao Thong Takian at Cheong Mon are the secluded resorts of the Imperial Boat House , the deluxe Sala Samui with its villas and the
lovely Tongsai Bay Cottages set on a headland with private cove. We also recommend the Bophut Resort & Spa and the deluxe Sila Evason Jeeps are available
to explore around the island and boat trips can be arranged out to the Angthong National
Marine Park.
Angthong Marine National Park This comprises some 40 islands about two hours by boat northwest of Ko Samui. The most attractive islands include Ko Wua Talap (Sleeping Cow island), Ko Mae Ko (Mother island), Ko Prayat (Economical island), Ko Sam Sao (Tripod island), Ko Nai Put (Mr. Put's island) and Ko Wua Te (Kicking Cow island).
Most islands comprise limestone masses reaching heightsof up to 400 metres, and fringed by beaches and rain forest. An emerald saltwater lake known as Tale Nai (Inland Sea) on Ko Mae Ko is the park's major scenic attraction, and entails a mildly strenuous climb. Ko PhanganThis increasingly popular 191-squarekilometre island is 60 minutes north of Ko Samui. Attractions include a hilltop temple, Wat Khao Tam, ideal for meditation, Tan Sadet Waterfall, Hat Rin Beach, Paeng National Parkand satellite islands such as Ko Tao where pristine beaches andcoral reefs are found.
Besides beaches, other island attractions include coral beds at Laem Sedand Tong Takien; the Hin Lat and Na Muang waterfalls; the phallic rock formations at the southern end of Lamai Bay; the nearby butterfly garden and honey farm; a massive seated Buddha image on Fan isle in Plai Laem Bay; a herbal garden at Ban Makam; a monkey training centreat Ban Khao Phra; and Na Thon, the island's major seafront
Seasons: October/November -
January/February can be grey and cloudy with rough seas.
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