Surat Thani

Khao Tha Phet Wildlife and Nature Education Centre This is some 6 kms. from town along the Surat Thani- Na San route (Route No. 4009). It covers an area of 1,162 acres. and houses a number of caged wild animals near the Centre. On Khao Tha Phet, Tha Phet, at 210 metres above sea level, stands a stupa named Phra That Si Surat which houses Buddha relics donated by the Indian Government some 40 years ago. The hilltop offers a panoramic view of Surat Thani Town and the Tapi River.

Surat Thani literally means "City of the Good People" and is the former seat of the Srivijaya Empire. It is the largest province of the South, covering an area of 12,891 square kilometres and bordered by the Gulf of Thailand to the north and the east. Surat Thani is located 644 kms. from Bangkok. The topography includes a high plateau and forested mountains to the west, and low basins in the center and along the eastern coast. There are a tremendous number of island along the coast.

Surat Thani is administratively divided into 18 districts and 1 sub-district: Amphoe Muang Surat Thani, Amphoe Ban Na Doem, Amphoe Ben Na San, Amphoe Ben Ta Khun, Amphoe Chai Buri, Amphoe Chaiya, Amphoe Don Sak, Amphoe Kanchanadit, Amphoe Khian Sa, Amphoe Khiri Ratthanikham, Amphoe Ko Phangan, Amphoe Ko Samui, Amphoe Phanom, Amphoe Phrasaen, Amphoe Phunphin, Amphoe Tha Chana, Amphoe Tha Chang, Amphoe Wiang Sa and King Amphoe Wiphawadi.

Pak Nam Tapi The Tapi River Mouth is some 5 kms. from Ban Don municipality. The area is particular rich in quality seafood restaurants.

Phra Borommathat Chaiya This ancient pagoda housing Lord Buddha relics is located in Amphoe Chaiya, 54 kms. north of the provincial capital, and dates back to the Srivijaya period over 1,200 years ago. In the compound, there is the Chaiya National Museum consisting of two buildings. One exhibits stone and bronze sculptures discovered in the ancient city of Chaiya and the other exhibits artifacts of prehistoric down to historic periods from Dvaravati, Sri Vijaya, Lopburi, Sukhothai to Ayutthaya. Art objects and several other crafts are also displayed here. The museum is open daily between 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. except for Mondays and Tuesdays.

Wat Suan Mokkhaphalaram Better known as Suan Mok, the temple is on Highway No. 41 some 50 kms. north of the provincial capital. Suan Mok's founder, Bhikkhu Buddhadhasa, is highly respected in Thailand, and internationally, and his 'backto-basics' approach attracts Buddhist monks and lay meditators from many countries. A favourite sight for casual visitors is the 'Spiritual Theatre' which Buddhadhasa describes as a pictorial interpretation of Dharma. The building features an eclectic mixture of Thai, Egyptian, Chinese, Indian, Japanese, Tibetan and European-style murals and sculptures.

Khao Sok National Park This is largely jungle with undulating mountain ranges and rugged high cliffs. The park office is 1.3 kms. off the Surat-Takua Pa Road at Km. 109. Attractions in the park include Namtok Mae Yai which can be reached by car; Namtok Sip Et Chan (eleven-tiered waterfall), 4 kms. from the park office and other beautiful waterfalls and caves, mostly accessible by foot. Rare flora and fauna are found along nature trails. Dormitories, bungalows and raft-houses are available.

bays, and is almost literally an island of coconuts and forested hills. Samui's best beaches line the northern and eastern coasts. The most popular are Hat Chaweng and Hat Lamai where, generally, attractive accommodation can be found. Besides marvelous beaches, other interesting attractions include the Samui Butterfly Park; the monkey Centre; the Hin Lat and Na Muang waterfalls; the phallic rock formations at the southern end of Lamai Bay, and a massive seated Buddha image on Ko Fan. The island's major sea front settlement is at Na Thon where shops, restaurants and tour agents are located.

Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park

Ratchaprapha or Chieo Lan Dam This is located 70 kms. west from Surat Thani on Highway No. 401 and another 12 kms. along an access road. An extensive lake beyond the Ratchaprapha Dam offers very beautiful scenery. Accommodation near the dam is available..

Ko Samui This beautiful 247-squarekilometre island, one of the most famous attractions of Thailand, is some 84 kilometres east of Surat Thami's provincial capital. It can be reached by boat from Surat Thani town or by ferry either from Don Sak (some 7 kms from Surat Thani town) or Khanom (in Nakhon Si Thammart). A 51Kilometre ring road encircles the island, which has numerous lovely beaches and

This marine park comprises some 40 islands northwest of Ko Samui and covers an area of 250 square kilometres of which 50 square kilometres is land mass. Most islands comprise limestone masses reaching heights of up to 400 metres and fringed by beaches and tropical rainforest. The park office is located on Ko Wua Ta Lap. Popular attractions include a high viewpoint, secluded beaches, Tham Bua Bok - a beautiful cave with spectacular stalactite and stalagmite formations, and an emerald saltwater lake known as Tale Nai on Ko Mae Ko, which entails a strenuous climb.