The 'town of a hundred islands' on the Gulf of Thailand — gateway to Samui, Cheow Lan Lake, and the old temple town of Chaiya
Surat Thani is one of the big provinces on the Gulf side of southern Thailand. Most people know it as the jumping-off point for Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao — boats leave Don Sak and Surat Thani piers for the islands every day. But the province itself is more than a place
Start with stays →Gulf seafood — Right on the Gulf and with fishing piers, the
Cheow Lan Lake and Khao Sok — A reservoir inside Khao Sok National Park wher
Khao Sok National Park and Cheow Lan Lake — An old rainforest with a reservoir where l
Stays, sights, food and itineraries — all on one page
The best of Surat Thani — don't miss these on a first trip
Pick a tab for stays, sights, food, itineraries and prep
A ranked roundup plus per-hotel reviews, with prices compared across Agoda · Booking · Trip.com
Compare the top neighborhoods and pick by your travel style before you book
Surat Thani stays picked from real reviews — honest about the good and the bad, with price ranges and booking links
9.5
9.2
9.1
9.1
9.0
8.9
8.8
8.6
8.6
8.5
8.4
8.1
8.0Highlights and sights around Surat Thani — nature, city and culture
A reservoir inside Khao Sok National Park where limestone cliffs rise straight out of emerald-green water — people call it the Guilin of Thailand. Sleeping in a raft house on the lake, paddling, and cruising for the views is the thing most people picture when they think of this province.
Surat Thani is the connecting point for boats out to the Gulf islands. From Don Sak pier or the city you can catch a boat to Samui, Phangan, and Koh Tao every day. Most people pass through here before heading out to the islands.
Chaiya is an ancient Srivijaya-era town, home to Phra Borommathat Chaiya, an old stupa revered by southerners, and an archaeological site that tells the story of the province's history.
A forest meditation centre founded by Buddhadasa Bhikkhu at Chaiya. People walk through the 'Spiritual Theatre', look at the dharma-puzzle murals, and take in the quiet forest to sit and settle the mind.
The Tapi River runs through the middle of the city, with markets and restaurants along its banks. It's an easy place to stroll in the evening, eat by the water, and watch riverside life in Surat Thani.
Salted eggs packed in termite-mound clay from Chaiya district — the yolk turns rich and sandy, salted just right. It's the province's signature take-home gift, something almost everyone buys on the way out.
Surat Thani's signature food — real local spots, rounded up and ranked
Right on the Gulf and with fishing piers, the province has fresh prawns, shellfish, crab, fish, and oysters. Seafood spots in town and around Don Sak do it steamed, grilled, stir-fried, or in tom yum.
The province's best-known specialty — salted eggs packed in termite-mound clay from Chaiya, with a rich, sandy yolk. Eat them with rice congee or buy a batch to take home.
Gaeng tai pla, gaeng leuang, khua kling, and stir-fried sator with prawns, eaten with hot steamed rice and fresh raw vegetables — local meals you can find all over town.
A popular breakfast and lunch — fermented rice noodles with a punchy southern fish curry, eaten with a spread of fresh raw vegetables: yard-long beans, pennywort, and cashew shoots.
Rice tossed with budu sauce, shredded vegetables, toasted coconut, and dried shrimp — sour, salty, and sweet balanced in one plate. A light meal southerners eat all the time.
Around Kanchanadit and Don Sak they farm big, meaty oysters — eaten raw with condiments or battered and fried. A standout along the Gulf coast.
The city centre and the Tapi riverfront have laid-back cafes, from fresh-coffee shops to easy spots to hang out. A good place to grab a coffee while waiting for a boat or wandering the city.
Besides Chaiya salted eggs, there's Rongrian rambutan from Ban Na San — the origin of this variety — plus processed seafood and southern chili pastes to take home.
Ready-made plans — from a day trip to 2–3 days, plus routes to neighbouring provinces
Best time to go, getting around, and what to know before visiting Surat Thani
January–April, clear skies and calm seas — good for boats out to Samui and Phangan and for trips to Cheow Lan Lake. The rainy season runs October–December.
A reservoir inside Khao Sok National Park where limestone cliffs
Surat Thani is the connecting point for boats out to the Gulf is
Chaiya is an ancient Srivijaya-era town, home to Phra Borommatha
A forest meditation centre founded by Buddhadasa Bhikkhu at Chai
The Tapi River runs through the middle of the city, with markets
Salted eggs packed in termite-mound clay from Chaiya district —
Compare Surat Thani stays yourself across Agoda · Booking · Trip.com
🌊The gateway to the south, with long Sai Ri Beach, the Prince of Chumphon's warship, dive islands, and robusta coffee
Explore Chumphon →
🛕A thousand-year-old stupa, Ai Khai of Wat Chedi, shadow-puppet cafes, and waterfalls plus the Gulf coast
Explore Nakhon Si Thammarat →
♨️An Andaman coast town of hot springs, Koh Phayam, and the Myanmar border, known for eight months of rain and four of sun
Explore Ranong →
🏝️Andaman limestone cliffs, white-sand beaches, clear islands, rock climbing at Railay, and emerald-green water
Explore Krabi →Surat Thani is one of the big provinces on the Gulf side of southern Thailand. Most people know it as the jumping-off point for Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao — boats leave Don Sak and Surat Thani piers for the islands every day. But the province itself is more than a place you pass through: there's Cheow Lan Lake, often called the Guilin of Thailand, the Tapi River running through town, and Chaiya, an old archaeological town with deep history.
In the city you'll find riverside markets, the city pillar shrine, and restaurants along the Tapi River that are easy places to sit and eat. If you're into nature, head into Khao Sok to stay in a floating raft house on the lake and paddle past limestone cliffs. People come to Surat Thani to catch boats out to the islands, to get into the Khao Sok rainforest, and to stop by the Chaiya stupa and pick up the famous Chaiya salted eggs.
Best time: January–April, clear skies and calm seas — good for boats out to Samui and Phangan and for trips to Cheow Lan Lake. The rainy season runs October–December.
