60 km north of Surat Thani is a small town called Chaiya, which gives a good representation of what small town life used to be like in Southern Thailand. It is one of the oldest towns in Thailand - dating to the 8th and 10th centuries. This was during the Srivijaya empire (~200 - 1400).

Halfway between Phuket and Surat Thani but still within the province of Surat Thani is the town Ban Takhun. There is little to do here but this is a very convenient stopping point for people on the way to Phuket, Khao Sok National Park and the Rajjaprabha Dam. Tourist information is available behind the bus shelter opposite the Takhun Temple at both the Pet Shop and the Ice Shop next door where the owners can speak English. The Pet Shop Girl also has cold drinks and English language books for sale.

At the Rajjaprabha Dam there is a beautiful view point which looks out onto the reservoir and the ring of limestone mountains surrounding it. There are refreshments and basic Thai food available there. Unless accommodation has already been booked visitors are not allowed to stay overnight and are required to leave by 7pm. Accommodation is available either on raft houses (ask at the pier) out on the reservoir or in hotels near the view point.

TaladSanjoa(ตลาดศาลเจ้า) is the food walk street The night market has some great food vendors and many fantastic food. In the evening hours there are also some food stalls there, however the night market concentrates at a sidestreet next to Wat Sai.

Night Bandon pier(ท่าเรือกลางคืน)is thai fruit walk street and food.

'Surat Thani City Pillar Shrine(ศาสหลีกเมือง) (Srivijaya style) It's beautiful thai art style place and centre of the city.

Si Surat Stupa(พระธาตุศรีสุราษฎร์) and Khao Tha Phet Nature and Wildlife Study Centre (สถานีพัฒนาและส่งเสริมอนุรักษ์สัตว์ป่าเขาท่าเพชร)

Pra tad sri surat appoint on Khao Tha Phet(เขาท่าเพชร)(thapech hills) is a hill near the town of Surat Thani. The hill has an altitude of about 210m (689ft) above sea level and offers a good view over the town Surat Thani.On top of the hill is the Si Surat stupa (also known by its common name Phra That Khao Tha Phet), which was built in Srivijavan style in 1957. The stupa contains a Buddha relic donated by India. Next to the stupa is a Sweet Shorea tree (Shorea roxburghii) planted by King Bhumibol Adulyadej. 6 kilometres south of the provincial capital along Highway 4009 (Surat Thani - Na San) and 1.5 kilometres along the access road, this centre is located on a hill called Khao Tha Phet and covers an area of 4.65 square kilometres. The designated trail allows visitors to see some rarely-seen trees and to take a close look at the levels of soil, sandstone, and dry evergreen forest. The hilltop, some 200 metres above sea level, offers commanding panoramic views of Surat Thani town and the Tapi River. Phrathat Si Surat, a candle-like stupa on the hill, was built in 1957 and contains Lord Buddha’s relics donated by the Indian government.

Nai Bang Area (ในบาง)

Nai Bang is an alluvial plain around the mouth of the Tapi River which is crisscrossed with networks of canals. The canals are lined with mangrove forest alternating with traditional southern-styled houses, behind which are coconut farms and orchards. The people here still maintain a simple way of life and make their living on indigenous natural resources, despite the bustling economy in the Ban Don (town) market just opposite the river. Access to Nai Bang is by the bridge across the Tapi River or by long-tail boat from Ban Don. The boat can carry 6 – 8 people and charges 250 baht per hour. Visitors may contact the travel agents in Surat Thani which sell a one-day package tour to the Nai Bang area. If u can see the light iseect ,can do trip on the night.

Tapee River Dinner Have romantic dinner on the boat in Tapi River to see Tapi River view,entrane Tapi River to the sea or see view beside the river in restaurant.

Ko Lamphu(เกาะลำพู) A popular place for picnic as well as for sports is Ko Lamphu, a small car-free island in the river Tapi, connected by bridge to the city at the city pillar shrine. A nice view is the riverfront, built as a promenade.

Patthanaram Temple(วัดพัฒนาราม)Locaed near Talad Sanjao next to the small food night walk street, Taladmai Rd. Lung Po Pat Na Ra To is one of southern Thailand's most revered Buddhist ecclesiastics.in The temple have the old the wood building, usually the finest one, in a Buddhist monastery,where the priests are assembled for rites, other large buildings being and old building in the temple.

There are several Buddhist as well as Chinese temples within the city, however none really notable. To the north is the Roman Catholic St.Raphael Cathedral, actually a small wooden church.

By plane

Surat Thani Airport(URT) (IATA: URT | ICAO: VTSB) is about 20 km west of the city in Phunphin district. Thai Airways international ,Thai Air Asia and One-Two-Go Airlinesoperate daily flights to/from Don Mueang International Airport and Suvarnabhumi Airport Bangkok. And connect by bus or car rent (buy ticket and rent in the airport) to the main town.

By train

The Surat Thani train station, despite its name, is located in Phunphin district, about 12km west of the town center. Most comfortable are the overnight trains from Bangkok, which arrive in early morning. There are always many who try to catch the tourists and sell them trips to Surat or the islands directly - usually the most aggressive sellers are the most expensive. However, it's not a big problem to reach a 'Surat Thani City' from Phunphin district - 'Surathani' railway station - by municipal bus (departure every 30 mins) from the train station building. It costs only 20 baht. Taxis from Phunphin to Surat Thani City are around 150-200 baht.

By bus

The Surat Thani new bus terminal is located a bit outside the city, however if you plan to go directly into the city it's usually possible to ask for a stop before. The old bus terminal in the middle of city is now only frequented by the some private buses, which are however much more risky than the government buses.There are many bus companys from Southern Bus Terminal Bangkok to Surat Thani Bus terminal. If coming from Phuket,takes about 6 hours to reach Surat Thani.And connect by bus ,tuk-tuk or Songthaew from bus terminal to the main town.

By boat

You can take the ferry from any of the islands nearby, taking about an hour. There is food on board and movies as well.

When you get off the 2 Ferry compannys(departure every 30 mins)(Seatran Ferry and Raja Ferry)there is a bus ride included with the trip (note the strange system of paper tickets combined with circular stickers that you stick on your shirt). It is a 45 minute bus ride down backroads from the ferry terminal to Surat Thani. More than one ferry terminal services Surat Thani. As on Surat Thani

• Tuk-Tuk are small local pick-up trucks/public passenger pick-up vehicles (cost around 10-20 baht/per) around the town.Hail one on any major road with a wave or yell, negotiate a fare, and sit down on the bench in the back.In the event you wish to hire own personally then you ought to negotiate the cost first.
• Tricyclesis the local vehicles can be tour around the town. Not enough 2 persons sit down on the bench in the back per a tricycle. It a fantastic vehicles.

• Salted Eggs: Ducks in Chaiya eat mollusk, crab and fish on the farm, which make their egg yokes particularly red. Eggs are covered with soil mixed with salty water and husk.

Salted Eggs is lined with dozens of little stalls selling the famous Chaiya Salted Eggs. These duck eggs are a delicacy not to be missed and can be either boiled or fried as with normal eggs.

• Oysters and Seafood: Surat Thani's oysters are well-known for their size, cleanliness, taste, and smell.

• Rambutan and fruit: Rambutan here is probably the best in Thailand, thanks to its sweet taste, crisp meat, big size, small seeds, and thin peel.Surat Thani is the place to produce the thai fruit.

• Phumriang Silk: Phumriang Silk are thai silk hand-woven products of a Muslim village. The weavers here create their own patterns which are embossed on the silk by shuttle looms.

• TaladSanjoa(ตลาดศาลเจ้า)is the food walk street The night market has some great food vendors and many fantastic food. Next to the Sahathai department store have fast food there is a Pizza Company outlet, a Swensens ice-cream, minimart,Super Market and coffee cafe

Recommened Food in TaladSanjoa(ตลาดศาลเจ้า) and Surat Thani Pad Thai Chaiya(ผัดไทไชยา)Thai noodle in Surat Thani Style with Sea Food. Kanomjean(ขนมจีน)white noodle with cerry Thaifruit Thai Crips and Thai Dessert

• Night Bandon pier(ท่าเรือกลางคืน)is thai fruit walk street and food.
• Chai Huai (ฉ่ายฮวย) 285/1 Talat Mai Road Tel: 0 7727 2969, 0 7728 2558 (Thai & Chinese food)
• Hat Tapi (หาดตาปี) 115/5 Mu 3 Paknam Tapi Road, Tel: 0 7728 5109 (seafood)
• Kampan (กำปั่น) 2/1 Phakdi Anuson Road Tel: 0 7727 2700 (Thai food)
• Lucky (ลัคกี้) 452/84-85 Talat Mai Road Tel: 0 7727 3267, 0 7727 3471 (southern-style food)
• Phet Tapi Suki (เพชรตาปีสุกี้) 184/1 Talat Mai Road Tel: 0 7727 2570
• Sun Hiang (ซุ่นเฮียง) 21 Chonkasem Road Tel: 0 7728 1367, 0 7727 2180 (seafood)
• Takiang (ตะเกียง) 38/15 Surat Thani-Phunphin Road Tel: 0 7728 3932-3 (Thai food)
• Tapi Seafood (ตาปี ซีฟู้ด) 30 Mu 3 Paknam Tapi Road Tel: 0 7728 2115 (seafood)
• Wang Thong (วังทอง) 20 Talat Mai Road Tel: 0 7728 3774 (Thai & Chinese food)
• Earth Zone On Chalok Rat Road opposite the large outdoor Popeye Restaurant is open between the hours of 6pm and 12am.(Pub)
• The Corner (มุมหนึ่ง)Chonkasem Road (Steak southern-style food )
• Smile of Steak (สเต็กรอยยิ้ม) (Steak southern-style food )
• Coffee corner (คอฟฟี่คอร์เนอร์) 1.near night market opposite chinese temple 2.Taladmai Road near Raja Ferry(coffee cafe)
• O-zone pub (โอโซนผับ) 1 st floor in Southern star Hotel Chonkasem Road
• Mahe pub (มาเฮผับ) Center point Taladmai Road
• Tapee Seafood
• Lumpoo Seafood
• Pizza Hut in Srivijaya Road

• There are fastfoods in the Super Market(TescoLotus(biggest),BigC,Makro) have Black Canyon Coffee,KFC, Swensense, HajiBung Ramen,Chester Grill,MK Sukiyaki,Mister donut,Dunkin donut,Anti Anne,Daily Queen icecream and foodcort

Lamoon is a pub situated on Amphur Road and is run by Kai who recently returned to Surat after spending many years in Switzerland. He is fluent in both English and German and has created a beautiful beer garden which also has some indoor seating. The food isn't the best but the surroundings, the atmosphere and the clientele more than make up for that. Friday night parties with lucky numbers and drinking games are a regular occurrance as are (fortunately very short) acoustic performances by a local American teacher.