Surat Thani Lower Southern Gulf, Thailand Travel Guide
These sites are well worth a place on your itinerary.
Visit early in the morning for cooler temperatures and fewer crowds. This provides a more serene experience and better photography opportunities.
Check local listings upon arrival for events.
Open daily, typically from dawn to dusk. No specific the price to get in grounds, but donations are welcome. Dress modestly.
Open daily during daylight hours. Entry is free. A well-liked place for evening strolls.
Open daily. Entry is free. Visitors should dress respectfully.
Similar hours and fees to Surat Thani National Museum. Proximity to Wat Phra Borommathat Chaiya simplifies visiting both sites.
Offers 10-day silent meditation retreats in English. It attracts serious practitioners.
Surat Thani is a paradise for nature lovers, boasting some of Thailand's most spectacular natural landscapes.
An ancient rainforest, towering limestone karsts creating a dramatic landscape, the stunning Cheow Lan Lake (Ratchaprapha Dam), and diverse wildlife. Numerous cascades and caves occur within its boundaries.
Open daily. An entry fee for foreigners (e.g., 300 THB for adults only) applies at the park entrance. Guided tours are highly recommended, even required for certain trails and exploring the lake.
This emerald-green man-made lake features towering limestone karsts. Its scenery has comparison to famous karst landscapes in Guilin, China, or Ha Long Bay, Vietnam. It is the central areapiece of Khao Sok National Park for many visitors.
Many trails lead to panoramic views of the jungle and karst formations.
Home to theephants, gibbons, civets, tapirs, various bird species (including hornbills), and reptiles. Wildlife viewing is best on guided treks or lake tours, specifically during early morning or late afternoon.
Cheow Lan Lake provides swimming, kayaking, and longtail boat tours. The Tapi River offers short river cruises. The mainland of Surat Thani does not maintain renown for its beaches.
Khao Sok National Park is the jewel of Surat Thani's natural attractions. Ko Lamphu Public Park offers a pleasant urban green space. Namtok Viphavadi Forest Park features falls and natural trails.
Capture the serene beauty of sunrise or sunset over the Tapi River. Photograph the dramatic limestone karsts shrouded in mist on Cheow Lan Lake, creating ethereal scenes.
Limestone karsts forge a dominant and striking geological feature, especially around Khao Sok and Cheow Lan Lake. These ancient formations fashion dramatic cliffs, pinnacles, and a network of caves, like Tham Nam Thalu.
Beyond the well-known attractions, Surat Thani offers lesser-known spots that present unique local experiences.
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Combine your visit to Wat Phra Borommathat Chaiya with the nearby Chaiya National Museum. The museum houses many Srivijayan artifacts from the area.
Spending no less than one night on a floating raft house on Cheow Lan Lake has an unforgettable, immersive experience.
Surat Thani city mostly serves as a transit point, yet it holds its own charm for those willing to explore.
Strategic timing improves your time at popular sites.
Surat Thani's natural beauty extends beyond Khao Sok, offering diverse landscapes.
This the park has a series of waterfalls and natural trails, presenting a less-visited natural escape in the province.
This small island park in the Tapi River serves as a common green space and recreational area for locals, offering walking paths, shaded spots, and views of the river.
The main river flowing through Surat Thani city, offering short river cruises or longtail boat excursions to observe local river life and appreciate the urban waterscape.
This stunning emerald-green man-made lake, created by the Ratchaprapha Dam, features towering karst formations rising dramatically from the water.
Book a lake tourThe national park maintains an entry fee for foreigners (e.g., 300 THB for adults) at the park entrance. It applies daily.
Find park toursWildlife viewing thrives best on guided treks or lake tours, specifically during early morning or late afternoon when animals are more active. Night safaris can also arrange for nocturnal creature spotting.
Explore wildlife safarisThis protected area adjoins Khao Sok and offers significant biodiversity. Access usually requires organized tours with specific permits, allowing for wildlife encounters.
Check sanctuary toursWhile Khao Sok dominates, other natural retreats exist.
Discover the less-traveled natural spots.
When visiting Khao Sok, consider spending no less than one night on a floating raft house on Cheow Lan Lake for an unforgettable, immersive experience.
This provides a direct connection with the unique natural environment.
A visual representation of Surat Thani's historical beauty.
A pastly rich temple and ancient relic site.
Capture the distinct Srivijayan architectural style, notably evident in its central chedi.
Visit the nearby Chaiya National Museum to complement your temple visit and explore Srivijayan artifacts.
Wat Phra Borommathat Chaiya, Gateway To the gulf islands, Thailand
Wat Phra Borommathat Chaiya, a historically rich temple in Surat Thani, showcases ancient Srivijayan architecture.
This image highlights a historical and cultural landmark, reinforcing Surat Thani's appeal for those interested in ancient Thai heritage.
