|
The
name literally means "city of the good people" and
is the former seat of the Sivichaya Empire. It is the largest and most
important province of the South, located 644 kms. from Bangkok. It
occupies an area of 12,891.5 square kilometers bordering on Chumphon and
the Gulf of Thailand to the north,
Nakhon Si Thammarat and Krabi to the south, Phangnga
and Ranong to the west and the Gulf of Thailand and Nakhon Si Thammarat
to the east.
 Surat Thani
once formed part, and may have been the center of the Mahayana Buddhist,
Srivijaya Empire which, steeped in legend and mystery, dominated the
Malay peninsula and much of Java some 1,500 years ago. Srivijaya was
best described by the itinerant Chinese monk I Ching after a pilgrimage
he made to India during the late 600s. Archaeological discoveries at
Chaiya indicate the former empire's splendor.
Geographic characteristics of Surat
Thani are high plateau and mountains covered with valuable wood forest
to the west and low basins in the central and eastern seashore area.
There are a tremendous number of islands along the coast and two major
rivers: the Tapi River and Phum Duang River.
It is
administratively divided into 18 Amphoes and 1 King Amphoe i.e., Amphoe
Muang, Ban Na San, Ban Ta Khun, Chaiya, Don Sak, Kanchanadit, Khian Sa,
Khiri Ratthanikhom, Koh Phangna, Koh Samui, Phanom, Phrasaeng, Phunphin,
Tha Chana, Tha Chang, Wiang Sa, Ban Na Doem, Chai Buri and King Amphoe
Wiphawadi.
 Getting
there
By Air
Thai Airways International has 2 daily flights connecting
Bangkok with Surat Thani.
The flight time is approximately 70 minutes.
Orient Thai
Airlines (One-Two-Go) has 1 daily flight between Bangkok and Surat
Thani. Fare is 1,700 Baht (valid until 30.6.07)
By Train
Trains leave Bangkok's Hua Lamphong Railway Station 10 times daily from
12 p.m. until 10.50 p.m. The trip takes approximately 12-13 hours. Ask
for the train from Bangkok to Phun Phin, the closest station to Surat
Thani. For further details, please call 1690, 0 2223 7010, 0 2223 7020
or visit www.railway.co.th.
Surat Thani Railway Station is 12 kilometers from town. A bus service
between the station and the town is available
By Bus
Air-conditioned buses depart from Bangkok's Southern Bus Terminal to
Surat Thani Province everyday. Call the southern Bus Terminal tel: 0
2434 5557-8 or visit
www.transport.co.th
By Car
Surat Thani can be most conveniently reached by car from Bangkok by
taking Highway No. 4 to Chumphon Province via Phetchaburi and Prachuap
Khiri Khan Provinces and then taking Highway No. 41 and Highway No. 401
directly to Surat Thani City.
Getting around the city
Apart from the local orange bus (9 baht / trip / person),songthaews are
another option to get around the city. It costs 10 baht / trip / person.
Samlors will cost approximately 20-30 baht. The orange bus departs from
the Phu Phin train station to the city every 10 minutes from 6.00 a.m.
until 8.00 p.m. The same ride by taxi will cost approximately 100 baht.
Air-conditioned vans connecting the airport and town costs 70-80 baht /
person / trip. Tickets can be purchased at travel agencies or THAI
office (077 272610).
|
