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Surat Thani | 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.
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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.
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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.
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Another large island covering an area
of 191 square kilometres, is 60 minutes directly north of
Ko Samui. The island offers few comforts and can be explored
by motorcycles. Hat Thong Sala, the major community of the
island, is where the ferry landing and shops are located.
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This beautiful 247-square-kilometre
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).
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The island is nothing but a group of three small
islands located to the north of Ko Tao. Offering stunning and
breathtaking views, the islands are connected by a three-way stretch of
pure white powdery beach. The rich marine life at Ko Nang Yuan is similar to
that of Ko Tao. With a wide variety of coral formations, the island is
also an ideal diving and snorkeling spot. Accommodations and facilities
are available with daily boat service to and from Ko Tao.
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This is a small island to the north
of Ko Phangan, which can be reached either from Surat Thani
or Chumphon. There are several beautiful beaches and diving
areas around the island.
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The park covers forest areas in Amphoe Ban Na San and Amphoe Wiang Sa. A mountain in the park known as Khao Chong Chang once used to be the base of the Communist Party of Thailand. There are two beautiful waterfalls: Namtok Dat Fa, 33 kms. from Surat Thani and 13 kms. along an access road, and Namtok Muang Thuat, 20 kms. from Amphoe Ban Na San.Visitors wishing to stay overnight are requested to bring their own camping accessories.
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This small island can be reached within 5 minutes from Ko Phangan. High jungle-covered hills, a long stretch of golden sandy beach and thriving coral reefs are some of its major attractions. Accommodation in the form of bungalows is available.
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Luang Pho Choi, one of southern Thailands' most
revered Buddhist monks, founded this monastery. The 45-meter hilltop
pagoda contains Buddha relics brought from Wat Phra Kiat, Hod District,
Chiang Mai. From the pagoda, visitors can get a panoramic view of the
coast. The temple is located approximately 1 kilometer from Don Sak
District, along the Surat Thani Nakhon Si Thammarat (Highway No. 401).
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This medium-sized waterfall is the local residents
socializing venue on weekends. With rustic surroundings, the waterfall
is located 38 kilometers east of the provincial capital along Highway
No. 401, approximately at the kilometer 60-61markers before the Don Sak
intersection. Visitors can take either Surat Thani Nakhon Si Thammarat
or Surat Thani Don Sak buses to get to the waterfall.
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Adjacent to Phra Borom That Chaiya is a charming
petite museum. Consisting of two buildings, the museum features
prehistoric and historic artifacts in the vicinity, local handicrafts
and a shadow puppet. In addition, artifacts from Dvaravati, Lop Buri,
Sukhothai and Ayutthaya eras are also put on display. The museum is
open from Tuesday to Friday from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Call 0-7743-1066
for more information. Admission fee is 30 baht / person.
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Located approximately 300 meters from Chaiya City,
at the intersection of Highway No. 41 and the side road of Wat Kaew (or
Wat Long), the museum features numerous interesting historical objects.
They include Bone China, pottery, shadow puppets, old instruments and a
ceramic opium pillow. Admission fee is by donation. The Museum is open
daily from 8.00 a.m. until 9.00 p.m.
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Oysters bred in Surat Thani are substantially
larger than those found elsewhere. Many farms are found
around the estuarine areas of the Kradae Canal and the Thong
River in Amphoe Kanchanadit. These farms can be reached
by boat from the Tha Thong Quayside within 30 minutes.
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There are two monkey schools in Surat Thani: one is located in Amphoe Kanchanadit, some 13 kms. from Surat Thani along Highway No. 401 and the other is at Ban Khlong Sai, Amphoe Tha Chang, some 35 kms. along Highway No. 41. Visitors are advised to contact travel agents for full details.
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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.
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Ratchaprapha Dam or Chieo Lan Dam, built in 1982, is a rock with
fat-clay core dam that is 94 meters in height and 761 in length. The
reservoir (lake) covers an area of 185 square kilometers and boasts an
electricity generating capacity of approximately 554 million kilowatt /
hour. The lake offers an incomparably breathtaking view of limestone
mountains and over 200 small islands.
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The Tapi River Mouth is some 5 kms.
from Ban Don municipality. The area is particular rich in
quality seafood restaurants.
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This small handicraft village, some 6 kms. east of Chaiya, is renowned for its gold and silver brocade silk cloth and jute head wear.
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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 'back-to-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.
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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.
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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.
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