Surat Thani

Introducing Surat Thani

Not many travellers include a stop in Surat Thani on holiday itineraries, instead it’s just a point you zip through on the way to somewhere better, namely Ko Samui, Ko Pha-Ngan and Ko Tao. If your bus or minivan is late arriving in Surat (a common problem), and you don’t have time to make the shuttle trip to the main pier – some 84km away – before the last ferry for Ko Samui heads out, you’ll end up sleeping in Surat for the night. (Usually, an effective way of avoiding this dilemma is by grabbing the earliest bus from your original destination, lessening the possibility of not boarding the boat.)

There’s a string of banks – one on every block for five blocks – along Th Na Meuang southwest of Th Chonkasem; all have ATMs and most offer foreign exchange. Check your email at Miss Tuka Cappucino (0 7721 2723; 442/307 Th Talat Mai; per hr 30B; 9am-midnight; ), which also serves real coffee, sandwiches and smiles.

Be wary of Surat Thani travel agencies, many of which have a shady track record for innovative scams involving substandard buses, nonexistent bookings and surprise ‘extra’ fees. Phantip Travel (0 7727 2230; 442/24-5 Th Talat Mai) is one of the more reliable full-service travel agencies in town.

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009