Known as the capital city of Surat Thani province, Surat Thani is a popular holiday destination in Thailand. Found around Tapi River, Surat Thani is accessed from most places by land and is close to Koh Phangan, Koh Samui, and many other famous places in the country. If you are planning to visit Surat Thani, you may be wondering how many days will be enough for you to spend in the city.
When it comes to visiting Surat Thani, there are is no one-size-fits-all duration you should spend. Everything depends on what you want to do in the city as there are several attractions accessible to tourists. But if you are visiting the Surat Thani for touristic reasons, 2 or 3 days should be enough for you.
During your 2- or 3-day trip to Surat Thani, you can easily take delight in numerous things that the city has to over without feeling bored or uninterested. But how do you plan your itinerary? What are the places you need to visit each day of your stay in Surat Thani? Check out this sample itinerary for the city.
Day 1 – visit places close to the city center
You are advised to arrive in Surat Thani a day before you start exploring the city. However, if your location is not far from Surat Thani, you can still travel to the city on the first day of your itinerary. As a tourist, you probably want to get accommodation in a location that is not far from the city center. So, to make things easier for you, you should first visit the main attractions that are not far from the city center.
- Rock Fish Museum
Rock Fish Museum was built by a fisherman in 1992. It comprises numerous sculptures and stone carvings that depict the awesome marine life available in the Land of Smile. If you are a marine life lover or zoologist, you cannot afford to miss out on seeing this museum. Consider spending a few hours here before moving to the next attractions.
- Namtok Vibhavadi
Another attraction that is not far from the city center is Namtok Vibhavadi. Basically, this attraction is a waterfall that allows you to soak yourself in the awesomeness of nature. It has been serving as the impeccable get-together place for individuals that want to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life. This place is usually accessed via a bus, so you shouldn’t have a problem with getting there.
Day 2 – Take your trip a bit further
When you are set to check out Surat Thani on the second day, here are the places you should consider visiting:
- Wat Phra Boromathat Chaiya Ratchaworawihan and Chaiya National Museum
This is a beautiful Buddhist temple seated about 32 km away from the center of Surat Thani. Although Wat Phra Boromathat Chaiya Ratchaworawihan is a religious home, it still serves as a popular tourist attraction for both religious and irreligious people. This temple has numerous Buddhist relics; so, you should spend some hours appreciating the magnificent temple and its numerous relics.
When you are done with the temple, walk to the nearby Chaiya National Museum. Expectedly, the museum boasts of having numerous Thai artworks, cultural exhibits, and lots more. If you want to learn more about the culture and history of Surat Thani and Thailand, you have to visit this museum.
- Khanom
Khanom is a small beach town that is known for its serenity and peace. The tranquil aura and natural wonders of this town make it one of the topmost places you must visit in Surat Thani. Since Khanom is a fishing town, you should not hesitate to indulge yourself in some fishing activities. Additionally, you can also explore various dark caves, swim in the waters, or enjoy some watersports. Otherwise, you should just sunbathe at the beach.
Day 3 – Learn more about nature
On the last day of your 3-day trip to Surat Thani, you should go to the following places:
- Monkey Training College
Monkey Training College is a bit farther from the city center. So, you may want to start your day earlier to make sure you get there and explore its various amenities. This is a special school that is close to the Donsak Ferry Terminal. The monkeys at this college have been trained to collect coconuts and play with visitors.
This college is operated by a couple who are dedicated to ensuring that the monkeys don’t experience any form of cruelty. While learning more about the monkeys, don’t forget to capture some photos that can help you to relive the moment. In addition, you can also come with some food to gift to the beautiful monkeys found in this college.
Depending on how much you like monkeys, you can spend two or three hours here.
- Oyster Farm
The Oyster Farm is located around Kradae and Than Thong canals. As the name rightly suggests, this farm contains numerous oysters that are used for various purposes. Once you get to the farm, you should take the time to speak to the local owners so that they can allow you to tour the whole place. While touring the Oyster Farm, take advantage of the opportunity to ask relevant questions about oysters.
In between your trips to different places each day, you should make sure that you taste some of the palatable Thai meals that are available in Surat Thani. Notably, many local restaurants are located in various parts of the city. Besides, you can visit the local markets to get food, souvenirs, and lots more.
As shown above, there are many things you can do during your 3-day trip to Surat Thani. However, you don’t necessarily need to spend 3 days in the city as you can visit all the attractions described above in just 2 days. While it may be exhausting, it will definitely shorten your trip to Surat Thani.
In conclusion, if you are visiting Surat Thani, you should consider spending 2 or 3 days in the city.
