Surat Thani is a nice holiday destination that is located in Thailand, but it doesn’t seem to be getting the hype that it deserves. This is because many foreigners as well as Thais from other parts of the country don’t know enough about the city to decide whether they should visit it or not. So, this brings us to the question of whether Surat Thani is worth visiting or not.
To be candid, Surat Thani doesn’t have the beauty of some of the most popular holiday destinations in Thailand, but it is worth visiting. The town comes with its serenading charm, great atmosphere, and eye-catching attractions that you have never encountered before. All these factors ensure that Surat Thani provides a one-of-a-kind experience for most individuals; so, you don’t want to miss out on the chance to visit this town.
Perhaps everything above doesn’t seem to catch your fancy. This could mean that Surat Thani is not for you, but don’t rush to remove this city from the list of the places you want to visit in Thailand. You should take the time to check out the following reasons why Surat Thani is worth visiting for lots of people.
Numerous things to do in various places in the city
Known as the eighth-largest city in the country, Surat Thani has an array of tourist attractions as well as iconic landmarks. Your trip to this city will certainly leave you with a great experience.
But what are the specific things you can do in Surat Thani? According to Tourism Thailand, the following are the best things to do in Surat Thani:
- Visit Khao Sok National Park
This is a historical park that has tropical rainforests, many lakes, rivers, and lagoons. In this park, you will find numerous wildlife species that are hardly available elsewhere. You can explore the park on foot as the forests are generally safe for people to walk around. However, if you want to take your adventure to the next level, ride on the back of an elephant.
- Go to the Surat Thani night market
The Surat Thani night market is one of the biggest markets in the country. It is the hub of a wide range of commercial activities. So, during your visit to the city, you should visit the night market to buy some of the items available for sale. Generally, make sure you buy Rambutan and other tropical fruits found in Thailand at this night market.
You may also want to purchase the famed salted duck egg that is available in numerous tastes and colors. Huge oysters, Thai silks, and Thai spa products are a few of the other things you can buy at the Surat Thani night market.
- Enjoy a tail boat ride
Have you ever ridden in a tail boat? If not, make sure you do so in Surat Thani. There are lots of waterways with awe-inspiring forests and limestones. These waterways are the right place for you to enjoy a tail boat ride. Generally, a tail boat is made with wood and usually maneuvered by experienced Thai riders. So, you have nothing to fear as you sail across the waterways.
- Check out the Wat Phra Borommathat Chaiya
This is a Buddhist temple that is commonly used as the pilgrimage location for Mahayana Buddhists. Apart from being one of the oldest temples in the country, the Wat Phra Borommathat Chaiya is also an architectural masterpiece. The temple contains a unique white and gold pagoda that often differentiates it from other Buddhist temples.
At the temple, you shouldn’t hesitate to dedicate some moments to meditate and get some spiritual clarity. However, if you don’t want to do any of these things, you can just check out the temple and move on.
- Relax at Khanom Beach
Due to the serene and untainted setting of Khanom Beach, lots of locals like visiting it. But this doesn’t stop you from relaxing at the beach while watching the sunsets. Otherwise, immerse yourself in snorkeling, swimming, or some other watersports.
Other things you can do include seeing the elephants at the Sonchana Farm, visiting an Oyster Farm, and checking out Ang Thong National Marine Park.
Friendly and accommodating locals
Regardless of the beauty and magnificence of a town or city, if the locals are not friendly and accommodating, you will hardly enjoy it. Therefore, the friendliness of the locals in Surat Thani is enough reason for someone to visit this city. Most of the locals are always ready to lend a helping hand to foreigners who are struggling to find their way around the city. Although many of them can hardly speak English, the few ones that do so are usually willing to communicate with foreigners.
However, you must always remember that Thais are big on respect. So, you should make sure that you respect the locals that you come across during your stay in Surat Thani. It is equally important to be cautious of some vendors that may want to take advantage of your lack of knowledge of the city to swindle you.
Delicious meals
Are you a foodie? Would you love to try out some of the best Thai meals? If yes, then Surat Thani is worth visiting for you. Whether you want to eat a tasty meal at a fancy restaurant or prefer to grab a bite from one of the street vendors, you can never be short of options in Surat Thani. There are also great cafés and bars for people that love to sip some drink as they watch the various activities going on around the city.
Access point to other awesome places
Another reason why Surat Thani is worth visiting is that it is the access point to numerous other places in Thailand. If you want to go to Ko Samui, Ko Tao, and Ko Pha Ngan, you can pass through Surat Thani. So, even if you don’t know anything about these islands, Surat Thani can open your eyes to other great locations in the country. Based on the points above, you will agree that Surat Thani is worth visiting for most individuals as it offers numerous things for everyone.
