Southern Thailand · Surat Thani
Surat Thani travel guide: Chaiya's ancient stupa and the island gateway
Surat Thani is the mainland gateway to Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao, and to Khao Sok National Park inland. Most travellers pass straight through, but an hour north lies Chaiya, home to one of the most revered stupas in southern Thailand, Wat Phra Borommathat Chaiya.
- Suggested time
- 1 night, or half a day between connections
- Where to stay
- Surat Thani town
- Season and timing
- January to September is usually drier on the Gulf side; October to December is the wettest period.
The short answer
Stay a night if your connections allow. Visit Wat Phra Borommathat Chaiya (open 8:00–17:00 according to the directory), eat at the town's night markets, then continue by ferry to the islands or by road to Khao Sok. Surat Thani has an airport and a station on the southern railway.
Wat Phra Borommathat Chaiya
In Chaiya district, Wat Phra Borommathat Chaiya Ratchaworawihan enshrines relics of the Buddha and is one of the most respected sanctuaries of the south, according to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports' directory, which recounts a local legend about its building by craftsmen from India.
The directory lists it as open every day from 8:00 to 17:00. Dress modestly and walk around the chedi clockwise.
Surat Thani town
The town sits on the Tapi River, which rises in the Khao Sok mountains. It has markets, riverside restaurants and simple hotels convenient for early ferries.
TAT notes that Surat Thani, with Samui, was included in the MICHELIN Guide Thailand from 2024.
Make time for the local food
What to eat and where to look
Southern curries
Hot, aromatic southern curries over rice.
- Where to look
- Curry-rice shops in town.
- Fit it into your day
- Lunch between connections.
Very spicy.
Night market food
Grilled skewers, seafood and sweets at the evening markets.
- Where to look
- Night markets in the town centre.
- Fit it into your day
- Dinner on a night stop.
Stalls vary by day.
Seafood
Fish and shellfish from the Gulf coast.
- Where to look
- Riverside restaurants.
- Fit it into your day
- Dinner by the river.
Prices often by weight.
Gateway to the islands
Ferries to Koh Samui and Koh Phangan leave from piers east of town; combined bus-and-boat tickets are sold at the airport and station.
Allow plenty of time: connections depend on ferry timetables and the weather.
Gateway to Khao Sok
West of town, Khao Sok National Park and Cheow Lan Lake are a couple of hours by road. See our Khao Sok guide.
Buses and minibuses run from Surat Thani towards Khao Sok and Takua Pa.
Practical questions
Is Surat Thani worth a stop?
For a night, yes, especially to visit Wat Phra Borommathat Chaiya.
When is Wat Phra Borommathat Chaiya open?
Every day from 8:00 to 17:00, according to the directory.
How do I get from Surat Thani to Koh Samui?
By ferry from the piers east of town; combined bus-and-boat tickets are widely sold.
How do I get to Surat Thani?
By air to Surat Thani Airport, or by train or bus from Bangkok.
Sources and checks before you travel
Reference sources for the version dated 1 October 2026. Confirm opening times, access, transport and conditions for your travel dates.
Photo credits
Wat Phra Borommathat Chaiya.
Photograph: samfotograf — opens in a new tab · CC BY-SA 4.0 — opens in a new tab
Changes: Resized and converted to WebP; displayed with responsive crops. · Original photograph and licence details ↗ — opens in a new tab
Detail of the Phra Borommathat chedi at Chaiya.
Photograph: Ahoerstemeier — opens in a new tab · CC BY 4.0 — opens in a new tab
Changes: Resized and converted to WebP; displayed with responsive crops. · Original photograph and licence details ↗ — opens in a new tab
The gallery around the chedi at Chaiya.
Photograph: Ahoerstemeier — opens in a new tab · CC BY 4.0 — opens in a new tab
Changes: Resized and converted to WebP; displayed with responsive crops. · Original photograph and licence details ↗ — opens in a new tab
The riverfront of Surat Thani.
Photograph: Ahoerstemeier — opens in a new tab · CC BY-SA 3.0 — opens in a new tab
Changes: Resized and converted to WebP; displayed with responsive crops. · Original photograph and licence details ↗ — opens in a new tab
Rooftops of Surat Thani town.
Photograph: Dominic Nelson — opens in a new tab · CC BY-SA 4.0 — opens in a new tab
Changes: Resized and converted to WebP; displayed with responsive crops. · Original photograph and licence details ↗ — opens in a new tab
