Surat Thani : A Gem Filled with Wonders in Southern Thailand

Surat Thani is a city that could be found on the Central Gulf Coast of the southern portion of Thailand. It is considered as the eighth largest city in the country with a population of around 125,000. Aside from being the city of good people, Surat Thani is also recognized for its stunning attractions which are worth sightseeing. On this article, we are going to be identifying ten of the best sightseeing destinations in Surat Thani.

1. Sonchana Farm and Elephant Sanctuary

Our first sightseeing destination in Surat Thani is Sonchana Farm and Elephant Sanctuary. This sanctuary is run by a family in the Khao Sok community. When you are sightseeing at the place, you could avail of a chance to bathe, feed, and prepare medicine for a retired elephant. You will also be able to cook a traditional Thai dish while using practices that are friendly to the environment and natural resources. By visiting the Sonchana Farm and Elephant Sanctuary, you are ensured of an authentic Thai experience like no other.

2. Cheow Lan Lake

The Cheow Lan Lake is another destination in Surat Thani that is worth sightseeing. It is a 71-square-mile artificial lake that has been inaugurated in 1987. It serves as a reservoir to the Rajjaprapha Dam that is used as a source of electricity. The Cheow Lan Lake consists of various wildlife sanctuaries where rare animals could be found. These sanctuaries are called Khlong Nakha, Kaeng Krung, and Khlong Saeng. When you have time to visit the Cheow Lan Lake while sightseeing in Surat Thani, you should really go there.

3. Khao Sok National Park

The Khao Sok National Park is a beautiful sightseeing destination in Surat Thani. It is a remnant of a rainforest that is considered as more diverse and older than the Amazon rainforest. The national park is noted for its mudstone rocks and sandstones that rise above sea level at around 300 to 600 meters. It is rich in plant species including bamboo, Liana trees, durian, rambutan, and its famous bua phut flower. When sightseeing around the park, you could also see wild mammals including an Asian elephant, sambar deer, Malayan tapir, and mouse deer, among others.

4. Night Market

If you are fond of roaming around and sightseeing at night, you should enjoy the Night Market at Surat Thani. Though small, it is noted by some tourists as a very nice experience. The night market is stationed on a street just near the ocean. When you visit the night market, you will be welcomed with a lot of treats and dishes including chicken dishes, vegetables, fruits, drinks, sweets, and a whole lot more. There are plenty of stalls to choose from. The night market also has stalls where you could be clothes and bags, among others.

5. Ko Lamphu Public Park

For those who just want to unwind and relax after sightseeing around Surat Thani, you could go to Ko Lamphu Public Park, a scenic park that could be found on a small island called Ko Lamphu. The park is excellent for picnics or jogs, specifically at different times a day. You could spend your time under the shade of the trees, pavilions, benches, and picnic tables. The Ko Lamphu Public Park also features a sports area where locals and sightseeing tourists could play badminton, basketball, street soccer, and sepak takraw.

6. Surat Thani City Pillar Shrine

Similar to other cities in Thailand, Surat Thani also has its own city pillar shrine. The Surat Thani City Pillar Shrine is regarded as the center of the city. Done in a Srivijaya style, the shrine is an interesting place where sightseeing tourists could stop by and marvel at its distinct architecture and its historical and cultural significance. To Buddhists, however, this shrine is an important religious structure for them. The Surat Thani City Pillar Shrine shimmers whitely like an ivory in the early morning.

7. Wat Phra Borommathat Chaiya

If you are fond of sightseeing at temples, you should visit the Wat Phra Borommathat Chaiya in Surat Thani. It is one of the most detailed examples of the Srivijaya influence that still remains standing in Surat Thani and the rest of Thailand today. This attraction is thought to have been built when the Chaiya district was still a significant regional center of the Srivijaya kingdom during the eighth century. With its beautiful architecture and its hisotrical significance, visiting Wat Phra Borommathat Chaiya will surely be a treat.

8. Khao Tha Phet

The Khao Tha Phet is another interesting attraction that could be found near Surat Thani. It is a hill with an altitude of about 689 feet above sea level. When you are at sightseeing at this place, you will not only get to enjoy the place, you will also get to have an excellent view of the gorgeous city of Surat Thani. When you at the top of the Khao Tha Phet, you will also get to see the Si Surat stupa, a towering structure which contains a Buddha relic.

9. Wat Suan Mokkh

The Wat Suan Mokkh, officially known as the Wat Suan Mokkhaphalarama or the Temple of the Garden of Liberation, is a temple in Surat Thani. It was established by Bhuddhadasa Bhikku in 1932. When sightseeing around the monastery, you will be able to find a lot of places where locals and sightseeing tourists could practice meditation. There are a lot of ponds and streams where you could feel serenity and calmness. If you want to stray away from the city for a moment, this place is the best for you.

10. Phra That Si Surat

Our final sightseeing attraction in Surat Thani is the Phra That Si Surat. This is a pagoda with an approximate terrain elevation of 90 meters above sea level. The Phra That Si Surat could be found near the Ban Tha Phet Noi and the Khao Tha Phet, two other excellent sightseeing destinations in Surat Thani. Because of its elegance and beauty, it sure is a great attraction that you should visit when you are around the city itself.

◎ Closing

From national parks to temples, Surat Thani is surely an interesting place for sightseeing. You can truly experience the wonders of amazing Thailand by visiting these destinations.