Destination : the Southern Region

- Setting up Business

- North - Eastern Region

:: City Attractions

Tapi River Estuary Located some 7 kilometres from the town, this area is noteworthy for its quality seafood restaurants.

Khao Tha Phet Wildlife and Nature Education Centre About 6 kilometres from the provincial capital along Highway No. 4009 (the Surat Thani-Na San route) and 1.5 kilometres along an access road, this centre is located on a hill called Khao Tha Phet and covers an area of 2,906 rais, or 4.65 square kilometres. The hilltop, some 200 metres above sea level, offers commanding panoramic views of Surat Thani town, the Tapi River and Ban Don Bay. Si Surat Stupa, known locally as Phra That Khao Tha Phet, is located on the summit of Khao Tha Phet. The candle-like stupa was built in 1957 and contains Lord Buddha's relics donated by the Indian government.

:: Kanchanadit

Monkey School Located some 7 kilometres along Highway No. 401 and 2 kilometres along an access road, the school trains monkeys to pick coconuts. Most 'students' are pig-tailed monkeys captured in local forests. Training usually takes some 3 months. Would-be visitors are advised to check with local travel agents for full details.

:: Don Sak

Namtok Vibhavadi This waterfall is located 38 kilometres east of the provincial capital along Highway No. 401. The entrance to the waterfall is between the 60-61 km. markers. The petite waterfall enjoys bucolic surroundings and attracts a lot of local people during weekends.

Wat Khao Suwan Pradit Located 1 kilometre from Don Sak district, this temple was founded by Luang Pho Choi, one of southern Thailand 's most revered Buddhist ecclesiastics. The hilltop 45-metre pagoda contains Buddha relics and commands striking coastal views.

:: Chaiya

Wat Suan Mokkhaphalaram Better known as Suan Mokkh, this 150-acre forest temple is located beside Highway No. 41, some 50 kilometres north of the provincial capital. Suan Mokkh's founder, the late Buddhadasa Bhikkhu, was highly respected both locally and internationally. His 'back to basics' form of Buddhism, mirroring that led by the Buddha's earliest disciples more than 2,500 years ago, attracted many Buddhist monks and lay meditators from many countries. The enclave is devoid of extravagant ceremonial and elaborated chapels. The forest tranquility is ideal for a life of contemplation. Call 0-7743-1552, 0- 7743-1597 or visit www.suanmokkh.org for more information.

Phra Borom That Chaiya Located some 4 kilometres northeast of Suan Mokkh, and 1 kilometre from Chaiya railway station, this elaborately restored and revered pagoda is believed to be more than 1,200 years old. The pagoda contains Buddha relics and provides a direct link with the Srivijaya Empire. A small adjacent museum houses artefacts from the vicinity. The museum is open Tuesday-Friday from 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. Call 0-7743-1066 for more information.

Phumriang Village Located some 7 kilometres east of Chaiya, this Muslim settlement is an arts and crafts centre well known for its silver brocaded silk cloth and jute headwear.

:: Ban Na San

Tai Rom Yen National Park include Tat Fa Waterfall, which is 13 kilometres off Highway No. 4009 after a 33-kilometre trip from the city; Muang Thuat Waterfall, 20 kilometres off Ban Na San district, and Khamin Cave with beautiful stalactites and stalagmites. Overnight stay is allowed.

:: Ko Samui part 1

Ko Samui The 247-square-kilometre Samui island is Surat Thani's major tourist attraction. Located 258 nautical miles south of Bangkok, and some 84 kilometres east of the provincial capital, Ko Samui measures some 21 kilometres at its widest point, and 25 kilometres at its longest. A 51-kilometre ring and largely coastal road encircles the island, which has numerous lovely beaches and bays, and is almost literally an island of coconuts and forested hills.

Samui's best beaches line the northern and eastern coasts, the most popular being Hat Chaweng and Hat Lamai, where generally attractive accommodation can be found. Other beaches include Hat Choeng Mon, Hat Mae Nam in the north and Hat Na Thon, the island's major seafront settlement where shops, restaurants and tour agencies are concentrated.

At the southern end of Lamai Bay are phallic rock formations called Hin Ta Hin Yai. A path connects the three waterfalls, called Namtok Hin Lat, Namtok Lat Wanon, and Namtok Na Muang, from west to south. The waterfalls are best visited during the rainy season. Elephant riding is an interesting activity at the Na Muang waterfall.

There are some Buddhist monuments and temples on the island: Phra Yai is a massive seated Buddha image at Fan isle; Phrathat Hin Ngu is a stupa containing the Buddha's relics and Chedi Laem So, a golden stupa on the western coast; and Wat Khunaram houses the dead body of Luang Pho Daeng which does not decay.