Surat Thani

Surat Thani is the largest province of Southern Thailand. The city is near the mouth of the river Tapi on the Gulf of Thailand. Surat Thani means City of Good People, the title was to the city by King Vajiravudh. It is the largest and most important province of the South. The city has a population of around 128,000 inhabitants. Surat Thani is the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Surat Thani, responsible for about 6000 Catholic Christians in southern Thailand. Around the city in the Gulf of Thailand are several islands - Koh Samui island is the Surat Thani's major tourist attraction, Koh Tae Nai island famous for its natural beauties, Koh Phanga island famous for its waterfalls, Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan two small islands famous fot its underwater resources, unique beautiful bays and coves and coral garden under the crystal sea. Surat Thani has numerous National Parks such as the Khao Sok National Park, the Tai Rom Yen National Park, the Nam Tok Wiphawadi or Nam Tok Ban Nai National Park, the Ratchprapha or Chieo Lan Dam National Park and Khlong Yan Wildlife Sanctuary. Famous sights of the city are the Phra Boromathat Chaiya is an ancient pagoda, the Chaiya National Museum, the Suan Mokkha Phalaram also known as the Monastery of Flowing Water, the Khao Thaphet Wildlife and Nature Education Station, the Oyster Farms, the Moo Ban Phumriang and the Monkey Schools place where monkeys are trained to pick coconuts.