| .............................................. | Si Surat Stupa | | Si Surat Stupa, known locally as Phra That Khao Tha Phet, is located on the summit of Khao Tha Phet. The stupa houses Budhha relics donated by the Indian government some 30 years ago. |
| .............................................. | Tapi River Estuary | | Located some 5 kilometres from the town, this area is noteworthy for its quality seafood restaurants. |  | .............................................. | Monkey School | | Located some 13 kilometres along Highway 401, the school trains monkeys to pick coconuts. Most ‘students’ are gigtailed 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. |
| .............................................. | Oyster Farms | | These are concentrated in the estuarine areas of the Kradae Canal and Tha Thong River. Oysters found there are substantially larger than any found elsewhere. Would be visitors wishing to see oysters being harvested may hire long-tailed boats which carry some 8 to 10 passengers. It takes some 30 minutes to reach the farms from Tha Thong quayside. |
| .............................................. | Wiphawadi Waterfall | | This is located some 30 kilometres east of the provincial capital along Highway 411 at Pak Phraek village. The picturesque and petite waterfall enjoys bucolic surroundings. |
| .............................................. | Wat Khao Suwan Pradit | | This monastery was founded by Luang Pho Choi, one of southern Thailand’s most revered Buddhist ecclesiastecs. The hilltop 45-metre pagoda contains Buddha relics and commands striking coastal views. |
| .............................................. | Wat Suan Mokkhaphalaram | | Better known as Suan Mok, this 150—acre forest temple is located beside Highway 41 some 50 kilometres north of the provincial capital. Suan Mok’s founder, the late Bhikkhu Buddhadhasa, 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 Europe, North and South America, Australia and Japan. The enclave is devoid of extravagant ceremonial and elaborated chapels. The forest tranquility is ideal for a life of contemplation. | 
 | .............................................. | Phra Borom That Chaiya | | Located some 4 kilometres northeast of Suan Mok, 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. |  | .............................................. | Phumriang Village | | Located some 6 kilometres east of Chaiya, this settlement is an arts and crafts centre well known for its silver brocaded silk cloth and jute headwear. |  | .............................................. | Khao Sok Natinal Park | | Comprising largely jungle with complex mountain ranges, the park contains a great deal of flora and fauna. The park office is 1.3 kilometres off Highway 401 (Surat Thani-Takua Pa) at Km. 109. Places within the park worth visiting, largely by foot, include the Sip Et Chan (Eleven Stages) Waterfall, some 4 kilometres from the park office. Bungalows and rafthouses are available. Advance booking is necessary for food and lodging. Would-be visitors should contact the Naitonal Parks Division in Bangkok (Tel: 579-7223, 579 5734). | 
 | .............................................. .............................................. | Koh Samui | |  The 247 –square-kilometre Samui island is Surat Thani’s major tourism 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 beach line the northern and eastern coasts, the most popular being Chaweng and Lamai, where generally attractive accommodation can be found. Besides beaches, other island attractions inclulde the Hin Lat and Na Muang waterfalls; the phallic rock formations at the southern end of Lamai Bay; a massive seated Buddha image on Fan isle in Plai Laem Bay; and Na Thon, the island’s major seafront settlement where shops, restaurants and tour agencies are concentrated. | .............................................. | Ang Thong Marine National Park | | This comprises some 40 islands about two hours by boat northwest of Ko Samui. The park covers 250 square kilometres, of which approximately one fifth is land mass. The most attractive islands include Ko Wua Ta Lap (Sleeping Cow island), Ko Mae Ko, Ko prayat, Ko Sam Sao , Ko Nai Put and Ko Wua Te. Most islands comprise limestone masses reaching heights of ut to 400 metres, and fringed by beaches and rain forest. An emerald saltwater lake known as Tha-le Nai (Inland Sea) on Ko Mae Ko is the park’s major scenic attractin, and entails a mildly strenuous climb. The resultant views are well worth the effort. Another popular venue is Ko Sam Sao where an extensive span of coral reef and a huge rock arch offer scenic fascination. | 
 | | A one –day tour package to Mu Ko Ang Thong is organised by travel agents on Ko Samui. The park office is on Ko Wua Ta Lap where bungalow-style accommodation is available. Visitors wishing to stay overnight should make advance bookings and specify whether meal services are required, either through the Ang Thong Marine National Park office, 145/1 Talatlang Road, Surat thani, Tel: (077) 286025, or the National Parks Division in Bangkok, Tel: 5612918-21. | .............................................. | Koh Pha-ngan | | This increasingly popular 191 –square-kilomet
island is 60 minutes north of Ko Samui. Attractions include a hilltop temple, Wat Ljap Tham, ideal for meditation, the Than Sadet waterfall some 30 kilometres from the district office, the Laem Hat Rin Beach, some 12 kilometres from the district fooice, and the Phaeng National Park, some 4 kilometres from the district office. |  | .............................................. | Koh Tae Nai | | This small island can be reached within 5 minutes from Koh Phangan. High jungle-covered hills, a long stretch of golden sandy beach and thriving coral reefs are some of ist major attractions. Accommodation ins the form of bungalows is available. |
| .............................................. | | | This is a small island to the north of Koh Phangan, which can be reached either from Surat Thani or Chumphon. There are several beautiful beaches and coral reefs around the island. Simple bungalows are available. Like Koh Tarutao, Koh Tao was once a place where political prisoners were detained. Nearby Koh Nang Yuan is a coral island with a high viewpoint and long white sandy beaches. | |
Contact the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand in Bangkok or the Ratchaprapha Dam offece for accommodation.
