Surat
Thani is the biggest province in Thailand's southern region,
encompassing 8,057,125 rai or about 13,721,902 square
kilometers.
Its diverse geographical features include
mountains, plains, rivers, coastlines, and hundreds of
archipelagos. The moist tropical forest in Phuket Range in
the west and in Nokhon Si Thammarat Range in the west and in
east nourish diverse fauna, flora and wildlife, including
precious trees, fruit trees, vegetables and herbs. Fourteen rivers originating from this province give it a proper
name of "the city of rivers".
Surathani Attractions:
Si Wichai Art
The agricultural areas in
Chaiya, Tha Chang and Tha Chana were parts of the flourishing Si
Wichai Kingdom, which was the regional trade and Buddhist
center. Laem Pho was an ancient port and many ships
visited Khlong Phum Riang. Today the Si Wichai glamour is
left to be seen in the unique Si Wichai arts, architecture and
sculpture. Map and
attractions
Ao Ban Don
Ao
Ban Don lies deep inside the land, naturally protected from the
tide by various islands. Once an important port, Ao Ban
Don today is a land and sea transportation hub. The
fertile mangrove forest around the bay coastline makes Amphoe
Muang, Kanchanadit and Don Sak appropriate for aquatic animal
nurseries and fishing industries. Map and attractions (North)
, Map and attractions
(South)
Tai Rom Yen National Park
The
425 square kilometers in Kanchanadit, Ban Na San and Wiang Sa,
were designated National Park on 31st December 1991, after the
Communist Party of Thailand had been quelled by "Tai Rom
Yen" (or "peaceful South") strategy. The
diluting mountains of the Nakhon Si Thammarat Range are mostly
covered with moist evergreen forest and exotic and rare
flora and fauna. The captivating scenery, caves and
waterfalls in the Park are worth visiting. Map
and attractions
Khao Sok National Park
This Park, covering 738.74
square kilometers, was proclaimed a national park on 22 December
1980. As part of the largest moist evergreen forest in
Thailand's South, the Park is rich with diverse flora, some of
which are rarely seen elsewhere, including certain families of
lotus, white palm,and fern.
Khao Sok is also one of the best bird-watching spots in
Thailand. At least 155 species of birds are reportedly seen
here, some of which are rare, such as hawk, heron, and many
others.
Most of the Park is bejeweled with convoluted limestone mountains
of the Phuket Range, and very scenic canyons, streams, caves and
waterfalls. The limestone island and islets in the reservoir
at Ratchaprapha Dam is very striking. The Tourist
Information Center at the Park headquarter provides information
and brochures on the various trails and activities in the
Park.
Visitors can go trekking, bird watching, padding,
canoeing, and camping. The best time to visit the Park is
during December-April. Map
and attractions
