Surat Thani

Surat Thani means City of Good People, the title given to the city by King Vajiravudh (Rama VI). For most people Surat Thani often known simply as 'Surat'. It is about 650km south from Bangkok. It is also the largest province of Southern Thailand and located on the eastern shore of the Gulf of Thailand.

Many islands in the Gulf of Thailand belong to Surat Thani, including the tourist islands Ko Samui, Ko Phangan, Ko Tao, and Ko Nang Yuan as well as the Mu Ko Ang Thong National Marine Park. The main rivers of the Surat Thani province are Tapi River and Phum Duang River, which join at the town Tha Kham shortly before they drain into the Bandon Bay. The delta of these rivers, locally known as Nai Bang, is located directly north of the city Surat Thani. It consists of several channels with small islands mostly covered by mangrove or orchards.