Surat Thani, Provincial capital in southern Thailand
This city sits along the Tapi River and functions as the main transportation hub for travelers heading to islands like Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao in the Gulf of Thailand. It serves as a connection point where the mainland meets the sea routes leading to island destinations.
The city was renamed to its current name in 1915 by King Vajiravudh, replacing its former identity as Bandon. This change reflected the king's broader vision of modernizing place names across the kingdom and creating connections to historic trade routes.
The Chak Phra Festival marks the end of Buddhist Lent with boat processions carrying Buddha images down the Tapi River. This tradition reveals how the city celebrates its spiritual identity through river-based ceremonies.
An international airport connects the city to Bangkok and beyond, while ferries and boats provide access to island destinations. Planning your route ahead is helpful since different transport types operate from separate terminals.
Khao Tha Phet offers an elevated viewpoint where visitors can see where the river meets the sea, revealing the geography that shaped the city's role as a transportation hub. This perspective shows why the location became so central to island travel routes.
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