Joanna James
Occupying the southern reaches of Thailand, Surat Thani is a breathtaking tourist hotspot like no other. While the area is famed for several iconic attractions, here are some off-the-beaten-path hotspots to explore to make your getaway in the province a truly unforgettable experience.
Located in Talat, the Surat Thani City Pillar Shrine is an often ignored spiritual epicentre in the province. While the venue is well-known and revered among locals, the temple, which is dedicated to ancestor worship is a lesser-known highlight among tourists. It is important to dress modestly when visiting the Surat Thani City Pillar Shrine as you may not be granted entry if scantily clad. Apart from offering visitors an interesting look at the spiritual lives of local families, the venue is also an architectural marvel in its own right.
Those based at Koh Samui 5-star hotels the likes of SAii Koh Samui must sign up for a day tour of this idyllic national park. While it may not be as popular as Ang Thong National Park, Cheow Lan Dam is no less impressive thanks to its captivating inhabitants including elephants, tigers, tapirs and several species of monkeys. Bird-watching enthusiasts will also have much to write home about after a tour of this birding paradise where hornbills, great arguses and banded pitas fly free. The national park is also home to various lizard, snake and cobra species and an artificial lake.
Known to most locals as the home base of the Chew Lan lake where the Ratchaprapha dam was built, the Khao Sok National Park is another must-see highlight in Surat Thani. Known as the largest virgin rainforest in all of southern Thailand, the area is an avid hiker's dream come true. Lined with exotic flora and fauna, the best things to do at Khao Sok National Park include trekking in the wilderness and enjoying canoeing and bamboo rafting tours across the lake. The rare Rafflesia flower is also known to bloom during certain times of the year in these parts.
A tour of Surat Thani's finest beaches would not be complete without spending a glorious day at Khanom Beach. Located far from the more congested beaches in the province, families and visitors who wish to enjoy a tranquil seaside paradise for a few hours will be hard-pressed to find a better alternative to Khanom Beach. Easy to reach via public transport, the best things to do at the beach include embarking on a boat cruise.
Located in Baan Takun, Surat Thani, the Limestone Lake Rainforest is another wonderland for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts. Tourists often book day tours of this area where one can enjoy everything from jungle hikes and elephant rides to river rafting and canoeing expeditions.
This one-of-a-kind cave is best explored on an organised tour that delves into the magnificent iron and copper interiors full of stalactites and stalagmites. Adventurers may also want to trek deeper into this natural cave in Khanom that's located down an unidentified road known to tour operators and local residents.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
