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Transport > Airport
Asia > Thailand > Surat Thani
Introduction
Surat Thani (Thai: สุราษฎร์ธานี, IPA: [surâːt tʰaːniː], Pronunciation) is a city in Amphoe Mueang Surat Thani, Surat Thani Province, southern Thailand. It is the capital of the province Surat Thani. The city has a population of 128,179 (2009), and an area of 68.97 square kilometers. The city's population density is 1,858.47 inhabitants per km².
Suran Thani is near the mouth of the river Tapi on the Gulf of Thailand. The city offers no major tourist attractions in itself, and is thus mainly known to tourists as a transfer to the nearby popular Ko Samui island. It forms the regional commercial center, with a seaport dealing in the main products of the province, rubber and coconuts.
History
The city received its name, which means City of Good People, by King Vajiravudh (Rama VI) in 1915. The name was given to the city due to the intense devotion of the locals to Buddhism. Previously the city was known as Bandon, meaning Village on higher ground. The name of the city is taken from the Indian city Surat, situated in Gujarat, on the coast of Indian river Tapi. King Vajiravudh (Rama VI) gave this name to his city as he was impressed with the Indian city.
On December 21, 1930 Surat Thani became a sanitary district (sukhaphiban), which was upgraded to a town (thesaban mueang) on December 7, 1935, with a municipal area of 2.67 km². The area of the municipality was enlarged to 6.95 km² on October 14, 1958, and on December 22, 1994 it was further enlarged to 68.97 km². On May 4, 2007, the town was upgraded to city status (thesaban nakhon).
Since 1969 Surat Thani is the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Surat Thani, responsible for about 6000 Catholic Christians in southern Thailand.
Culture
Festivals
- Chak Phra - Celebrating Buddha's symbolic return to earth at the end of Buddhist Lent. Parade, floats and long-boat races.
- Tham Bun Dern Sip (ทำบุญเดือนสิบ) - Southern Thai Festival of the Tenth Lunar Month
- Surat Food Fair – Held annually in March (2019 dates: 8-16 March) along the Tapi River. The largest food festival in Southern Thailand.
- Surat Thani Vegetarian Festival - Held annually in October (2018 dates: 8-15 October). Parades, more vegetarian options in restaurants and shops, and free food at the Chinese temples
- Songkran - Thai New Year Festival
- Loi Krathong -
Sports
Surat Thani is home to the Surat Thani Football Club (nicknamed “Police Tero”, previously known as “The Roosters”) and the Surat Thani Futsal Club (nicknamed “The Chargers”).
Climate
Surat Thani has a tropical savanna climate (Köppen climate classification Aw). Temperatures are fairly stable until throughout the year, although the pre-monsoon months (March–May) are somewhat hotter. There is a short dry season from January to April, followed by the wet season that lasts from May to December. The heaviest rains occur in October and November.
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