🇹🇭 Surat Thani,
Thailand
#1843
Nomad Score
6.5
Coords
9.1404136, 99.3241347
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ESSENTIALS
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏙️ City | Surat Thani, Surat Thani Province, Thailand |
| 👥 Population | Approx. 132,000 |
| 💻 Internet Speed | 90-120 Mbps (Fiber common in city center) |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | Thai Baht (THB). 1 USD ≈ 36.50 THB, 1 EUR ≈ 39.20 THB |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Not drinkable. Use 1.5L bottled water (14 THB) or RO refill stations (1 THB/L) |
| 🔌 Power | 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type A/B/C/O sockets |
| 📶 SIM Card | AIS, TrueMove H, DTAC. Available at Central Plaza for ~300 THB/month unlimited |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Kasikornbank (K-Bank), Bangkok Bank. Revolut/Wise accepted at most ATMs |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Long-term condos via Rentsurat, short-term via Airbnb or Agoda |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Medium. QR PromptPay is everywhere; cards accepted in malls like Central Plaza |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Banyan Residence, Loft 202. Range: 700 - 1,200 THB per night |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Surat Hostel (250 THB/night), Boundless Backpackers (300 THB/night) |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | Bandon Riverside – close to night market and ferry piers to islands |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | Makham Tia – quieter, modern condos, close to gyms and Central Plaza |
WORKING AND NETWORKING
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | ST Space (Near Surat Thani City Pillar Shrine), 200 THB/day |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Kampu Cafe (Excellent Wi-Fi, many outlets), Renovate Espresso Bar |
| 💼 Networking Events | Informal meetups often occur at Sky Bar (Diamond Plaza Hotel) |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Surat Thani Expats Facebook Group; Friday night drinks at The Mist |
TRANSPORTATION
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Grab, Bolt (Newer and cheaper in the area) |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | X-Motorbike Rental (Near Bus Station 1), ~200-250 THB/day |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Khanom Beach (Mainland, 1 hour drive) or Koh Samui (2.5 hours by ferry) |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Thai AirAsia, Thai Lion Air |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Thai Airways (via Bangkok BKK), Qatar Airways (via Bangkok) |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Route 401 (East-West) and Route 417 (Link to Airport/Highway 41) |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Surat Thani Railway Station (located in Phun Phin, 15km from center) |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Blue Songthaews (15-20 THB fixed price city routes); no electronic passes |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Minivans to Krabi/Phuket (250 THB) from Talat Kaset 2 Station |
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Bangkok Hospital Surat (Private, English speaking), Thaksin Hospital |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Surat Yoga (near Si Taphi Park), 250 THB/drop-in |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Power Zone Gym, Fitness Center at Diamond Plaza Hotel (800 THB/month) |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Otteri Wash & Dry (Self-service, 40-60 THB per load) |
FOOD AND DRINK
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | GrabFood, FoodPanda |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Salted Duck Egg (Chaiya), Surat Oyster (very large and fresh) |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Ruam Jay (Local health food shop near the river), ~50 THB per plate |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Sweet Surat (Bingsu and toast), After You (Central Plaza) |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Santhipong Market, Lotus's Surat Thani |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Lazada, Shopee Thailand |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Lotus’s App, GrabMart |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Talat San Chao (Night Market area) and bars along Liang Muang Road |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Chit Beer (often guest taps at craft bars), The Bridge Craft Beer |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | The Library (Diamond Plaza), various upscale hotel lounges |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Surat Thani Night Market (Ton Po Road) - daily from 17:00 |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | The River Restaurant (Italian/Western), Shabushi (Japanese) |
CULTURE AND ATTRACTIONS
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | City Pillar Shrine (Lak Meuang), Wat Phra Borommathat Chaiya |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Surat Thani National Museum (Chaiya District) |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Chaiya Ancient City (30km north), Prehistoric sites at Khao Srivichai |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Wat Thammabucha, Wat Suan Mokkhaphalaram (Forest Monastery) |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Chak Phra Festival (October - magnificent float parade on the river) |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Bandon (Old Riverside District) |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Major Cineplex (Central Plaza) for films |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Sunday Market (near the river), Floating Market (Bang Bai Mai) |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Live Thai Rock at Tawan Daeng (Entertainment complex) |
| 🎨 Street Art | Murals near the Bandon riverside depicting local history |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Surat Thani Thai Cooking (available via local guesthouses) |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Srinakharin Art Space (local artist workshops) |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | Old Chinese Shophouses in the Talat Lang area |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | The training of monkeys for coconut harvesting (traditional local industry) |
NATURE AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Cheow Lan Lake (Khao Sok) - 1.5 hours away, iconic limestone cliffs |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Khao Sok National Park, Tai Rom Yen National Park |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Ko Lamphu Public Park (Island park in the Tapi River) |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Khao Tha Phet (View of the entire city and coastline) |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Nong Thung Thong Non-Hunting Area |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Limited; allowed only at designated campsites in Khao Sok |
OTHER SERVICES AND AMENITIES
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Thailand Post (Main branch near river), Flash Express, Kerry Express |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | IT City inside Central Plaza Surat Thani |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Surat Thani Provincial Stadium sports complex |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | New Cambridge Institute (mostly English, some Thai tutors) |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Surat Thani Public Library (Talat Mai Road) |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Surat Thani Youth Center |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | G-Force Internet & Gaming (near Prince of Songkla University) |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Illegal in Thailand; seek entertainment in neighboring countries |
BUSINESS
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. 45,000 THB per m² (e.g., 30 m² = 1,350,000 THB) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. 32,000 THB per m² (e.g., 30 m² = 960,000 THB) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. 40,000 THB per m² (e.g., 45 m² = 1,800,000 THB) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. 28,000 THB per m² (e.g., 45 m² = 1,260,000 THB) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. 38,000 THB per m² (e.g., 70 m² = 2,660,000 THB) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. 25,000 THB per m² (e.g., 70 m² = 1,750,000 THB) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 20% Standard Rate |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 10% |
| 🏦 Tax System | Personal income tax based on residency (lived in Thailand >180 days) |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 35% |
| 🧾 VAT | 7% |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | No specific CFC rules, but strict transfer pricing regulations |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Land and Building Tax is based on assessed value (usually 0.02% to 0.1% for residential) |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Approx. 2% Transfer Fee, plus 3.3% Specific Business Tax if sold within 5 years |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | LTR (Long-Term Resident) Visa offers a 17% fixed tax rate for high-skilled professionals |
🧭 CONTINUE EXPLORING SURAT THANI