Essentials
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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