Surat Thani is southern Thailand’s largest province, covers some 12,800 square kilometres, and has an extensive coastline lapped by Thai Gulf waters. The provincial capital is 685 kilometres south of Bangkok.

      Surat Thani boasts some of Thailand’s loveliest islalnds namely the Penang-sized Ko Samui, Thailand’s third largest island, palm-fringed jewel of a sparkling archipelago that includes the stunning 250-square-kilometre Ang Thong Marine National Park.

      Suratthani once formed part, and may have been the centre of the Mahayana Buddhist, Srivijaya Empire which, steeped in legend and mystery, dominated the Malay peninsula and much of Java some 1,500 years ago. Srivijaya was best described by the itinerant Chinese monk I Ching after a pilgrimage he made to India during the late 600s. Archaeological discoveries at Chaiya indicate the former empire's splendour.

     Surat Thani is administratively divided into 18 amphoes (districts). Distances from town to the other districts are as follows:

      Kanchanadit 58 kms./Ko Phangan 52 kms./ Ko Samui 43 kms./ Khiri Ratthanikhom 92 kms./ Khian Sa 40 kms./ Chai Buri 58 kms./ Chaiya 52 kms./ Don Sak 43 kms./ Tha Chang 92 kms./ Tha Chana/ Ban Ta Khun 58 kms./ Ban Na Doem 52 kms./ Ban Na San 43 kms./ Phanom 92 kms./ Phra Saeng 92 kms./ Phunphin 10 kms./ Wiang Sa 58 kms./ Wiphawadi 52 kms.

       Wat Suan Mokkhaphalaram
       Better known as Suan Mok, this 150—acre forest temple is located beside Highway 41 some 50 kilometres north of the provincial capital. Suan Mok’s founder, the late Bhikkhu Buddhadhasa, was highly respected both locally and internationally. His ‘back to basics’ form of Buddhism, mirroring that led by the Buddha’s earliest disciples more than 2,500 years ago, attracted many Buddhist monks and lay meditators from Europe, North and South America, Australia and Japan. The enclave is devoid of extravagant ceremonial and elaborated chapels. The forest tranquility is ideal for a life of contemplation.