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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.
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