Surat Thani
From Freepedia
Surat Thani (Thai สุราษฎร์ธานี) is a city in southern Thailand. It is the capital of the province Surat Thani, and sometimes referred as Mueang Surat Thani to more clearly distinguish it from the province.
The city has a population of 122,998 (2004), and an area of 68.97 square kilometers. The city's density is 1783.36 inhabitants per sq. km. It is located at 9°8′ N 99°19′ E, at the mouth of the river Tapi on the Gulf of Thailand. The city as no tourist attractions, and is thus only known to tourists as a transfer to the nearby Ko Samui island.
It forms the regional commercial center, with a seaport dealing in the main products of the province, rubber and coconuts.
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History
The city received its name by King Vajiravudh (Rama VI) in 1915. The name means City of Good People, and was given to the city due to the high devotion of the locals to Buddhism. Previously the city was known as Bandon, which means Village on higher ground.
Since 1969 Surat Thani is the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Surat Thani, responsible for about 6000 Catholic Christians in southern Thailand.
Traffic
Surat Thani is connected with Bangkok by the southern railway, even though the actual train station is in Phunphin, about 15 km. away from city. Asian highway 2 also passes the city at Phunphin. A regional airport, Surat Thani International Airport, is about 30 km. from the city. Some ferries to Ko Samui start at the city itself, but the main ferry station is at Don Sak, 40 km. east of the city.
Administration
The Amphoe Mueang is subdivided into 11 communes (tambon). The Amphoe has a population of 166,891 (2004), and covers an area of 233.8 km².
| Nr. | Name | Thai name | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Talat | ตลาด | 7. | Khlong Noi | คลองน้อย | |||
| 2. | Makham Tia | มะขามเตี้ย | 8. | Bang Sai | บางไทร | |||
| 3. | Wat Pradu | วัดประดู่ | 9. | Bang Pho | บางโพธิ์ | |||
| 4. | Khun Thale | ขุนทะเล | 10. | Bang Kung | บางกุ้ง | |||
| 5. | Bang Baimai | บางใบไม้ | 11. | Khlong Chanak | คลองฉนาก | |||
| 6. | Bang Chana | บางชนะ |
External links
- Surat Thani City Website (Thai only)
| Amphoe of Surat Thani | Image:Seal Surat Thani.png | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Amphoe: |
Mueang Surat Thani - Kanchanadit - Don Sak - Ko Samui - Ko Pha Ngan - Chaiya - Tha Chana - Khiri Ratthanikhom - Ban Ta Khun - Phanom - Tha Chang - Ban Na San - Ban Na Doem - Khian Sa - Wiang Sa - Phrasaeng - Phunphin - Chai Buri | ||
| King Amphoe: | Wiphawadi | edit | |
