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This province some
640 kilometers from Thailand capital bangkok, is much referred to
by its touristic Island Ko Samui. The province started in the
8-10th century as a Provincial capital of the Sri Vijaya empire,
the remants of which can be seen in present day Chaiya.
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An unusual
Monkey school along Highway 401. Most students are pig
tail monkeys captured from the forest. Training them to
pick coconut from the tall tree will take about 3 months.
The wildlife center
is a rehabilitation compound for captured wildlife. The
sites offers panoramic view of the hinterland.
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Surat
Thani has an extensive coastline washed by the waters
from the Gulf. These many beautiful beaches on the
mainland is overshadowed by the greater publicity given
to the touristy island beaches |
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Khao Sok
National Park is a forested complex with high mountain
ranges and tall cliffs. Within the park a large varieties
of wild animals still roam freely.
Visitor can stay in
the accomodations provided and the main activities would
be visiting waterfalls and caves
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Chak Phra
Festival- this event celebrated annualy to end the
Buhdist Rains Retreat [Phansa] is held usually in
Mid-October. There will be dazzling land and waterbase
processions of colourful boats. Boat races manned by 50
oarsmen race along the Tapi River. |
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Angthong
Marine National Park is made up of 40 islands in an area
of 250 square kilometers. Most islands are karsts hills
with some reaching heights of 400 meters. They are filled
with tropical rainforest and sometimes beaches. Main
attraction are coral reef at Ko Sam Sao, high view point
at Waving Lotus Cave and the emerald salt water lake of
Talay Nai. |
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The
most visited site in Surat Thani is the Samui Island. Widest at
21 kilometers and longest at 25 kilometers, this 247 square
kilometers island together with 80 smaller islands is 84
kilometers east of the provincial capital.
A 51
kilometers ring road runs round the island of tropical jungle,
low hills, coconut plantations and plenty of beaches.
| This sign
is in Thong Yang, a ferry point for the landing of
vehicles onto Samui Island. |
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This is
Coral Cove or Ao Thong Yang. The nice colored sea here
washes on a few coves and capes. |
| A large
Buddha image seats on Fan Island at Plai Laem Bay. Ko
Faan is linked to the main island by a small headland. |
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Special
attraction on the island are the mama and the papa rocks.
Among this pile of boulders the phallic Papa rock stood
up prominently. Likewise the Mama fitting the gender
description is among and under the boulder where the
photograph was taken |
Here, too, in Surat
Thani many waterfalls in deep jungle are yet to be of public
knowledge. Those waterfalls on the islands where foreigners led
the local crowd to enjoy the cool water of the falls are
selected:-
Name
of Waterfall
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Its
Location
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Linked
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4 kilometers from Khao
Sok National Park Headquarters |
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Khao Sok National
Park-off Highway 401 at km 109. |
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Samui Island |
Below |
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Samui Island |
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Hat Sadet in Ko
Pha-Ngan Island |
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Ban Fai Mai in Ko
Pha-Ngan Island |
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Ban Nam Tok in Ko
Pha-Ngan Island |
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Pak Praek village, 30
kilometers from town, Surat- Nakhon |
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The
Na Muang Waterfall
The nice part of the Na Muang waterfalls is
that this place could serves as the end of a long cross island
jungle trek. What a refreshing activity the island can offer.
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The
waterfall is an all seasons landmark for visitor to get
away from the sea.
This fall is approximately 20 meters
dropping into piles of small rock. The stream that follow
serves as wadding ponds and a place to cool tired feet.
The
waterfall is well visited as shown by the presence of
many hawkers and souvenir shops.
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