Itinerary Ideas: Chumphon and Surat Thani

In this edition of our Itinerary Ideas series, we feature two destinations, Chumphon and Surat Thani, that are often overlooked by travellers in their rush to reach the islands.

Most tourists heading to Chumphon are en route to Ko Tao, while many travelling to Surat Thani are taking the boat across to Ko Samui or Ko Pha Ngan. That is an understandable choice for travellers short on time or visiting Thailand for the first time. But if you are a repeat visitor to Thailand and are thinking about exploring somewhere different, this itinerary is for you. It gives you beach time, local culture, and one of the most gorgeous natural locations in Thailand.

We suggest 10 days for this itinerary, using it as part of an extended three-week trip to take in other parts of Thailand (see the ‘travel tips’ section further down for ideas).

• Chumphon Town: 2 days
• Chumphon Beach: 4 days
• Surat Thani Town: 1 day
• Khao Sok National Park: 3 days

Chumphon

Instead of hopping straight on a ferry for the islands, this itinerary is all about slowing down to explore the mainland and discover a side of Southern Thailand that most visitors miss out on.

Mu Ko Chumphon National Park
Although this itinerary focuses on the mainland, you can take a day trip to visit some of the islands in the Mu Ko Chumphon National Park. Trips can be arranged in Chumphon Town, or you can ask your hotel to arrange it.

Chumphon Town

The laid-back provincial capital of Chumphon Town provides good access to the surrounding coastline and countryside. Regular songthaews (shared taxis) connect the town with the nearby beaches of Thung Wua Laen and Sairee, making independent exploration reasonably straightforward and affordable.

Spend a couple of days in Chumpon Town to enjoy the quiet cafes, local markets, and arrange any onward travel. There is plenty to see and do in Chumphon, and if you feel like doing something active or are considering staying longer here, check out these suggestions for things to see and do in Chumphon:

7 of the best things to see and do in Chumphon

Suggested accommodation:
A-Te Chumphon Hotel
Loft Mania Boutique Hotel

Beaches in Chumphon

Although there are several beaches to choose from in Chumphon, our suggestion is either Sairee Beach (12 miles south-east of Chumphon Town) or Thung Wua Laen Beach (10 miles north-east of town). Frequent and cheap songthaews (shared taxis) run from Chumphon Town to both beaches, taking around 30 minutes. Whichever beach you decide on, pick a hotel close to the beachfront and relax. Take long walks along the sand, dine on local seafood and enjoy a cold drink or two at sunset

Sairee Beach

Located south-east of Chumphon town, Sairee Beach may not be as spectacular as the beaches on the nearby islands, but it remains refreshingly uncommercialized. This long stretch of sand is framed by casuarina trees, and with calm, shallow waters, it’s a popular spot for locals at the weekend.

An important shrine sits on top of a hill at the northern end of Sairee Beach. Dress respectfully when visiting this location, which also features a decommissioned Royal Thai Navy vessel. The site pays respect to Admiral Prince Krom Luang Chumphon Khet Udomsak, regarded as the ‘Father of the Royal Thai Navy’ and a man still widely revered across the country. Known affectionately as ‘Sadet Tia’, a statue of the prince looks out over the Gulf of Thailand, symbolically watching over sailors and fishermen. Thai visitors come to pay their respects, make merit, and seek blessings for safe journeys at sea.

Suggested accommodation:
The Nest

Thung Wua Laen Beach

One of Chumphon’s most appealing stretches of coastline, the beach at Thung Wua Laen is an ideal place for a relaxed seaside holiday. A palm-lined promenade runs along the shore, making it ideal for cycling, jogging, or relaxed sunset walks. The sea is usually gentle outside the monsoon season and suitable for swimming and kayaking.

Low-rise resorts, cafés, and seafood restaurants create a laid-back atmosphere without overdevelopment. Thung Wua Laen also serves as a departure point for snorkelling and diving trips to nearby islands.

You may notice statues of cows or bulls to acknowledge the time when herds of cattle once grazed and ran freely across the open coastal plain behind the beach. ‘Thung’ means field, while ‘wua laen’ translates to ‘running cows’.

Suggested accommodation:
Chumphon Cabana
Maliblues Bed & Art Gallery

Surat Thani

Most overseas tourists associate Surat Thani with ferries to Ko Samui and Ko Pha Ngan. Both islands are in Surat Thani province, but for this itinerary, we are staying on the mainland.

Khanom beaches
If you want more beach time and want to stay on the mainland, you can travel to Sichon or Khanom. These locations are actually in Nakhon Si Thammarat province, but are geographically close to Surat Thani town, making them a convenient choice.

Surat Thani City

Spend a night in Surat Thani city and enjoy the night market and local culture. You can also take an early evening boat tour to see the fireflies. Ask at your hotel in Surat Thani or walk along Ta Pi riverfront in the city centre, and you will usually see some boats with signs advertising trips to see the fireflies. You’ll be taken by long-tail boat out to the small canals and mangroves where the fireflies gather (May to October is when they are in their largest numbers). Expect to pay around 300 Baht for the trip, which takes approximately 90 minutes.

Khao Na Nai Luang Dharma Park

This scenic location is around an hour away from Surat Thani. It isn’t possible to get to Khao Na Nai Luang Dharma Park by public transport, but you can hire a taxi. You can either visit as a day trip or en route to Khao Sok National Park.

Khao Sok National Park

A less than two-hour drive from Surat Thani city brings you to one of the most stunning locations in Southern Thailand. Khao Sok National Park is a protected area that is home to limestone mountains, some of the oldest forests on the planet and a diverse range of wildlife, including wild elephants.

Spending three days in Khao Sok gives you time to go hiking, take a long-tail boat ride along Cheow Larn Lake and relax and appreciate this incredible destination.

There are several outstanding places to stay in Khao Sok. Anurak Lodge and Elephant Hills have both been recognised by the Responsible Thailand Awards for their green credentials, while 500Rai Floating Resort also offers guests a memorable stay.

Travel tips

You can fly from Bangkok to Chumphon or Surat Thani, or take the train, with both locations served by the Southern Line railway.

• Exploring Thailand by train
• Itinerary Ideas: Southern Thailand by train

After finishing this itinerary in Khao Sok, you could travel across to Khao Lak and/or Ko Yao Yai and Ko Yao Noi in Phang Nga province. This allows you to avoid the busy tourist areas of Krabi and Phuket. Another way to do it would be to take the bus from Khao Sok to Surat Thani and then take the train south to Trang.

Alternatively, you can do this itinerary the other way round and start in Surat Thani and then travel to Chumphon. From Chumphon, take the train to Prachuap Khiri Khan to explore the quiet seaside towns on the Gulf Coast before travelling to Bangkok.

Itinerary Ideas
This article is part of our Itinerary Ideas series. These particular itineraries are for anybody, but may appeal more to repeat visitors to Thailand looking to explore different destinations on their next trip or anyone seeking meaningful travel experiences. If you’re a first-time visitor to Thailand or looking for more ideas of where to go and what to do, check out these articles too:
2-week Thailand itinerary
3-week Thailand itinerary
4-week Thailand itinerary

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