Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
heading to/from Ko Samui will most likely pass through. If you require any travel
services, try
Holiday Travel
(Th Na Meuang)
or
Pranthip Co
(Th Talat Mai)
- both
are reliable and English is spoken.
Air
Although flights from Bangkok to Surat Thani are cheaper than the flights to Samui,
it takes quite a bit of time to reach the gulf islands from the airport, which isn't ideal.
If you want to fly through Surat, there are daily shuttles to Bangkok on
Thai Air-
ways International
(THAI;
0 7727 2610; 3/27-28 Th Karunarat)
.
Boat
In the high season travellers can usually find bus-boat services to Ko Samui and Ko
Pha-Ngan directly from the Phun Phin train station. Be warned that the Raja service
can be a very frustrating experience, especially for travellers who are tight on time.
Bus & Minivan
Andaman-bound buses (usually destined for Phuket) depart every hour from 7am to
3.30pm, stopping at Takua Pa for those who want to access Khao Sok National
Park. The 'new' bus terminal (which is actually a few years old now, but still referred
to as new by the locals) is located 7km south of town on the way to Phun Phin. This
hub services traffic to and from Bangkok.
Train
When arriving by train you'll actually pull into Phun Phin, a cruddy town 14km west
of Surat. If you plan on travelling during the day, go for the express railcars. Night
travellers should opt for the air-con couchettes.
