Geography
Neighboring provinces are (from north clockwise) Chumphon, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Krabi, Phang Nga and Ranong.
Geographically the center of the province is the coastal plain of the Tapi river, mostly grassland interchanged with rubber tree and coconut plantings. In the west are limestone mountains of the Phuket range mostly covered with forests. The Khao Sok National Park is located in these mountains. To the east the hills of the Nakhon Si Thammarat (or Bantat) mountain range start to rise, protected in the Tai Rom Yen National Park. Many islands in the Gulf of Thailand belong to the district, including the tourist islands Ko Samui, Ko Pha-ngan and Ko Tao, as well as the Ko Ang Thong marine national park. The main rivers of the Surat Thani province are Tapi River and Phum Duang River, which join at the town Tha Kham shortly before they drain into the Bandon Bay. The delta of these rivers, locally known as Nai Bang (ในบาง), is located directly north of the city Surat Thani. It consists of several channels with small islands mostly covered by mangrove or orchards.
Further protected areas in the province are the Khlong Phanom and Kaeng Krung national park, Than Sadet-Ko Pha-Ngan marine national park, the non-hunting areas Khao Tha Phet and Nong Thung Thong and the wildlife sanctuaries Khlong Phraya, Khlong Saeng and Khlong Yan. The Hat Khanom - Mu Ko Thale Tai, which will contain a few small island south of Ko Samui, is currently in process of creation.
National park
- Ko Ang Thong marine national park***
- Khao Sok national park***
- Khlong Phanom national park
- Kaeng Krung national park
- Than Sadet-Ko Pha-Ngan marine national park
- Tai Rom Yen National Park
Read more about this topic: Surat Thani Province
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