ชมไปกินไป: Surat Thani Flora

Surat Thani

Surat Thani (Thai: สุราษฎร์ธานี, pronounced [sù.râːt tʰāː.nīː]) is a city in Amphoe Mueang Surat Thani, Surat Thani Province, southern Thailand. It lies 651 km (405 mi) south of Bangkok. It is the capital of Surat Thani Province. The city has a population of 132,040 (2019), and an area of 68.97 km² (26.63 sq mi). The city's population density is 1,914 inhabitants per km². Surat Thani is located near the mouth of the Tapi River on the Gulf of Thailand. The city offers no major tourist attractions in itself, and is mainly known to tourists as the jumping-off point to Ko Samui, Ko Tao, and Ko Pha Ngan. It is the regional commercial center, with a seaport dealing in the main products of the province, rubber and coconuts.

The city received its name, which means "city of good people", by King Vajiravudh (Rama VI) in 1915. The name was given to the city due to the intense devotion of the locals to Buddhism. Previously the city was known as Bandon(Thai: บ้านดอน), meaning "village on higher ground". The name of the city is taken from the Indian city Surat in Gujarat on the Indian River Tapi. King Vajiravudh (Rama VI) gave this name to his city as he was impressed with the Indian city.

Key Destinations and Islands

Koh Samui: Popular island featuring white sand beaches, luxury resorts, and vibrant nightlife.

Koh Phangan: Famous for full moon celebrations and quiet tropical coastlines.

Koh Tao: Renowned world-class location for scuba diving and snorkeling.

Khao Sok National Park: Ancient rainforest area featuring limestone peaks, wildlife, and the massive Cheow Lan Lake.

National parks

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There are a total of eight national parks, six of which are in region 4 (Surat Thani) and Hat Khanom–Mu Ko Thale Tai and Namtok Si Khit are in region 5 (Nakhon Si Thammarat) of Thailand's protected areas. (Visitors in fiscal year 2024)^[6]

Khao Sok National Park	739 km²(285 sq mi)	(424,376)
Kaeng Krung National Park	541 km²(209 sq mi)	(1,673)
Tai Rom Yen National Park	425 km²(164 sq mi)	(13,875)
Khlong Phanom National Park	410 km²(160 sq mi)	(4,017)
Hat Khanom–Mu Ko Thale Tai National Park	312 km²(120 sq mi)	(35,585)
Namtok Si Khit National Park	145 km²(56 sq mi)	(14,293)
Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park	102 km²(39 sq mi)	(203,066)
Than Sadet–Ko Pha-ngan National Park	43 km²(17 sq mi)	(73,772)

Wildlife sanctuaries

There are two wildlife sanctuaries, along with five other wildlife sanctuaries, make up region 4 (Surat Thani) of Thailand's protected areas.
Khlong Saeng Wildlife Sanctuary 1,155 km2(446 sq mi)
Khlong Yan Wildlife Sanctuary 488 km2

Gesneriaceae

A new species of Somrania (Gesneriaceae) from Thailand

Authors: Middleton, David J.; Triboun, Pramote

Publication: Gardens' Bulletin Singapore

Year: 2013

Surat Tani province in southern Thailand hosts specialized Gesneriaceae species including Somrania flavida, Paraboea nobilis, and distinct karst-adapted flora. These plants grow heavily in the region's limestone and tropical lowland niches.

Notable Species and Habitats

Somrania flavida: Discovered in Khao Sok National Park (Ban Ta Khun District); a rare, yellow-tinged flowered herb restricted to karst limestone towers.

Paraboea nobilis: Found near the lake edges and limestone crags of Ban Ta Khun within Surat Thani.

Paraboea insularis Triboun, sp.

สุดสาคร found at Khlong Phanom np

Paraboea monticola Triboun & D.J. Middleton, sp.

ชาพ่อตาฤๅษี อช.เขาสก

Paraboea nobilis Triboun & D.J. Middleton, sp. found at Khao Sok National Park

ศรีรัชประภา

Paraboea phanomensis Triboun & D.J. Middleton, sp.

ศรีสุราษฎร์ found at Khlong Phanom np

Microchirita involucrata (Craib) Yin Z.Wang

Tetraphyllum roseum stapf. จตุบาท

Patrick Blanc observing a flowering individual of Tetraphyllum roseum on verical earth bank, Khao Sok NP, Thailand, June 2019

Limestone Endemics: The province's dramatic tower karst formations provide micro-habitats for specialized lithophytic gesneriads that cling bare rock faces and organic-thin soils.

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