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Surat Thani - 'City of the Good People' is blessed with a stunning coastline, forests, mountains and is steeped in history. It was once the capital of the ancient Srivigaya Empire.
The east coast is naturally low land, with the west being populated with mountains and forests.
There are many islands along the coast, including Ko Samui - the third largest island in Thailand - Ko Pha Ngan, Ko Tao.
The islands each have their own individual characteristics, mainly bought about by commercial aspects. Ko Tao is famed for its coral reefs, whilst Ko Pha-ngan boasts huge moonlit beach parties.
The various river basins were home to disparate communities, from neighbouring countries, and still retain the Malay and Indian influences.
There are several known local delicacies. Oysters, Rambutans being amongst them. Though of course there is much more to Surat Thani.
Hand crafted silks are sought after from the area. They have unique patterns - created by the Muslim villagers of Phumriang.
Surat Thani is well situated as a starting point for the islands, but also has much to offer the tourist and sightseer.
Beaches in the Lower Southern Gulf of Thailand face out into the Gulf of Thailand Sea. White sand, clear seas and lush vegetation.
The beaches of the lower Gulf of Thailand area are more - much more - than simply hopping off places to the beautiful islands that lie off the coast.
There are miles and miles of white and silver sand beaches, many of which are relatively deserted.
Inland, we have the lush forests and jutting limestone peaks and crags. On the beaches we have sand as pure as it gets and the sea so clear that it attracts many divers from all over the world.
As well as silver sand beaches, there are many limestone rock outcrops that break up the monotony (did I say that?) of the slivers of sand that form some of the best beaches in Thailand. Welcome to the Lower Western Gulf.
With such beautiful islands offshore as Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and the Ang Thing National Marine Life Park, you will find many places to stay – in good hotels along the beach fronts.
All manner of water sports and activities await you, but the area is not as over-subscribed as some of the ‘big name’ beaches in that respect.
The food will be as varied as the different cultures that have their home here. Down the coast is the Deep South, with its change of culture from Buddhism to Islam, for it was only a short time ago that this area was more Malaysian than Thai.
The Lower Western Gulf nonetheless is Thailand by way of laid back life and friendliness. But don’t be surprised to now see ladies in Muslim dress – though not normally with faces covered.
Venture inland away from the beaches, and there is a wide range of wildlife to be seen in the National Parks of Khao Luang.
The whole area is quieter than the other coastal regions of the Kingdom.
It is much easier to wallow in the traditional Thai way of life here, than that over the hill to the Andaman coast. Most of the 'revellers' will be en-route to the gorgeous islands out to sea.
The beautiful beaches of Thailand's deep South are not on the tourist agenda at the moment owing to continuing and violent problems in the area.
The south of Thailand - sometimes referred to as the Deep South, is very different in many aspects to other beach areas of Thailand.
The Southern Beach Provinces are Songkhla, Pattani, and Narathiwat.
Unfortunately there is a fair degree of uncertainty about this area, and whilst it has many of Thailand's great beaches, we cannot recommend them at the moment - in keeping with the directive issued by most embassies to their nationals - Do not travel to this area.
Once the current problems are eased, we will include information about the beautiful beaches of Songkhla, Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat.
The deep south consists of four provinces, with Yala being the only one not having a coastline. Mere coincidence that it is the richest of the southern provinces.
The Deep south is easy to get to, though a long way and journey from Bangkok. It is our sincerest hope that the unsettled conditions stop soon, so that we can introduce you to this area.
If you have any information about the current situation, we would of course be glad to receive it so that we have first hand knowledge about what is happening.