Surat Thani is a gateway to the islands of Thailand's eastern coast: Ko Samui, Ko Tao (great for scuba diving), and Ko Pha Ngan and also the natural beauty of the Khao Sok National Park. Though large it has a low density of 7-Elevens and so on. There are many Chinese temples. There are also many good restaurants and bars in this city which normally go unnoticed by foreign visitors.