Surat Thani covers some 12,800 square kilometres and has an extensive coastline lapped by Thai Gulf waters. The provincial capital, 685 kilometres from Bangkok, is situated at the mouth of the Tapi River on the eastern side of the peninsula. Surat Thai is a major destination for both luxury and shoestring travellers seeking to realise their dreams of a tropical seascape. Renowned for its vast collection of palm-fringed islands off its coast, Surat Thani is also covered with large forest areas abundant in flora and fauna. Many rare species of plants and birds are to be found in the province’s national parks.