Surin (Southern Thailand)
Asia : Southeast Asia : Thailand : Southern Thailand : Phuket : Surin
[edit] Understand
Surin Beach still has a small village atmosphere, but this is gradually changing as more and more major housing developments and hotel projects get underway. Accommodation is not cheap and the best prices are around 500 baht in the low season.The beach itself has clear water and beautiful white sand, and is lined with tall casuarina trees and small Thai style restaurants. While one of the quieter beaches in Phuket, hawkers can still be a minor nuisance, although most are just content to walk about without actively getting in your face.
Just north of Surin is Pansea Bay (หาดพันทรี Hat Phan-si), a mouth-wateringly scenic enclave dominated by two deluxe resorts: Amanpuri and the Chedi. Surin is sometimes called "millionaire's row" because of the high end villas on hills overlooking the bay, and film stars or VIPs like to stay there, as they can get away from the crowds. There are just a few restaurants and shops nearby.
[edit] Get in
Surin Beach is about 20 minutes away from Phuket Airport. An airport co-op taxi costs 450 bath, while a metered taxi may do the trip for as little as 300. For the way back, the local taxi mafia wants 600 baht.Blue-and-white songthaews trundle past along the main road to Phuket Town and Kamala Beach, but there are no direct connections to Patong. Tuk-tuks lying in wait at the intersection in front of the beach demand a non-negotiable 350 baht for the trip.
[edit] Get around
Surin can be easily covered on foot, and you can even walk to neighboring Bang Tao beach if feeling energetic. You can also rent motorbikes from stalls near the beach, with prices starting from 200 baht/day.[edit][add listing] See
[edit][add listing] Do
The thing to do in Surin is to chill out at the beach, which is nicely separated from the hotels and the main road by a disused golf course turned into a park. The beach is lined from end to end with restaurants and cafes, which will happily rent you a sun lounger and umbrella for around 100 baht/day.Surfing: Surfing here can be good, but all of Phuket is not consistent for surfing waves. Something to do in between relaxing. There are surfboards and bodyboards to rent on the beach or from the Saltwater Dreaming Surf Shop back on the main road.
[edit][add listing] Buy
There is a 7-Eleven in the village center, as well as a few overpriced minimarts on the beach and the hotel strip.- Plaza Surin. Various boutiques in Surin Beach. edit
[edit][add listing] Eat
Along the beach road there is a large array of simple restaurants offering denatured, totally spiceless Thai food and simple international dishes for tourists, but the specialty is seafood. In the last few years there has been a new wave of redevelopment on the beach road resulting in some international standard restaurants. There are currently a few more restaurants under construction. Most restaurants have bathrooms and showers that guests can use after having been on the beach.[edit] Budget
Cheap eating options in Surin are quite limited, but there's a decent noodle stall in front of the 7/11 (evenings only) and a few stalls at the parking lot next to the beach.- Patcharin Seafood, (extreme south end of beach). Don't be scared off by the decrepit appearance, this is the oldest eatery on the beach and still does a roaring business serving up tasty and cheap food. The Thai food is authentic and delicious, and the Western food is, well, generously portioned. Basic noodles start from 60 baht and a huge pot of tom yum kung goes for 150. edit
[edit] Mid-range
- Nok Seafood, (middle of beach). Thai and Western food on a raised platform above the beach, with little luxuries like a tablecloth. Thai dishes here are a cut above the competition. 300 baht. edit
- Positano, (next to Manathai). Kitschy Italian eatery run by a voluble Italian guy. The wood-fired pizza is good (from 220 baht), but the haphazard and overpriced pasta dishes are best avoided. Wine menu is limited to one red and white each. 500 baht. edit
[edit] Splurge
- Silk, 15 Moo 6, Kamala Beach, Kathu (Andara Resort & Villas), ☎ +66 76 338777 ext 680, [1]. Well-presented gourmet Thai food in slick, modern surroundings, priced to match. 1000 baht. edit
[edit][add listing] Drink
- Catch Beach Club, (north end of beach), [2]. Surin's only nightspot worthy of the name, with slick, billowing white sails, lit-up palm trees, roaring fires, several fully-stocked bars and a menu of expensive, pretentious fusion food. Also open during the day, but lounger rental goes for a ridiculous 1500 baht if you're not a guest at the Twinpalms Resort. Cocktails around 300 baht. edit
- Surin Bay Inn (สุรินทร์เบย์ิอิินน์) Sport Bar on Surin Beach Phuket Tel: 0 7632 5815, (Sport Bar) Surin Beach Hotel Resort
[edit][add listing] Sleep
[edit] Budget
- Kanita Residence, 149/14-15 Moo 4, Srisoonthon Rd, Talang, 83110, ☎ 076-527822-3, [3]. air-conditioned guestrooms, internet access, phone, mini-bar, coffee/tea maker. Facilities are a swimming pool and parking. From THB 934.58. edit
- Surin Bay Inn (สุรินทร์ เบย์ อินน์), 106/11 Moo 3, Cherngtalay (next to Courtyard), ☎ +66-76-271601, [4]. 12-room basic hotel next to Courtyard that has seen better days, but might be worth considering if you just want a place to crash near the beach. 800-3000 baht. edit
[edit] Mid-range
- Courtyard by Marriott Phuket at Surin Beach, 106/27 Moo 3, Cherngtalay, Talang, ☎ +66-76-303300, [5]. Formerly the Surin Beach Resort, thoroughly reworked by Marriott in 2008 and now a very slick-looking modern resort. Three pools, one of them enormous (but shallow), with two water slides and hence plenty of kids. Two-story gym, pool bar, restaurant, breakfast buffet. 2500 baht and up. edit
[edit] Splurge
- Bang Tao Tropical Residence, 110/111 Moo 3 Srisoontorn Rd, Surin Soi 8, Cherngtalay, Thalang, ☎ +66 (0) 76 318 400, [6]. The hotel offers accommodation rooms, all of which have large plasma TVs, fully furnished kitchen, and a large en-suite bathroom. Some of its amenities include a gym, spa, restaurant, and a swimming pool. Rates on official website start at THB 5,500.00. edit
- Talay Sawan, Surin, Phuket, ☎ +62 361 869 1881 (ika@phuketexclusive.com, fax: +64 9 353 1995), [7]. This Vacation Villa is a single house set on one and a quarter acres of private land overlooking the Andaman Sea. The northwest facing site, on a sea cliff, ensures total privacy. The property has been landscaped with lush tropical jungle vegetation. Contemporary Thai best describes the architecture with a liberal use of Asian artefacts and antiques throughout the property.This Vacation Villa is built on 5 levels and has 6 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms as well as a separate tree house. Satellite TV and UBC (local cable system, 33 channels) in some rooms. Coded drawer safes in every bedroom. Each room has air conditioning and some also ceiling fans Sound system in all bedrooms. Theatre system in kids room. Covered pool entertainment area also features a built in stereo system. 24 hour staffing includes House manager, 3 maids, 1 cook, Driver, Gardener From USD $1450. edit
- The Quarter Phuket, 92/5, Moo 3 Cherng Talay sub-district, Talang District, ☎ +66 (0) 76 326 035, [8]. Each suite includes air-conditioned bedrooms with en suite bathrooms and an indoor/outdoor dining and living area with a pantry or full kitchen. Rates start at THB 4,700.00. edit
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