Booking a tent in Koh Surin
FR

Translated into English.

Original post
JM
Hi, I’m looking for how to book a tent in Koh Surin to stay for several days. Does anyone know the current booking site?
JU Jungletroll Globetrotter ·
Hi,

It's the national parks service that manages this: http://portal.dnp.go.th/

But the process is pretty tricky because you first have to successfully book on their site (so you need to register) at http://nps.dnp.go.th/ then: http://nps.dnp.go.th/reservation.php

The conditions are clearly explained on their site—but in Thai!

And once you receive the email confirmation, you’ve got a max of 48 hours to pay into a local Thai bank account (so expect bank fees and delays). Otherwise, it’s canceled.

In practice, it’s better to go through a local operator—especially since you’ll also need to sort out the round-trip boat ride.
On eu le siècle des Lumières, puis un con a dû éteindre
JM JMC39 Regular ·
Thanks for the info. I’m in touch with Sabinatour—they seem to be handling the tent booking and the boat. But I haven’t gotten any confirmation from them yet. They told me to contact them once I’m in Khura Buri. Hope that works out!
JM JMC39 Regular ·
After contacting Sabina Tour agency, I also received an invoice to pay through a bank.. Given the bank fees and risks with this kind of transaction, I’m thinking of waiting until I’m on-site to buy directly from this agency. Do you think there will still be spots available without a reservation? How many days can you stay on Koh Surin island? From what I understood on the park’s website, it’s a max of 3 nights. And how many days do you estimate are needed to make the most of the various snorkeling spots? Thanks
HM Hmh Globetrotter ·
Hi, Did you check THIS out: Surin Island 3 days 2 nights in a tent with 7 meals?
"Quand l'injustice devient loi, la rébellion devient devoir. " Thomas Jefferson « Le doute est l’apanage des gens intelligents, les cons n’ont que des certitudes »               (Alain Leblay)
JM JMC39 Regular ·
Yeah, I checked. This agency organizes all-inclusive tours: 6,500 baht for the boat + 3 nights + meals. Their prices are way too high. I'm looking to rent a tent and book boat seats directly instead. Thanks
HM Hmh Globetrotter ·
Yes, I checked. This agency organizes all-inclusive tours: 6500 THB for boat + 3 nights + meals. Their prices are too high. I’m looking to rent a tent and spots on the boat directly. Thanks

I don’t understand. Sabina offers 3 days and 2 nights for 5900 THB. Green View, which is a hotel in Khuraburi with a very active manager in environmental protection, offers the same thing + meals + insurance for 6000 THB. It’s up to you
"Quand l'injustice devient loi, la rébellion devient devoir. " Thomas Jefferson « Le doute est l’apanage des gens intelligents, les cons n’ont que des certitudes »               (Alain Leblay)
JU Jungletroll Globetrotter ·
Hi there,

Just the boat and the tent—but most importantly, don’t forget to bring a machete to cut open coconuts, and a lighter so you can start a fire on the beach and grill the fish you’ll catch in the lagoon.

youtu.be/SoygPJevn-Q?t=80
On eu le siècle des Lumières, puis un con a dû éteindre
JM JMC39 Regular ·
OK, thanks for the humor. For meals, I read that you can buy meal tickets on the island (500 baht for 3 meals). For snorkeling trips, I also read that there are organized outings for 100 baht per trip. You who know Thailand well, is this reality or fiction? Thanks
DA Daisyone Globetrotter ·
I went there in March 2016. Actually, I went from Koh Payam (but it's expensive) and the guy who runs the Tour made the reservations 2 or 3 days before. I don’t think there’s any need to worry. There were a lot of tents—more than fifty, roughly. I’d recommend renting small mattresses because the first night we slept on the ground—so hard! The tents are right in front of the beach. The facilities are decent. Meals are served at the camp’s only restaurant at set times. The small shop opens at the same hours, meaning not for long. No fruit for sale. Bring some snacks if you want. You can go snorkeling in the morning and again in the afternoon. We stayed for 4 nights and 3 days and did all the excursions. It’s a stunning place with a beautiful beach. But there’s no evening entertainment—you’ll be going to bed early...
daisy
JM JMC39 Regular ·
Thanks for your reply. We’re planning to do the same thing (4 nights, snorkeling trips, meals, etc.), except we’ll be coming from Kuraburi. You mentioned booking 2 or 3 days in advance—what agency did you use? Is it really necessary to book ahead?
DA Daisyone Globetrotter ·
The reservation was made by the boatman from Koh Payam who organizes day trips to Koh Surin. I can't give you any info about Kuraburi. Maybe you can ask at the hotel where you'll be staying. But I found there were loads of tents, and many were unoccupied.
daisy
HE Hephaistion ·
Hi there, Let me pick up this thread since, like JMC39, I’m planning to spend 3 nights at the Ao Mai Ngam campsite at the end of January 2018. I’d love to know if, based on the latest updates, it’s still possible to pitch your own tent. I’m a bit nervous about making the trip only to find out all the tents are already booked. Same question for the Similan Islands... Thanks! 😉
HM Hmh Globetrotter ·
Hi,

Here are the phone numbers for Surin Park in Khuraburi: 076 472 145, and if no answer, 087 267 3236

You can book a park tent 2-3 days in advance for 300 THB per day and a spot on the park boat, which leaves every morning at 09:00 from Khuraburi Pier for 1700 THB round trip (including the bus fare). The bus departs from the bus station at 08:00 to the port (15 km).

You can also come without a reservation and use your own tent for 80 THB per day. The park can provide a mattress for 80 THB per day and a pillow for 60 THB.

If you need any other info 😊
"Quand l'injustice devient loi, la rébellion devient devoir. " Thomas Jefferson « Le doute est l’apanage des gens intelligents, les cons n’ont que des certitudes »               (Alain Leblay)
HM Hmh Globetrotter ·
Hi,

Just a heads-up for those interested: entry to Surin Marine Park is free on December 31st and January 1st. Spread the word! 😎

And to add to my previous message, the price for 3 meals a day in the park is 650 THB per day.
"Quand l'injustice devient loi, la rébellion devient devoir. " Thomas Jefferson « Le doute est l’apanage des gens intelligents, les cons n’ont que des certitudes »               (Alain Leblay)
DA Daisyone Globetrotter ·
Last year, we could also order à la carte without taking the set menus.
daisy
HM Hmh Globetrotter ·
Last year, you could also order à la carte without taking the set menus.

Hi Daisy,

Still possible. I gave this info to help build a budget 😉

One new rule: alcohol is now banned in Thailand’s national park sites. So: be discreet and take your “empties” back to the mainland.
"Quand l'injustice devient loi, la rébellion devient devoir. " Thomas Jefferson « Le doute est l’apanage des gens intelligents, les cons n’ont que des certitudes »               (Alain Leblay)
HE Hephaistion ·
Thanks Hmh and Daisyone for your replies—they’re really helping me plan this trip! 🙂

If the bus takes an hour from Khuraburi bus station to its port, is it better to stay in Khuraburi Town or in Khao Lak, which is an hour and a half away by bus? Maybe I’m wrong, but Khao Lak seems like a better home base for exploring the area.
HM Hmh Globetrotter ·
Hello,

The bus doesn’t run for an hour, but that’s the transit and boarding time. A moto-taxi will get you there in 15 minutes. 😎

Departing from Khuraburi—a quiet little town I’ll admit, and one I know well since I have a house there—is the best way to get to Surin. Kao Lak won’t offer you anything extra if you’re not motorized.

A little bonus: the Boon Piya Resort is basic but clean and just a few dozen meters from the bus station, so it’s easily walkable. Worst case, if you’re too loaded down, the owner will drive you there. https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g1152716-d2012035-r147662120-Boon_Piya_Resort-Ao_Phang_Nga_National_Park_Phang_Nga_Province.html
"Quand l'injustice devient loi, la rébellion devient devoir. " Thomas Jefferson « Le doute est l’apanage des gens intelligents, les cons n’ont que des certitudes »               (Alain Leblay)
JM JMC39 Regular ·
Hello, I'm also looking for a hotel to spend the night before heading to the Surin Islands. Unfortunately, the Boon Piya doesn't have any rooms available according to the booking site. Could you also tell me if it's possible to reach Khao Sok Park on the same day when returning from the Surin Islands? I read that the return boat leaves the islands at 2:30 PM to arrive in Khura Buri around 4 PM. Won't it be too late to find a bus or minibus to Khao Sok then? Thanks a lot.
HM Hmh Globetrotter ·
Good evening, What date are you planning to leave for Surin? I might be able to help you with the resort. Otherwise, there are plenty of other suitable resorts, but they’re a bit farther from the bus station.

For your return trip from Surin to Khao Sok, you’ll first need to find transport to Takua-Pa, which is the main transport hub, and then find a bus to Suratthani that’ll drop you off at Khao Sok within that timeframe.

You’ll be in Thailand, and schedules—especially for boats and buses—are flexible, even unpredictable. Also, at the end of the day, drivers tend to prioritize passengers going all the way to their terminal.

The least adventurous option is to spend another night in Khuraburi and head to Khao Sok early in the morning. There are plenty of buses then.

Best regards.
"Quand l'injustice devient loi, la rébellion devient devoir. " Thomas Jefferson « Le doute est l’apanage des gens intelligents, les cons n’ont que des certitudes »               (Alain Leblay)
JM JMC39 Regular ·
Thanks for the details and tips on transportation between the Surins and Khao Sok. We’ll plan to spend one night in KhuraBuri on the way back from the islands. We’re planning to arrive in Khura Buri on the 16th to catch the boat on the 17th. Then return from the islands on the 21st to KhuraBuri. So we’re looking at nights on 16/01 and 21/01 in KhuraBuri. If Boon Piya has an affordable room for 3 people (with an extra bed), that would be perfect. Thanks
HE Hephaistion ·
Hi and thanks to Hmh for this additional info.

Jean-Marie, if the Boon Piya Resort in Khura Buri is fully booked on the reservation sites for your dates like it is for mine, try Airbnb—this hotel is also listed there.

As for the bus to Khao Sok, check out this link: https://www.travelfish.org/transport/thailand/southern_thailand/phang_nga/khuraburi/all#travel-train

It says that to reach Khao Sok National Park, you need to take a bus to Takua Pa first, then switch to a bus heading to Surat Thani. With the first bus from the port to Khura Buri bus station, that’s 3 buses... At first glance, a transfer seems much less tiring.

Just a heads-up from my experience: the village of Khao Sok is really far from the dam where the lake excursions start.
HM Hmh Globetrotter ·
To get to Khao Sok National Park, you need to take a bus to Takua Pa, then switch to a bus heading to Surat Thani.

Hi, Exactly!
"Quand l'injustice devient loi, la rébellion devient devoir. " Thomas Jefferson « Le doute est l’apanage des gens intelligents, les cons n’ont que des certitudes »               (Alain Leblay)
JM JMC39 Regular ·
Hello, Thanks for the details. We’ve booked at Boon Piya for the 16th and 21st. I saw that the connection to Khao Sok was indeed a bit tricky... We hadn’t planned on doing a lake excursion, just exploring the park. We’re taking off tomorrow morning. Maybe we’ll meet up! JM
JM JMC39 Regular ·
Hi Henri, We’re back in France after a month in southern Thailand. Thanks for your tips about Koh Surin and your recommendation in Khura Buri: Boon Piya Resort, where we stayed before and after our trip to the Surin Islands. We loved our trip and really enjoyed our stay. Thanks again! Best, JM
HM Hmh Globetrotter ·
Glad I could help you out, and thanks a bunch for your feedback—it’s not something we get often. Best regards, Henri-Michel
"Quand l'injustice devient loi, la rébellion devient devoir. " Thomas Jefferson « Le doute est l’apanage des gens intelligents, les cons n’ont que des certitudes »               (Alain Leblay)
KU Kuisco ·
hi daisy I know kon surin’s post is a bit old, but could you tell me how much you paid for 3 DAYS 2 NIGHTS or 4 DAYS 2 NIGHTS from Kon Payam? 😅🏽 THANKS IN ADVANCE IF YOU HAVE ANY INFO OR CONTACTS FOR KOH PHAYAM

Similar discussions

You might also like