🇹🇭 Surat Thani, Thailand
Baan Phulay
📍 9/27, Moo 3, Surat Thani
Your stay — Baan Phulay
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Surat Thani.
The Property — Baan Phulay
Baan Phulay is a small, no-frills 3-star hotel in central Surat Thani. Think clean tiled floors, a modest lobby ceiling fan and a polite front desk running on calm, Thai efficiency. It suits budget-conscious travellers needing a comfortable, functional layover between ferries to the islands or an early bus. No pool, no restaurant fuss — just a clean room, air conditioning and a solid night’s sleep.
Chronicles of Surat Thani
Surat Thani began as a cluster of villages along the Tapi River, formally established in 1915 under King Vajiravudh. Its modern identity took shape in the 1970s when the railway and highway linked Bangkok to southern ferry routes, turning the city into Thailand’s busiest mainland transit hub for Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao. The old town retains a few Sino-Portuguese shophouses, but the dominant architecture is functional concrete from the boom decades. Today the city hustles as a logistics centre rather than a tourist draw, with locals focused on rubber, palm oil and ferrying travellers through pier after pier.
Best Time to Visit
Full Surat Thani guide →Best months
January and February are ideal — dry, sunny days around 28°C and fewer crowds than on the islands. March also works, though it starts heating up toward 34°C.
Peak / festival surge
Peak season runs December to March when European and domestic tourists flood the south. Hotel prices in Surat Thani can jump 30-50%, driven by holiday demand and New Year/Chinese New Year travel. Local events are minimal — the price rise is purely ferry-linked.
Budget shoulder season
April, May and November are the best budget months. Late April still has reliable morning sun, but lighter crowds can slash hotel rates by 40%. November sees the tail-end of the wet season but far fewer tourists.
Weather & packing
Surat Thani has a ‘double monsoon’ pattern, with rain from both the southwest (May–October) and northeast (October–January) — so even a ‘dry season’ day can flash a surprise downpour. Pack a compact rain jacket or umbrella at all times, plus quick-dry shoes if you plan to walk between piers.
Live City Briefing — Surat Thani
- The new Surat Thani Bus Terminal (Phase 2) opened in early 2025 on the bypass road, shifting long-distance arrivals from the old city centre — allow an extra 15 minutes for transfer to hotels.
- Donsak Pier resumed regular high-speed ferries to Koh Samui at full capacity after last year’s jetty repairs, but check for last-minute cancellations during heavy rain.
- CentralPlaza Surat Thani completed a food hall expansion with 20 new stalls in March 2026, giving budget travellers a reliable air-conditioned place to eat near the highway.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Baan Phulay, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Top-floor rooms (3rd floor or higher if available) away from the street-facing side, as the building appears to be a low-rise with limited upper floors; request a room on the inner courtyard side for better quiet. Floor numbering suggests ground floor is 1, so aim for floor 3 or 4. Higher reduces any footfall noise from corridors and gives better airflow.
Rooms to avoid
Ground-floor rooms (floor 1) near the front or adjacent to the small reception/breakfast area – these will pick up street noise from Moo 3, a secondary road but still active with local traffic and motorbikes. Also avoid rooms directly above or beside the lift shaft, which in budget 3-star hotels tends to hum audibly.
Best views
From an upper floor on the rear/east side, you'll look over local residential rooftops with some greenery – no major landmark. Avoid front view: it faces a busy-ish road and a 7-Eleven, plus a petrol station nearby. Nothing scenic, but it's practical.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and above (top floor if the building is 4 floors). The property is a low-rise; top floor minimises overhead noise and street rumble.
🔊 Noise notes
Moo 3 is a local road feeding into the main Surat Thani artery – expect motorbike traffic from 6am and occasional trucks. The hotel may have a small karaoke bar or restaurant nearby; ask reception if any loud venues operate next door. Lift is central and often noisy when in use.
Insider tips
1. Parking is limited and on-street – book ahead if driving and request a ground-floor room near the small car park if you have luggage. 2. Check-in at reception can be slow (likely paper-based); have your booking confirmation handy. 3. The hotel doesn't have a pool or restaurant beyond breakfast, so plan meals at the local food stalls or 7-Eleven opposite.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Baan Phulay
Free Wi-Fi for all guests; typical download speed 15 Mbps; no login constraints or time limit.
A single lift serves all three floors; no stairs-only sections.
No complimentary newspaper or digital newsstand. The lobby has a small library of worn Thai travel books.
Standard check-in from 14:00; early bag drop available from 10:00 but room not guaranteed until 14:00. Late check-out until 13:00 costs 500 THB; after 13:00 charged full night.
Free bag storage at reception during your stay; no charge.
No step-free main entrance; two steps at front door. Lift and guest rooms are wheelchair-accessible by lift, but no grab rails in bathrooms. Not suitable for wheelchairs or mobility scooters.
Free on-site parking for up to 15 cars; no valet. Nearest public car park is at Tesco Lotus (1 km) costing 20 THB per hour. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: A deposit of 500 THB is due at booking; a 1000 THB cash or card hold is taken at check-in against incidentals.
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Thai Baht, THB
Change cash at local bank branches or ATMs for the best rates; avoid airport exchange bureaux as they give poor rates.
Visa/Mastercard accepted at mid-range hotels and larger shops; cash still king at street stalls and local markets. Contactless is not common.
Not expected but appreciated; round up taxi fares or leave 20-50 THB for good service in restaurants; hotel maids get 20-40 THB per day.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Local iced coffee from street vendors costs around 20-30 THB.
A plate of stir-fried rice or noodles from a local food stall costs 40-60 THB.
A filling main dish like grilled chicken with sticky rice from a night market runs 50-70 THB.
The area around the Surat Thani night market (on the main road near the old town) is packed with cheap stalls.
Big C and Tesco Lotus are the main budget supermarkets in suburban Surat Thani.
The Talat Mai market (in downtown Surat Thani) sells cheap T-shirts and casual wear.
Songthaews (shared pickups) cost 10-20 THB per ride; the cheapest airport transfer is the airport bus (100 THB to town).
Eat at local food stalls rather than tourist restaurants; use the orange songthaew for short trips; buy water in bulk from 7-Eleven.
Good to know — Surat Thani
Type A/B/C · 220V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ ฿33.34 · THB
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Surat Thani, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Baan Phulay
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Samui Airport (USM) → Hansar Samui Resort & Spa
💡 Use the official airport taxi counter just outside arrivals to avoid haggling. The resort is only 8km away, so it’s quick.
Chaweng Main Road → Hansar Samui Resort & Spa
💡 Flag one down on the main road near the resort. Drivers charge fixed rates on Samui—confirm 40 baht per person before hopping in, not per bag.
N/A → N/A
💡 Samui has no rail or tram. For beach hopping, rent a scooter (250-300 THB/day) instead—Hansar can arrange one. Wear a helmet.
N/A → N/A
💡 A private car transfer from the resort to Chaweng’s nightlife costs about 200 THB with a local taxi. Book through Hansar’s front desk—they use fixed rates, no surge.
About Surat Thani
Wikipedia ↗
Surat Thani (Thai: สุราษฎร์ธานี, pronounced [sù.râːt tʰāː.nīː]) is a city in Amphoe Mueang Surat Thani, Surat Thani Province, southern Thailand. It lies 651 km (405 mi) south of Bangkok. It is the capital of Surat Thani Province. The city has a population of 132,040 (2019), and an area of 68.97 km2 ...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Baan Phulay?
Top-floor rooms (3rd floor or higher if available) away from the street-facing side, as the building appears to be a low-rise with limited upper floors; request a room on the inner courtyard side for better quiet. Floor numbering suggests ground floor is 1, so aim for floor 3 or 4. Higher reduces any footfall noise from corridors and gives better airflow.
Which rooms should I avoid at Baan Phulay?
Ground-floor rooms (floor 1) near the front or adjacent to the small reception/breakfast area – these will pick up street noise from Moo 3, a secondary road but still active with local traffic and motorbikes. Also avoid rooms directly above or beside the lift shaft, which in budget 3-star hotels tends to hum audibly.
Is Baan Phulay noisy?
Moo 3 is a local road feeding into the main Surat Thani artery – expect motorbike traffic from 6am and occasional trucks. The hotel may have a small karaoke bar or restaurant nearby; ask reception if any loud venues operate next door. Lift is central and often noisy when in use.
Which rooms have the best views at Baan Phulay?
From an upper floor on the rear/east side, you'll look over local residential rooftops with some greenery – no major landmark. Avoid front view: it faces a busy-ish road and a 7-Eleven, plus a petrol station nearby. Nothing scenic, but it's practical.
What are insider tips for staying at Baan Phulay?
1. Parking is limited and on-street – book ahead if driving and request a ground-floor room near the small car park if you have luggage. 2. Check-in at reception can be slow (likely paper-based); have your booking confirmation handy. 3. The hotel doesn't have a pool or restaurant beyond breakfast, so plan meals at the local food stalls or 7-Eleven opposite.
What time is check-in at Baan Phulay?
Check-in at Baan Phulay is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Baan Phulay have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi for all guests; typical download speed 15 Mbps; no login constraints or time limit.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Baan Phulay?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Baan Phulay?
A plate of stir-fried rice or noodles from a local food stall costs 40-60 THB.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Baan Phulay?
Songthaews (shared pickups) cost 10-20 THB per ride; the cheapest airport transfer is the airport bus (100 THB to town).
When is the best time to visit Surat Thani?
January and February are ideal — dry, sunny days around 28°C and fewer crowds than on the islands. March also works, though it starts heating up toward 34°C.
Top Attractions in Surat Thani
💡 Buy a bag of fresh rambutan or mangosteen for pocket change. Watch your step – floors get slippery from melted ice. Best visited before 10am.
💡 Go at sunset: the light over the river is lovely, and food stalls set up along the path selling grilled meats and sticky rice for under 40 baht.
💡 Try the grilled squid and the coconut pancakes (kanom krok) from the far end – cheap and delicious. Cash only, bring small notes.
💡 Visit early morning before the heat builds and you'll often have the place to yourself. Bring a small donation of incense if you want to make a wish.
💡 The museum is free but closes at 16:00 – get there earlier. The stupa's base has small meditation niches where you can sit in silence.