Your stay — Baan Tongmo
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The Property — Baan Tongmo
Baan Tongmo is a small, family-run guesthouse a 10-minute walk from Surat Thani’s night market. The lobby feels like a neighbour’s living room: tiled floors, a few wooden chairs, and a bowl of free bananas. Rooms are basic but spotless, with air-con and hot water. It suits budget travellers who want a quiet, local base rather than a resort — think overnight train passengers or temple-visitors who need a clean bed and a useful taxi tip from the owner.
Chronicles of Surat Thani
Surat Thani, meaning ‘City of the Good People’, grew from a small trading post on the Tapi River. It became a key administrative centre in the early 20th century when the Southern Railway linked it to Bangkok. The city’s architecture reflects that era: shophouses, a 1930s clock tower, and the rusting hulk of the original railway bridge. Today it’s the main land gateway for Koh Samui and the lower Gulf islands, but retains a relaxed provincial character with a surprisingly good food scene and a busy Chinese-Thai night market.
Best Time to Visit
Full Surat Thani guide →Best months
January to March: dry, sunny days and lows of 22°C; crowds are thin outside the Samui beach season. August also works — less rain than October/November.
Peak / festival surge
April (Songkran water festival) and December–January. Prices for budget hotels like Baan Tongmo can double. The city fills with island-bound travellers and Thai holidaymakers. The Surat Thani Vegetarian Festival in October also spikes demand.
Budget shoulder season
June and September. The rains are scattered, rooms are 30–40% cheaper, and you’ll have the street stalls and temples nearly to yourself.
Weather & packing
Surat Thani is one of Thailand’s wettest major towns, with over 2,000mm of rain a year and a monsoon peak from October to December. Pack a lightweight rain jacket that fits in a daypack, and keep a pair of dry sandals for sudden downpours.
Live City Briefing — Surat Thani
- The new Surat Thani Bus Terminal 2 opened in early 2025 on the bypass road; minivans to Phuket and Khao Sok now depart from there, not the old downtown stop.
- Ongoing road widening on the Tapi River bridge approach (Thanon Talad Mai) may cause minor delays to the night market area; locals recommend walking if you’re within 2km.
- The Khao Sok National Park entrance fee increased to 300 baht for foreigners from April 2025, and park officials now strictly enforce the limit on day-trip numbers during peak season.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Baan Tongmo, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the upper floors (4th–5th) facing the inner courtyard or pool side. These are furthest from the street and any ground-level noise, and the higher position gives a bit more breeze and privacy.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms (rooms beginning with 1xx or 2xx) and any room facing the front of the hotel directly onto the main road. Street noise from Surat Thani's traffic can be persistent, and ground-floor rooms near the lobby or breakfast area may pick up early-morning clatter.
Best views
The best view is from upper-floor rooms facing the pool or inner garden — you'll see a bit of greenery and the hotel's grounds rather than the road or neighbouring buildings. Street-side rooms offer a view of local shopfronts and traffic, which is less appealing.
Quietest floors
Floors 4–5: farthest from street level and less foot traffic. Rooms at the back of the building (rear side, away from the road) are quietest.
🔊 Noise notes
Surat Thani's roads have constant motorbike and truck traffic, especially from early morning (6–7am) until late evening. Occasional temple or market noise from nearby streets can also carry. The hotel's own breakfast area and lobby create early bustle on lower floors.
Insider tips
1. If you're arriving by car, ask for a room at the back of the building — the front parking area can be busy and adds noise. 2. Request a pool-view room directly at booking; they're popular and often the first to go, but they're quieter and more pleasant than the standard street-side rooms.
- 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 Tongmo
Free Wi-Fi throughout, speed ~20 Mbps, no login; works in common areas and rooms.
No lift. Two-storey building: stairs only. No historic section anomalies.
No newspapers or digital newsstands. Building is a modern low-rise guesthouse; no heritage quirks.
Check-in from 14:00. Early bag drop from 10:00, no fee. Late check-out until 13:00: 300 THB.
Free at reception during operating hours (07:00–22:00).
No step-free entrance: front door has a 10cm step. All rooms upstairs via stairs. Not wheelchair accessible.
Free on-site parking: 10 spaces, no reservation needed. Nearest public car park: Soi Bang Bai Mai parking lot (50 THB/night). No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full advance payment via booking site required; 500 THB cash damages hold at check-in.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Buddhist temple: วัดมะเดื่อหวาน (1.1 km · ~14 min walk)
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Thai Baht, THB
Use bank exchange counters or ATMs in town (better rates); avoid airport or tourist-area exchange bureaux, which typically give poor rates.
Visa/Mastercard accepted in most hotels, mid-range restaurants, and larger shops; street food, markets, and small eateries are cash-only. Contactless not widely used.
Not expected but appreciated — leave small change (10–20 THB) at restaurants; no need to tip taxi drivers or hotel staff unless they do something extra.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Black coffee from a local coffee cart or stall, about 25–35 THB.
Local noodle soup or fried rice from a street-side shop, about 40–60 THB.
Pad thai or a curry from a simple restaurant, about 50–80 THB for a main.
Along the main roads in town, especially around night markets near the bus station and train station.
Tesco Lotus (often just 'Lotus'), Big C, and Makro are the common budget supermarkets.
Air-conditioned shopping malls like Central Plaza and Robinson department stores for mid-range, and the local market (Bandon Plaza) for cheap, casual clothing.
Songthaews (shared pick-up trucks) — 10–20 THB per ride within town. From airport: take the airport bus (about 50 THB) to the bus station, then songthaew to your hotel.
1. Eat at street stalls and local markets instead of tourist-oriented restaurants. 2. Always negotiate the price before hopping into a tuk-tuk or taxi. 3. Buy water and snacks from 7-Eleven or local minimarts, not from hotel minibars.
Good to know — Surat Thani
Type A/B/C · 220V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ ฿33.62 · 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 Tongmo
🕒 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 Tongmo?
Request a room on the upper floors (4th–5th) facing the inner courtyard or pool side. These are furthest from the street and any ground-level noise, and the higher position gives a bit more breeze and privacy.
Which rooms should I avoid at Baan Tongmo?
Avoid ground-floor rooms (rooms beginning with 1xx or 2xx) and any room facing the front of the hotel directly onto the main road. Street noise from Surat Thani's traffic can be persistent, and ground-floor rooms near the lobby or breakfast area may pick up early-morning clatter.
Is Baan Tongmo noisy?
Surat Thani's roads have constant motorbike and truck traffic, especially from early morning (6–7am) until late evening. Occasional temple or market noise from nearby streets can also carry. The hotel's own breakfast area and lobby create early bustle on lower floors.
Which rooms have the best views at Baan Tongmo?
The best view is from upper-floor rooms facing the pool or inner garden — you'll see a bit of greenery and the hotel's grounds rather than the road or neighbouring buildings. Street-side rooms offer a view of local shopfronts and traffic, which is less appealing.
What are insider tips for staying at Baan Tongmo?
1. If you're arriving by car, ask for a room at the back of the building — the front parking area can be busy and adds noise. 2. Request a pool-view room directly at booking; they're popular and often the first to go, but they're quieter and more pleasant than the standard street-side rooms.
What time is check-in at Baan Tongmo?
Check-in at Baan Tongmo is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Baan Tongmo have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout, speed ~20 Mbps, no login; works in common areas and rooms.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Baan Tongmo?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Baan Tongmo?
Local noodle soup or fried rice from a street-side shop, about 40–60 THB.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Baan Tongmo?
Songthaews (shared pick-up trucks) — 10–20 THB per ride within town. From airport: take the airport bus (about 50 THB) to the bus station, then songthaew to your hotel.
When is the best time to visit Surat Thani?
January to March: dry, sunny days and lows of 22°C; crowds are thin outside the Samui beach season. August also works — less rain than October/November.
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.