Your stay — Buri Rasa
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The Property — Buri Rasa
The Buri Rasa in Surat Thani is a compact, three-star hotel with a clean, mid-century-modern aesthetic: think pale wood, turquoise cushions, and a small courtyard pool. It sits on the main drag, close to the train station and night market, and feels like a competent, no-nonsense stopover for travellers breaking a long journey between Bangkok and the islands. Standing in the lobby, you notice the polished concrete floor and the efficient front desk staff, who hand over keys without fuss. It’s a practical, value-conscious choice for a single night, not a resort destination.
Chronicles of Surat Thani
Surat Thani, originally a minor settlement called Bandon, was formally established as a town in 1915 under King Vajiravudh, who renamed it to mean ‘City of the Good People’. Its growth accelerated with the southern railway line in the 1920s, turning it into a transport hub for rubber and tin exports. The city’s architectural identity mixes functional Thai shophouses, a few faded Sino-Portuguese buildings, and modern concrete blocks, with the landmark city pillar shrine and the 19th-century Wat Phra Borommathat Chaiya nearby. Today it’s the commercial and transit centre of upper southern Thailand, known for its busy ferry piers and as the gateway to Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao, rather than for charm-seeking tourism.
Best Time to Visit
Full Surat Thani guide →Best months
February and March offer reliably dry, sunny weather with temperatures around 30–33°C and low humidity, making them pleasant for exploring the city and nearby temples without humidity fatigue.December and January are also good, with slightly cooler nights and minimal rain, though the city is busier with island-bound travellers, so hotel demand is moderate.
Peak / festival surge
Peak season runs from December through February, driven by cool, dry weather across Thailand and European school holidays. Hotel prices at the Buri Rasa typically rise 20–30% above off-peak rates, reaching about 1,800–2,200 baht for a standard room occupancy. The Surat Thani Vegetarian Festival (late September/early October) also spikes local demand, but it’s a smaller event than in Phuket or Trang.
Budget shoulder season
The best shoulder months are May and November. In May, the pre-monsoon heat keeps crowds away, but rains are still sporadic, and hotel rates drop to around 1,200–1,500 baht. November offers the tail end of the rainy season with improving weather, low hotel occupancy, and good deals before the December rush. Both months avoid the peak of the northeast monsoon rains in October.
Weather & packing
Surat Thani sits in a tropical monsoon zone with a long, intense wet season from May to November, so expect daily showers even in the ‘dry’ months. Pack a lightweight, quick-dry rain jacket and a pair of sandals that can handle puddles.
Live City Briefing — Surat Thani
- The new Surat Thani bus terminal (south of the city on Highway 41) opened fully in 2025, replacing the old Talat Kaset station; key minivan routes to Donsak Pier now depart from here, not the city centre.
- A major road-widening project on Phru Khao Road (near the Buri Rasa) is ongoing through early 2027, causing occasional traffic delays and lane closures; allow an extra 15 minutes for car travel in that area.
- The October monsoon season has been unusually strong in 2025, with November 2025 saw three days of flooding in low-lying parts of Surat Thani city – travellers should check weather forecasts in October–November 2026 and avoid booking if a tropical storm is forecast.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Buri Rasa, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the second floor, facing the rear of the hotel (away from 41/7 Moo 5). The second floor avoids ground-floor lobby noise and third-floor roof equipment hum, and the back side is quieter than the street-facing side.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms due to lobby footfall and potential staff chatter. Also avoid third-floor rooms directly under the roof, where air-conditioning units or water pumps may cause vibration or low hum, especially later in the evening.
Best views
Views are mostly of the surrounding low-rise suburb and Moo 5 road. Rear-facing rooms overlook local housing and trees, which is more pleasant than the car park and street. No river or landmark view – the hotel is inland.
Quietest floors
Second floor is the quietest – one lift stop below the roof, no constant lobby traffic, and furthest from street-level bustle.
🔊 Noise notes
Street noise from Moo 5 (a local through-road) is moderate – motorbikes, songthaews, and trucks pass at most hours, but taper after midnight. The lift mechanism is audible in rooms directly adjacent, especially when carrying luggage. No bar or club within the hotel; main noise is footfall and traffic.
Insider tips
1. Park early – only 20 free spots and first-come. Arrive before 4 PM to avoid paying 100 THB at Central Plaza. 2. Request a room on the second floor, back side, when booking – no extra cost and worth the quiet. 3. WiFi works best in rooms closer to the ground-floor lobby; login with room number and surname – no time limit, but streaming drops on the third floor.
- 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 — Buri Rasa
Free WiFi for all guests; speed around 20 Mbps download, sufficient for streaming. Login via room number and surname – no time limits.
One lift serves all three guest floors; no stairs-only sections.
No complimentary newspapers or digital newsstands; TV in lobby shows local news channels.
Check-in from 14:00; early bag drop available from 10:00 (no charge). Check-out by 12:00; late check-out fee of 300 THB until 18:00, subject to availability.
Free storage at front desk on day of arrival and departure.
Step-free access from street to lobby via ramp. Lift and ground-floor rooms accessible; no dedicated accessible bathroom on upper floors. Narrow doorways in some standard rooms.
Free on-site parking for about 20 cars, first-come first-served. Nearest public car park is 400 m away at Central Plaza Surat Thani (30 THB for 2 hours, 100 THB overnight). No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Advance deposit of first night required for non-refundable bookings. A credit card hold of 500 THB for incidentals at check-in.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Buddhist temple: วัดท้องนายปาน (1.7 km · ~21 min walk)
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 765 m · ~10 min walk
Khun Noi Shop — 771 m · ~10 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Thai Baht, THB
Best rates at SuperRich or other exchange booths in town; avoid airport counters and tourist-area bureaux for poor rates.
Visa/Mastercard accepted in hotels, big supermarkets and chain restaurants; street stalls and local markets cash only. Contactless common in modern shops but not universal.
Not expected but appreciated: round up taxi fares, leave 20-50 THB for good service in restaurants, a few coins for hotel cleaners.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Iced Thai coffee from a street cart or local cafe – around 40-50 THB.
Rice or noodle dish from a local food stall or shop-house – 50-80 THB.
Pad Thai or fried rice from a night market or street vendor – 60-100 THB for a main.
The night market near the main pier (along Tha Thong Road) and the Talat Mai area are the cheap-eats hubs.
Tesco Lotus, Big C, and Makro are the main budget supermarkets.
The weekend market (Talad Tai) or the cheap stalls along the night bazaar are best for affordable clothing.
Songthaew (shared pick-up truck) rides start at 10 THB per person; buses or minivans from the long-distance bus terminal. Airport: cheapest is the local bus or shared minivan to the city centre for around 60-80 THB.
Eat at markets and street stalls not tourist cafes; use local transport not tuk-tuks; buy booze from 7-Eleven not bars.
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 Buri Rasa
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 765 m · ~10 min walk
🚐 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 Buri Rasa?
Request a room on the second floor, facing the rear of the hotel (away from 41/7 Moo 5). The second floor avoids ground-floor lobby noise and third-floor roof equipment hum, and the back side is quieter than the street-facing side.
Which rooms should I avoid at Buri Rasa?
Avoid ground-floor rooms due to lobby footfall and potential staff chatter. Also avoid third-floor rooms directly under the roof, where air-conditioning units or water pumps may cause vibration or low hum, especially later in the evening.
Is Buri Rasa noisy?
Street noise from Moo 5 (a local through-road) is moderate – motorbikes, songthaews, and trucks pass at most hours, but taper after midnight. The lift mechanism is audible in rooms directly adjacent, especially when carrying luggage. No bar or club within the hotel; main noise is footfall and traffic.
Which rooms have the best views at Buri Rasa?
Views are mostly of the surrounding low-rise suburb and Moo 5 road. Rear-facing rooms overlook local housing and trees, which is more pleasant than the car park and street. No river or landmark view – the hotel is inland.
What are insider tips for staying at Buri Rasa?
1. Park early – only 20 free spots and first-come. Arrive before 4 PM to avoid paying 100 THB at Central Plaza. 2. Request a room on the second floor, back side, when booking – no extra cost and worth the quiet. 3. WiFi works best in rooms closer to the ground-floor lobby; login with room number and surname – no time limit, but streaming drops on the third floor.
What time is check-in at Buri Rasa?
Check-in at Buri Rasa is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Buri Rasa have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi for all guests; speed around 20 Mbps download, sufficient for streaming. Login via room number and surname – no time limits.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Buri Rasa?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Buri Rasa?
Rice or noodle dish from a local food stall or shop-house – 50-80 THB.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Buri Rasa?
Songthaew (shared pick-up truck) rides start at 10 THB per person; buses or minivans from the long-distance bus terminal. Airport: cheapest is the local bus or shared minivan to the city centre for around 60-80 THB.
When is the best time to visit Surat Thani?
February and March offer reliably dry, sunny weather with temperatures around 30–33°C and low humidity, making them pleasant for exploring the city and nearby temples without humidity fatigue.December and January are also good, with slightly cooler nights and minimal rain, though the city is busier with island-bound travellers, so hotel demand is moderate.
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.