Your stay — Chill Chewing Hostel
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The Property — Chill Chewing Hostel
Chill Chewing Hostel is a clean, budget-friendly base in Surat Thani's town centre, aimed at backpackers and transit travellers. The lobby feels like a functional hangout: tiled floors, a few low couches, a communal table, and a notice board plastered with ferry timetables and tour leaflets—nothing chic, but everything you need for a night between islands. Its USP is price and practicality: twin rooms and dorms with air-conditioning, a small pool, and a free bite of sticky rice or fruit with bookings. It suits anyone who sees Surat Thani as a pit stop, not a destination.
Chronicles of Surat Thani
Surat Thani started as the market town of Bandon on the Tapi River, growing around a Chinese trading community in the 19th century. The name was changed to Surat Thani (City of Good People) in 1915 by King Vajiravudh, part of a broader royal renaming of southern towns. Its architecture is functional and low-rise, a mix of shophouses, concrete blocks, and the occasional Sino-Portuguese facade, with no significant preserved old quarter. Modern Surat Thani is a transport hub—road and rail corridors to Phuket, Krabi, and the Gulf islands—and a regional centre for rubber, palm oil, and administrative offices. Culturally, it's a Muslim-Buddhist blend with a busy night market and a low-key provincial feel, more workaday than touristy.
Best Time to Visit
Full Surat Thani guide →Best months
January to March: low rainfall, daytime temperatures around 28-32°C, and manageable crowds before the Songkran rush. The Gulf islands are less busy than over New Year, so ferry connections run smoothly.
Peak / festival surge
April: Songkran (Thai New Year) on 13-15 April drives domestic tourism; hotel prices can jump 20-30% and the city gets chaotic with water fights. December to January is also high season on the islands, pushing bookings in Surat Thani as a transit point.
Budget shoulder season
May and October: lower prices (25-40% off peak rates), still warm (28-33°C), and fewer tourists. May often has short afternoon showers; October is the tail of the monsoon but mostly dry in town.
Weather & packing
Surat Thani is a concrete heat sink: daytime feels like 35°C even when the thermometer says 32°C. Pack a quick-dry towel, a rechargeable fan, and sandals that survive wet pavement; leave jeans at home.
Live City Briefing — Surat Thani
- Surat Thani Airport opened a new domestic terminal in late 2025, handling extra flights from Bangkok and Chiang Mai; check your arrival gate to avoid confusion.
- The city's main passenger pier for ferries to Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao is now the Bandon Pier after upgrades—don't rely on old taxi directions to the former Tha Thong Pier.
- June 2026 is the start of the annual '9-Temple Merit' walking route along the Tapi River, which may cause minor road closures near the hostel on weekends; most taxis reroute easily via Phunphin Road.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Chill Chewing Hostel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Rooms on the first floor (ground level) at the back of the building, away from the street-facing Moo 4 side, if available. The ground floor avoids stairs and backs onto quieter residential or empty plots in Talad.
Rooms to avoid
Second-floor rooms at the front, facing Moo 4 — a busy local road with motorbike and truck traffic from early morning. Also avoid rooms directly above the stairs due to footfall noise.
Best views
Limited — you’re in a 3-star in a commercial area. Back-facing rooms look over small yards or neighbouring roofs. No notable view, so treat it as functional.
Quietest floors
Ground floor (street level) is generally quieter, especially at the back. No lift means less guest traffic on the ground floor.
🔊 Noise notes
Moo 4 is a main soi in Talad; expect motorbikes, songthaews, and trucks from 6am to late evening. The two-storey building is close-ish to the road, so front rooms get traffic noise. No lift means no mechanical hum, but no soundproofing likely.
Insider tips
1. Arrive early to snag a back-facing ground-floor room — request it at check-in, as it’s not bookable online. 2. Use the free street parking (arrive before 6pm to find a spot); the 200m public car park is 50 THB/night if street is full.
- 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 — Chill Chewing Hostel
free WiFi throughout; typical speed 15 Mbps; no login required
no lift; all rooms on ground floor or stairs only (two-storey building)
no daily newspapers or digital newsstand
standard check-in from 14:00; early bag-drop free from 08:00; late check-out until 12:00 for 200 THB
free luggage storage at reception; lockers 100 THB per day
no step-free access; main entrance up two steps; no wheelchair-accessible rooms
no on-site parking; free street parking nearby; nearest public car park is 200 m away at 50 THB per night; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: full prepayment required at booking; 500 THB incidental card hold on arrival
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Buddhist temple: เจดีย์วัดเขาหัวจุก (1.8 km · ~23 min walk)
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 871 m · ~11 min walk
Promed — 428 m · ~5 min walk
FamilyMart — 65 m · ~1 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Thai Baht, THB
Better rates at banks in town than at Surat Thani airport or tourist bureaux; use SuperRich or similar exchange counters if available.
Visa/Mastercard accepted in hotels, mid-range restaurants, and larger shops; cash essential for markets, street food, and local transport. Contactless is still limited.
Not expected but appreciated; round up taxi fares or leave 20–50 THB for good service in restaurants; hotel porters get 20–40 THB.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Black coffee from a street stall or 7-Eleven, about 20–30 THB.
Plate of fried rice or noodle soup from a local shop-house, around 50–70 THB.
Stir-fried dish or curry with rice at a simple restaurant, 60–100 THB.
Night market near Talat Kaset or along the riverfront at dusk; grilled meats, som tam, roti and fresh fruit shakes from 30–60 THB.
Big C, Tesco Lotus (now Lotus's) and Makro are the main cheap supermarkets here.
Surat Thani's central market (Talat Mai) for cheap T-shirts, shorts, and knock-off brands; also Robinson department store for mid-range basics.
Public songthaews (shared pickups) cost about 15–30 THB around town; the cheapest airport transfer is the air-conditioned bus (100 THB) to the city bus station.
Eat at the night market or local stalls rather than sit-down restaurants; use songthaews instead of tuk-tuks; buy bottled water from 7-Eleven (7 THB) not convenience stalls.
Good to know — Surat Thani
Type A/B/C · 220V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ ฿33.7 · 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 Chill Chewing Hostel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 871 m · ~11 min walk — pharmacy · Promed — 428 m · ~5 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 Chill Chewing Hostel?
Rooms on the first floor (ground level) at the back of the building, away from the street-facing Moo 4 side, if available. The ground floor avoids stairs and backs onto quieter residential or empty plots in Talad.
Which rooms should I avoid at Chill Chewing Hostel?
Second-floor rooms at the front, facing Moo 4 — a busy local road with motorbike and truck traffic from early morning. Also avoid rooms directly above the stairs due to footfall noise.
Is Chill Chewing Hostel noisy?
Moo 4 is a main soi in Talad; expect motorbikes, songthaews, and trucks from 6am to late evening. The two-storey building is close-ish to the road, so front rooms get traffic noise. No lift means no mechanical hum, but no soundproofing likely.
Which rooms have the best views at Chill Chewing Hostel?
Limited — you’re in a 3-star in a commercial area. Back-facing rooms look over small yards or neighbouring roofs. No notable view, so treat it as functional.
What are insider tips for staying at Chill Chewing Hostel?
1. Arrive early to snag a back-facing ground-floor room — request it at check-in, as it’s not bookable online. 2. Use the free street parking (arrive before 6pm to find a spot); the 200m public car park is 50 THB/night if street is full.
What time is check-in at Chill Chewing Hostel?
Check-in at Chill Chewing Hostel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Chill Chewing Hostel have Wi-Fi?
free WiFi throughout; typical speed 15 Mbps; no login required
Is there a city or tourist tax at Chill Chewing Hostel?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Chill Chewing Hostel?
Plate of fried rice or noodle soup from a local shop-house, around 50–70 THB.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Chill Chewing Hostel?
Public songthaews (shared pickups) cost about 15–30 THB around town; the cheapest airport transfer is the air-conditioned bus (100 THB) to the city bus station.
When is the best time to visit Surat Thani?
January to March: low rainfall, daytime temperatures around 28-32°C, and manageable crowds before the Songkran rush. The Gulf islands are less busy than over New Year, so ferry connections run smoothly.
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.