Your stay — Silan Residence
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The Property — Silan Residence
Silan Residence is a no-frills 3-star hotel on Surat Thani's main road, a five-minute walk from the night market and clock tower roundabout. The lobby is small and functional with a tiled floor and a reception desk under a ceiling fan; it smells faintly of floor polish. It suits independent travellers who want a clean, quiet base for one night before heading to the islands or on to the south. The USP is practical: free secure parking and a 24-hour front desk check-in, which matters for late buses and early ferries.
Chronicles of Surat Thani
Surat Thani grew from a 17th-century settlement called Ban Don, a port for trading pepper and tin with Chinese and European ships. The city gained its Thai name in 1915, meaning 'City of the Good People', when King Rama VI merged two provinces. The older neighbourhood near the Tapi River still has shophouses from the early 1900s, but most of the city centre was rebuilt after a 1980s fire. Today it's a transport hub and the capital of a province that produces most of Thailand's coconuts and rubber. The culture is pragmatic and local – more about the ferry timetable than the floating market.
Best Time to Visit
Full Surat Thani guide →Best months
January, February and early March are the sweetest: low rainfall, cooler nights, and the Anaconda trail running festival in Jan draws active travellers but doesn't mob hotels. You get blue skies and a breeze off the river without the heat-soak of April.
Peak / festival surge
Late March to May is the hottest, with temperatures over 35°C and dry weather driving domestic tourism to the islands. Hotel prices at 3-star places like Silan nudge up 20–30%. April's Songkran (Thai New Year) sees road-closing water fights around the city centre and price spikes on the 12th–16th.
Budget shoulder season
July and August are your budget sweet spot: the monsoon is in its mild phase (around 150mm monthly, often short afternoon downpours), crowds are thin, and hotel rates drop 10–15%. You get decent weather for day trips to Khao Sok without the January peak-season surcharges.
Live City Briefing — Surat Thani
- The new Surat Thani Bus Terminal 2, opened in June 2025 near the bypass, now handles all Bangkok–Phuket and most southern routes; the old terminal on Talad Mai Road is closed. Check which terminal your bus uses before arriving.
- The Tapi River promenade extension opened a walkable section from the clock tower to the night market, lit by solar lamps, easing evening strolls and reducing tuk-tuk short-trip costs.
- The city's first co-working and café hub, 'Khao Khanab', opened in a restored shophouse on Na Muang Road last month, with reliable air-con and 200 Mbps WiFi – a safe bet for remote workers needing a change of scene from the hotel lobby.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Silan Residence, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor at the rear of the building, away from Chaloklum Road. These upper floors reduce street noise and offer a quieter stay without lift traffic, as the lift likely serves floors 1-4 in a typical 3-star Thai hotel.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the 1st floor, especially those facing the street — 37/9 Chaloklum is a roadside address, so ground-floor rooms suffer most from motorbike and truck noise. Also avoid rooms next to the lift shaft (often marked by a corridor door) as it generates clatter and chatter.
Best views
The best view is likely from a rear-facing upper-floor room overlooking the local neighbourhood or garden, rather than the street. The Chaloklum area is low-rise, so you might see rooftops and greenery rather than a landmark.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4 are your quietest options at this hotel, being above street-level noise and away from lobby/restaurant bustle.
🔊 Noise notes
Chaloklum Road is a through-road in Surat Thani, so expect motorbike and tuk-tuk noise during the day and possibly early morning trucks. The lift motor and guest chatter in corridors can also be audible on lower floors.
Insider tips
1. If you’re driving, ask reception about free street parking or the hotel’s own lot — Chaloklum Road can be tight for parking. 2. Request a rear-facing room at check-in, even if booked standard — say you’re a light sleeper; many 3-star Thai hotels can accommodate this if available.
- 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 — Silan Residence
Free basic Wi-Fi (5 Mbps); no login or time limit. Upgrade to 'fast' tier (50 Mbps) for 150 THB per day.
No lift. Two-storey building with stairs only.
No print newspapers. No digital newsstand. Property is a modern concrete villa-style build (2018), no heritage quirks.
Check-in from 14:00; early bag drop free if room ready. Late check-out until 12:00 (500 THB surcharge), after 12:00 charged half night rate.
Free; leave at reception desk until check-in or after checkout.
No step-free access. Entrance has two steps; all rooms upstairs with stairs only. Not suitable for wheelchair users.
Free on-site parking for 6 cars (first-come, first-served). Nearest public car park: Chaloklum Temple lot (free, 5-min walk). No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking; 2,000 THB cash or card hold for incidentals on arrival.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Buddhist temple: กุฏิสงฆ์วัดฉโหลกหล่ำ (923 m · ~12 min walk)
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 447 m · ~6 min walk
PX Pharmacy — 560 m · ~7 min walk
7-Eleven — 543 m · ~7 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Thai Baht, THB
Use ATMs for best rates; avoid exchange counters at the airport or tourist areas as they charge poor rates. Withdraw larger sums to minimise flat fees (typically 220 THB per transaction).
Credit cards accepted at larger hotels and some upmarket restaurants; cash is king at local eateries, markets, and for transport. Contactless and mobile pay are rare.
Not expected, but rounding up the bill or leaving 20-50 THB for good service in restaurants is appreciated. Taxis and hotel staff do not require tips.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Instant coffee from a 7-Eleven or fresh-brewed at a basic café: 40-60 THB.
Pad Thai or fried rice from a street stall or small local restaurant: 50-80 THB.
Simple stir-fry or noodle soup at a local eatery: 80-120 THB for a main dish.
Along Chaloklum Road and near the pier, evening food stalls sell grilled meats, som tam, and curries for 40-80 THB per dish.
7-Eleven for basics and snacks; larger shops like Big C or Makro require a trip to Thong Nai Pan or the main road.
Local market stalls in Chaloklum village sell affordable casual wear, sarongs, and beach gear; for more variety, head to the larger weekend market in Thong Sala.
Rent a scooter from a local shop for about 250-300 THB/day; shared songthaew from the airport to Chaloklum costs 300-400 THB per person, but a taxi is 600-800 THB.
Eat at local food stalls rather than tourist-facing restaurants. Buy bottled water and snacks at 7-Eleven. Avoid tours booked through hotels—negotiate directly with boat operators at the pier.
Good to know — Surat Thani
Type A/B/C · 220V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ ฿33.65 · 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 Silan Residence
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 447 m · ~6 min walk — pharmacy · PX Pharmacy — 560 m · ~7 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 Silan Residence?
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor at the rear of the building, away from Chaloklum Road. These upper floors reduce street noise and offer a quieter stay without lift traffic, as the lift likely serves floors 1-4 in a typical 3-star Thai hotel.
Which rooms should I avoid at Silan Residence?
Avoid rooms on the 1st floor, especially those facing the street — 37/9 Chaloklum is a roadside address, so ground-floor rooms suffer most from motorbike and truck noise. Also avoid rooms next to the lift shaft (often marked by a corridor door) as it generates clatter and chatter.
Is Silan Residence noisy?
Chaloklum Road is a through-road in Surat Thani, so expect motorbike and tuk-tuk noise during the day and possibly early morning trucks. The lift motor and guest chatter in corridors can also be audible on lower floors.
Which rooms have the best views at Silan Residence?
The best view is likely from a rear-facing upper-floor room overlooking the local neighbourhood or garden, rather than the street. The Chaloklum area is low-rise, so you might see rooftops and greenery rather than a landmark.
What are insider tips for staying at Silan Residence?
1. If you’re driving, ask reception about free street parking or the hotel’s own lot — Chaloklum Road can be tight for parking. 2. Request a rear-facing room at check-in, even if booked standard — say you’re a light sleeper; many 3-star Thai hotels can accommodate this if available.
What time is check-in at Silan Residence?
Check-in at Silan Residence is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Silan Residence have Wi-Fi?
Free basic Wi-Fi (5 Mbps); no login or time limit. Upgrade to 'fast' tier (50 Mbps) for 150 THB per day.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Silan Residence?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Silan Residence?
Pad Thai or fried rice from a street stall or small local restaurant: 50-80 THB.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Silan Residence?
Rent a scooter from a local shop for about 250-300 THB/day; shared songthaew from the airport to Chaloklum costs 300-400 THB per person, but a taxi is 600-800 THB.
When is the best time to visit Surat Thani?
January, February and early March are the sweetest: low rainfall, cooler nights, and the Anaconda trail running festival in Jan draws active travellers but doesn't mob hotels. You get blue skies and a breeze off the river without the heat-soak of April.
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.