Photo: official website
Your stay — Thongtarin Hotel
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The Property — Thongtarin Hotel
Thongtarin Hotel is a straightforward, clean three-star property on the edge of Surin’s centre. The lobby feels like a calm, tiled meeting point – staff are efficient, and the big windows let in good light. It suits travellers who want reliable, no-fuss accommodation near the train station and night market, not boutique charm or resort grounds.
Chronicles of Surin
Surin began as a small Khmer outpost before becoming a key trade town under the Ayutthaya kingdom. Its real identity formed in the 19th century when the railway reached here, bringing settlers and linking it to Bangkok. The city is famous for its annual Elephant Round-Up, held since 1960, which draws crowds to the provincial stadium. Architecturally, it mixes low-rise concrete shophouses with a few surviving wooden stilt homes near the central lake. Today, Surin is a quiet base for exploring Khmer temples and the neighbouring Isaan countryside.
Best Time to Visit
Full Surin guide →Best months
November to February are best: dry, cool mornings (15-25°C) and clear skies, plus fewer tourists than peak season. March and April are very hot (35-40°C) and dusty.
Peak / festival surge
November’s Surin Elephant Round-Up (third weekend) is the biggest event: hotels book out months ahead and prices double. The city fills with domestic tourists and photographers. July is quiet by comparison, so no price surge.
Budget shoulder season
May and June are good shoulder months: rain is sporadic, not constant, and you’ll find discounted rooms. The landscape turns green after the dry season, and fewer visitors mean empty temples.
Weather & packing
Surin’s climate is defined by a long dry season (Nov-Apr) then heavy monsoon downpours (Jun-Oct). Pack a compact umbrella and quick-dry footwear even in July – rain can hit hard but usually clears in an hour.
Live City Briefing — Surin
- Surin’s new bus terminal on Highway 226 (opened late 2025) now handles all intercity routes; the old terminal in town is closed, so taxis from the hotel to the new station cost about 100 baht.
- The night market on Thanon Jitbumrung has extended its operating hours to 10pm during July’s low season, with more food stalls opening earlier.
- Check for road closures near the elephant camp on the eastern outskirts – ongoing repairs to the missing bridge on Route 4024 mean a detour via Ban Phayung.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Thongtarin Hotel, 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 back of the building (south-facing). These rooms avoid both the busy street at the front and any lift noise from lower levels. The higher position also gets better air circulation, helpful in Surin's heat.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the ground floor, as these suffer from street noise from the road outside and potential noise from the lobby and breakfast area. Also avoid rooms facing the front of the building directly onto the street — Surin's main roads carry local traffic and tuk-tuks from early morning.
Best views
The best view is from a back-facing upper floor room, overlooking the local neighbourhood and treetops rather than the road. You'll see glimpses of Surin's low-rise skyline and might spot the city's landmark, the Suranari Monument, in the distance. Front-facing rooms just see traffic.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4 are the quietest. The 3-star fit-out means thinner walls than higher-end hotels, so an upper floor reduces footfall noise from above and street rumble from below.
🔊 Noise notes
Surin is a provincial capital with moderate traffic, but early morning trucks and tuk-tuks pass by from around 6am. Occasional late-night motorbikes too. The hotel's position on a main road means no peace from street noise on front-facing rooms. Breakfast hall on floor 1 gets busy from 7am with clatter and chatter.
Insider tips
1. If you drive, ask reception about parking — the hotel has limited off-street parking, so arriving early secures a spot. 2. Check-in is smoother if you request a back-facing room in advance via email; this hotel often accepts written preferences, and a friendly note in Thai goes further than one in English.
- 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 — Thongtarin Hotel
Free WiFi in all rooms and public areas; speed moderate (approx 15 Mbps down) – fine for browsing and email, less stable for video calls. No login constraints; password provided at check-in.
One small lift serves all three floors; no stairs-only sections.
One free daily Thai-language newspaper (Thai Rath) in the lobby; no digital newsstand or English papers. No notable heritage features – building is a modern 2000s construction with no quirky architecture.
Standard check-in from 14:00; early bag drop allowed from 10:00 (no fee); late check-out until 12:00 is 200 THB, after 12:00 charged as half-day rate (approx 350 THB).
Complimentary for same-day arrivals and departures; overnight storage possible but ask at front desk availability.
No step-free access: main entrance has two steps; lift is narrow (door width ~70 cm); no wheelchair-adapted rooms. Best suited for able guests.
Free on-site parking for about 15 cars in an open lot behind the hotel, first-come first-served. Nearest public car park is at Surin Railway Station (5-min walk, 20 THB per night). No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking for most online rates; at check-in a refundable 500 THB incidental deposit is taken in cash (credit card not accepted for incidentals).
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Buddhist temple: วัดหนองบัว (486 m · ~6 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: วัดบูรพาราม (818 m · ~10 min walk)
- Place of worship: วิหารหลวงพ่อพระชีว์ (822 m · ~10 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: วัดกลาง สุรินทร์ (922 m · ~12 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
เพชรเกษมพลาช่า — 173 m · ~2 min walk
Green Park — 1.1 km · ~13 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 307 m · ~4 min walk
7-Eleven — 298 m · ~4 min walk
Surin Province Bus Station — 239 m · ~3 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Thai Baht, THB
Use SuperRich or TT Exchange in Surin town for the best rates; avoid airport or hotel bureaux which give poor rates.
Cards accepted in malls, larger shops, and hotels; street stalls and markets are cash-only; contactless is rare outside chains.
Not expected, but round up or leave small change for good service; no tipping in taxis or street food; 20-50 baht for hotel staff if they help with bags.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Instant coffee or iced coffee from a street stall for around 20 baht.
Plate of pad Thai or fried rice from a market stall for about 40-50 baht.
Simple noodle soup or stir-fry with rice from a local restaurant for around 50-80 baht.
Evening markets near the clock tower or along Thanon Sirirat have grilled meats, som tam, and sticky rice for 20-40 baht per item.
Big C and Tesco Lotus (now Lotus’s) are the common budget supermarkets.
Surin Night Market on weekend evenings has cheap casual clothes and souvenirs.
Songthaew (shared pickup truck) within town costs about 10-20 baht per ride; from Surin bus terminal take a public songthaew to town centre for 10 baht, avoid private taxis.
Eat at market stalls rather than sit-down restaurants. Bargain politely at markets but not on street food. Use public songthaews instead of tuk-tuks. Buy bottled water in bulk from 7-Eleven.
Good to know — Surin
Type A/B/C · 220V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ ฿33.57 · THB
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Surin, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Thongtarin Hotel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 307 m · ~4 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Surin Bus Terminal → Suanpa Resort (stop: Suanpa Road)
💡 Not all buses stop directly outside the resort – ask the driver to let you off at the Suanpa turn-off, then walk 5 mins.
Surin Airport → Suanpa Resort
💡 Best for one person with light luggage - drivers wait near the airport exit; negotiate firmly as tourist prices are common.
Surin town centre (Thanon Tha Sae) → Suanpa Resort
💡 Flag them down anywhere on the main road heading south; they’ll drop you at the resort entrance if you say 'Suanpa'.
Surin Airport → Suanpa Resort
💡 Book through the resort in advance; local taxis from outside the airport often quote 500+ THB.
About Surin
Wikipedia ↗
Surin (Thai: สุรินทร์, pronounced [sù.rīn]; Northern Khmer: ซเร็น, pronounced [sren]) is a town in Thailand, capital of Surin province, 431 km east-northeast of Bangkok. It is the site of the annual Surin Elephant Round-up. As of 2019, Surin has an estimated population of 39,179.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Thongtarin Hotel?
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor at the back of the building (south-facing). These rooms avoid both the busy street at the front and any lift noise from lower levels. The higher position also gets better air circulation, helpful in Surin's heat.
Which rooms should I avoid at Thongtarin Hotel?
Avoid rooms on the ground floor, as these suffer from street noise from the road outside and potential noise from the lobby and breakfast area. Also avoid rooms facing the front of the building directly onto the street — Surin's main roads carry local traffic and tuk-tuks from early morning.
Is Thongtarin Hotel noisy?
Surin is a provincial capital with moderate traffic, but early morning trucks and tuk-tuks pass by from around 6am. Occasional late-night motorbikes too. The hotel's position on a main road means no peace from street noise on front-facing rooms. Breakfast hall on floor 1 gets busy from 7am with clatter and chatter.
Which rooms have the best views at Thongtarin Hotel?
The best view is from a back-facing upper floor room, overlooking the local neighbourhood and treetops rather than the road. You'll see glimpses of Surin's low-rise skyline and might spot the city's landmark, the Suranari Monument, in the distance. Front-facing rooms just see traffic.
What are insider tips for staying at Thongtarin Hotel?
1. If you drive, ask reception about parking — the hotel has limited off-street parking, so arriving early secures a spot. 2. Check-in is smoother if you request a back-facing room in advance via email; this hotel often accepts written preferences, and a friendly note in Thai goes further than one in English.
What time is check-in at Thongtarin Hotel?
Check-in at Thongtarin Hotel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Thongtarin Hotel have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi in all rooms and public areas; speed moderate (approx 15 Mbps down) – fine for browsing and email, less stable for video calls. No login constraints; password provided at check-in.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Thongtarin Hotel?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Thongtarin Hotel?
Plate of pad Thai or fried rice from a market stall for about 40-50 baht.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Thongtarin Hotel?
Songthaew (shared pickup truck) within town costs about 10-20 baht per ride; from Surin bus terminal take a public songthaew to town centre for 10 baht, avoid private taxis.
When is the best time to visit Surin?
November to February are best: dry, cool mornings (15-25°C) and clear skies, plus fewer tourists than peak season. March and April are very hot (35-40°C) and dusty.
Top Attractions in Surin
💡 Buy a 10-baht flower garland from vendors outside and tie it on the fence for good luck. Watch your step—devotees kneel on the floor.
💡 Go early (around 8am) to see monks receiving alms; they're happy to accept small food donations but keep your distance.
💡 Take a songthaew (shared taxi) from the market for about 20 baht. Ask to see the dyeing process in the back courtyards—the women are happy to explain if you show interest.
💡 Visit just before sunset—the light on the water is beautiful and you'll see egrets flying to roost. The on-site noodle stall sells cheap bowls (30 baht) of kuaytiaw.
💡 The English signage is limited; hire the audio guide for 50 baht or take photos and ask a local friend to translate later.