Major city · Thailand
Chaiya
Spend 4–6 h in Chaiya to see Wat Phra Borommathat, Wat Long, the national museum and hot springs; stay only if using it as a Gulf‑coast base.
Chaiya is a small historic town on Thailand's Central Gulf Coast. Its main attractions—ancient Srivijaya temples, a national museum and hot springs—can be covered in a half‑day. Overnight stays are useful mainly as a staging point for trips to Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat or nearby islands.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- THB
- Best months
- Nov–Apr
- avoid May–Oct (rainy season)
- Airport
- URT
- Nights
- 0–1 (optional base for Gulf‑coast trips)
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Thailand ↗Check entry rules and any arrival card on the official Thai government sites for your passport; visa-exempt stays and pre-arrival forms change.
- Thailand ↗Do not criticise or mock the monarchy: insulting the royal family is a criminal offence.
- Thailand ↗Temples and palaces: shoulders and knees covered, shoes off before entering halls.
- Thailand ↗E-cigarettes and vapes are illegal to import or use; do not pack them.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Chaiya191 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Chaiya, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Thai baht (THB, ฿).Thailand-wide
- SIM or eSIMAIS and TrueMove H sell tourist SIMs at airport arrivals; passport registration is required.Thailand-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap.Thailand-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: Leave ฿20–100 (≈ US$1–4) or the coins; skip it if a 10% service charge is on the bill.Thailand-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B/C/O. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Thailand-wide
- SafetyGenerally safe; watch for traffic when crossing roads, keep valuables covered, and avoid isolated beaches after dark.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in malls and hotels; squat toilets with a water bucket in rural stops.Thailand-wide
- Emergency numbers191 police · 1669 fire and ambulance · 1155 tourist police (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany Bangkok street-food vendors stay off the main roads on Mondays (street-cleaning day in several districts)…Thailand-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportURT Surat Thani International Airport (about 45 min by road).
- Getting aroundLocal buses (minivan 80 baht (≈ US$3), hourly 8:30‑17:30 from Surat Thani) and songthaews (50 baht (≈ US$2)).Local buses (minivan 80 baht (≈ US$3), hourly 8:30 AM‑5:30 PM from Surat Thani) and songthaews (50 baht (≈ US$2)).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Metro or bus rideMinivan bus from Surat Thani฿80 (≈ US$3)
- Museum or sight ticketChaiya National Museum entry฿100 (≈ US$4)
- Budget bedGuesthouse room (double), a night, per room฿350 (≈ US$11)
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse room (double), a night, per room฿500 (≈ US$16)
- High-end bedGuesthouse room (double), a night, per room฿800 (≈ US$25)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ฿300 (≈ US$10) · Mid ฿600 (≈ US$19) · High ฿900 (≈ US$30)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- URT Surat Thani International Airport (about 45 min by road)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Feb
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Mar
Best
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Apr
Best
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
May
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jun
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jul
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Oct
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Nov
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Dec
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Best: Nov–Apr. Avoid: May–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest Mar (34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)), coolest Jan (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C) low), wettest Jul (15 rain days), driest Feb (4). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Chaiya: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
5 rd
Feb
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
4 rd
Mar
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
6 rd
Apr
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
8 rd
May
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
12 rd
Jun
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
14 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
15 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
15 rd
Sep
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
13 rd
Oct
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
9 rd
Nov
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
5 rd
Dec
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
5 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Local buses (minivan 80 baht, hourly 8:30‑17:30 from Surat Thani) and songthaews (50 baht). Train stops at Chaiya station on the Bangkok‑South line. Taxis are scarce; rent a motorbike if comfortable.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Surat Thani town
goDoor to door: ≈ 1 h
Minivan bus 80 baht (≈ US$3), 45 min; or train 30 min from Chaiya station
Market, night bazaar and riverfront; good for lunch.
Wat Phra Mahathat (Chaiya)
goDoor to door: ≈ 20 min total
Walk 10 min north from town centre
Key Srivijaya temple, free entry.
Koh Samui (main island)
cautionDoor to door: ≈ 3 h
Bus to Surat Thani bus terminal 45 min, then ferry 1 h 30 min
Longer trip; consider overnight stay on the island.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Town guesthouses
basic rooms near the bus stop; suitable for 1‑night stays
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ฿300–500 (≈ US$10–16) excl. bed
- Mid
- ฿500–800 (≈ US$16–25) excl. bed
- High
- ฿800 (≈ US$25)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse room (double)1 × 1 night × ฿350 | ฿350 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × ฿300 | ฿300 |
| Minivan bus Surat Thani → Chaiya (round trip)1 × ฿80 · check schedule | ฿80 |
| Siam Hot Springs entry1 × ฿20 · adults | ฿20 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ฿75 |
| Trip total≈ ฿825 per person per day, bed included | ฿825≈ US$30 |
2026 estimate in baht; flights and long‑distance train not included.
Prices of common things
| Chaiya National Museum entry | ฿100 (≈ US$4) |
| Siam Hot Springs entry | ฿20 (≈ under US$1) adults, ฿10 (≈ under US$1) children |
| Minivan bus from Surat Thani | ฿80 (≈ US$3) |
| Songthaew from Surat Thani | ฿50 (≈ US$2) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Bus schedules end early in the afternoon; plan return trips accordingly.
- Hot springs can be very hot (38‑44 °C (111 °F)); watch children.Hot springs can be very hot (38‑111 °F (44 °C)); watch children.
- Some temple areas lack signage in English; ask locals.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 191
- Fire and ambulance
- 1669
- Tourist police
- 1155
Pocket card
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ChaiyaChaiya
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
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ที่อยู่นี้ครับ/ค่ะTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police191
- Ambulance1669
- Tourist police1155
Embassy
US embassy in Bangkok; consulates in Chiang Mai and Phuket (check locations).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Surat Thani Airport → Chaiya (taxi, 45 min): ≈ ฿300–400, check exact fare
- Minivan bus Surat Thani → Chaiya: ≈ ฿80, hourly 8:30‑17:30≈ ฿80, hourly 8:30 AM‑5:30 PM
Say or show
- ขอโทษ — Excuse me / Sorry (kŏ thôt)
- ขอบคุณ — Thank you (kòp kun)
- ราคาเท่าไหร่ — How much is it? (ráa kaa tâo rài)
- ป้ายรถเมล์อยู่ที่ไหน — Where is the bus stop? (bpâi rót mee yùu têe năi)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Chaiya. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Apr · avoid May–Oct (rainy season) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Chaiya
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