Surat is a typical small Thai city, with few sites worthy of mentioning. The day and night markets are worth a look, though. Those with some extra time may want to head to Khao Sok and the beautiful Ratchaprapha Dam, or visit the small town of Chaiya and its Suan Mokkh monastery, a renowned Buddhist retreat with meditation study programs in English. If you are in town at the end of Buddhist Lent (around mid-Oct) it's worth seeing the Chak Phra festival, where Buddhist images are towed up the river and boat races take place.
