Surin Hotels

Surin is the provincial capital of Surin Province. Surin is the capital of the capital of Surin province. Its population is small, approximately 40,000 (bear in mind that the province itself is densely populated). It is about 450km from Bangkok and 50km from the Cambodian border. A quiet town, its one claim to fame is its annual 'Elephant Roundup', which takes place in November (book a room in advance. Little more than a gear change and a slow right-hander north from Laem Singh, Hat Surin is on the up and up. Showcasing a trio of top-end resorts, as well as a starburst of cheap imitators, this busy beach is big on variety. Trees line the shore and dozens of cheap food shacks (offering some of the best-value seafood on Phuket) take shelter beneath them. Money is pouring in, new places are opening all the time and the murmur among expats is that this is the beach to watch. The downside of all this, of course, is ever-growing crowds. Hat Surin is extremely pretty, but stretches have already become a car crash of snack stalls and souvenir salesmen. For the celebrities, at least, the only way to do Surin today is from behind the guarded gates of the exclusive Amanpuri.