Editing Surat Thani province (section)

==Economy==
According to the 2008 census, Surat Thani Province recorded a [[Measures of national income and output|Gross Provincial Product]] (GPP) of 132,637.3 million baht (approximately US$4,019.31 million).{{Citation needed|date=December 2023}} The GPP per capita was reported to be 134,427 baht (around US$4,073.54). This marked an increase from the 2007 census, where the GPP was 122,398 million baht (US$3,599.94 million) and the GPP per capita was 125,651 baht (US$3,695.62). These figures indicate a GPP growth rate of 8.37 percent and a per capita growth rate of 6.98 percent.

Agriculture plays a significant role in Surat Thani's economy. The province is noted for its production of [[coconut]]s and rambutan. In the case of coconuts, they are often harvested by specially trained monkeys, predominantly [[southern pig-tailed macaque|pig-tailed macaque]]s (''Macaca nemestrina''). The most renowned training center for these monkeys was established by the late [[Somporn Saekhow]]. Rambutan cultivation in Surat Thani traces its roots back to 1926, initiated by Chinese Malay Mr. K. Vong in the [[Ban Na San District]]. The province celebrates its rambutan production with an annual fair held in early August, featuring a parade of elaborately decorated floats on the Tapi River. Additionally, rubber tree plantations are widespread throughout Surat Thani, contributing to its agricultural output.

Surat Thani Province is renowned for its unique local products, notably the hand-woven silk cloth originating from the coastal village of Phum Riang in the [[Chaiya District]]. This district is also celebrated for producing red eggs, a regional delicacy. For this specialty, ducks are fed a diet of crabs and fish, and their eggs are subsequently preserved in a mixture of soil and salt, lending them a distinctive flavor and color.

Tourism plays a pivotal role in the economy of Surat Thani. In 2018, the province generated a significant revenue of 64 billion baht from tourism activities. This figure represented 63 percent of the total tourism income for Surat Thani, with a substantial portion attributable to its island destinations. These include popular tourist spots such as [[Ko Samui]], [[Ko Pha Ngan]], [[Ko Tao]], and [[Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park]], which are major contributors to the province's tourism sector. <ref>{{cite news |title=18km Samui bridge urged |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1849199/18km-samui-bridge-urged |access-date=3 February 2020 |work=Bangkok Post |date=3 February 2020}}</ref>