Phangan to Surat Thani (hospital) and back in a day?

[RickG16]

I'll be popping over to Surat Thani city soon for a visit to hospital. Obviously it is a non appointment system, so even if I get there first thing, there is no guarantee I won't be waiting around.

 

Just wondering if it is wise to try and go there and back in a day? Maybe if I get the 5am Raja, would expect to arrive in Surat Thani city for 8.30am. Then depending on when I finish, could make the 4 or 6pm Raja Ferry back.

 

Obviously a lot is down to how long it takes at the hospital, but was wondering if any islanders regularly manage to go there and back in a day without any problems? If I end up staying the night that isn't a problem, but I'm thinking the best plan could be to go in the evening, stay the night, and be at the hospital first thing.

[khunPer]

The car ride from Donsak to Surat Thani is about one hour; so it's really depending on your waiting at the hospital and length of business there. I have done it several times from Samui to Surat Thai for both hospital and passport office, taking a morning ferry fra Nathon and being in Surat around 10am, and cathing an afternoon ferry back; never missed, and never later than 4pm or 5pm departure from Donsak.

[thaibeachlovers]

Why not accept that you will have to stay overnight and make it a chance to see something different for a day, rather than stressing if you'll make it in time.

It's not as though there aren't any cheap hotels near the hospital.

 

Otherwise, take the night boat back and arrive in the morning.

[RickG16]

1 hour ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Why not accept that you will have to stay overnight and make it a chance to see something different for a day, rather than stressing if you'll make it in time.

It's not as though there aren't any cheap hotels near the hospital.

 

Otherwise, take the night boat back and arrive in the morning.

It's not like the sights of Surat Thani are much to stick around for though... But yeah night boat is certainly an option. Although at night the water can be quite choppy and I'm prone to sea sickness.  I find evening journeys on lomprayah the worst but maybe this is because the catamaran is faster....  Is the night boat generally a smooth journey? 

[thaibeachlovers]

On ‎10‎/‎8‎/‎2017 at 2:06 PM, RickG16 said:

It's not like the sights of Surat Thani are much to stick around for though... But yeah night boat is certainly an option. Although at night the water can be quite choppy and I'm prone to sea sickness.  I find evening journeys on lomprayah the worst but maybe this is because the catamaran is faster....  Is the night boat generally a smooth journey? 

There has to be something there to go see.

Anyway, is what you would have done on Phangan so much more important that you can't miss it for one night?

I just hate stressing if I'm going to make it in time, so willing to just spend a night in an hotel room banging on the internet rather than wondering, wondering, wondering.

The night boat trip I took was very pleasant, but I'd imagine it would depend on the weather at the time. I really enjoyed seeing the island with the dawn. I went on the Chumporn to Tao boat, but I'd imagine not much difference re the sea conditions.

[EcigAmateur]

No hospital on KPG ?

[thaibeachlovers]

3 hours ago, EcigAmateur said:

No hospital on KPG ?

If I was able, I'd go to the mainland too.

[RickG16]

Done and dusted, in two trips. The second time I had to stay over night as had an early morning appointment.

 

Surat Thani town wasn't all that bad. For anyone staying there - I recommend My Place Hotel. Near to the night market and river to have a walk around. A/C room for 490, not bad at all.

 

Four hour wait at the hospital, but you have to admire the patience of both doctors and patients in Thai hospitals - it's not their fault they are overcrowded.

[NYGuy816]

Yes, getting back in a day is possible.