- News
- India News
- A Surat in Australia, Thailand
Trending
This story is from August 3, 2007
A Surat in Australia, Thailand
Both the towns in southern Thailand and Queensland got their names from Surat in south Gujarat.
SURAT: Surtis in Thailand and Australia! What’s new, a Surti might ask. But, we are talking about bonafide citizens there and not tourists from the diamond city here.
In the case of Thailand, a Gujarati Surti will also come across Surat Thani and even Tapi river and in Queensland, Australia, our Surti will come across Surat town, situated along a river called Balonne.
Here is more. Both the towns in southern Thailand and Queensland got their names from Surat in south Gujarat.
And if there is another Tapi river then can floods be far away? Not at all. Surat Thani has had its share of floods—every two years during the past 10 years from 1997, the last in May 2007. In fact, the town and river in southern Thailand went by their old names in early 20th century, but it was King Vajiravudh (Rama VI) of then Siam Kingdom, who renamed them on July 29, 1915. Surat Thani, or city of good people, was a new port town, which had been expanded from the old town—Chai Ya.
The river in question, then called Luang River, enters and falls into the Gulf of Siam at Surat Thani. With this particular location and character, King Vajiravudh might have thought of Surat and Tapi in Gujarat, when he was asked to name the new town and river.
Down Under the area around Surat was first explored by Sir Thomas Mitchell in 1846 when, on his fourth expedition, he passed through the region. The town was surveyed by James Burrowes in 1850. Such was Burrowes zeal for immortality that he named the town after his home in India.
In the case of Thailand, a Gujarati Surti will also come across Surat Thani and even Tapi river and in Queensland, Australia, our Surti will come across Surat town, situated along a river called Balonne.
And if there is another Tapi river then can floods be far away? Not at all. Surat Thani has had its share of floods—every two years during the past 10 years from 1997, the last in May 2007. In fact, the town and river in southern Thailand went by their old names in early 20th century, but it was King Vajiravudh (Rama VI) of then Siam Kingdom, who renamed them on July 29, 1915. Surat Thani, or city of good people, was a new port town, which had been expanded from the old town—Chai Ya.
The river in question, then called Luang River, enters and falls into the Gulf of Siam at Surat Thani. With this particular location and character, King Vajiravudh might have thought of Surat and Tapi in Gujarat, when he was asked to name the new town and river.
Down Under the area around Surat was first explored by Sir Thomas Mitchell in 1846 when, on his fourth expedition, he passed through the region. The town was surveyed by James Burrowes in 1850. Such was Burrowes zeal for immortality that he named the town after his home in India.
About the Author
Yagnesh Bharat MehtaEnd of Article
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Hot Picks
TOP TRENDING
Trending Stories
In India
Entire Website
- Randy Orton's SmackDown absence reason revealed in his wife's post
- 10 Daily Habits for Students to Keep Their Minds Young and Sharp
- Kerala-born Norwegian linked to pager blasts?
- 'Sanctity of Tirupati laddu restored': Temple trust after reports of 'beef fat, fish oil' in 'prasadam'
- Bengaluru: Computer science student arrested for placing camera in ladies' toilet
- Airplane makes emergency landing after passenger finds live-mouse in meal
- First time in 92 years! India achieve a historic milestone in Test cricket with a 280-run victory over Bangladesh
- CBSE issues important notice for parents on the correct submission of students' registration data; check details here
- Top 5 all-time goal scorers in UEFA Champions League history: Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi lead the list
- Rice thieves: India’s basmati success now Pakistan’s new label
- 'We seek fresh start': Marxist leader Dissanayake after winning Sri Lanka presidential polls
- 'Will respond to bullet with ...': Amit Shah warns Pak, slams Abdullahs for seeking dialogue
- How ultra-bhakts went from BJP’s biggest asset to its biggest problem
- 'Is son showing attitude to mother?': Kejriwal quizzes RSS, attacks PM Modi
- India win maiden men & women Chess Olympiad titles
- 'Cong govt coffers ...': Kangana's big allegations against Sonia Gandhi
- How Centre became more powerful than SC in picking top judges
- How India prices of iPhone 16 compare with US, Canada, Singapore, Dubai
- UN warns of impending catastrophe as violence escalates between Israel-Hezbollah
- Andhra Pradesh deputy CM Pawan Kalyan begins 11 days 'Prayaschitta Diksha'
Popular Categories
Hot on the Web
Top Trends
WWE KaneSolar EclipseAll Time Goal Scorers in UEFA CampionsIsrael Hezbollah WarIND vs BAN Live ScoreTirupati LadduArvind Kejriwal Janta Ki AdalatRishabh PantRohit SharmaShubhman GillUGC NET Result 2024CBSE NotificationIsraeli Strikes on HezbollahRandy Orton WifeTirupati PrasadamEY Pune EmployeeLive Cricket Score
Trending Topics
Daughter's Day WishesDaughter's Day 2024 WishesAbdu RozikMukesh KhannaJayamSana Khan HusbandTirupati Laddoo ControversyGOAT CollectionVaazha OTT ReviewKozhipannai Chelladurai ReviewCheetahsKangana RanautAditi Rao HydariDalljiet KaurHoliday DestinationVikas SethiBest Selling Earbuds Under 1000Apple iPhone 16 ProVirat KohliWordle Answer
Living and entertainment
Latest News
Shivani Sharma talks about the rapid growth of regional'No bunker needed in J&K': Amit Shah says nobody in Pakistan has guts to open fireKarnataka CM Siddaramaiah warns of legal action against those spreading fake newsMakers of ‘Get Set Baby’ drop a new poster on Unni Mukundan’s birthdayLucky numbers for September 22 to September 28: Your weekly fortunate number revealedThe truth about sugar substitutes: Safe alternative or hidden health risk?Malaysian police arrest hundreds in child abuse probeAryan Khan or dad Shah Rukh Khan, who wore this lather jacket better?Why Rahul Gandhi is off the mark when it comes to SikhsNavya Nanda attends event in Mumbai, poses with Karisma Kapoor and Ananya PandaySatyapal Malik says Maharashtra polls ‘last nail in BJP’s coffin’, backs MVACooku With Comali 5: Wildcard contestant Pooja Venkat and Shalin Zoya become finalistsJennifer Aniston and other ‘FRIENDS’ cast worried about Matt LeBlanc after disheveled appearance after Matthew Perry’s deathDo crows bring gifts and trinkets if you feed them?Best anti-ageing workouts for strength and flexibilityPalanpur tea seller's son gets into IIM RanchiCM Dhami promises boost for sports at State Olympic Games in RudrapurYour daily career horoscope: 24th September 2024
Copyright © 2024 Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. All rights reserved. For reprint rights: Times Syndication Service