Located in Surat Thani province, Khao Sok National Park is one of Thailand's most beautiful and breathtaking national parks. A particular highlight is the large Chiew Lan Lake, created artificially by the Ratchaprapha Dam. The limestone formations planted in the water are reminiscent of Vietnam's famous Halong Bay – albeit on a more modest scale. Within the park, you can enjoy interesting hikes through one of the world's oldest rainforests and discover waterfalls, fascinating caves, and a diverse array of plants and animals, including wild elephants. Established in 1981, Khao Sok National Park encompasses 739 square kilometers, the largest untouched forest in southern Thailand. Its rainforest is among the oldest tropical rainforests in the world and is even older and more biodiverse than the Amazon rainforest. Among the star fauna are gibbons and wild elephants, while the Rafflesia, the world's largest flower, which blooms in the park from December to March, is undoubtedly the star of the flora. If you're traveling to Khao Sok, a trip to Chiew Lan Lake, created by the Ratchaprapha Dam, is a must. You can even stay overnight in one of the floating hotels on the lake. The website lists several floating hotels on Khao Sok Lake, ranging in comfort from simple bamboo bungalows to luxurious 5-star bungalows for 500 rai. While Khao Sok National Park is open year-round, heavy rains from June to October can make the trails impassable, often making trekking impossible during this period. However, even though the weather is often unpredictable from August to October, you can still enjoy the lake, its surroundings, and all the related activities (kayaking, boat trips, stand-up paddleboarding, wildlife viewing along the shore, etc.). There's a wide variety of excursions available in Khao Sok, and I'll recommend a few that I've personally tried. While private tours are in many ways the best choice, there are also affordable group tours to Khao Sok that are ultimately much cheaper, especially if you choose basic accommodation on Chiew Lan Lake.

Entry to Khao Sok National Park costs 300 baht for adults and 150 baht for children (depending on size). There is an additional 40 baht port fee for boat trips on the lake. The park is open year-round. Khao Sok has numerous guesthouses and hotels, most of them located on the road leading to the park entrance. It is advisable to book well in advance for weekends during peak season. To experience the park to its fullest, a two-day excursion with an overnight stay at a floating hotel on Chiew Lan Lake or along the shore is recommended, as prices for floating hotels have increased significantly since tourism resumed after the COVID pandemic. For hiking, you should bring swimwear and a towel for swimming in the rivers and waterfalls, as well as sturdy footwear. This will also protect you from leeches. There are quite a few in Khao Sok, so you shouldn't linger too long in the forest. Apparently, Tiger Balm can repel them... Otherwise, even if you get bitten, it's nothing serious; you simply go to the pharmacy, where you'll get a saline solution and a cream (120 baht), and a few days later there will be no sign of it.

The nearest major city to Khao Sok is Surat Thani. From there, minibuses (approx. 2 hours, approx. 300 THB) run to the land entrance of Khao Sok National Park. Alternatively, you can take the local buses that connect Surat Thani via Khao Lak to Phuket and get off right at the beginning of the road to the park's land entrance. Most hotels and guesthouses are located there (buses run every 2 hours, approx. 180 THB). From Phuket, buses depart from Terminal 2 and take about 4.5 hours to reach Khao Sok. Buses and minibuses stop near the intersection of the main road and the road to the Khao Sok land entrance. To reach the lake, you need to get to the Ratchaprapha Dam. However, this is not accessible by public transport.

How to get there

How do you get to Khao Sok National Park? The nearest major city is Surat Thani. From there, minibuses (approx. 2 hours, approx. 300 THB) run to the park's land entrance. Alternatively, you can take the local buses that connect Surat Thani to Phuket via Khao Lak and get off right at the beginning of the road to the park's land entrance. Most hotels and guesthouses are also located there (bus every 2 hours, approx. 180 THB). From Phuket, buses depart from Terminal 2 and take about 4.5 hours to reach Khao Sok. Buses and minibuses stop near the intersection of the main road and the road to Khao Sok's land entrance. To get to the lake, you need to reach the Ratchaprapha Dam. However, this is not accessible by public transport.