Khao Sok National Park

Khao Sok National Park (pronounced "cow soak") is a 738 km² jungle reserve in southern Thailand, declared the country's 22nd national park on 22 December 1980. It is one of the most beautiful wildlife reserves in Thailand, featuring ancient rainforest estimated to be over 160 million years old — older than the Amazon. The park covers parts of the Khlong Yee, Khlong Pra Sang, Krai Son, and Khao Pung forests in Ban Ta Khun and Panom districts of Surat Thani.

The park has two main sections. The west entrance houses Park Headquarters with hiking trails, the visitor centre, and camping facilities. The east entrance leads to Ratchaprapha Pier (Cheow Lan Lake), where floating raft houses offer overnight stays. The two entrances are 65 km apart (over 1 hour by road). The area around the park is commonly called "Khao Sok Village" (a 2-km stretch from Highway 401 to Park HQ), while "Khlong Sok" is the river and administrative subdistrict.

The rainy season runs from June to December — many hiking trails are closed from 1 June to 14 December for safety. The best time to visit for hiking is January to May (dry season). Cheow Lan Lake is accessible year-round.

By Plane

Surat Thani International Airport (URT IATA) is the closest airport, 105 km east of Park HQ and 64 km east of Ratchaprapha Pier. Multiple daily flights arrive from Bangkok (DMK and BKK) and Chiang Mai. Phantip Travel runs minibuses from the airport to Khao Sok (250 baht, 2 hr) and Ratchaprapha Dam (250 baht, 1.3 hr).

By Train

Surat Thani Railway Station (สถานีรถไฟสุราษฎร์ธานี) in Phunphin is the nearest major station. Overnight trains from Bangkok arrive in the morning. Phantip Travel minibuses from the station to Khao Sok cost 200 baht (3 hr) and to Ratchaprapha Dam cost 200 baht (3.3 hr).

By Car / Road

From Surat Thani town: minibuses every hour from Talad Kaset 2 via Phantip Travel (200 baht, 2.5 hr). From Bangkok: one overnight VIP bus per day stops at Khao Sok (book at the southern bus terminal). From Krabi: one daily minibus at 11:00 (300-350 baht, 3 hr). From Phuket: hourly buses (160 baht, 4 hr). From Ko Lanta or Phi Phi: minibuses cost 550-700 baht.

Park entry fees: 300 baht for foreign adults, 150 baht for children. Tickets are valid for 24 hours; keep your receipt if visiting both Park HQ and the lake on the same day.

Walking is the primary mode inside the park — the road from the highway to Park HQ is 2 km, and the main hiking trails extend up to 9 km (Western Track). Motorbike and bicycle rentals are available near Park HQ for exploring the surrounding area. Longtail boats are the main transport on Cheow Lan Lake, connecting the pier to floating raft houses and cave sights.

• Cheow Lan Lake (Ratchaprapha Dam) — A stunning artificial lake dotted with limestone karst islands. Boat tours pass through emerald-green water, stopping at caves and viewpoints.

• Western Track (Route 1) — A 9-km trail from the visitor centre through rainforest, passing waterfalls: Wing Hin, Bang Hua Rat, Wang Yao, Bang Leiap Nam, Than Sawan, and Ton Kloi. Closed 1 Jun-14 Dec.

• Northern Track — A trail past Sip Et Chan Waterfall (an 11-tiered cascade) with swimming pools. Closed in rainy season.

• Rafflesia flower — The world's largest individual flower, blooming around late January to early February. Found off the main entrance (not the HQ trail). A guide is recommended.

• Sok Temple (Wat Sak) / Phanthurat Cave — A limestone cave temple with friendly monkeys living on the hill. Free.

• Pakarang Cave (Coral Cave) — A 10,000-year-old cave with stalactites and stalagmites, accessible by 45-min hike and bamboo raft from Cheow Lan Lake.

• Nam Talu Cave — A 500-m cave with water streaming through it. Closed in rainy season due to flooding danger (fatal incident in 2007).

• Diamond Glitter Cave — A small 100-m cave with glittering stalactites, easily accessible from the lake.

• Jungle trekking — Hire a local guide for hikes beyond the main trails. Guides know the best spots for wildlife viewing (elephants, gibbons, hornbills, wild boar).

• Cheow Lan Lake boat tour — Half-day or full-day tours by longtail boat visiting caves, viewpoints, and floating raft houses.

• Kayaking — Paddle on the Sok River or on Cheow Lan Lake. Many tours include kayaking.

• Floating raft house overnight — The signature Khao Sok experience: sleep on a raft house on Cheow Lan Lake with meals included. 2-3 day packages are common.

• Tubing — Tube down the Khlong Sok River during the dry season.

• Elephant camp visits — Several ethical camps in the area allow observation of elephants in a semi-wild setting.

• Ziplining — Canopy zipline courses through the rainforest near the park entrance.

• Birdwatching — Over 300 bird species inhabit the park, including hornbills, broadbills, and pittas.

• Park HQ restaurant — Basic Thai dishes, fried rice, and noodles, 50-100 baht. Limited hours.
• Khao Sok village restaurants — The strip outside the park has several guesthouse restaurants serving Thai classics and Western food, 80-200 baht.
• Floating raft house meals — Most raft house packages include simple Thai meals (curries, grilled fish, vegetables). Vegetarian/vegan options available on request.
• Morning market (Ban Ta Khun) — Fresh fruit, grilled meats, and local snacks, from 20-50 baht.

Khao Sok Village has a few bars and convenience stores selling beer and soft drinks. Coconut water is refreshing after hiking. On the floating raft houses, drinking water is provided — bring extra for hikes. Tap water is not drinkable anywhere in the area.

• Budget: Khao Sok Jungle Hostel — dorm beds from 300 baht. Nature Hill Guesthouse — fan bungalows from 400 baht.
• Mid-range: Khao Sok River Lodge — riverside bungalows with breakfast from 1,200 baht. The Jungle Master — stylish jungle bungalows from 1,500 baht.
• Upscale / unique: Floating raft houses on Cheow Lan Lake (e.g., Panvaree Resort, 500 Rai Floating Resort) — overnight packages from 3,000-6,000 baht per person including meals and boat transfer.

The area near Park HQ has a small strip of shops selling snacks, water, basic camping supplies, and souvenirs. The visitor centre sells maps. For a wider selection, visit the market in Ban Ta Khun town (15 min drive). ATMs are scarce — bring enough cash.

• Surat Thani — 2.5 hr by minibus. Provincial capital with markets, transport connections to Bangkok and the Gulf islands.
• Khao Lak — 2 hr by bus. Beach resort town on the Andaman Coast, gateway to Similan and Surin islands.
• Phuket — 4 hr by bus. Thailand's largest island with world-class beaches, dining, and nightlife.
• Krabi — 3 hr by minibus. Limestone karst scenery, Railay Beach, and island-hopping to Phi Phi and Hong Islands.
• Ko Samui — 3-4 hr by combined bus/ferry via Surat Thani and Don Sak.
• Chaiya — 1.5 hr by bus. Srivijaya-era temples and the Suan Mokkh meditation monastery.