Khao Sok National Park, located in southern Thailand, is a breathtaking nature reserve renowned for its ancient virgin rainforest, towering limestone karst formations, and the stunning man-made Cheow Lan Lake. This ecological haven is home to rare wildlife, including the giant Rafflesia flower, hornbills, gibbons, and even elusive tigers. Visitors can explore the park through a variety of adventures, such as jungle treks, canoeing or kayaking on the Sok River, and safaris, offering an unforgettable journey into Thailand’s natural beauty.
More than just a detour from southern Thailand’s beaches, Khao Sok National Park is a breathtaking destination and one of Asia’s most remarkable natural treasures. Covering 646 square kilometers, it forms part of a vast protected area alongside Kaeng Krung and Phang Nga national parks, as well as Khlong Nakha and Khlong Saen wildlife sanctuaries. Together, these reserves span over 4,000 square kilometers, creating a lush expanse of lakes, rivers, and dense jungle. If you’re choosing just one national park to explore in Thailand, Khao Sok stands out as an exceptional choice.
With its rugged, mountainous terrain and expansive wilderness, Khao Sok National Park has remained largely untouched by human activity, creating a haven for diverse plants and wildlife. The park is home to wild elephants, dusky langurs, leopards, banteng, various monkey species, snakes, and over 180 species of birds. Its plant life is equally impressive, featuring massive bamboo groves so dense they can shield you from rain and the remarkable Rafflesia Kerrii Meijer, known locally as “wild lotus” (bua phut). This giant flower, one of the largest in the world, can grow over 75 cm in diameter and is best seen in bloom during November or December, though its pungent odor, reminiscent of rotten eggs, is unforgettable.
With endless hiking trails, cascading waterfalls, mysterious caves, and breathtaking viewpoints, dedicating a few days to exploring the western region of Khao Sok on foot is highly recommended. Yet, the crown jewel of the park is undoubtedly the man-made Cheow Lan Lake — one of Thailand’s most picturesque freshwater destinations. Towering limestone karsts rise dramatically from its calm, emerald waters, while winding inlets and hidden caves add to its ethereal charm.
Exploring Cheow Lan Lake by boat unveils some of Asia’s most striking natural landscapes, often compared to the iconic cliffs of Guilin, China, and Ha Long Bay, Vietnam. For a serene and immersive experience, spending a night or two at one of the floating raft house villages on the lake is an unforgettable adventure.
In addition to hiking and boat tours on the lake, visitors can enjoy guided bird-watching excursions, night safari adventures, challenging overnight camping treks, canoe rides along the Sok River, and even elephant trekking. These activities, offered by numerous tour operators near the park’s western entrances, provide a variety of ways to immerse yourself in the beauty and biodiversity of Khao Sok.
Khao Sok is accessible via Route 401, which links Takua Pa on the western coast to Surat Thani in the east, skirting just south of the park’s boundaries. While the park is situated within Surat Thani province, it is much closer to Phang Nga and the Andaman Sea coastline. Notably, no roads penetrate the heart of the park itself, preserving its pristine wilderness.
The park’s main visitor center, popular hiking trails, and most accessible waterfalls are located on the western side, near the village of Khlong Sok. A 1.5 km access road connects Route 401 directly to the park entrance, where you’ll find several guesthouses, resorts, and restaurants.
The pier for Chiew Lan Lake is situated about 50 km east of the visitor center, near the Ratchaprapa Dam. This area feels like a distinct destination, and getting there requires passing through the town of Ban Ta Khun on the southeastern edge of the park. Although Chiew Lan Lake stretches across the park’s northern boundary from west to east, much of the land, covered by rugged mountains and dense forests, remains inaccessible to visitors.
Few visitors stay in the Ban Ta Khun area, and most who visit Chiew Lan Lake and its rafthouses, except for those with their own transport, typically do so as part of a tour. Apart from the pier, the area near Ratchaprapa Dam has a small restaurant, a few souvenir shops, and a nearby park. In front of the pier, there is a small national park booth where visitors can purchase tickets if they haven’t already, though it offers little in terms of information, and there is no visitor center on the park’s eastern side. Ban Ta Khun, located 14 km south of the pier, has some local eateries and markets, but currently lacks significant tourist infrastructure.
Along the access road leading to the entrance and visitor center at Khao Sok’s western end, there are numerous accommodations and dining options within walking distance of the park and its hiking trails. This is the area where most travelers first arrive. Upon reaching the park’s entrance, visitors must pay the entrance fee (200B for foreigners or 20B for Thai citizens), which is valid for a 24-hour period.
Once you enter the park, the visitor center is just a short walk from the entrance. It’s staffed by friendly park workers and rangers who speak English and are eager to answer any questions you might have. They provide helpful information brochures, including a few basic maps, and can share details about the park’s sights, hiking trails, and accommodation options. While there are shared and private rooms available within the park, most travelers prefer to stay at more affordable and comfortable guesthouses nearby. The park also has a small restaurant and shop with limited hours, but during our visit, the restaurant appeared deserted, even though the ranger assured us it was open. All the main hiking trails start near the visitor center and restaurant area, with clear signage marking the paths along the way.
Just outside the park, along the 1.5 km long access road, travelers can find nearly everything they need, including accommodations for all budgets, convenience stores, restaurants, bars, tour companies, and internet cafes, which typically charge around 2B per minute. For those in need of transportation, motorbike rentals and mini-bus services are available, along with an ATM located just outside the mini-mart next to Herb Restaurant. Ban Ta Khun also has a few banks and ATMs. We found that cell service works fairly well, except when hiking several kilometers north of the visitor center and in some more remote areas, particularly in the northern parts of Chiew Lan Lake. While the park headquarters can handle basic first aid, any more serious medical issues would require a visit to a hospital in either Ban Ta Khun or Takua Pa.
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