KHAO SOK

NATIONAL PARK

Moo 6, Khlong Sok Subdistrict, Phanom District, Surat Thani Province 84250 Phone : 0 7739 5155, 0 7739 5139 (Visitor Center)

Khao Sok National Park, the world’s oldest evergreen rainforest, is a natural wonder waiting to be explored. With its towering limestone cliffs, caves, pristine lakes, rich valleys, diverse wildlife, and unique plant life, this 739 square kilometer park offers an unforgettable adventure in nature.

The limestone karsts in Khao Sok rise to an average height of 400 meters, with the tallest peak reaching 960 meters. Cheow Larn Lake, located at the heart of the park, was created around 25 years ago when the Rajaprabha Dam was constructed to supply water to a hydroelectric power plant. Stretching approximately 60 kilometers from north to south, the lake is home to over 100 islands. The park is teeming with wildlife and unique plant species, including the Rafflesia, the world’s largest flower.

Khao Sok offers a range of exciting travel experiences, with numerous tours designed to showcase its breathtaking sights and thrilling activities. Recommended multi-day safaris, ranging from two to four days, include jungle trekking, elephant rides, canoeing, bamboo rafting, and boat tours to Cheow Larn Lake. Take a ride on an elephant through a secluded valley, surrounded by lush rainforest and towering mountains, while learning about their care. Paddle down the Sok River, taking in panoramic views of the jungle and wildlife. Explore Cheow Larn Lake by boat and spend a night on a floating resort, immersing yourself in the serene beauty of the area. The opportunities to explore and connect with nature in Khao Sok are endless.

Wildlife and Vegetation

Khao Sok National Park is a pristine wilderness that boasts a rich variety of plant species, including rare and revered trees like the Neobalanocarpus heimii. Among the many unique plants found here are species such as Genus Hoper, Chisocheton, and Anisoptera, alongside smaller shrubs like Rafflesia kerrii, palm, rattan, betel palm, and several varieties of bamboo. This diverse range of flora adds to the park’s natural beauty and ecological significance.

The park is a sanctuary for an impressive range of wildlife, including the gaur, banteng, sambar deer, bears, Malayan tapir, macaques, gibbons, serows, mouse deer, porcupines, marbled cats, wild boars, and Asian wild dogs. It also provides a natural habitat for numerous bird species, making it a thriving ecosystem teeming with biodiversity.

Wildlife and Vegetation

Khao Sok National Park is one of Thailand’s most stunning natural treasures, renowned for its breathtaking scenery and incredible biodiversity. Often referred to as the “Guilin of Thailand,” a nod to the beauty of Guilin in China, the park is a haven for rare plant species, including the sacred Neobalanocarpus heimil. The name “Khao Sok” originates from the term “Ban Sop,” meaning “house of dead bodies.” Officially designated as Thailand’s 22nd national park by the Royal Forest Department on December 22, 1980, it continues to captivate visitors with its lush landscapes and rich natural history.

The park spans a vast area of 738.74 square kilometers, encompassing sections of the Khlong Yee and Khlong Pra Sang forests. It also covers parts of the Krai Son and Khao Pung sub-districts in Ban Ta Khun district, along with the Khlong Sok and Panom sub-districts in Surat Thani province.

Weather and Climate

The climate in Khao Sok is shaped by monsoon winds from both the Indian and Pacific Oceans, bringing rain from late April to December, with the heaviest rainfall occurring between May and November. The ideal time to visit the park is from December to April, when the weather is at its most pleasant.

Terrain and Landscape

The towering limestone formations in Khao Sok, known as karsts, are remnants of an ancient coral reef that existed approximately 225-280 million years ago. This reef was believed to span a length five times greater than Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, extending from China to Borneo. Some of these dramatic karsts reach nearly 1,000 meters in height, dwarfing those found in Phang Nga Bay and Halong Bay, Vietnam.

Khao Sok National Park features a diverse range of ecosystems:

  • 40% foothill rainforest
  • 27% rainforest plains
  • 15% limestone crag vegetation
  • 15% lowland scrub
  • 3% high-altitude rainforest (600-1,000 meters)
 

The park’s environment shares more similarities with Malaysian forests than those in northern Thailand. Unlike the forests of the north, Khao Sok’s forests are taller, denser, more humid, and remain evergreen year-round.