Khao Sok National Park Park

Address: Khao Sok National Park, Surat Thani Province, Thailand

Website: https://www.dnp.go.th

Khao Sok National Park is a large protected area in southern Thailand known for its ancient evergreen rainforest, steep limestone karst towers and riverine habitats. The park includes lowland tropical forest, caves and the large Ratchaprapha (Cheow Lan) reservoir formed behind a hydroelectric dam.

Boat and canoe trips on the reservoir among forested limestone islets, rainforest treks on marked trails, canopy and nocturnal wildlife tours, and multi-day jungle treks. Accommodation ranges from campground sites to floating raft houses on the lake used as bases for water-based activities.

The park was declared in the late 20th century to protect its ecologically rich forests; the reservoir was created after dam construction and added a new aquatic landscape that boosted tourism. Management focuses on conservation and regulated visitor access to key zones.

Khao Sok sits in Surat Thani province on the Malay Peninsula in southern Thailand, occupying limestone and forested hills inland from the Andaman coast. Access is by road from nearby towns and provincial centres; the landscape is predominantly steep forest and karst.

• Rainforest and karst: Contains some of the oldest evergreen rainforest in the world with limestone karst formations, rivers and a large reservoir created by the Ratchaprapha Dam in the 1980s.
• Wildlife viewing: Wildlife includes Asian elephant, gibbons, and many bird species; wildlife sightings are more likely on guided treks and early morning boat trips than on short self-guided walks.

What to See#

• Cheow Lan Lake: Ratchaprapha (Cheow Lan) Reservoir - a large artificial lake dammed in the 1980s with towering limestone karst islets and floating bungalow tourism operations used as a gateway to boat safaris and kayaking.
• Rainforest trails and wildlife areas: Primary rainforest trails and canopy forest around the park’s core that provide routes for day hikes, wildlife viewing and guided night walks to spot nocturnal species.

Khao Sok National Park is reached by road from Surat Thani province and from the Khao Lak/Phang Nga region; regular buses and minivans run to the area around Khlong Sok (the village adjacent to the park). From Surat Thani town or the bus station, hire a local minivan or taxi for the final leg to the park entrance or to Khlong Sok village.

Most lodging and tour operators pick up travellers at the bus stop or Surat Thani train station; once at the park gateway short walks or boat transfers (for Cheow Lan Lake excursions) are required to reach trails and lake accommodations.

• Book an overnight stay on Cheow Lan (Ratchaprapha) lake rather than a day trip - staying on the lake gets you the early‑morning mist, wildlife activity and far fewer crowds than single-day tours.
• Visit during the dry season (roughly November-April) when lake access, boat trips and visibility for jungle activities are most reliable; monsoon months reduce road and boat options.
• Include a guided night walk or canoe trip in your itinerary-many visitors do day hikes only and miss the abundant nocturnal wildlife and quieter backwater areas.