• Thailand Guide

  • Introduction to Thailand
  • Weather
  • Things Not to Miss
  • Getting around
  • Money
  • Public holidays
  • Entry requirements

• Explore Thailand

  • The central plains
  • The north
  • The east coast
  • The northeast: Isaan
  • Southern Thailand: the Gulf coast
  • Southern Thailand: the Andaman coast
  • The deep south

• Cities

  • Bangkok
    
  • Chiang Mai
    
  • Chiang Rai
    
  • Chumphon
    
  • Hat Yai
    
  • Kamphaeng Phet
    
  • Nakhon Si Thammarat
    
  • Pattaya
    
  • Phitsanulok
    
  • Surat Thani
    

Thailand Guide

Southern Thailand: the Andaman coast

Khao Sok National Park

• Accommodation

Offering easy jungle trails, a bit of amateur spelunking and some scenic raft house accommodation on Cheow Lan Lake, KHAO SOK NATIONAL PARK is a popular stop on the travellers' route. Much of the park is carpeted in impenetrable rainforest, home to gaurs, leopard cats and tigers, and some 155 species of bird. The limestone crags that dominate almost every vista both on and off the lake are breathtaking, never more so than in the early morning: waking up to the sound of hooting gibbons and the sight of thick white mist curling around the karst formations is an experience not quickly forgotten.

The park is approximately halfway between southern Thailand's's two coasts and easily accessible from Khao Lak, Phuket and Surat Thani. It has two centres: the tourist village that has grown up around the park visitor centre and trailheads, and the dam, 65km further east, at the head of Cheow Lan Lake. Most visitors stay in the tourist village and organize their lake trips from there, but it's also feasible to do one or more nights at the lake first.

The tourist village offers all essential services – guided tours and trekking services, minimarkets, email, laundry, massage and motorbike rental – but there's no ATM here. Khao Sok Track & Trail does currency exchange, has overseas phone services and sells bus, boat, plane and train tickets.