Khao Sok National Park

Khao Sok National Park Review

After a few hours by bus south of Surat Thani town, you can find yourself traveling through a different landscape of tall mountain ranges covered with lush greenery and small streams. Soon you reach Ratchabhrapa (Chiew Lan) Dam and Khao Sok National Park, which contains 161,000 acres of the most beautiful forest in Thailand. The park is home to such diverse and rare wildlife as the gaur, banteng, sambar deer, bear, Malayan tapir, macaque, gibbon, serow, mouse deer, and porcupine. It's also one of the few places to see a Raffesia, the world's largest flower, and rare bird species like hornbills. Hiking, boat rides, and night safaris are some of the activities in the park. Rain is inevitable in Khao Sok, as the weather is influenced by monsoon winds from both the northeast and west year-round—the best and driest time to visit Khao Sok is December to April. Both the national park and some private resorts offer various types of lodging, but don't expect too much. Only very basic accommodation can be found in the park. A privately run, funky shaped tree house accommodation is 1 km (½ mi) before the park's entrance. Visit the local TAT office to stock up on info beforehand.