Khao Sok National Park is one of the most beautiful and famous national parks in Thailand. The park was opened in 1980 with about 650 km ² area. Over the years, its area has been expanded several times (currently around 740 km²). The boundaries of the park were postponed only a year after the opening by the construction of the Ratchaprapha dam and the associated flooding of a part of the park and adjacent land: By the damming of the Khlong Saeng River is in this area, the Cheow-Larn Lake originated , The dam serves to generate electricity from hydropower. This area is one of the absolute "must-sees" in the park due to its picturesque landscape. Spread over the Cheow Larn Lake are several limestone cones that protrude from the water. Boat trips can be made on the lake and a few floating rafthouses (bungalow and tent facilities) have settled down near the shores. The area of the reservoir is about 165 km² and is about twice as large as the Chiemsee in Bavaria.

The park is located in the province of Surat Thani in southern Thailand between Takua Pa (about 40 km east), Khao Lak (about 75 km northeast) and Surat Thani (about 110 km west). From here, the park is well signposted and can be reached by car / motorbike or via organized tours. (From Koh Samui, Phuket and Khao Lak many organized tours are offered!) Differences are between day trips and multi-day tours with different program points including accommodation.)

Entrance fee:
Admission costs THB 300 per person (adult), THB 150 per child and Thai citizens THB 20 for children and THB 50 for adults.

Opening hours:
All year round and all day. Night trekking tours are also offered.

Weather info:
The region around Khao Sok National Park is one of the rainiest areas in Thailand (3,500 mm per year). The weather here is characterized by western and eastern monsoon climate: on the limestone cliffs in the park, the rain-laden clouds remain hanging and condense. The temperatures are usually between 29 and 33 ° Celsius. The best travel time is the months December - April. During the rainy season caves in the park are partially closed, as the visit is too dangerous.

There are several hotels along the main road to Khao Sok National Park. You can stay in simple, small huts and treehouses, or in mid-range and more luxurious rooms. Especially nice are the accommodations at Cheow Larn Lake. Here are bungalows built on stilts on the water. Thus, there is the right accommodation for every taste. Inside the park you can spend the night in tents. Night trekking tours are offered.

Due to its proximity to Phuket, Khao Lak and Surat Thani, the park can be easily reached by bus or minivan. From Germany it is best to travel via Bangkok or Phuket and Surat Thani. From here it goes in the car or minivan on to Khao Sok.

Transfer from Phuket to Khao Sok:
The transfer is regulated in Phuket. For about 900 baht / car you can get from Phuket Airport to Phuket Town in about 0.5 hours (depending on traffic). There are no price negotiations with the taxi drivers, because the taxi tickets are still issued in the airport building, just before the exit, and the fixed price is charged depending on the destination. There you will receive a receipt and can then board the booked taxi or minibus / van.

You can also rent a car at the airport. Here are several lenders to choose from. In addition to the common lenders AVIS and Europcar, Thailand's largest lender is Thai Rent a Car. Depending on the season, the prices vary greatly and often smaller vehicles are fully booked in the main season. The best way is to book the car already in your homecountry. Again, the journey time is about 2.5 hours, depending on traffic.

From Phuket Town:
From the bus terminal in Phuket Town, several buses run to Khao Sok and Takua Pa. The travel time in the public buses is about 2.5 hours, depending on the traffic. The price of the ticket per person is about 100-180 baht. There are 6 buses every day from 7.20 in the morning.

•       Bus No. 435 - direction Ranong
•       Bus No. 436 - direction Takua Pa

Arrival from hotel in Phuket:
Here it is advisable to book a ticket in one of the small travel agencies that are found everywhere in the tourist centers. The travel price includes a pick-up service directly from the hotel. The mini bus goes directly to the park.

Arrival from Bangkok:

• Arriving from Bangkok can be done either by train or by bus.
• From Bangkok's Southern Bus Terminal there are daily buses to Khao Sok, Khao Lak and Phuket. The fare is between 500 and 900 baht. Depending on traffic, the journey takes between 11 and 13 hours. Due to the air conditioning it gets pretty cold in the buses. It is best to take a warm sweater or jacket with you for the ride. There are 3 different buses at the Southern Bus Terminal in Bangkok:

1. Standard buses (orange) with approx. 75-80 seats (280 THB = approx. 7.- EUR) (the bus stops in different locations)
2. Aircon buses (blue) with approx. 40 seats (600 TBH = approx. 15.- EUR)
3. VIP buses (inscription "VIP Bus 999") with approx. 24 seats (895 THB = approx. 25.- EUR)

• Take the train to Surat Thani and from there drive about 200 km on the AC "Phuket Bus" No. 465 towards Khao Sok. The trip costs between 80 THB / 130 THB and takes about 3-4 hours depending on the traffic.

Arrival from Koh Samui / Koh Phangan / Koh Tao:
Here it is advisable to book a ticket in one of the small travel agencies that are found everywhere in the tourist centers. The travel price includes a pick-up service directly from the hotel. The mini bus continues to the pier and from there by boat / ferry to Surat Thani. From Surat Thani the bus will take you directly to the National Park.

Arrival from mainland Tailand (for example Krabi, Khao Lak, Pattaya, Hua Hin):
Again, you can book the pick-up service directly from the hotel again. With the mini bus it goes directly towards the national park. You can also go from the hotel to the respective bus station by taxi and from there with a public bus to the "bus station" in Surat Thani. From here it goes in the mini van or taxi to the national park.

There are many different types of animals and plants in the national park.
Animals:
Et al there are hornbills (hornbills), eagles, kingfishers, monkeys, bats (in the caves), rare species of insects (including tarantulas), lizards, monitor lizards, snakes, fish. With good luck you can see wild Asian elephants, Malay bear and big cats!

Plants:
The rainforest of this region is one of the oldest in the world and has a history of 160 million years. Also blooms here the largest bloom of the world, the Rafflesia. The flower is from January to February.

Ratchaprapha Dam and Cheow-Larn Lake:
From the dam you have a great view of the Chew Larn Lake

caves:
Khang Khao Cave: In addition to stalactites and stalagmites, there are thousands of bats in the cave.

Nam Talu Cave: This can be reached by boat via Cheow Larn Lake, but should not be used during the rainy season. Here you can see particularly bizarre rock formations and stalactites.

tours:
On site (via hotels and park management) various tours (with guide) are offered:

• Canoe tours (approx. 800 THB per day)
• Full-Day Lake Tour with Coral Cove Visit (1,500 THB per day)
• Full Day Lake Tour with visit to Nam Taloo Cave (1,500 THB per day)
• Full day trekking tour 1,200 THB, half day 600 THB
• Jungle Camping per day / night 2,500 THB
• Hot springs 400 THB

Multi-day tours from Khao Lak:
The tours include a pick-up service from the hotel to the park, entrance fees, accommodation and food.

• 2-day tour including overnight stay in the tree house for adults approx. 6,700 THB and children 4,700 THB incl. canoe trip on the river, visit to the elephants, Cheow Larn Lake, cave visit, guided trekking tour, breakfast & lunch

• 2-day tour including overnight stay on the Cheow Larn Lake, night safari & trekking for adults approx. 6,700 THB and children 4,700 THB (incl. Canoe trip on the river, longtail ride on the lake, visit to the elephants, guided trekking tour) Tour, breakfast & lunch)

• 3-day-tour incl. Overnight in the tree house and on the Cheow Larn lake for adults approx. 11,000 THB and children 8,200 THB (including canoe trip on the river, longtail ride on the lake, visit to the elephants and trekking, cave tour, guided trekking -Tour and Night Safari, Breakfast & Lunch)

For the visit in the park you should definitely take the following:

•     Sunscreen, if necessary also hat or baseball cap
•     Mosquito protection, possibly long clothes
•     Clothes to change because the clothes can get wet, possibly rain, possibly even rain cover
•     firm, comfortable shoes for trekking tours
•     bathing suits / swimsuits
  
•     Towels, if necessary snorkel equipment
•     Camera (with waterproof case / bag)
•     Waterproof / Waterproof Case for Mobile Phones & Co.
•     to spend some money, i.a. for tips, souvenirs, food & drinks