Khao Sok National Park

Khao Sok National Park, in Surat Thani Province, is one of Thailand's hidden secrets. Still very much off the beaten path, as far as mainstream tourism is concerned, this lovely national park offers pristine views of jagged peaks surrounding a placid lake of incomparable beauty.


Karst mountains reflect over Chiaw Lan Lake in Khao Sok National Park, Thailand.

Covering an area of 739 square kilometres, Khao Sok became the 22nd National Park in Thailand on 22 December, 1989. It is also one of the most beautiful national parks in Thailand, combining the Klongsang Wildlife Sanctuary with Chiaw Lan Lake, which was enlarged following the completion of Ratchaprapha Dam.

Following a topography and aerial survey of the Kraya Wood Project near Saeng Canal-Yhee Canal, the Surat Thani district and provincial Forestry Department proposed on October 7, 1976, that the scenic area is suitable as a national park as it has abundant trees, plants, waterfalls, streams, caves and wild animals. The National Park Commission conducted a survey of the area as per the Department of Forestry's order, but discovered that guerrillas were residing in the area. Hence, the national park plan had to be delayed until the situation was more conducive. The next survey was conducted on February 27, 1978.

Thereafter, Khao Sok was declared as one of Thailand's national park in order to preserve the unspoiled forests, scenic landscape, cliffs, waterfalls, caves, abundant trees, plants, and wildlife for the benefit of the country's tourism industry and for future environmental studies.

The National Park Commission of the Department of Forestry proposed to the National Park Committee which agreed to designate Khao Sok as a national park. However, the logging entity which receive concession to log in the area requested for more time to remove the logs. Hence, the plan was again delayed until the resolution of the next meeting authorizing the Department of Forestry to proceed, or issue an Executive Decree to officially declare the area as a national park immediately without regard to the logging concession issue in accordance with the government's Cabinet mandate relating to forest preservation at Amphur Panom, Surat Thani province. Khao Sok was officially declared the country's 22nd national park in 1989 as recorded in the Royal Gazette.

Getting to Khao Sok National Park

Chiew Lan Lake is accessible from the entrance of Ratchaprapha Dam. It is located about 2 hours north of Phuket, and one and a half hours west of Surat Thani. Upon arriving at Ratchaprapha Dam, one should hire a boat to explore the lake, the many coves, islets and caves. One of the bigger caves here is Namtaloo Cave.

Recreational Activities

Khao Sok National Park is a place to get close to nature in South Thailand. Several nature-inspired activities are available at Khao Sok National Park. Accommodation is available at a handful of chalets and rafthouses built directly over the lake, in many of the particularly scenic corners. Here, you may have your meals and enjoy a relaxing time mersmerized by the calmness of the lake. Swimming, kayaking and bamboo rafting are options available, as well as bird-watching and photography. There are also a few jungle trails. You are advised to get an experienced guide should you consider hiking through the jungle. At dusk, you may take a boat trip to look for bats as they leave their roosting cave for their nocturnal hunts.

Recommended Scenic Sight

Chiaw Lan Lake is particularly beautiful in the morning, when the rising sun pierces the mists shrouding the towering peaks. One should consider spending a night at one of the floating chalets over the lake to enjoy a totally unique experience.

Ratchaprapha Dam within Khao Sok National Park.

Limestone cliffs juts straight out of the lake.

A motorized sampan or longtail boat is the ideal method of lake. Another option is to go by kayak, which can be rented at one of the floating chalets.

A view of the floating chalets on Chiaw Lan Lake in Khao Sok National Park.

Accommodation in Khao Sok consists of chalets built over the emerald waters of Chiaw Lan Lake.

Another view of the floating chalets. To ensure the water is kept clean all the time, the toilets are build on solid ground, linked to the chalets by a bamboo bridge.

Limestone outcrop over the jade-coloured waters.

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