Khao Sok National Park sits in the south of Thailand and is full of dense forest, sparkling lakes, valleys, flowing rivers, severe limestone mountains, caves and wild animals. Tour operators provide trips into the lush area on elephant back, on foot, in a jeep or by canoe.
Khao Sok National Park is conveniently located between Krabi, Khao Lak, Phuket and Ko Samui and is easily accessible from any of these popular destinations. It was declared a national park in 1980 by the Royal Forest Department and boasts some of the most majestic scenery in Thailand.
The habitat is diverse, from small shrubs and ferns to giant swaying trees and bamboo, all set around rivers, forests and towering mountains. The varied environment attracts a wide variety of wildlife, including the bears, gibbon and porcupine that live among the sacred neobalanocarpus heimil trees.
Khao Sok National Park covers a large expanse of 738 square kilometers and spreads across many districts in Surat Thani Province]]. The area is mainly made up of limestone mountains, with the highest peak sitting a staggering 961 meters above sea level. The forest floors are comprised of a sandy soil that can be treacherous in monsoon season and easily erodes.
Getting There & Away
Surat Thani is the closest airport to Khao Sok, with Krabi and Phuket airports proving more popular and only slightly further afield. Flights to all three airports from Bangkok take around 1 hour, 20 minutes. Minibus tours run daily from Khao Lak, Phuket, Krabi and Koh Samui to Khao Sok, with a decent highway road making the park easily accessible.