Khao Sok national park in southern Thailand remains one of the most unique and beautiful areas in Thailand.  Khao Sok Park, one of the largest tracts of virgin rain forest remaining in southern Thailand, is believed by some people to be older and more diverse than even the rain forests in the Amazon River Basin.

Khao Sok park is readily accessible either from Surat Thani (located to the east) or from Phuket to the South.  Despite the convenient location, Khao Sok is largely passed-over by many tourists who are often more inclined to travel to the more popular resort areas.  This works to the favour of this beautiful park as there are not crowds of people and the area can be enjoyed in all of its unspoiled natural splendour.

There are several ways to reach Khao Sok but personally I prefer the drive from Bangkok.  It is a very pleasant road trip (possibly stopping in Ranong for one overnight) and the route will take you past the western shores along the Gulf of Thailand and you will also be able to enjoy the beautiful scenic drives along the Adaman Sea.

Khao Sok national park is a large area and can be enjoyed over a couple or even 3 days.  There is plenty of hiking through the ancient forests, small rivers, waterfalls, and spectacular limestone cliffs.  Several of the sights in the park can be reached by car while others are only accessible by foot.

There are a number of small resorts and boutique style hotels camping areas in and around the park.  Theses accommodations are varied though you will surely be able to find something that suits your tastes and your budget.  For certain you will be able to find lovely Thai style and friendly Thai hospitality. A visitor can also get some good information about Khao Sok park from the locals and many of these small hotels can arrange guided hiking trips and other adventure tours through the park.

Khao Sok offers amazing biodiversity and visitors can expect to see any variety of tropical birds, mammals (including gibbons and barking deer), many reptile species, and of course the lush and diverse vegetation.  There are thousands of plant species including some unique and threatened species such as rare ferns and the giant rattan palm.  The endangered Bua Phut, which has blossoms that can reach 80 cm in diameter, is also found within the park. The Bua Phut has the largest blossoms of any plant in the world and can only be seen during a short flowering period in the early months of each year (during dry season from about January to March).

Bua Phut (also known locally as Bua Tum) is the official regional flower of Surat Thani Province.  It is found only in southern Thailand and parts of Malaysia and, though classified as rare and endangered, there continues to be problems threatening individual plants and plant habitat. One problem is with park tourists trying to get close to the blossoms, usually for close-up photos, and trampling host plants in the process.  As well, locals continue to collect the Bua Phut blossom for its traditional medicinal properties.

There is an active effort underway to preserve this stunning park and you will need to learn some etiquette prior to enjoying these natural spaces.  Visitors are asked not to directly contact any of the plant or animal species and to stay on the elevated pathways where ever these have been provided.  The Bua Phut plant is one species that is particularly sensitive so you may look but Please Don’t Touch.

If you are interested in any of a number of education programs relating to the park you can contact Park Offices for more information about this amazing rain forest park.

Contact Tourism Authority of Thailand for more information:
Region 5 (Surat Thani) Office – 07-728-8818