Getting to Khao Sok is easy and can be done in various ways. Flying might seem like the obvious option since Surat Thani has its own airport, which offers many flights to and from several places including Phuket, Bangkok, Krabi and Koh Samui. Surat Thani airport is also the closest airport to Khao Sok however, if you plan on spending some time in Koh Samui before heading to Khao Sok, it’s okay as Koh Samui also has an airport with frequent flights pretty much every day of the week and it’s not far from the Khao Sok National Park either, after landing in Koh Samui you can take a ferry ride to Donsak Pier then, a bus transportation to Khao Sok. Traveling by train is also applicable due to the existence of the Surat Thani Railway Station, with trains coming in every day from Bangkok among other places. Another option of transportation is the Minibus, which can only be caught from a few places including Phuket, Krabi, Koh Samui, Donsak Pier and Surat Thani, there are also buses from Bangkok to Surat Thani. The last option but not least is the ferry, there are many ferry rides to Donsak Pier especially from Koh Samui and Koh Phangan.

Khao Sok National Park Information

Located in Southern Thailand in Surat Thani Province. Khao Sok National Park is a wonderful place filled with the true undeniable essence of nature. It has the oldest evergreen rainforest in the world along with mysterious caves, amazing lakes, breathtaking valleys and splendid limestone mountains. The park has over 311 species of birds, 48 species of mammals in addition to species of reptiles and bats. The park is about 739 km².

Highlights

Fauna
Khao Sok National Park is a natural habitat to many amazing species of animals including over 25 species of bats, 311 species of birds, more than 45 mammal species and never-ending species of reptiles and more. Mammal species in the park include wild elephants, gibbons, mouse deer, bamboo rats and many more. You can also witness the majestic carnivores like the Clouded Leopard and the ferocious Tiger. And amazing Herbivores like the Gaur along with one of the cutest animals in the world which is the Elephant. With many more species to uncover and see in the Khao Sao National Park.

Flora
Khao Sok is known as one of the most bio-diverse areas due to the existence of more than 200 different species of flora per hectare. Its rainforest is part tropical rainforest and part tropical evergreen forest. Khao Sok has many special plants like the Buttress Roots which are roots that grow on specialist trees and mainly used to make boats, drums, and war shields. Rafflesia is another wonderful miracle, as they are the biggest flowers that could grow to 90cm. Other examples of marvelous Flora are Fig, Bananas, Pitcher Plant, Coconut palms, Liana, Bamboo among many others.

Topography
Khao Sok National Park has one of the best topographies in Thailand and it has one of the oldest rainforests in the world. The park has 15% lowland scrub and limestone crag vegetation, 27% rainforest plains, 40% foothill rainforest and 3% 600-1000m rainforest. The park has not been relatively affected by the ice ages as it is small and has the sea on both sides, it didn’t suffer from drought unlike other places and still sustained its rainfall that keeps the forests in best form. Khao Sok is also known for its beautiful karst or limestone mountains

Activities
The park is not just a place to ponder and witness the beautiful nature and animals, it is a place where you can take your family and friends or even go solo and participate in some of the best activities there. Explore the magical rainforest on foot by jungle trekking with a guide taking you through amazing flora and fauna. Who doesn’t love chilling on a boat? Especially in Cheow Larn Lake or Sok River as you Kayak, Canoe or take a bamboo raft and experience the true serene nature of the park.