ZiZ Asia

Khao Sok National Park Thailand

There is something about immersing your self in the depths of a rainforest, the vibrant colours, the evaporating rain water steaming through the canopy and the tumultuous jungle orchestra whose notes and cacophony can be heard throughout the day and night. Khao Sok, as Thailand’s largest national park and by far its largest rainforest, is no exception.

A ridge of jagged mountains drives down the middle of the Thai Malay peninsula separating the east coast and the Gulf of Thailand from the west coast and the Andaman Sea. Straddling this mountain range is Khao Sok, a vast rainforest estimated to be around 160 million years old and thus one of the oldest on earth, surpassing those of Central Africa and the Amazons in terms of age by many millennia.

Declared a National Park at the end of 1980, the name “Khao Sok” is derived from the Thai phrase ‘ Ban Sop” which literally means ‘house of dead bodies’ and the reason for this was the introduction of the Rajabrapha Dam which displaced 400 families and drowned as many as 1,000 animals as the water levels rose behind it. A more cheering by-product of the dam was the creation of Cheo Larn Lake which today contributes to the awe-inspiringly beautiful scenery and has often been compared to Guilin in China.

Khao Sok is located to the northeast of Phuket in Surat Thani province and takes approximately two and a half hours to get to by car from Phuket Airport. Time out from the beaches of southern Thailand to take a trip to this jungle injects a total contrast to the beaches and islands experience.

Flora and Fauna

It is estimated that there are some 200 different species in each of Khao Sok’s 120,000 hectares and still, as we approach 2010, many of the species are yet to be named and there is every possibility that even more species are yet to be discovered here. Having had so much time to evolve in comparative isolation much of the flora is unique to the park.

Khao Sok is most renowned for being the home of the world’s largest flower, the very rare Bua Phut, better known as Rafflesia. The Rafflesia is a parasitic wild lotus flower that blooms once a year in January or February to a diameter of 80cm. But Khao Sok is also home to a wide variety of orchid species growing in amongst the dense forest. The mountain shelter and the abundance of fresh water support a canopy of tall, dominant trees below which is a spider’s web of woody climbers, bamboo, rattan, ferns & palms all jostling for their own ray of sunshine.

Elephant, gaur, banteng, binturong (or “bear cat”), langur (or leaf monkey), tiger, panther, leopard, malay sun bear, monkey, white-handed gibbon, porcupine, wild boar, snake, lizard, bat, butterfly and over 180 species of birds, including several kinds of hornbill also call Khao Sok home among a plethora of other species, both large and small, as well. This isn’t a walk in the wildlife park though and these guys are elusive so don’t rush to Khao Sok looking forward to watching a pair of tigers purring on the lawn; you will be sorely disappointed.

Exploring Khao Sok

For most visitors to Khao Sok the experience is one of soft rainforest adventure; trekking, elephant trekking, kayaking and caving with the odd and very welcome swim here and there in waterfall pools and Chieo Lan Reservoir. Combined with the scenery, past visitors have lauded their visit as “The Highlight of my Holiday” and “Khao Sok is a must during a trip to Thailand” and “Absolutely beautiful” and onwards.

Despite the vastness of the National Park tourism remains very localised largely restricted to where there is decent accommodation. Hence under normal circumstances you are not going to get the epitome of a Tarzan and Jane experience. But a rainforest is a formidable environment for anyone. It is hot and it is humid and frankly to be able to have a good wash, scrumptious meal and a comfy bed to sleep in at night is a very welcome luxury.

You don’t have to have a guide but it is recommended to do so as they not only trail find for you but also act as eyes and ears, pointing out the wildlife along the way.

When to Go

Bring some light-weight wet weather gear! This is a rainforest that is targeted by Monsoons from the Gulf of Thailand in the east and The Andaman Sea in the west. It is the wettest area in Thailand with the heaviest tropical torrents falling from May to November. The dry season is from December to April.

Staying in Khao Sok

There are quite a few accommodation options within the park itself but the Elephant Hills Tented Camp is definitely the top pick. Inspired by the tented safari camps found on the plains of Africa, Elephant Hills is Southeast Asia’s answer to the authentic safari experience.

Thirty spacious tents featuring rustic handmade furniture made from natural materials provide the creature comforts of a hotel room. At the centre of the camp is the main tent and restaurant with views out across the jungle from where you can relax mesmerised by flocks of hornbills and other birds flying above the canopy.

Campfires are lit at night to add to the atmosphere while the jungle serenades you with its orchestra. As dawn breaks the orchestra changes shifts to create an entirely new medley. Mist envelopes the mountains surrounding the camp and hangs like a shroud over the tree canopy before gradually dissipating into a vibrancy of greens as the sun rises.

Ideal Length of Stay

A day trip to the park does not do you or it justice. To truly experience the jungle we suggest at least an overnight stay and more ideally two nights as this will afford more time to indulge in the various outward bound activities available as well as giving you a higher chance of seeing a variety of the rainforests inhabitants.

Jungle Health & Wellbeing

Malaria is not a risk in Khao Sok but it is a rainforest and as such has its fair share of mosquitoes and other flying critters. Mosquito repellent is advisable as are long trousers and long sleeved shirts as protection from bites.

Flash floods are a risk particularly from May to November, the months that receive the heaviest rains. Our advise would be to avoid caving during these months as visitors to the park have lost their lives in caves hit by flash floods.

The risk of animal bite or attack is minimal and in all cases wildlife is far more wary and scared of you than you are of them and will almost always opt for disappearing in the opposite direction. A guide though is essential when trekking not least for safety but also as a seasoned pair of eyes who will be able to point out and identify wildlife to you that may otherwise have remained invisible.

Getting There

Khao Sok is easily accessible from Surat Thani, Phuket, Krabi and even Bangkok by public transport. For ZiZ Asia clients wishing the have the jungle experience, we can arrange all your transfer needs throughout your stay in Thailand which includes being collected from your southern Thailand hotel (Phuket, Krabi etc) and driven to Khao Sok and back again either in exclusive transport or shared.

Contact ZiZ Asia

Contact Us for more information about Southern Thailand, its Beaches, Islands & Jungles. We offer a complete trip planning service that incorporates regional flights, airport transfers, Thailand Hotels & accommodation, tours and activities. Our events team is at hand to arrange Meetings, Conferences, Corporate Hospitality and Special Events including Honeymoons. We look forward to arranging a unique & memorable experience for you in Southeast Asia.

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