DISCOVER
KHAO SOK NATIONAL PARK
Thailand's oldest rainforest, home to towering limestone cliffs, emerald lakes, wild elephants, rare hornbills, and one of Southeast Asia's oldest ecosystems.
Discover Khao Sok National Park
One of the world's oldest rainforests, spectacular limestone landscapes, diverse wildlife, and the breathtaking beauty of Cheow Lan Lake combine to create Thailand's most remarkable national park.
Nestled in southern Thailand between the Andaman Coast and the Gulf of Thailand, Khao Sok National Park protects over 739 square kilometres of ancient rainforest believed to be older than the Amazon itself. Towering limestone cliffs rise dramatically above emerald forests, while hidden rivers, jungle trails, waterfalls, and the crystal-clear waters of Cheow Lan Lake offer unforgettable experiences for nature lovers.
The park is home to an extraordinary variety of wildlife, including wild Asian elephants, Malayan tapirs, white-handed gibbons, dusky langurs, great hornbills, and hundreds of bird species. Every visit offers the possibility of discovering something unique, whether you're quietly drifting across the lake at sunrise or hiking beneath towering rainforest canopies.
Unlike many destinations that focus on a single attraction, Khao Sok combines jungle adventures, floating raft house experiences, wildlife encounters, kayaking, bamboo rafting, cave exploration, and local cultural experiences within one protected landscape. This diversity makes it one of Thailand's premier destinations for travellers seeking authentic nature rather than crowded tourist attractions.
Whether you visit for a day or spend several nights exploring both the rainforest and Cheow Lan Lake, Khao Sok offers an experience that continues to surprise even returning visitors. Every season reveals a different side of the park, making it a destination worth discovering throughout the year.
Khao Sok National Park
at a Glance
Everything you should know about one of Thailand's most extraordinary protected landscapes—from its ancient rainforest and towering limestone mountains to its remarkable biodiversity and world-famous Cheow Lan Lake.
The Geography of
Khao Sok National Park
Covering approximately 739 square kilometres (461,712 acres), Khao Sok National Park protects one of the world's oldest evergreen rainforests, dramatic limestone mountain ranges, winding rivers, and the spectacular Cheow Lan Lake. Together, these diverse landscapes create one of Thailand's richest ecosystems and support an extraordinary variety of wildlife.
Khao Sok National Park
Headquarters
Images Provided by Khao Sok Travel
Reproduction and imitation are prohibited.
Did You Know?
Khao Sok National Park is widely regarded as preserving one of the world's oldest evergreen rainforest ecosystems. Combined with the flooded limestone valleys of Cheow Lan Lake, it protects one of Thailand's most diverse natural environments.
Cheow Lan Lake
The Heart of Khao Sok National Park
Images Provided by Khao Sok Travel
Reproduction and imitation are prohibited.
Cheow Lan Lake is the defining feature of Khao Sok National Park and one of Thailand's most breathtaking freshwater landscapes. Formed after the completion of Ratchaprapha Dam in 1987, the lake stretches across approximately 165 square kilometres, where towering limestone cliffs rise dramatically from emerald-green waters surrounded by ancient rainforest.
Surface Area
Covering approximately 165 km² (102,800 rai), Cheow Lan Lake forms one of Thailand's largest freshwater reservoirs and the ecological heart of Khao Sok National Park.
Limestone Landscape
Hundreds of towering limestone karsts emerge directly from the lake, creating scenery often compared to Guilin in China, yet surrounded by one of the world's oldest evergreen rainforests.
Wildlife Habitat
The shoreline, islands, and surrounding rainforest provide habitat for hornbills, white-handed gibbons, Asian elephants, macaques, and countless other native species.
Visitor Experience
Explore the lake by traditional longtail boat, kayak through quiet bays, visit spectacular caves, stay overnight on floating raft houses, or enjoy wildlife safaris at sunrise and sunset.
Wildlife of Khao Sok National Park
Encounter rare wildlife in one of the world's oldest rainforests.
Wildlife is one of the defining features of Khao Sok National Park. From wild Asian elephants and white-handed gibbons to spectacular hornbills and one of Thailand's richest rainforest ecosystems, every visit offers the possibility of remarkable wildlife encounters.
Discover the animals, birds, reptiles, and plant life that make Khao Sok one of Southeast Asia's most biologically diverse protected areas.
Flora of Khao Sok National Park
The ancient rainforest of Khao Sok National Park supports an extraordinary diversity of plant life shaped by millions of years of evolution. From towering dipterocarp trees that form the rainforest canopy to delicate orchids growing on moss-covered branches, every layer of the forest contributes to one of Thailand's most important ecosystems.
Among its most celebrated botanical treasures is the Rafflesia kerrii, one of the world's largest flowers, which blooms for only a few days each year. Together with giant bamboo, climbing vines, ancient ferns, and countless native plant species, Khao Sok offers an unforgettable experience for nature lovers, photographers, and botanists alike.
Things to Do In Khao Sok National Park
From exploring one of the world's oldest rainforests to cruising across the emerald waters of Cheow Lan Lake, Khao Sok National Park offers unforgettable experiences for every type of traveller.
🥾 Jungle Trekking
Explore ancient rainforest trails, discover hidden waterfalls, and learn about the unique ecosystems of Khao Sok with experienced local guides.
🚤 Cheow Lan Lake Tours
Cruise across emerald waters surrounded by dramatic limestone karsts, visit floating raft houses, and experience one of Thailand's most spectacular freshwater landscapes.
🛶 Bamboo Rafting
Float peacefully along the Sok River while enjoying the sights and sounds of one of the world's oldest evergreen rainforests.
🐘 Ethical Elephant Experiences
Learn about Asian elephants through responsible programmes focused on welfare, education, and respectful interaction.
🦜 Birdwatching
Home to more than 300 bird species, Khao Sok is one of Thailand's premier destinations for bird enthusiasts and wildlife photographers.
🌙 Night Safari
Discover the rainforest after dark, when nocturnal wildlife becomes active and the jungle transforms into a completely different world.
Discover unforgettable adventures, carefully designed day tours, and multi-day experiences throughout Khao Sok National Park.
Getting to Khao Sok National Park
Planning your journey is easier than you might think. Khao Sok National Park is conveniently located between Thailand's Andaman Coast and the Gulf of Thailand, with straightforward connections from Phuket, Krabi, Surat Thani, Khao Lak, and Koh Samui.
Whether you're arriving by plane, ferry, bus, train, or private transfer, reaching Khao Sok National Park is simple from many of southern Thailand's most popular destinations. Its central location makes it an ideal stop between Phuket, Krabi, Koh Samui, Khao Lak, and Surat Thani.
Visitors can choose from comfortable private transfers, shared minivans, public buses, or self-driving routes depending on their travel style. Most major airports are within a few hours' drive, making Khao Sok one of Thailand's most accessible rainforest destinations.