Khao Sok

Khao Sok National Park is one of the most beautiful national parks in Thailand. Due to its majestic scenery and biological diversity the park is nicknamed the ‘Gui – Lin of Thailand’, which refers to a very beautiful place in China. The name ‘Khao Sok’ is derived from the word ‘ Ban Sop”, which means ‘house of dead bodies’, The Royal Forest Department declared Khao Sok as the 22nd national park of Thailand on December 22nd, 1980. The park has a total area of 738.74 square kilometers, which covers parts of the Khlong Yee and Khlong Pra Sang forests as well as portions of the Krai Son and the Khao Pung sub-districts in the district of Ban Ta Khun and the Khlong Sok and Panom sub – districts in the province of Suratthani.

Khao Sok National Park is a virgin forest where various types of plant life can be found. This includes a number of very rare and sacred tree species such as the Neobalanocarpus heimil. A few other plants that can be seen in this park include the following: Genus Hoper, Chisocheton and Anisoptera etc., as well as small bushes such as the Rafflesia kerrii, palm, rattan, betel palm, and various types of bamboo.

The park serves as a home for a wide variety of wildlife such as the gaur, banteng, sambar deer, bear, Malayan tapir, macaque, gibbon, serow, mouse deer, porcupine, marbled cat, wild boar, and Asian wild dog. It also acts as the natural habitat for several for several bird species.

Tourist Attractions

Bang Hua Rat Waterfall - Lum Khlong Sok

Bang Hua Rat Waterfall - Lum Khlong Sok consists of rapids which drop down looks like stairs, and and is a popular place for shooting the rapids by boat.

Khang Cow Cave

T
housands of bats live in this large chambered cave. You can hear them twittering and squeaking and will smell their distinctive aroma as you explore the cave with its beautiful stalactites and stalagmites. Please do not shine torches up onto the bats, as this will disturb them, as will loud noise.

Mai Yai Waterfall



This is the only waterfall that can be reached by car. It is located next to the Suratthani-Takuapa road (also known as 113rd km), or 5.5 kilometers away from the headquarters. The waterfall, although is only one-level high, measures an approximate 30 meters in height. The best time to visit this waterfall is during the rainy season.

Nam Ta-lu Cave 



It’s located at Ranger Station 4 near by Ratcha Prapa dam’s reservoir. It can be accessed by boat only. Taking boat at Ratcha Prapa port, it takes only 15 minutes to go to the start walking point, then walk further about 2 km long, you will reach the cave eventually. The cave’s entrance is 30 meters width and inside is wide with a beautiful scenery stalactites and eroded stones. Interestingly, there is a stream runs through the cave along the 500 meters length.

Rafflesia Kerrii Meijer 



Among all flora in the world, Bua Phut or Rafflesia is the largest bloom. Rafflesia amoldii, found in lndonesia, is about 100 cm. in diameter. it is one of nature's wonders when this kind of plants displays its red blooms isn lush evergreen rainforest. People who live in the South call this species Bua Tum or Bua Phut. it is a parasitic plant with fiber-like tissue. it subsists on roots and trunks of the wild grape family known as Yan Kai Tom (Tetrastigma sp.) Bua Phut sucks nutrient and water from its host. We can spot this mysterious species only when its reproductive period arrives. Their small buds appear along its host's trunk. It takes about 9 months for these miniature buds to grow larger and larger like a giant cabbage. After this, the flowers only bloom for 7 days. Since the male and female flowers are separated, the blooming must be coincidental. This means that there is a relatively short time for insects to pollinatal. the female flower. With this natural comstraint, Bua Phut is on the endangered species list.

Ratchaprapa Dam 



This large man-made dam was built to provide hydro-electricity for Surat Thani and other towns. Over 100 islands dot this massive lake, most of the clustered in the narrowest part of the lake, an area known as 'Chong Kaeb Khao Ka Loh'. The dam is a 65 Km. drive from Headquarters. Local people run boat trips and trekking around the Dam as part of an eco-tourism project.

Si Ru Cave



Approximately 4 kilometers in distance from the Nam Tha Lu cave, this cave has around 4 entrances that was once used by commuists residing in the country.

Sip Et Chan Waterfall



Water pours over the 11-stepped staircase of rocks that makes up this attractive waterfall. The large pool at the bottom is great for swimming - you will need cooling down after walking the 4km from the headquarters.

Tang Nam

Two majestic cliffs that can be seen facing each other; it can be located on the deep end of the Sok canal and serves as the habitat for a variety of fish species. Tang Nam is just 6 kilometers away from the headquarters and requires 3.2 kilometer walk and 3.2 kilometer from the Bang Wing Hin Waterfall.