a row of huts sitting on top of a body of water

Khao Sok National Park

Khao Sok National Park in southern Thailand is known for boat trips on Cheow Lan Lake past limestone cliffs, rainforest walks from the West Entrance, and overnight stays in the forest.

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Khao Sok National Park is in Surat Thani Province in southern Thailand and covers about 739 square kilometers of forest. The main draw is Cheow Lan Lake, a 165 square kilometer reservoir held back by the Ratchaprapha Dam, with limestone cliffs rising from the water. Route 401 links Phun Pin in Surat Thani Province with Takua Pa in Phang Nga Province, and it is a road used to reach the park. The park receives about 3,500 mm of rain a year, which makes it one of the wettest areas of Thailand.

Lake boat tours are the park's most popular activity, and they reach limestone caves such as Nam Talu, about 12 km from the park headquarters. Day treks start from the West Entrance on maintained trails, where monkeys, tropical birds and insects are often seen. Visitors may also stay overnight in the rainforest, and guides are required for night tours. The wet season runs roughly from late April to December, so January to April is the drier stretch to plan around. Temperatures stay between 22 and 36 °C all year.

Khao Sok National Park in five

Choose a lake overnight or a park-side stayFloating raft houses on Cheow Lan Lake are quiet and scenic but remote. Park-side lodges near the entrance give easier access to jungle trails and day tours. Many visitors do one of each over two nights.
Go with a guide on the jungle trailsThe forest is dense and signs are limited. A guided walk helps with leeches, wildlife and safety, and tours usually include transport from the lodges.
Ask what the park and lake fees includeNational park entry and the lake boat are separate charges and tour quotes differ on what is included. Ask before you pay, and carry baht in case a fee is collected on arrival.
Pack for rain, even in the dry seasonThe park is wet for much of the year. Bring a light rain jacket, quick-dry clothes, insect repellent and a dry bag for your phone, and expect trails to be muddy.Best time to visit Thailand
Pair it with the coast, not the other way roundKhao Lak is a short drive away, Surat Thani and Samui lie east, and Krabi is further south. Check bus and minivan timetables before you commit to an exact route.Hat Khao Lak

Things to do in Khao Sok National Park

See all attractions in Khao Sok National Park

scenery of rock formation on body of water

Sight · Khao Sok National ParkTham Nam Thalu

Park · Khao Sok National ParkKhao Sok National ParkCarry cash in baht. Some services here take cash only, so budget for the entrance fee, boat hire and meals.

Sight · Khao Sok National ParkChiaw Lan Lake

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Need to know

Entrance: Park fee for visitors; the lake boat and raft houses cost extra
Permits: None for visitors; guided walks recommended on jungle trails
Season: Open year-round; heavy rain can close trails and raise the lake
Nearest town: Khao Sok village on Route 401; Takua Pa and Surat Thani
Getting there: Minivan or tour from Khao Lak, Krabi, Phuket or Surat Thani

Weather by month

Rainy days
Days with storms

Best
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryRain15 rainy daysHigh30°Low23°Dry, clearest
FebruaryPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh31°Low23°Dry
MarchRain15 rainy daysHigh31°Low25°Dry, hot
AprilRain24 rainy daysHigh31°Low26°Hot, rain starts
MayRain29 rainy daysHigh30°Low26°Rainy season
JuneRain26 rainy daysHigh29°Low26°Wet, green
JulyRain27 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh29°Low26°Wet, green
AugustRain27 rainy daysHigh29°Low26°Wet, green
SeptemberRain27 rainy daysHigh28°Low25°Wet
OctoberRain29 rainy daysHigh28°Low25°Wet
NovemberRain26 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°Wet, easing
DecemberRain17 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°Drying out

Average daily high and low in Khao Sok, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Khao Sok National Park

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 29°
Humidity: 95%
Wind: 4 km/h
Chance of rain: 98%

Khao Sok National Park

05:41 AM

Tuesday, November 3

GMT+7

Today31°25°98%Tuesday: Rain. High 31°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 98%.
Wed31°24°100%Wednesday: Thunderstorms. High 31°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 100%.
Thu32°24°90%Thursday: Thunderstorms. High 32°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 90%.
Fri31°24°100%Friday: Thunderstorms. High 31°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 100%.
Sat30°24°90%Saturday: Thunderstorms. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 90%.
Sun28°24°100%Sunday: Rain. High 28°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 100%.
Mon29°24°95%Monday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 95%.

Updated 03:44 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 33.76 THB

Amount

Converted to

THB · Thai Baht

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Before you go to Khao Sok National Park

Khao Sok guided trekJungle walk, canoe and lake boatCompare tours

Park-side and lake staysJungle lodges and raft housesCheck availability

eSIM for the rainforestLittle signal beyond the main roadRead the guide

Cover for trails and flash rainLeech bites, slips and cancelled toursRead the guide

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Rules for Khao Sok National Park, checked

Night tours in the forest require a local guide.
Foreign visitor entry fees are set by the Department of National Parks; check the current amount at dnp.go.th before you travel.
Do not pick flowers, collect plants, or take animals or rocks out of the park, as Thai national park rules prohibit it.
Stay on the maintained trails from the West Entrance, and do not cut trees, since a felled tree can damage the trees linked to it by vines.

Plan around Khao Sok National Park

All of Thailand

Regions, islands, entry rules and the season map

Read the guide Hat Khao Lak

A quiet beach base an hour away

Read the guide Ao Phang-Nga Marine Park

Karst bay tours from nearby piers

Read the guide Surat Thani

The gateway to the Gulf islands

Read the guide Ang Thong Marine Park

Another park, reached by boat from Samui

Read the guide Ao Nang

Krabi's main beach town to the south

Read the guide Best time to visit Thailand

Which coast is dry in which month

Read the guide

Khao Sok National Park FAQ

Is Khao Sok worth visiting?

Yes if you want rainforest and a lake in a short stop. It is wetter and more basic than the beaches, but the jungle and quiet nights are the point.

How many days do you need in Khao Sok?

Two days, one night, covers a jungle walk and the lake. Add a second night if you want both a lake raft and a park-side lodge, or longer trails.

What is the best time to visit Khao Sok?

Roughly December to April is the driest. The park is open year-round, and the green season is lush but muddy and some tours are cancelled in heavy rain.

Can you visit Khao Sok as a day trip?

From Khao Lak, yes, with a long day on the road and a short time in the park. A night gives a better visit, especially if you want the lake at dawn.

Is Khao Sok safe for wildlife and leeches?

Keep to guided trails, wear long socks and use repellent. The park has wildlife, so do not feed animals or approach them, and follow guide instructions.