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| Khao Lak | |
| guide to | |
| national parks | |
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| Khao Sok | |
| national park | |
| and lake | |
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This is one of Thailand's most impressive experiences, whether you are a nature lover or not. The Khao Sok National Park is located in Ban Ta Khun and the Phanom district of neighbouring Surat Thani province.
The whole park covers 645 sq km. It is actually the heart of a complex of five contiguous conservation sites that comprise the largest protected forest on the Thai-Malaysian peninsula, covering over 4,000 sq km.
The other sites are Sri Phang-Nga National Park, Khlong Panam National Park, Khlong Saen and Khlong Nakha.
The park is very spectacular with dripping thick native verdant rainforest, punctuated by towering outcrops of limestone cliffs or karsts, waterfalls and sparkling streams, an island studded lake, several caves, and many trails, mostly along rivers.
A beautiful large reservoir was created by the construction of the Chiaw Lan Dam (also known as the Ratchaprapha Dam) across the Paseang river; this Chiaw Lan Lake occupies some 165 sq km.
The vast area of water is actually retained by several small dams and the surrounding rock formations are overgrown with lush jungle.
Limestone outcrops protruding from the lake can reach heights of 960m, which is three times the height of similar famous formations in Ao Phang-Nga.
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The Park has a plethora of wildlife - leopard, Malaysian sun bear, Malaysian tapir, serow, wild Asian elephant, wild pig, numerous primates (dusky langurs, pig-tailed macaques, white-handed gibbons), and (literally) maybe half a dozen tigers.
In total there are 48 mammal species.
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There are also approximately 38 species of bats roosting in the Park's many caves, such as the Tham Khang Dao bat cave.
The 180 bird species include eagles (such as the Lesser Fish-eagle and Wallace's hawk Eagle), hawks (such as the Bat hawk), and several species of hornbills, kingfishers and woodpeckers.
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The Park is also filled with bamboo, lianas, ferns, palms (such as the rare Kerriodoxa elegans which only grows at Khao Sok and Ko Phuket), rattan (including the giant rattan with 10 cm diameter stems), and last but not least
the wild lotus (the largest flower in the world, reaching 80 cm in diameter).
The wild lotus (bua phut , also known as the Giant Rafflesia) is only found in Khao Sok and a nearby Park.
Variations however do exist in Malaysia and Indonesia, and the species was originally discovered by Sir Stamford Raffles, the founder of Singapore, and his companion Dr. Joseph Arnold (ref. the variety rafflesia arnoldi ).
Not only is it the largest flower in the world, it is also the heaviest weighing up to 7 kg.
It is parasitic living as microscopic filaments in the roots of the liana jungle vine; it has no roots or green leaves; occasionally buds the size of footballs erupt, from October to December, and then bloom
in January producing a tremendous stench, comparable to rotting flesh, which at least the carrion flies seem to enjoy and so effect pollination.
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Since the Park is located in the central mountain ridge twixt the east and west coats of peninsula Thailand, it receives quite a bit of rainfall from May to October as it is subject to monsoon rain from both the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea.
The dry season is early November to April. Whilst the dry season has it's merits, you are more likely to see some of the larger mammals (civets, black bear, slow loris, boar, wild elephant and, if extremely lucky, tigers) along the trail system during the wet season.
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Directions :-
From Khao Lak proceed northerly on route No 4, some 35 km to Takua Pa, then, shortly thereafter, east on route 401 towards Surat Thani. The park HQ is 50 km from Takua Pa (at distance marker 109 km; the markers decrease in the direction Takua Pa - Surat Thani). Public buses (some with air-con) serve the HQ. The dam is a further 60 km east.
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Activities :-
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| - | forest walks and nature trails. |
| - | viewing wildlife, fauna and flora, rare and endangered species. |
| - | leisurely elephant trekking.
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| - | canoeing and tubing on meandering river through the jungle. |
| - | visit waterfalls; various trails lead to them. |
| | Mae Yai - 4km towards Takua Pa on main road
Than Kloy - 9km from HQ
Than Sawan - 9km from HQ
Wing Hin - 3km from HQ
Sip-Et Chan - 4km from HQ
Bang Le-Ap Nam - 4km from HQ
Bang Hua Raet - 3km from HQ
Wang Yaow - 3km from HQ |
| | Tham Kang Dao cave (bat cave)
Tham Nam Thalu cave
Tham Si Ru cave |
| - | one or two operators offer a small night safari. | | - | Lake tours by longtail boat. |
| | The early morning mist is very tranquil & spectacular.
Dusk tours reveal the swarming bats.
Swim in the cool clear freshwater lake. |
| - | visit Pantoorat mountain |
| | named after a giant in Thai mythology.
She died at Khao Sok of a broken heart when her adopted son ran away.
The mountain outline resembles the position of a body laid to rest for funeral rites. |
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Facilities :-
Near the Park HQ there are camping and bungalow facilites. Also there are a few private sector tour and bungalow (mini resort) operations, some of which feature sturdy cottages on stilts and also tree-house style accomodation.
There is a visitor centre with an exibition and self-guided maps and trails. Park Rangers lead jungle tours and rafting trips. Guided hikes can be arranged offering river-running, and visits to waterfalls and caves. The private
sector will also offer a guide to accompany you.
The Lake is some 60 km east of the Park HQ; turn left after distance marker 43 on route 401, then proceed a further 14km north west to substation No. 2. There are floating raft houses, with fairly good toilet and shower facilities, near the Dam at substation No. 3.
And smaller raft houses, with communal facilities outside, are available at substation No. 4. Park Rangers offer one or two day tours of the Lake with overnight stay. Boats can be chartered (including those from local fishermen) to explore the caves, coves, wildlife and canels along the lake shoreline.
Tour operators, and the resort hotels, in Khao Lak offer various tour itineries for one to four days, or even longer for really serious adventures.
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* Caution - regarding some of the caves - during very heavy rain *
Please observe the warning signs about entering some of the caves during heavy downpours especially in
the rainy season.
Flash floods can occur, resulting in a torrent of water entering the caves and leaving people trapped.
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