Khao Sok Guide: Fees, Lake Tours, Getting There

Go for the lake: a foreign adult pays THB 300 at the gate, and a group day tour from Khao Sok Village is THB 1,500 per person. Vans leave Surat Thani every hour and take about 2.30 hours. The park fee is paid on top of any tour.

A foreign adult pays THB 300 at Khao Sok National Park (อุทยานแห่งชาติเขาสก), and a child pays THB 150. Go for the lake, not just the jungle, and plan a day trip or one night on a raft house as you cross between the Gulf and the Andaman coast.

Fees and lake tour prices

At the gate you pay the foreigner rate, THB 300 for an adult and THB 150 for a child. A child is aged 3 to 14 or no taller than 140 cm, and children under 3 are exempt. The park fee is separate from any lake tour.

The cheapest way onto the lake is a group. One operator runs a day tour from Khao Sok Village for THB 1,500 per person, meals included. You pay in cash at the start, not online. Going private costs much more, and one operator charges THB 7,900 for one person.

What to see

The lake behind the Rajjaprabha Dam, also called the Chiao Lan Dam, has over 100 small islands. Most boat trips leave from the Chiao Lan Thetsaban pier. Khao Sam Kloe is a trio of limestone peaks rising from the water, and a day tour usually adds a cave stop and lunch at a floating raft house.

Sleeping on the lake is what the place is known for. The cheapest route is a shared trip from Khao Sok Village at THB 2,500 per person, with a floating bungalow, a shared bathroom and meals. Short on time? Skip the day trip if viewpoints and waterfalls matter, because those sit at the remote end of the lake.

Who it suits

• Travellers crossing between Surat Thani and the Andaman coast: vans serve both sides.
• Budget travellers: the group day tour at THB 1,500 per person is the one to book.
• Solo travellers should skip the private tour and join a group instead.
• Visitors who want to sleep in the park: it has bungalows, tent sites and shops.

How to get there

From Surat Thani town, vans for the park entrance leave every hour from 07.30 to 17.30 at the small bus station at Talat Kaset 2. The trip takes about 2.30 hours, and you can also call for a van to pick you up at the train station.

From the Andaman side, vans run from Krabi, Phang Nga, Khao Lak and other towns, and they stop at the intersection at the park entrance. Our Bangkok to Koh Samui guide and Bangkok to Krabi guide cover the routes that pass Surat Thani.

When to go

The rainy season runs from mid-May to mid-October, so take rain clothing then. Tham Nam Thalu cave is closed from 1 June to 30 November, and the Sip-et Chan waterfall is closed all year. Allow a full day for the lake, and add a night in the park if you want the bamboo raft.

Nearby

Khao Sok fits between the Gulf islands and the Andaman coast. From the Gulf side, see the Surat Thani to Koh Samui ferry page and the Koh Phangan guide. On the Andaman side, pair it with the Krabi and Ao Nang guide or the Similan Islands season. Other park fees are in our national park fees guide.

Before you go

• Carry THB 300 per adult and THB 150 per child in cash.
• Bring cash for tours: the group day tour is paid at the start.
• Check which cave and waterfall are closed for the month you visit.
• Pay the park fee separately from any tour.
• Keep the park office number, 0 7739 5139, handy.

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Not confirmed: Entry fee: the 2022 national schedule lists a lower Group 2 rate, so read your ticket. Boat and raft-house rates come from operator pages, not an official tariff, so confirm the price when you book.

Prices, timetables and opening hours change; check with the operator before you travel. See how guides are checked.

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