Khao Sok National Park

Khao Sok National Park (pronounced "cow soak") is a jungle reserve in Southern Thailand. It is one of the most beautiful wildlife reserves in Thailand.

Khao Sok Halal Travel Guide

There are 2 main sections of Khao Sok National Park. The west entrance is where Park HQ is located along with the main hiking trails. The east entrance is where Ratchaprapha Pier is located where you go to get to the floating rafthouses. The 2 entrances are 65 kilometers apart and over 1 hour of driving, so please take that into consideration when planning your trip.

“Khao Sok” is used as a catch-all term to describe the general area where the park is located. This usually includes the area from Ratchaprapha Pier west to the Surat Thani - Phang Nga border, along Highway 401. “Khao Sok Village” is the 2km stretch of road from Highway 401 to Park HQ. “Khlong Sok” is both the name of the river in the area as well at the administrative subneighborhood (ตำบล คลองศก).

History of Khao Sok

The Royal Forest Department declared Khao Sok the 22nd national park of Thailand on 22 Dec 1980.

How is the Landscape of Khao Sok

The park has a total area of 738 km², 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-neighborhoods in the neighborhood of Ban Ta Khun and the Khlong Sok and Panom sub–neighborhoods in the province of Surat Thani.

Travel to Khao Sok

Fly to Khao Sok

The closest airport is Surat Thani International Airport (URT). There are multiple flights daily from Bangkok (IATA Flight Code: DMK and IATA Flight Code: BKK) and Chiang Mai (IATA Flight Code: CNX).

Surat Thani International Airport IATA Flight Code: URT - Surat Thani International Airport

Domestic

Air Asia - Flights from Bangkok (Don Mueang Airport), and Chiang Mai.

Nok Air - Flights from Bangkok (Don Mueang Airport).

([https://th.ehalal.io/muslim-friendly-travel-2024/Khao%20Sok%20National%20Park Thai) Lion Air] - Flights from Bangkok (Don Mueang Airport).

([https://th.ehalal.io/muslim-friendly-travel-2024/Khao%20Sok%20National%20Park Thai) Smile] - lights from Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi Airport).

Once you arrive in Surat Thani and there are buses or minivans to Khao Sok with Phantip Travel. Only buy the tickets directly from operator you are using. There is a Tourism kiosk at the airport, but they sell bus, minivan, and ferry tickets at inflated prices.

Surat Thani (Airport) – Ratchaprapha Dam (1.3 hours, 250 Baht)
Surat Thani (Airport) – Khao Sok (2 hours, 300 Baht)

Car rentals are also available at the airport. See the Surat Thani page for more information.

Travel by train to Khao Sok

The closest major train station is the Surat Thani Railway Station in Phunphin neighborhood.

Surat Thani Railway Station - สถานีรถไฟสุราษฎร์ธานี - Once you arrive in Surat Thani and there are minivans to Khao Sok with Phantip Travel.

Phantip Office - Surat Thani Train Station Branch |* Surat Thani (Train Station) – Khao Sok (3 hours, 200 Baht)
Surat Thani (Train Station) – Ratchaprapha Dam (3.3 hours, 200 Baht)

By bus

From Bangkok:

By night bus: There is only one night bus from Bangkok per day stopping at Khao Sok. In Bangkok, it seems that the only way to book and buy it is to go directly to the southern bus station in Bangkok (booking any other night bus sold by agencies is not recommended). In Khao Sok, it is feasible to book and buy it in the local agency or at your hotel (ask for the real VIP bus, direct from Khao Sok to Bangkok).

From Ko Lanta, Ko Jum or Ko Phi Phi:

650-700 Baht for Ko Lanta or Ko Jum;
550-600 Baht for Ko Phi Phi.

From Krabi: "Only one shuttle van per day, starting from Krabi at about 11:00; starting from Khao Sok at 08:30. Transit time is 3 hours. Price: 300-350 Baht.

From Phuket or Khao Lak:

There is a bus service (roughly one bus per hour; the last one starts from Phuket around 14:00). Transit time is 4 hours from Phuket and 2 hours from Khao Lak (including a 20 min stop in Takua Pa that you may use to visit the local market). Price: about 290 Baht from Phuket and from Khao Lak about 230 Baht. The same bus service can be used when leaving the park but sometimes they switch to one bus per two hours without prior notice so you might end up waiting longer than you expected.

Fees and permits

Foreigners: 300 Baht for adults, 150 Baht for children; Thais: 40 Baht for adults, 20 Baht for children.

Upon presentation of a Pink (Thai) ID Card/Yellow Tabien Baan or (Thai) Work Permit and the fee may be reduced to the (Thai) rate at the gatekeeper's discretion. A (Thai) Driver’s Licence is no longer valid ID at National Parks but you may still be able to get the (Thai) rate with it.

Buy your admission at the park entrance. Tickets are valid for 24 hours only. If you plan on visiting Park HQ and the lake on the same day, keep your admission ticket so you don’t have to pay the entrance fee again. Some tours will include the park entrance fee in the tour package, something to take into consideration when choosing a tour.

How to get around in Khao Sok

Walking is the primary mode of transportation, as the road to the park is 2 kilometers and the farthest one can walk into the park is about 20 km.

There are motorbike and bicycle rentals available near Park HQ if you want to explore the surrounding area.

Khao Sok Halal Travel Video

What to see in Khao Sok

Rafflesia Flower | The way to see it is not through the main entrance of the park. Go down to the intersection of the highway and the road to the park. From there, go right to km111 and on your right you will see a wooden ladder. Go up that and when you get to the first fork take a right. From there the little path crosses some streams and such so look hard if you can't find the trail again. To see the Rafflesia flower you have to go when it is in bloom around late-Jan or early-Feb. This will take you most of the day if you start early (about 09:00), but you could be back in time to go to the temple with all the monkeys. If you find a tour group, just follow them until they get to a flower. The Englishman at the restaurant next to the park said, "you don't need a guide, but if you go by yourself it's not guaranteed that you will see the flower." Don't forget to buy a ticket before you go.

Top Muslim Travel Tips for Khao Sok

Tours can include tubing down the river, caving, kayaking, and zipline riding in the forest canopy. Many tours will include drinks, food, and/or basic lodging. Ask your guide in advance about dietary concerns (vegetarian or in (Thai), "jay", for example), if lunch is to be provided for you on the tour.

Doing any 2-4 day tour in the national park will easily please any traveler. Your guesthouse or local tour company can easily help set you up. Choosing a tour that involves at least one night in a floating raft house in the national park lake is an unforgettable experience.

Suggested itinerary

Khao Sok 4 Days/3 Nights Halal Tour

Day 1: Leave for the area around Khao Sok National Park headquarters in the morning from Phuket, Khao Lak, Krabi, or Surat Thani. Visit the elephant camp and explore nature by canoeing down the Sok River. In the evening, enjoy the sounds of the rain forest.

Day 2: Visit the jungle cave temple. Go hiking in the national park by yourself or by hiring a local guide. The trails inside the park are well marked and there are several waterfalls on the way. In January - February it's feasible to find the world's biggest flower and the Rafflesia blossom.

Day 3: Continue to Chiew Lan Lake about 70 kilometers away and depart from the Rajjabrapa pier. On the way to the raft houses, sail amidst spectacular rock formations and make a detour for Gulin of Khao Sok, a scenic place on the lake. Check into a simple bamboo raft house. Paddle a canoe to explore the lake and look for wildlife. Take a bamboo raft to a newly discovered drip stone cave. This tour can also be arranged from your resort. Morning Mist Resort offers a lodging discount when you book an activity.

Day 4: Value your stay in the wilderness. Get up with the sun. Take a canoe or arrange with the boat driver to go for a safari to scan the banks. Morning is the time of day when the animals are most active and if a branch in the canopy flicks from one side to the other, it is often a group of monkeys searching for their first meal of the day. Take a swim in the lake and head back to the pier by longtail boat. Transfer to ongoing destinations can be arranged.

Sonchana Farm & Elephant Sanctuary - An eco-tourism elephant sanctuary program and family run cooking class. The 2-hour program is run twice daily.

Rajjaprabha Dam Golf Course สนามกอล์ฟเขื่อนรัชชประภา, Ratchaprapa Dam Golf Course - Par 72, 18-hole course.

Jungle Camping with Khao Sok Lake Tours - Jungle camping can only be done December through April. All camping trips require an English-speaking guide and a park ranger.

Diving in Rajjaprabha Dam - Explore underwater caves, forests, and villages in Khao Sok National Park. Several companies offer diving excursions, including: Thailand Dive & Sail, Ban's Technical Diving, Blue Label Diving

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Khao Sok

Souvenirs are limited to the gift shop at the park entrance and a few items at convenience stores. Sundries, snack foods, soy milk, and cold drinks can be found in the shops as well.

Halal Restaurants in Khao Sok

Most hotels have a restaurant but it is not Halal. Meals are usually 70-100 Baht; cuisines are limited to (Thai) and European dishes. The standard of hygiene across all establishments is high, however if you are concerned look for places displaying the Clean Food, Good Taste sign. This appellation is bestowed by the government on restaurants that maintain a high standard of cleanliness and food preparation. Halal food is available.

All restaurants have fresh fruit and fruit juices or shakes (fruit blended with ice). Convenience stores often sell bananas and other fresh fruit outside their establishments. Depending on the season, you will see in the trees and for sale a variety of fruit, including rambutan, longan, pomelo, mango, mangosteen, a few varieties of banana, papaya, and guava.

Muslim Friendly hotels in Khao Sok

Inside Park HQ

There are several kinds of lodgings through the National Park available at Park Headquarters. You can book via the Visitor Center onsite or through the eHalal website.

Bungalow rentals: 800-1,500 Baht per unit
Tent rentals: 150 - 600 Baht per tent
Youth Hostel 150 Baht per person
Campsite Rental: 50 Baht per person (bring your own tent - 30 Baht for campsite + 20 Baht for overnight fee = 50฿ Baht)

Cheow Lan Lake

There are also many floating raft houses which offer lodging on the lake. This ranges from simple bamboo and thatched roof lodging provided by the Thailand Department of National Parks, to luxurious floating wooden cottages. Reservations can be made through tour companies, but it is also feasible to hire a longtail.

Stay safe as a Muslim in Khao Sok

Don't go off trail without a local guide or a ranger.

Do not explore the "Namtaloo" or "Through" Cave (a cave with a river running through) if it is raining or if you think it is going to rain. Rain is frequent and can come on fast. Unfortunately people have died as a result of this. If you are with an experienced guide he will not take you if he even suspects a chance of rain.

News & References Khao Sok

Explore more Halal friendly Destinations from Khao Sok

Walk to the main highway (opposite end is the park entrance). Mini buses on the junction head left to Surat Thani. Across the street and to the right, a giant "Bus Stop" sign serves as a stopping point for buses heading to Khao Lak and Phuket. Tickets in advance are not needed. Buses come by every hour during the day.