Reader’s E-mail:
I have always dreamed of visiting the Jungle. Where in Thailand can I go to do that?
Reply from Thailand Info
Thailand has lots and lots of national parks with pristine Jungle. A good one to try is the Khao Sok National Park on the very western fringe of Surat Thani province.
Near Koh Samui
You can get there from Surat Thani and combine a visit to Khao Sok National Park with a visit to the islands of Koh SamuiKoh Phangan and Koh Tao.
Visit the Jungle in ThailandGetting to Khao Sok National Park
To get to Khao Sok National park take a minivan from Surat Thani bus station on Soi Kaset bus station of the Talad Mai Road. The journey takes a 2 hours 30 minutes. Minivans go throughout the day from 08.30 to 16.30.
About Khao Sok National Park
In the 1980s a dam was built on the river in the Khao Sok which created a massive lake which lies at the centre of the park. This has made this bit of Jungle very accessible. When you go to the park you get dropped off on the main road by the park authority Headquarters, although there are other ways to get into the national park. From there its a boat trip up the river to get to the lake and thereafter by boat around the lake to get deeper in the forest. There is a lot of wildlife here, including monkeys and tigers. Also it famous for having the world’s largest and smelliest flower.
Where to Stay in Khao Sok National Park
There are lots of accommodation options. Inside the park itself the options are limited to the accommodation offered by the park authorities. Near the road it is basic bungalows with electric and campsite like facilities. Further into the park the accommodation is in floating huts which go for around 400 THB a night. There is no electric and no restaurants or bars (its the middle of the Jungle) but the park rangers will cook some really good food for you.
If you fancy something a bit more luxurious try the Khao Sok Rain Forest Resort. It is a few kilometres away from the Park itself, but it is an ideal base for day trips into the park. Many people opt to do this. The resort costs around 1,500 THB a night and has comfortable bungalows, and tree-houses, with a pretty good restaurant.