National Parks in Thailand

Four fee groups

The park authority's regulation divides all national parks into four groups, charging foreign adults 100, 200, 300 or 500 baht. A few particularly busy destinations cost more under special rules.

Khao Sok: two authorities, two prices

For Khao Sok, the Tourism Authority of Thailand gives 300 baht for foreign adults and 150 for children. The park authority's 2022 fee regulation, however, puts Khao Sok in group 2, at 200 and 100 baht. Local operators quote 300 baht too, so budget the higher amount, in cash at the entrance. According to the park authority's notice, the per-person fee covers a stay of up to five days per visit, so keep your ticket.

Extra at the lake

At the Cheow Lan Lake pier, operators charge a pier fee of 40 baht per person, plus a parking fee if you come by car. Whether park entry is already included depends on the tour you book.

In the rainy season, the park authority closes trails and even entire parks in heavy rain, often for a few days and at short notice. On 25 September 2026 this affected Khao Yai, Nam Tok Chet Sao Noi and Khao Chamao-Khao Wong. Check the authority's announcements before your visit.

In Khao Sok, the Rafflesia flowers between November and April, according to the tourism authority. A single flower takes nine months to reach full size and then blooms for only four to five days, so exactly when cannot be planned. It grows only in Khao Sok and in neighbouring Khlong Phanom National Park.

Forest or lake, or both

On the forest side you pay at the checkpoint near the headquarters in Khlong Sok, where the trails start. The lake side is reached from the boat pier at the Rajjaprabha Dam. To see both, plan two days, or book a day tour to the lake that includes the transfer.

A lake made by a dam

Cheow Lan Lake is not a natural lake but a power station reservoir. The state electricity authority EGAT built the 94 m (308 ft) dam between 1982 and 1987; behind it formed a lake of 185 km² according to the operator. The water flooded a valley in the limestone mountains, so the karst summits now stand out as islands. Its level follows the power station's needs.

Staying overnight

Nights in floating bungalows (raft houses) on Cheow Lan Lake are sold as multi-day packages with boat trips and meals. Park authority accommodation is booked through the Thai park authority's portal after registering; on 25 September 2026 it could not be reached from Germany.

Wildlife

According to the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity, the sun bear, the Asian elephant and the clouded leopard live in the park, and it lists 95 Red List species. The tourism authority calls Khao Sok the centre of the largest rainforest area in southern Thailand.