Fact Sheet
Location
Surroundings
Khao Sok National Park, together with other adjacent national parks and wildlife sanctuaries (Khlong Phanom, Khaw Lak-Lamru, Kaeng Krung, Sri Phanga National Parks and Naa Khaa and Khlong Saeng Wildlife Sanctuaries in particular), is Thailand’s largest area of protected evergreen tropical rain forest, covering large areas of Surat Thani, Phanga and Ranong provinces. Smack in the middle of the National Park, literally surrounded by virgin rain forest, is Chiew Laan Lake, at 50 km long – one of Thailand’s largest – fresh water reserves.
Tourism
Not surprisingly, the area has been discovered by insiders as a destination for nature lovers who want to get away from everything. In particular an area right at the edge of Khao Sok National Park on the banks of the Sok River (and in walking distance to the nearby Park’s head quarters) has over the preceding years developed into a low key nature tourism destination for mainly individual travelers. Efforts are being made on the part of the government and by the private sector to let this “development” happen in a sustainable way.
Public Facilities
The nearest town Takhun, a 30-minute drive from GreenBlues is the turn off point to Rajaprabha Lake and has a large fresh food market and other conveniences. Surat-Thani and Khao Sok village are regularly serviced by shuttle busses, passing by the drop-off point for GreenBlues.
Surat-Thani is Southern Thailand’s largest provincial city and commercial center with literally all facilities and conveniences one can think of. The town impresses with an old “Chinese” downtown business district right by the Tapi river and a fantastic walking street night food market. There are good hospitals in Krabi, Surat-Thani and Phuket with a good public hospital in Takhun.
Climate / Weather
This is a region of evergreen tropical rain forests. Temperatures therefore vary only little: midday highs of up to 30° C or slightly above on most days, and 35° C during the hot period in April. Nights are pleasant with a very consistent temperature of around 23° C. It might drop to 16-17° C during the cooler nights from December through February. The rain season, which can be heavy at times, generally extends from May through November.
Logistics
- 1 hr 15min - Surat Thani International Airport
- 1 hr 15 min - Surat-Thani railway station (Phunpin)
- 1 hr 30 min - Downtown Surat-Thani
- 2 hrs - Phuket International Airport
- 2 hrs - Krabi International Airport
- 1 hr - Andaman Sea coast (Takua Paa and Khao Lak) for sea-based activities
- 2 hrs 15 min - Samui ferry ports on East Coast
- 30 min (25 km) - Khao Sok National Park headquarters
- 40 min (40 km) - on the scenic road towards the West Coast will take you to Rommanee Hot Springs.
- 40 min (40 km) - Chiew Laan Lake boat pier
How to find us
GreenBlues ForRestFarm is located in the middle of Southern Thailand’s peninsula (between its East coast, the Siamese Gulf, and the coast of the Andaman Sea), 3 km off highway #401, which connects Surat-Thani and Takua-Pa.
The geographic coordinates are: 8.907 N, 98.688 E.
Address in Thai script:
ซอยช่องลม 174/ 3 หมู่ที่ 4 ตำบลคลองศก อำเภอพนม จังหวัดสุราษฎร์ธานี
- Following highway 401 from Surat-Thani to Takua Paa. At “Baan Chong Lom” (Breezy Village) turn right into a Soi at a roadside Sala just before km marker 57 (formerly km marker 88!).
- Follow the Soi for about 2.6 km to a point where the road forks. Turn left.
- After about 50 meters, right after you have passed a large cluster of bamboo on your right, turn right.
- Go straight for a short distance, then turn right again, pass through a gate and cross a small creek.
- You have arrived! Keep going, and … most likely get lost! But don’t worry, we will find you!