2 Best Sights in Surat Thani, The Gulf Coast Beaches

A landscape of tall mountains, lush greenery, and small streams, this 161,000-acre park contains the most beautiful forest in Thailand. The diverse and rare wildlife that thrives here includes gaurs, bantengs, sambar deer, bears, Malayan tapirs, macaques, gibbons, mouse deer, and porcupines. Khao Sok is also one of the few places to see a rafflesia, the world's largest flower, and rare bird species such as hornbills live here. Hiking, boat rides, and night safaris are some of the activities that take place in the park.

Rain is frequent in Khao Sok, as the weather is influenced by monsoon winds from both the northeast and west—the best and driest time to visit is between December and April. Both the national park and some private resorts offer various types of lodging. Only very basic accommodations can be found in the park. But there is additional private accommodation outside the park, some of it very comfortable indeed. The bus ride (B120) from the station in Surat Thani to the park takes about 2½ hours. Minivans (B200) leave from the center of town and take around 2 hours. The TAT office in Surat Thani has information about the park.

Every night the sleepy downtown turns into an electrifying street fair centered around the San Chao Night Market, which is illuminated by the lights of numerous food stalls and shop carts. The market is popular with tourists and locals, especially for the tasty seafood meals on offer.