CHEOW LARN LAKE-KHAOSOK
The stunning Chiaw Lan Lake sits about an hour's drive east of the visitor's centre. The lake was created in 1982 by an enormous shale-clay dam called Ratchaprabha (Kheuan Ratchaprabha or Kheuan Chiaw Lan). The limestone outcrops protruding from the lake reach a height of 960m, over three times higher than the formations in the Phang-Nga area.
Cheow Larn Lake is a spectacular man made lake that is becoming famous for its towering limestone cliffs and stunning views. The lake covers an area of 185 square kilometers and is located about 70km from Surat Thani. The lake was formed by the damming and flooding of a valley of dense rainforest. The plants and animals resident in the flooded forest still thrives in the dense jungles and towering mountains that surround the lake. Species include numberous monkeys, elephants, water buffalos, bears and countless plants including the worlds largest flower species the Rafflesia which can measure almost a metre across.
The trees submerged in the lake provide a great habitat for a large population of fish and the lake is well known for it's great sports fishing. Fishing tours can be arranged and there is even floating bungalows for those who may wish to stay a little longer.
Khao Sok national park
The park entrance road is at kilometer marker 109 on highway 401. The 1.5 km long entrance road is lined on both sides by not fewer than 20 establishments of bungalows and restaurants. There were several internet cafes too. I checked into a bungalow room beside the Sok stream, just 500 meters from the park gate.
1 = Dam and boat piers
2 = Nang Prai Resort
3 = Tone Toey Resort
4 = Krai Sorn Resort
5 = Khao Sok national park headquarters
A = to Surat Thani
B =Phanom
C = To Krabi, Phuket on highway 4118
D = Klong Phanom national park headquarters
E = To Takuapa, Phuket, Phang Nga
F = Klong Nakha wildlife sanctuary
G = Klong Saeng wildlife sanctuary