Khao Sok National Park, Surat Thani Province
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No trip to the south of Thailand would be complete without a visit to Khao Sok National Park. Khao Sok National Park sits in Surat Thani Province and straddles the Phuket Mountain Range which stretches through the spine of southern Thailand. It is one of the most important areas of Lowland Rainforest in southern Thailand and combined with the surrounding Sri Phang Nga National Park, Klong Saeng and Klong Naka Wildlife Sanctuaries is probably the most important stretch of rainforest in south east Asia.
Khao Sok founded in 1980, is Thailand’s 22nd National Park. The khao Sok National Park is around 739 sq/km in size and still viable habitat for the Asian Elephant, Tiger, Leopard, Malaysian Sun Bear, Gibbon, Langurs, various Hornbill species, and a vast diversity of plants including lianas, dipterocarps, strangler figs and the largest single flower in the world, the Rafflesia. 
The Khao Sok Rainforest grows on and around stunning Limestone karst mountains. These Karst Mountains lend much to the area's character and have even led to parts of the park such as the Cheow Larn Lake being dubbed the Guelin of Thailand by the Tourism Authority of Thailand. Once these magnificent mountains would have been well below sea level and part of a vast coral reef. After millennia of uplifting they are now well above sea level (the talest is over 900meters) and have rainforest clinging to their sides.
The Cheow Larn Lake situated on the Northern side of the National Park makes for a fantastic one or two day trip. The views are fantastic and it is relatively undisturbed by visitors and tourists. The lake even supports a few locally owned raft houses where it is possible to stay overnight in basic but unique accommodation. To wake up to the sounds of the forest and take an early morning swim in the lakes water is definatly a moment you will never forget!
Khao Sok National Park headquarters are located just off kilometer 109 on the 401 road between Surat Thani Town and Takuapa. From here numerous treks are available throughout the park and if you happen to be here in the month of January it is possible to trek through the jungle to find the Rafflesia (please check the national parks website for park opening times and dates). This extremely rare plant, more similar to a fungus than a true plant, gains all of its nutrients saprophytically, this means it sinks its roots into passing Liana vines or tree roots and uses the energy produced by that plant to fuel its own growth. It doesn’t need to grow leaves and can therefore put all of its energy into growing the largest single flower in the world. 
No one really knows how it spreads its seeds or spores but we do know that the smell it creates (it is often known as the stinking corpse plant!!) attracts flying insects which help to pollinate the flowers. This again is rather tricky due to the plants rarity and their distance apart. It is defiantly worth a visit if you get the chance and one of the many local guides at the headquarters will be more than happy to show you right to it. You will have to be lucky to see it though as it only blooms for a maximum of 1 week per year!
So how do you get there? From Khao Lak head north on route 4 until you pass the town of Takuapa. After Takuapa town head east on the 401 for Surat Thani. Continue on this road over the mountains for around 40 minutes until you reach Khao Sok National Park Headquarters on your left at kilometer 109. From Surat Thani or Phun Pin Train station head south for around 5 kilometers on route 41 and then head east on route 401 again until you reach kilometer 109 where the National Park Headquarters will be on your right hand side. It really is as easy as that.......Enjoy!
