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history
*345 million years ago...
Khao Sok was covered in a delta system (similar to today’s Mississippi
delta).
The landmasses started to erode and mudstone and soil
fell into the delta. This made both the rivers and the sea shallow and
corals and other organism where developed.
*280-55 million years ago...
More eroded mudstone and soil fell into the delta, and this created the
limestone we see today.
Fossils from this period tell us that the sea was warm at
that time and that Khao Sok was part of a huge coral reef, stretching
all the way from China to Borneo. The coral reef was 5 times bigger than
today’s “Great Barrier Reef” in Australia.
Granite mixed with limestone and other chemicals, and a
lot of tin and tungsten was made.
*66 millions years ago...
Today’s landscape was founded. The limestone was forced upwards when the
Indian land-plate crashed into the Eurasian plate. (This happened at the
same time as the Himalayan was formed. As the Himalayan Mountain rose,
Thailand was moved southeastwards).
The ice age never affected Khao Sok much. The ice never
reached this far south in Asia, leaving the landscape and the rivers as
they where. When the ice melted again, more water than ever floated into
the rivers of Khao Sok, making the flora even richer than it was before.
That is why the rainforest in Khao Sok is older than the
forests of Central America and the Amazons, which were covered with ice.
*50 000 - 37 000 years ago...
At this time Khao Sok’s mountains belonged to the same mountain ridge as
Borneo.
Evidence has been found of human habitation on Borneo
from this period. It is believed that the same people inhabited Khao Sok
as well, since the landscape, with all its caves, fruits, plants and
animals, was similar to Borneo’s landscape.
*In 1800...
The first historical evidence of human inhabitants in Khao Sok is from
1800. It was during the rule of Rama II and the conflict between Burma
and Thailand. A group of survivors from the west coast were forced to
hide away in the forest. They discovered the richness of the forest and
quickly learned agriculture, fishing and hunting in order to survive.
Quite a lot of the forest was cut down to make room for
the growing population.
*In 1944...
A deadly epidemic swept trough the same group of people. The few
survivors moved away and the old village was named “Ban Sop”-The village
of the dead.
The jungle could rest for a while.
*In 1961...
A road was build straight across the area, to connect Surrathani on the
east coast and Phang Nga on the west coast.
Many people settled down along the road and cut down
trees and vegetation to give room for houses and plantations. The area
was rich with tin and timber, and the government began to sell
properties for logging and minding.
It was a big loss for the forest.
*In 1971...
It was discovered that the old delta system was nearly intact and Khao
Sok was considered as a possible el-supply for southern Thailand. The
area was inspected furthered and people started to realize the wealth of
vegetation, animals, limestone mountains and waterfalls. It was decided
that all logging and minding should stop, but it took many years before
this actually came into effect.
*In 1976 –1980...
A group of communistic students failed to make the changes they wanted
in the community, and ended up being considered outlaws. They camped far
inside the jungle to avoid the army, which was looking for them.
These conflicts made part of the human population in Khao
Sok disappear and the rainforest had a chance to breathe.
*In 1980...
Khao Sok was official established as Thailand’s 22nd national park on
the 22nd of December and measured 645 km2.
Later the same year, the borders of the national park
were changed to make it possible to flood an area inside Khao Sok, to
build the Rachabrapha dam. The dam still supplies large parts of
Southern Thailand with electricity.
A huge rescue operation to save the wildlife took place
before the flooding. More than 1300 birds, mammals and reptiles was
captured and moved away from the area. Sadly, the operation was aimed
more at helping on the human consciousness, than to actually save the
wildlife. A majority of the animals died during the relocation.
It was a major blow to the wildlife.
*In 2001...
The national park was extended from 645 km2 to 739 km2. The number of
wild animals is constantly increasing, and the area surrounding the
Rachabrapha dam (the Cheo Larn lake) is once again full of life.
*In 2005...
You visited Khao Sok and had the time of your life :-)
Map of the region of Khao Sok
**Around Khao Sok National Park**
**Kaeng
Krung National Park (Surat Thani province - southern Thailand)
*Topography
Kaeng Krung national park covers areas in Ta Chana district of Surat
Thani province. This mountainous and fertile moist ever green forest
land with many river steams covers an area of 541 square kilometres.
Vegetation is very healthy and some sizable number of wildlife is
believed to be surviving in the park. That includes elephants, bears,
gaurs, tapirs and possibly tiger. Many bird species are also found in
the areas. The park was designated, on 04 December 1990, as the 69th
national park of Thailand.
Several waterfalls, a hot spring and rapid flowing streams in the park
are popular spots.
*How to get there
From Surat Thani town take highway no. 41 to the north to Ta Chana
district. At Kan Thuli village take the left turn (to the west) and
drive for 25 km to the park.
 1
= Headquarters
2 = Vipawadi sub district
3 = Bang Cham waterfall
4 = Bang Cham hot spring
5 = Bang Hoi waterfall
6 = Yai Mon mountain
7 = Klong Pa waterfall
8 = Kaper hot spring
The map shows directions (locations) to Chumphon,
Surat Thani, Phunphin, Khao Sok national park, etc.
**
Klong Phanom National Park
(Surat
Thani province - southern Thailand)
 1
= Headquarters
2 = Pet Phanomwat waterfall
3 = Met cave
4 = Dat Fah waterfall
5 = Muang Tud waterfall
6 = Khlong Kun Bed waterfall
7 = Khlong Nam Tao waterfall
8 = Sam Ha Jed waterfall
9 = Kamin cave
The map shows the directions to Surat Thani, Wiang
Sa and Chawang.
*Topography
Thailand's southern peninsular is in the direct path of east and west
monsoons, and rain falls on the mountain ridges nearly all year round.
The abundant rain gives rise to many beautiful streams and green and
moist nature. Klong Phanom (in the south of Khao Sok national park
across the highway 401) is going to be a national park. This park
covering 410 square kilometres is in Phanom district of Surat Thani
province.
The high mountain range of Klong Phanom consists of many steep cliffs
typical of the limestone mountains in this area. Fertile forests drape
the mountains, and many streams flow beneath the towering greenery.
Klong Phanom is a vital water source for surrounding communities and
towns.
*Tourist attractions
Khao Wong camp was used as a base by communists armed forces
during 1960s and 1970s. From the park office, take the trail passing
Khao Wong waterfall and walk for about 45 minutes to reach the old camp.
The grassland and fruit trees such as jackfruit, guava and lime are the
evidence of the areas previously used by human inhabitants. Walk
downstream through a huge cave, a communist hideout, to reach the next
mountain range.
Chong Yung waterfall is a beautiful fall noted for many fish that
live in the pool at its base.
There are several fine limestone caves and cliffs that have yet to be
explored throughly.
*Accommodations and facilities
At the moment there is only a camp ground without equipment. Visitors
need to bring their own gear and food.
*How to get there
Klong Phanom is along the route no. 401 connecting Surat Thani and Takua
Pa. At the kilometre marker 90 there is the entrance road to the south,
to the park. Park's headquarters are just 300 meters from the turn-off
point.
**
Tai Romyen National Park (Surat Thani - Southern Thailand)
*Topography
Tai Rom Yen national park covering an area of 425 square kilometres is
situated in Surat Thani province, to the north of Khao Luang national
park in Nakhon Sri Thammarat province. This area used to be a camp of
armed communist operations in the past.
There are many waterfals, caves, and forest trails to visit in the park.
It is relatively unknown to most of the tourists.
     
    
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Khao Sok National Park
