Cheow Lan, Surat Thani, a wonderful trip

This trip is to present Cheow Lan, or Guilin of Thailand, as its reputation. We went for 3 days 2 nights (June 17-19, 2017).

This tourist attraction is probably known by everyone.... We will not go into details, but will tell you how to get there.

Starting with the journey, there are many ways to get to Surat Thani, a southern city of Thailand. For us... we chose to travel by plane because it is convenient and choose to take advantage of the promotion, it will be very cheap. Book a year in advance, no worries, there are Nok Air, AirAsia, Thai Tiger, choose as you like, there are many flights, many times, or if you like buses, trains, there are also services to choose from.

Get a flight, day Ready to go

On this trip, we stayed at Phu Tawan, which has now developed a lot. It can be seen from the owner of the raft telling that now we have developed the accommodation and convenience. Comfortable for guests from the original quite a bit For this raft, it is considered good, delicious food, friendly service... If anyone needs anything, just let us know, such as food, who eats vegetarian, does not eat anything, or cannot eat anything, inform them before entering the accommodation.

I would not recommend this specific accommodation or phone number, as I was able to find information about it.

After selecting a floating raft house, we opted for a 3-day, 2-night package. It's important to note that there are approximately 16-17 raft houses in Khao Sok National Park, with the park itself managing a portion of them. We were free to choose and book the raft house that best suited our preferences. Notably, booking a package is highly recommended for visitors, as it conveniently includes transportation to and from the pier, as well as guided tours to various attractions.

Except for staying at the park's raft, you will have to pay for a boat to pick you up and drop you off, which means that you have already booked the park's raft, which is cheap, but there will be no boat to pick you up and drop you off from the pier. The price may be a fixed price, but I think it's okay if you go in a group of 3-4 people. Because the boat will take us around with us, and we don't have to share the time with anyone else. We can stop and take pictures without having to compete with each other. It's good to go with a small group.

However, for private rafts, once you choose one, it will be included as a package with meals, pick-up and drop-off, and tours. But the tour time has to be shared with other groups. If you go with a large group, it may not be convenient to take pictures. You have to be considerate of each other because there are many people. So, choose the one you like and negotiate before booking the accommodation. Where to go, what to do, how many nights to stay, where to visit, etc.

That's it for the tips on choosing...

Oh... I forgot to mention another point. The accommodation does not provide airport pick-up and drop-off service. You have to ask them if they have it or not, and if they have a van that provides the service. You can ask for their phone number. There will be vans to transport you from the airport to Khao Sok. The price is around 200 baht (I don't remember the exact price, but it's not very expensive). The van will park at the pier.

When we arrived in Surat Thani, the van that we booked picked us up and headed to Khao Sok. We took a late morning flight and arrived at noon. I suggest you choose an earlier flight.

When we arrived, we asked the driver to stop at the office to discuss the remaining expenses. We went for 3 days and 2 nights, which cost 4,000 baht per person, including boat, pick-up and drop-off, park fees, food, and tour boat. Please check the price again. I understand that the price may vary depending on the season.

Upon arrival at the park, we descended directly without paying the park entrance fee. The rafts are located on the left side, before the pier. Walk down a bit and you will find them clustered together. For those who have not made a reservation, you will need to pay the park entrance fee. Before boarding the raft, there are restaurants, shops, and restrooms. It is advisable to purchase supplies in advance, as prices tend to be higher on the rafts.

When managing purchases, expenses skyrocket.

It doesn't take long to reach แพภูตะวัน by boat because it is one of the first floating houses on the dam. Other floating houses are located further away.

Upon arrival at our accommodation,

We stayed in a capsule room and arranged our belongings.

Then we started our first meal. Most of the food on each raft was similar, arranged in a set. Whether you come alone or in a group, they will provide you with one set to eat as much as you want.

This is a typical meal for each of the 6 meals for 3 days and 2 nights. For breakfast, it will be coffee, rice porridge, or fried rice. It will not be a heavy meal like this. The heavy meals will be lunch and dinner.

As for the atmosphere of the accommodation, it is as follows.

On the first day of arrival, there will be no activities. You can relax, play, and enjoy the gentle sun. You can also go kayaking and swimming. However, swimming is not allowed after 6 pm. Life jackets must be worn at all times. There is also a diving spot available. If you are interested in kayaking, you can rent a paddle for 200 baht. When you return the paddle, you will receive a refund. You can rent the paddle until you leave, but the boat must be parked at the central area. It cannot be parked as your own property. However, the rented paddle can be taken with you until you return it.

Day 2 of the trip, the activity was to take a boat trip to see the "Guilin of Thailand", Khao Sam Kler.

(I didn't realize it was him when I saw him. I couldn't take a picture because of the situation. I went with another group, so I thought I'd take a picture later. In the end, I didn't take a picture of the important landmark. Oh well.)

As we cruised along, the scenery on both sides of the road was breathtaking.

It's important to note that visiting Khao Sok is a truly relaxing experience, as you'll be completely disconnected from the outside world. Internet and phone signals are extremely weak, if not non-existent. So, having a mobile phone won't be of much use. There are occasional spots with enough signal to upload photos or make calls to friends and family, but these are mainly located in the middle of the reservoir. Make sure to plan your communication accordingly.

After a short break, we continued our journey, trekking through the forest, rafting down the river, and exploring caves adorned with stalactites and stalagmites. The atmosphere was completely different, serene and joyful. The hike to the raft was not too long.

At noon, we returned to our accommodation, had lunch, and relaxed until the evening. As the sun began to set, we embarked on another boat trip, hoping to catch a glimpse of the sunset and some wildlife.

Our group missed the opportunity to see the wild bulls and birds, but we still enjoyed the beautiful sunset during the evening boat ride. We had a pleasant conversation with the tour guide and learned about the local wildlife.

If we hadn't gone on the boat ride, we would have spent our time swimming, paddling, and enjoying the fresh air and beautiful scenery.

Today is the last day. We can play in the water and take photos as we please, because we will have to go ashore soon.

After we have unloaded our belongings and have some time left, it is recommended to take a van if you are traveling in a large group or with another group.

Pa Phu Ta Wan offers van rentals for sightseeing in Surat Thani. Prices are negotiable, and for larger groups, the cost per person can be as low as 400 baht (the price per van starts at 2,000 baht, but it's best to check the exact price).

For smaller groups, there are white songthaews available on the right side of the road. These can be hired for short trips to nearby attractions such as the dam, the heart-shaped mountain, and the suspension bridge, which are must-see spots before returning.

For groups traveling by van, in addition to the two confirmed destinations, other stops may be added depending on the price and route negotiated beforehand.

Since we were flying back from Surat Thani, we decided to make the most of our trip by visiting some of the city's famous landmarks. We visited a renowned temple, shopped for souvenirs, witnessed the production of the famous Chaiya salted eggs, and concluded our journey with a scenic stop by the sea before heading back to the airport.

Go all out... to your heart's content

See you on the next trip

The sentence is already in English and does not require translation.