Cheow Lan Lake, Khao Sok
Come for Guilin-style limestone on a reservoir, not a Gulf beach. Charter a longtail from Ratchaprapha Dam. Overnight on a floating rafthouse if one day is not enough.
Cheow Lan Lake (Rajjaprabha) is the flooded karst basin in Khao Sok National Park, Surat Thani. The public pier is at Ratchaprapha Dam, a different place from Khao Sok village on Highway 401. Foreign adults pay 300 THB at the park gate in 2026. A private longtail charter for the Three Brothers (Khao Sam Kler), a swim stop, and either Nam Talu Cave or Coral Cave runs 1,800 to 2,500 THB depending on hours and fuel. Shared tour boats are cheaper and stick to a script.
Nam Talu is a wet cave that needs a guide and settled rain. Coral Cave is the drier alternative when the park has closed Nam Talu. Overnight rafthouses sit in the coves: a basic floating room is the point, not a resort spa. Night safaris and dawn mist are why people stay. November to April is the easier lake. October rain still closes caves. Pair this with Khao Lak or Surat Thani, not with a same-day Samui boat.
Day charter versus rafthouse night
A day trip from a 401 bungalow means a 07:00 to 08:00 transfer to the dam, a longtail loop, and back for dinner. A rafthouse night cuts the second road transfer and puts you on the water at dawn. Book the raft through a park-linked desk. Bring cash. There is no ATM on the lake.
| Option | 2026 cash | Who it fits |
|---|---|---|
| Park gate | 300 THB | Everyone who lands at the dam |
| Private longtail | 1,800 to 2,500 THB | Three Brothers, swim, one cave |
| Shared tour boat | Lower per person | Fixed stops, more neighbours |
| Rafthouse night | Tiered by cove and room | Dawn mist; bring cash |
Keep going
Book
- Khao Sok villageHighway 401
Sleep on 401 the night before a dam morning, unless the rafthouse is already booked.
Search stays - Cheow Lan boatsTours
Ask if the 300 THB park fee and cave guide are included.
See tickets - URT airport carTrip.com
Surat Thani Airport to Khao Sok is the inland transfer. Do not plan a same-day Samui ferry.
Book transfer
Common questions
- Is the pier in Khao Sok village?
- No. Ratchaprapha Dam is a separate drive from the 401 village. Budget transfer time both ways.
- Nam Talu or Coral Cave?
- Nam Talu when the park says the water is safe. Coral Cave when Nam Talu is closed. Neither is a casual swim cave.
- Do you need to sleep on the lake?
- No. A day charter is enough for the Three Brothers. Stay overnight if dawn on the water is the reason you came.