KHAO SOK NEARBY ATTRACTIONS

Nam Ron Hot Springs

A visit to the nearby Nam Ron Hot Springs is the best way to complete a perfect day at Our Jungle House. Only 20 minutes away by car, the springs park is situated away from the streets and surrounded by hills and jungle.

The geothermal heated groundwater pouring from the springs is connected to two big pools in which you can actually swim or just sit and relax on one of the benches in the water. A cold shower is there to give you a little kick between your hot water sessions.

Please note to bring a t-shirt or something similar to cover your torso while swimming (please respect the Thai bathing culture). To bring: swim suit, towel, something to drink.

Takuapa Town

The nearest town is Takua Pa, 40 kilometers or about 40 minutes on the way to Phuket. Now a hub for tourists going to Khao Lak, Phuket, and Khao Sok, a decent hospital, several modern banks, and numerous local shops can be found there. Takua Pa has a history dating back to its role as a coastal entrepot during Roman times. More recently it was a major center for tin-mining and processing. The old town has interesting streets of Sino-Portuguese arcade architecture dating back 200 years. One old house still has its well in the middle of the living room.

Panom Town

South towards Surathani (and Koh Samui) is the town of Panom. Twenty-five years ago one could still find mouse deer, as well as tiger and bear meat, in its weekend market. Elephants were still being captured in the nearby forests. Here also is a new park called Klong Panom National Park which has the same dramatic limestone architecture found at Khao Sok. There is very little development at this park, which could offer interesting adventures for real explorers.

Naka Wildlife Sanctuary

More accessible is Naka Wildlife Sanctuary, which is effectively the other (west) side of the Khao Sok mountains. The unspoiled mountain forests here lead right down to the beautiful Andaman Sea.

The Andaman Coast

Several islands here have beautiful and unspoiled beaches, with resorts ranging from backpacker places to the unique and isolated Golden Buddha Beach Resort on Phra Thong island. This area is populated by sea gypsies and Thai Muslims as well as Thai Buddhists.

The coast here was devastated by the 2004 tsunami, but the Muslim and sea gypsy villages have risen again and the well-run community-based tourism company Andaman Discoveries offers a taste of the simple, colorful village life along the coast. There is also a comfortable, reasonably priced group of air-conditioned chalets named Kuraburi Greenview Resort set against this mountain range.