Khao
Sok Floating Bungalows / Raft Houses
The
bungalows and other accommodations
in Khao Sok National Park are a small step up from camping basically.
The reason is that the material used is mostly bamboo (grass family)
and Nipa Palm fronds (used for roof thatching).
The good
news environmentally speaking is that these bungalows are extremely
low impact. However, with this also comes the fact that they are in
constant need of repair.
These
bungalows belong to the National Park, not PaddleAsia.
We DO NOT book these bungalows except with a tour
Here are some
photos so you can see exactly what the bungalows look like.


Viewed from
one of the houses built on a hill, you can see the layout of the bungalows.
The sun rises over the limestone karst mountains in the background. It's
Nature's alarm clock.

Each bungalow
has a rear deck. You can swim in the reservoir. It's very clean.
The deck is a nice place to take a nap between paddling or hiking outings.

Each bungalow
has two mattresses on the floor. Mosquito netting is supplied,
though mosquitoes are rare in Khao Sok for some strange reason.

The walkways
are made of small diameter trees and bamboo.
Care must be taken when walking as these are floating walkways.
Shared shower
and toilet facilities are located on the land.
As the reservoir is used for hydro-electric power and as water supply
for Surat Thani and other nearby towns, the water level changes throughout
the year.
The
bungalows are merely a base for the real reason to visit Khao Sok. Nowhere
else in southern Thailand can compare to the abundance and variety of
wildlife that you'll see here. If you're used to more fancy accommodations,
these quaint, very low impact, basic bungalows are a small sacrifice
for the privilege of being in such a magical place. Most
guests, however, do find the bungalows to be delightfully simple, charming
and a wonderful addition to their Khao Sok experience. There
is beauty in simplicity.
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