Ratchaprapha Dam
Transportation
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Ratchaprapha Dam Information
Ratchaprapha Dam is located in Khaopang sub-district of Baantakhuun, Surat Thani province in Southern Thailand. Getting to the dam is no big deal and can be done in more than one way. If you are a plane traveler then the nearest airports for you are Surat Thani Airport, Krabi Airport, and Phuket Airport, then take a public transport to Khao Sok National Park's entrance. Train is also an option since that Surat Thani has a train station but you will have to follow it by a bus or similar transport to Khao Sok (trains are subject to delays though). Taking the bus is a very simple option especially if you are already in Surat Thani, there are multiple bus rides to Khao Sok from Surat Thani, you can also take a bus from Phuket, Takua Pa, Bangkok and Khao Lak. Minibusses and vans are a popular option, these can be taken with a combination of bus and boat transports from Koh Phi Phi, Koh Phangan, and Koh Samui as well as the bus only from Surat Thani and Bangkok. By boat, however, is the most suitable option for travelers on a budget and for island to island traveling.
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Ratchaprapha Dam Information
About Ratchaprapha Dam
Ratchaprapha or Cheow Lan Dam is a multipurpose dam; it is built for irrigation, electricity generation, flood control, and fishing. King Bhumibol Adulyadej gave it the sweet name “Rajjaprabha” meaning the light of the kingdom. The dam is 165 meters long and 95 meters high with clay core. Cheow Lan Lake has many visitors that come from all around the world to enjoy its beautiful scenery and serene water.
The dam sits inside Khao Sok National Park in Surat Thani Province, in the south of Thailand. Because the reservoir flooded a limestone landscape, the lake is dotted with steep karst peaks rising straight out of the water — the reason many visitors compare the scenery to Guilin in China or Ha Long Bay in Vietnam.
Most travellers reach Ratchaprapha Dam as part of a wider trip through southern Thailand, combining it with the Andaman coast to the west or the Gulf coast and islands to the east.
How to get to Ratchaprapha Dam
Ratchaprapha Dam is inland, so the journey is usually a road transfer to the pier area at the dam, sometimes combined with a boat leg or a ferry connection if you are arriving from an island. On this site you can compare the services that currently run to and from Ratchaprapha Dam and book them in one place.
We currently list several routes routes serving this destination, with fares from our online fares. Services are operated by providers such as our transport partners, and the exact vehicle type, duration and departure times are shown on the search results page for the date you choose.
Arriving from the mainland
Surat Thani is the main gateway for the region. Travellers commonly arrive by air, rail or long-distance coach into Surat Thani, then continue on a shorter connection towards the Khao Sok and Ratchaprapha area. If you are coming from further afield, it is often easiest to book the long leg to Surat Thani first, then add the onward transfer.
Arriving from the islands
If you are starting from Koh Samui, Koh Phangan or Koh Tao, the trip normally begins with a ferry crossing to a mainland pier on the Gulf coast, followed by a road leg inland. Combined tickets that cover both legs are often available, which saves you from arranging each part separately.
From the Andaman side — Phuket, Krabi, Khao Lak or Koh Lanta — the approach is overland from the west, and island travellers will first need a ferry to the mainland before continuing by road.
Main departure and arrival points
The focal point at the lake itself is the pier at the dam, where longtail and speedboat services depart for the floating raft houses and viewpoints on the reservoir. Arrival and drop-off points for scheduled road services are usually in the Khao Sok village area or at the dam pier, depending on the service you book — check the pick-up and drop-off details listed on your ticket before you travel.
Nearby transport hubs that feed this destination include Surat Thani town and its transport terminals, the Gulf-coast ferry piers used by the Samui archipelago, and the west-coast towns along the Andaman route. Search your exact starting point to see which connections are running.
Popular routes to and from Ratchaprapha Dam
- Surat Thani to Khao Sok — the shortest and most common mainland approach.
- Koh Samui to Khao Sok — ferry plus road connection from the Gulf islands.
You can also plan the return leg from here to the coast; see our Khao Sok travel guide and Surat Thani destination page for the full list of connections.
Practical travel information
Book ahead in the high season, roughly December to March, when both accommodation on the lake and seats on transfers fill up quickly. The wet season brings heavier rain and greener scenery; boat services may be adjusted in poor conditions.
A few things worth knowing before you go:
- National park entrance fees are collected separately at the gate and are not included in transport tickets.
- Boat trips on the reservoir are usually arranged at the pier or as part of a tour package, and are priced separately from your transfer.
- Bring cash — card facilities are limited around the dam and inside the park.
- Mobile coverage is patchy on the lake, so download maps and tickets before you set off.
- Pack light, quick-drying clothing, insect repellent, sun protection and sturdy shoes if you plan to walk.
Allow a full day if you are visiting the lake and returning the same day, or stay overnight in a raft house to see the reservoir at sunrise, when the water is at its calmest.
What to see and do
The lake is the main attraction. Boat trips weave between the limestone karsts to reach floating raft house accommodation, quiet swimming spots and jungle-backed inlets. Guided walks from the raft houses lead into the surrounding rainforest, and wildlife sightings can include hornbills, macaques and gibbons heard calling at dawn.
Caves in the area, kayaking on the reservoir and the viewpoint over the dam wall itself are other common additions to a visit. Many travellers pair a night on the lake with time in Khao Sok village, where the park headquarters and most restaurants and guesthouses are found.
Book your trip to Ratchaprapha Dam
Compare the available connections, check the current timetable for your travel date and reserve your seats online. Enter your departure point and date to search availability for Ratchaprapha Dam.
Ratchaprapha Dam Highlights
Fishing in Khao Sok Lake
Fishing may teach you the precious trait of patience but fishing in Khao Sok Lake will additionally teach you how to fish in the true Thai way. Khao Sok Lake has an amazing collection of fish including common species like the rare cobra snakehead, mahseer, river catfish, the giant, the striped among others. You can bring your own rod or rent one at the pier, you will also get to learn the Thai way in luring and bait as well as picking the right spot. The lake is known for having calm waters and huge populations of fish.
Day Tours
The park offers many one-day tours to the Cheow Lan Lake, providing you with a much deeper experience of both the park and lake. Some tours involve taking a boat and rowing your way through the incredible water while watching the amazing nature. If you want more than just a one day experience, you can rent a floating bungalow by the lake at various prices depending on the level of comfort. Renting a kayak is another activity that can be done in the waterways.
The Scenery
The combination of both the Cheow Lan Lake and Dam make up a riveting scenery along with Khao Sok National Park's charm. The park has amazing flora that will capture your eyes in a way you have never seen before, nature there is to die for! With hundreds of rare and spectacular species that are well cared for and reserved. When you are there you won't turn away for even a second to take it all in and enjoy.
Wildlife
The area surrounding the dam is full of rich wildlife. The thriving of the wildlife depends on its precious environment and in the park, it has the best environment it could need. A huge chunk of the land around the lake is specified as wildlife sanctuaries and protected habitats offering the animals a great shelter. Animals there include wildcats, elephants, many species of birds, reptiles, and exotic fish.
Frequently asked questions
What are the tourist seasons ?
Phuket
Phuket really just has two seasons, which are known as "high season" and "low season" (or "green season"). During the low season months (May–September), boat numbers are reduced. During the high season (October–April), boats to the surrounding islands are increased so you will have some more options.
Koh Samui
There are three distinct weather seasons on the tropical island of Koh Samui: the dry season (December until February), the hot season (March until August) and the rainy season (September until November).
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