Life here revolves around the Khao Sok rainy season, which effects many parts of daily life. Therefore, before you book your ticket, I recommend doing a bit of research. We’re here to help you understand the Khao Sok weather. Khao Sok national park weather can effect your options.
Officially, we can divide Khao Sok weather into three seasons:
- The Hot Season, from March to May
- The Monsoon Season (Khao Sok rainy season), from June to October
- The Dry Season, from November to February (Read our guide to Khao Sok Dry season)
However, the weather conditions closely effect life here so we have divided the year into two clear seasons. Below, you will find information on the Monsoon season, and the non-Monsoon season!
They both have their pros and cons and we hope to help you decide the best time to visit Khao Sok national park.
Khao Sok national park weather – The monsoon
Monsoon season begins properly in June and the rains reach a peak in August/September. They fade out slowly from November to December.
During the Khao Sok rainy season, visitors can expect at least one heavy rainfall every day. Beautiful blue skies and sunshine usually follow this!
In some extreme cases, rain may fall nonstop for several days. This can be inconvenient, but it doesn’t mean you can’t still have a great time.. You can still enjoy plenty of activities in the rain!
While this Khao Sok weather can sound off-putting, the monsoon season does have its charms! On the Sok River activities are sensational during this period. River canoeing is more exciting than any other time of year, and tubing is a true adventure! Also, the monsoon doesn’t affect cultural activities, such as our jungle cooking or the elephant sanctuary.
The Green Season
Additionally, the Khao Sok rainy season is also the ‘green season’, when the jungle is at its most verdant. Flowers are in bloom, everything is happy and green, and the forest exudes health and vibrancy. This is the type of Khao Sok weather that triggers mating rituals among many different animals, especially frogs! The nightly serenade of amorous frogs along the river bank and in the forest will delight guests.
Finally, monsoon season signals the arrival of many of Thailand’s famed fruits! Seasonal fruits, such as Durian, Mangosteen, Longan and Dragon Fruit are only available during this time of year. This alone is a good reason to visit at this time. You can’t beat sitting on a balcony in the jungle, eating kilograms of amazing fruit, and watching the rain!
Monsoon in the jungle – the downsides
Of course, this Khao Sok national park weather does have its downsides, most notably in how it affects some types of tours. For example, guests planning to visit should be aware that there is no jungle camping during monsoon season. Additionally, trips to Cheow Larn Lake often face disruptions.
The authorities close the famous NamTaLoo cave by the lake during the monsoon. The viewpoint hike is also not accessible.
Finally, it is not a good time to view wildlife. As a result of the rains, most large mammals are able to find food and water easily in the deep jungle. Therefore, they do not venture into areas where we can see them.
In contrast to other Khao Sok resorts, rainy season at the Riverside Cottages is truly magical. Guests can enjoy the rain in a lovely natural setting. This makes the sights, sounds, and smells of the season even better!
The rain makes a rhythmic sound on the leaves. The air smells sweet because of blooming flowers. Together, they create a special beauty in the forest. Guests can marvel at the strong power of the monsoon floods from the safety and comfort of our Riverside restaurant!
Khao Sok national park weather – The Dry Season
Dry season in the Khao Sok jungle village begins properly in January, although lighter rains are still possible. By mid-April, the forest is dry and brown, and the river is sluggish and shallow. This is the hottest time of year, when breezes are scarce, and only shade and the river provide natural cooling.
Similar to monsoon season, the dry season also has its pros and cons also. For example, this is the time of year to organise the deep-jungle camping trip of a lifetime! Khao Sok Lake is best during the dry season. You can enjoy beautiful views and many trekking options.
You can find more information on our Khao Sok Lake tour packages here. Finally, the lack of food and water in the forest means that wildlife needs to come closer to our resort. As a result, the dry season is the best time of year to view wild Elephants and Gaur, and other large mammals.
Unlike monsoon season, the dry season will not heavily impact activities. The main exception is River Tubing, which isn’t as much fun on a slow-flowing river.
However, guests will need to prepare themselves for the heat at this time of year. The most useful preparation guests can make is to simply mentally prepare for being hot and sweaty. And of course, be prepared to drink plenty of water!
Khao Sok Weather: Riverside Cottages in the dry season
The best place to enjoy the hot and dry Khao Sok weather of the season is in the forest. Under a dense canopy of leaves, bungalows stay cool in the shade.
Finally, our spacious grounds mean that cabins are not crowded together. This gives peace and tranquility to guests, and provides space for cooling breezes to flow freely. This translates to a cooler, more comfortable place to spend those hot days!
Other things to keep in mind
Besides the seasonal changes in Khao Sok National Park’s weather, visitors should note that tourist numbers increase during holidays. The Asian tourists that make up most of this traffic bypass the jungle, and go straight to Khao Sok Lake. As a result, it can be difficult to find a raft house available or tranquility at the lake during these times. The three largest tourist holidays celebrated at the Lake are:
- Chinese New Year. The next celebration begins February 5, 2019
- Thai New Year. The next celebration begins April 13, 2019
- Western New Year
Thai and Chinese New year depend on the lunar calendar for the exact starting dates. Therefore, the date on the western calendar will change from year to year. For more information on these festivals, we recommend TimeandDate.com.
We hope that this blog will serve as a useful introduction to Khao Sok national park weather! For further questions, be feel free to send us an email!
Check out our popular blog, “Top 6 Activities in Khao Sok National Park.” It has details on our favorite Khao Sok adventures!
Find your perfect place to stay and start planning your next adventure at the tropical paradise we call Home!
