The short answer
Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park: what visitors should know first
Worth half a day if the weather is dry and you are comfortable walking on uneven forest tracks. Go early, check which waterfalls and trails are open, and bring insect repellent, water and sturdy shoes. Older relatives may prefer the coastal section.
History and context
The story behind Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park
Wikipedia says Khao Lak-Lam Ru was declared Thailand's 66th national park on 30 August 1991. It is managed by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation. The park received 72,162 visitors in 2019, according to the same source.
Useful facts
Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park facts at a glance
- Location
- Off Route 4, Phang Nga; parts of four districts
- Experience type
- Forest and waterfall walks
- Established
- 30 August 1991
- Area
- About 125 square kilometres
- Entry
- Foreigner fee applies; check the current amount
Why it matters
Why Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park is worth your time
Most Khao Lak visitors never leave the beach strip, but the national park is why the hills behind the coast are green. It protects forest from the shoreline up to a high peak of more than 1,000 metres, according to Wikipedia, which makes it the main natural counterweight to the resort development.
For a family, it offers a different kind of day, cooler under the trees, with water to look at and no boat transfers. For senior travellers it needs honest planning: choose short, easy walks, avoid the wettest weeks, and treat the park as an addition to the beach, not a replacement.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
Lam Ru Waterfall
Wikipedia describes five levels with year-round flow, with the lower pools easiest to reach.
- 02
Coastal section
A quieter shoreline within the park, closer to the Khao Lak beaches.
- 03
Forest wildlife
Gibbons, hornbills and other species live in the park, though sightings are never guaranteed.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Wikipedia describes the park as covering parts of Kapong, Mueang Phang Nga, Takua Pa and Thai Mueang districts, established on 30 August 1991 and covering about 125 square kilometres. It lies just off Route 4 and includes the coastal Khao Lak section as well as inland forest and waterfalls.
The named waterfalls include Lam Ru, which Wikipedia describes as having five levels with water year-round, plus Lam Phrao, Hin Lat and Ton Chong Fa. Which of these you can visit depends on the season, trail conditions and park management, so ask at your hotel or the park office before you set out.
Use the forest as a shaded break from the beach, not a hard trek. Go in the cooler morning, wear shoes with grip, carry water and repellent, and turn back if the path is slippery. Wildlife listed for the park includes gibbons, tapirs and hornbills, though sightings are never guaranteed.
Plan with confidence
Small decisions that make the visit easier.
- Check opening hours and the current foreigner fee
- Wear shoes with grip and bring insect repellent
- Carry water and a rain layer
- Hire a car or taxi with a driver for the day
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park, off Route 4, Phang Nga
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Best time
- Dry season, November to March; go early
- Walking level
- Moderate
- Senior comfort
- Forest tracks can be uneven, wet and root-covered, with few handrails. Humidity is high. The coastal section is easier, and a hired car with driver helps. If anyone has knee or heart concerns, choose short walks only.
- Tickets and access
- National parks charge a separate foreigner entry fee. Wikivoyage lists 200 baht for non-Thai adults on a past visit, but check the current fee and opening hours with the park or your hotel.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
Forest tracks can be uneven, wet and root-covered, with few handrails. Humidity is high. The coastal section is easier, and a hired car with driver helps. If anyone has knee or heart concerns, choose short walks only.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
What is the entry fee?
A foreigner fee applies at national parks in Thailand. Wikivoyage lists 200 baht for non-Thai adults from a past visit, so confirm the current figure.
Is it good in the rainy season?
Waterfalls are fuller but trails can be slippery and some paths may close. Dry months are easier and safer.
Can seniors visit?
Yes, with limits. The coastal section and short walks suit most older travellers, but longer waterfall hikes do not.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
