Traveling to Ratchaprapha Dam (Cheow Lan Dam), Surat Thani

Traveling to Ratchaprapha Dam (Cheow Lan Dam), Surat Thani

Ratchaprapha Dam, also known as Cheow Lan Dam, is located in Khao Sok National Park, Surat Thani Province. This beautiful tourist destination is renowned for its large lake surrounded by majestic limestone mountains. The clear emerald waters of Cheow Lan Dam have earned it the nickname "Thailand's Guilin." There are several ways to reach Ratchaprapha Dam, depending on your starting location.

1. Traveling by Private Car

Traveling by private car is the most convenient and flexible option, allowing you to reach the dam directly.

• From Surat Thani City: The distance from Surat Thani city to Ratchaprapha Dam is approximately 80 kilometers, taking about 1.5 hours by car.
  • Follow Highway 401 (Surat Thani – Takua Pa Road) heading west. Pass Ban Ta Khun, then turn right at the intersection onto Highway 3062. Continue driving straight until you reach Ratchaprapha Dam.
• From Bangkok: The distance from Bangkok to Ratchaprapha Dam is approximately 780 kilometers, taking around 9-10 hours by car.
  • Drive along Phetkasem Road (Highway 4) passing Phetchaburi and Chumphon, then enter Surat Thani. From there, follow the route mentioned above to reach the dam.

2. Traveling by Public Bus

• From Bangkok: There are buses departing from the Southern Bus Terminal (Sai Tai Mai) in Bangkok to Surat Thani, taking approximately 10-12 hours. Upon arrival at the bus station in Surat Thani, you can take a van or rent a car to reach Ratchaprapha Dam.
• From Surat Thani: Local vans and buses operate from Surat Thani Bus Terminal to Ban Ta Khun District, which is near the dam. You can take these buses and get off at a nearby point, or rent a car for the final leg of the journey.

3. Traveling by Air

• From Surat Thani Airport: After landing at Surat Thani Airport (about 70 kilometers from the dam), you can rent a car or use the available van services from the airport to the dam, which takes about 1 hour.
• From Bangkok Airports: Direct flights are available from Don Mueang or Suvarnabhumi Airport to Surat Thani Airport, with a flight time of around 1 hour and 15 minutes. After landing, follow the route mentioned above to Ratchaprapha Dam.

4. Traveling by Train

You can take a train from Bangkok (Hua Lamphong Station) to Phunphin Station, the nearest railway station to Surat Thani. From Phunphin Station, take a local bus to Surat Thani city, then rent a car or take a van to Ratchaprapha Dam.

5. Car Rental or Tour Services

If you prefer not to travel independently, there are car rental services and tour packages available from Surat Thani city or Bangkok. These packages often include transportation, boat tours, and accommodation on floating rafts in the lake, making your trip more convenient.

Summary

There are multiple ways to travel to Ratchaprapha Dam depending on your convenience, whether by private car, public bus, airplane, or train. The dam is a stunning destination known for its natural beauty and serene lake. Once there, you can enjoy boat tours on the lake and relax in a tranquil atmosphere surrounded by nature.