Than Bok Khorani National Park

Open Days: Daily when there is no temporary closure notice from the national park

Opening Hours: 08.30 - 16.30

 

Than Bok Khorani National Park in Krabi Province is an ecologically rich national park in Ao Luek District. It combines limestone mountains, evergreen forest, peat swamp, mangroves, freshwater pools, caves, prehistoric rock paintings, kayaking routes, and Andaman Sea islands in one protected landscape. The park covers about 104 square kilometers, or 65,000 rai, across Ao Luek and Mueang Krabi districts. Main attractions include Than Bok Khorani Waterfall, the nature trail near park headquarters, Lot Cave, Phi Hua To Cave, Chao Le Cave, Khao Karos, Ko Daeng, and the Hong Islands. The headquarters and waterfall area are suitable for land-based nature visits, while Bo Tho, Khao Karos, and the Hong Islands require boat or kayak access and should be planned according to tide, weather, sea conditions, and park announcements.

 

Than Bok Khorani National Park is located in Ao Luek District, Krabi Province. It is one of Krabi’s most interesting ecotourism areas because it offers much more than a single waterfall or forest pool. The park protects a landscape where freshwater streams, limestone caves, rainforest, mangroves, archaeological caves, coastal cliffs, and offshore islands are connected. For travelers who know Krabi mainly through beaches and island tours, Than Bok Khorani introduces another side of the province: a layered inland-coastal landscape shaped by water, limestone, forest, people, and the Andaman Sea.

 

The park covers parts of Ao Luek and Mueang Krabi districts, with an area of about 104 square kilometers, or 65,000 rai. Some older tourism descriptions may list a larger area, but the updated protected-area figure widely used in current tourism and national park references is 104 square kilometers. The terrain consists of limestone mountains, forested valleys, underground water channels, karst caves, mangrove waterways, and islands in the Andaman Sea. This makes Than Bok Khorani a compact but highly diverse national park.

 

The name of the main stream area was originally associated with “Than Asok,” because asoka trees grew along the watercourse. It was later renamed Than Bok Khorani and protected as a scenic natural area. The word “Than” refers to the natural stream that flows through the forest. Unlike a single tall waterfall, the main waterfall area consists of water flowing over limestone ledges into small and large pools at different levels. The result is a shaded green stream landscape with gentle cascades, roots, rocks, and clear pools.

 

The most accessible attraction is Than Bok Khorani Waterfall, located near the national park headquarters. Visitors can walk in from the entrance area to see emerald-green pools, small cascades, forest shade, and limestone rock formations. The water flows through a peaceful forest setting rather than dropping from a high cliff. This makes the area suitable for families, casual nature visitors, photographers, and travelers who want a relaxed forest experience without a long trek.

 

Near the northern side of the main stream area are a wooden replica of the Buddha’s footprint and the shrine of Chao Pho To Yuan-To Chong. These sacred elements show that local people relate to Than Bok Khorani not only as a natural attraction, but also as a place of respect and community memory. Visitors should behave quietly around sacred areas, avoid intrusive photography, and remember that the park’s cultural features are part of the local landscape.

 

The park also has a short nature-study trail of about 1 kilometer. The trail passes through shaded forest, streamside vegetation, limestone features, and natural pools near the headquarters area. It is suitable for students, families, photographers, and visitors who want to understand the park’s forest environment rather than simply swim or take photographs. Proper walking shoes are recommended because limestone and wet surfaces can become slippery, especially after rain.

 

One of the defining characteristics of the park is its limestone karst landscape. Many parts of the area contain cliffs, caves, sinkholes, underground streams, and rock chambers created by long-term water erosion. This geology has produced well-known attractions such as Lot Cave, Phi Hua To Cave, Chao Le Cave, and caves around Khao Karos. These sites are important not only for their natural formations, but also for prehistoric rock art and coastal archaeology.

 

Lot Cave and Phi Hua To Cave are located around the Bo Tho area, away from the park headquarters. Visitors travel by road toward Ao Luek and the Bo Tho pier area, then continue by long-tail boat or kayak through mangrove-lined waterways. This route is one of Ao Luek’s most distinctive experiences because the journey itself is part of the attraction. Before reaching the caves, visitors pass through tidal canals, mangroves, limestone cliffs, and quiet brackish-water scenery.

 

Lot Cave is a limestone tunnel that can be explored by boat or kayak when water levels are suitable. The ceiling and walls contain stalactites, stalagmites, and naturally shaped rock formations. The cave shows how water slowly dissolves limestone and creates passages beneath the mountain. Visitors should follow the guidance of local boat operators or park staff because safe passage depends on tide level, water movement, and weather.

 

Phi Hua To Cave, also called Skull Cave, is an important archaeological site within Than Bok Khorani National Park. Its name is linked to earlier discoveries of unusually large human skull remains. Inside the cave are many prehistoric paintings, including human figures, animals, hands, tools, boats, and symbolic shapes on the walls and ceiling. These paintings reflect ancient human connections with waterways, mangroves, animals, and the coastal environment of the Andaman region.

 

The importance of Phi Hua To Cave goes beyond its unusual name. It is one of the best-known prehistoric rock art sites in Krabi. Some museum references date the paintings to around 2,000 - 3,000 years old, while some broader travel sources describe them as several thousand years old. A frequently mentioned image is a red human-like figure with a tall headpiece or horned animal-like head. Other paintings include aquatic animals, land animals, hands, nets, boats, and other shapes that help researchers and visitors imagine the worldview of early people along the Andaman coast.

 

Visitors must check the current status of Phi Hua To Cave before planning a trip. The cave was closed temporarily from 7 November 2023 after cracks and falling rocks were found inside the cave following an earthquake. Because safety and geological inspection are essential, travelers should contact Than Bok Khorani National Park or Bo Tho boat operators before assuming that the cave is open. Old travel reviews should not be used as the only basis for planning a cave visit.

 

Chao Le Cave is located on the western side of Laem Sak in a scenic bay surrounded by limestone cliffs and islands. The cave contains stalactites, stalagmites, and prehistoric paintings of people, animals, and geometric forms. The paintings are generally understood as belonging to a later period than those at Phi Hua To Cave. Access is usually by boat from Ban Laem Sak pier, taking about 10 - 15 minutes. As with all rock art sites, visitors must not touch the paintings, write on cave walls, or damage the cave environment.

 

Khao Karos is a limestone mountain formation on the eastern side of Laem Sak. Its unusual shape has been carved by seawater, wind, and time. The surrounding area contains healthy mangrove forest with species such as mangrove trees, lamphu, taboon, and samae, as well as wildlife such as monkeys, dusky leaf monkeys, and many birds. Khao Karos is suitable for boating and kayaking through mangrove channels, limestone cliffs, rock shelters, cave passages, and areas with ancient paintings on caves and cliff faces. It is one of the best routes for travelers who want a deeper Ao Luek nature and archaeology experience.

 

Ko Daeng is another marine site associated with the park. It has a small beach and a large sea cave according to traditional tourism descriptions, and it is located near the Chao Le Cave area. Snorkeling may be possible when sea conditions are suitable. Because the island is small and conditions vary, trips should be arranged with local boat operators who understand tides, waves, and safety. Visitors should avoid stepping on coral, touching marine life, or collecting shells and natural objects.

 

The Hong Islands, also known as Ko Lao Bileh or the Hong Islands of Krabi, are among the most famous marine attractions in Than Bok Khorani National Park. The group includes several islands such as Ko Lao, Ko Saka, Ko Lao Riam, Ko Pak Ka, and Ko Lao Lading, with Ko Hong as the largest and most visited island. Ko Hong is known for two curved bays that form a wing-like shape, white sand, clear water, limestone cliffs, shallow reefs, a lagoon, and a 360-degree viewpoint overlooking the surrounding islands and sea.

 

A trip to the Hong Islands is very different from visiting the park headquarters. It requires a boat trip from Ao Nang, Khlong Muang, or another operating pier. Traditional references describe the long-tail boat journey from Ao Nang as taking around 1 hour, while speedboats take less time depending on departure point and sea conditions. Travelers should check weather, tide, marine forecasts, and park announcements before booking a boat trip, especially during the monsoon season.

 

The best season for the park’s marine areas is generally from December to early May, when the Andaman Sea is usually calmer. This is the better period for snorkeling, kayaking, and visiting offshore islands. During the rainy or monsoon period, visitors may still be able to enjoy the headquarters area and waterfall when there is no temporary closure, but water levels, slippery paths, rain, and flash-flood risk must be considered. Cave, kayak, Khao Karos, and Hong Islands activities should always be planned with current tide and weather conditions.

 

The current national park entrance fee follows the updated fee group for Than Bok Khorani National Park: Thai adults 60 baht, Thai children 30 baht, foreign adults 300 baht, and foreign children 150 baht. Vehicle fees are charged separately, including 30 baht for a four-wheel car and 20 baht for a motorcycle. These fees do not include boat tours, kayaking, guides, Hong Islands trips, snorkeling, diving, or services provided by private operators.

 

Facilities around the park headquarters include a ticket point, visitor service area, toilets, parking, welfare shop or drink stall, short nature trail, and park staff. Some sources list park accommodation and camping facilities, but overnight visitors should check directly with the Department of National Parks reservation system or contact the park before traveling, because availability, conditions, and seasonal operations can change.

 

Getting There from Krabi Town is straightforward by road. Take Highway 4 on the Krabi-Ao Luek route for about 46 - 48 kilometers. At Ao Luek, continue along Route 4039, the Ao Luek-Laem Sak road, for about 1.5 - 2 kilometers to the national park headquarters. The park is close to Ao Luek town, making it suitable for a half-day trip from Krabi Town or as part of a larger Ao Luek itinerary.

 

Public transport is possible by taking a Krabi-Ao Luek bus or songthaew and getting off near the park or Ao Luek town, then using local transport if needed. However, travelers who want to combine several places in one day, such as the park headquarters, Bo Tho, Lot Cave, Khao Karos, and Laem Sak, will find a rental car or private transfer more practical because attractions are spread across different road and boat access points.

 

A half-day visit can focus on the headquarters area, Than Bok Khorani Waterfall, and the short nature trail. A full-day visit can combine the waterfall with Bo Tho kayaking, Lot Cave, and a local Ao Luek meal. Another full-day option is the Laem Sak and Khao Karos route, which highlights mangroves, limestone cliffs, caves, and coastal scenery. The Hong Islands should usually be planned as a separate marine day trip because boat travel and island activities take more time.

 

Than Bok Khorani National Park suits many types of travelers. Families can enjoy the waterfall area and natural pools. Students can learn about rainforest, mangroves, limestone geology, and prehistoric rock art. Photographers can capture emerald-green water, caves, mangrove canals, limestone formations, and island scenery. Kayakers can explore Bo Tho and Khao Karos. History-focused travelers can study the region’s rock paintings, but must respect closure notices and preservation rules.

 

Good visitor behavior is essential. Do not litter, do not bring foam containers or single-use plastics into the park, do not collect plants, animals, shells, coral, or rocks, do not touch prehistoric paintings, do not write on cave walls, do not step on coral, do not disturb wildlife, and do not swim in prohibited areas. Follow park staff, local guides, tide conditions, weather warnings, and safety instructions. This landscape contains both natural and archaeological resources that cannot be easily restored once damaged.

 

In summary, Than Bok Khorani National Park in Krabi is one of Ao Luek’s most complete nature and cultural landscapes. It combines forest streams, emerald pools, limestone caves, mangrove kayaking, prehistoric rock art, Khao Karos, Ko Daeng, and the Hong Islands in one protected area. Travelers should not treat all sites as simple photo stops. The true value of Than Bok Khorani lies in understanding how forest, limestone, water, mangroves, sea, and ancient human traces are connected within the same Krabi landscape.

 

 

A: Than Bok Khorani National Park is located in Ao Luek Tai Subdistrict, Ao Luek District, Krabi Province, about 46 - 48 km from Krabi Town.

 

A: The headquarters and waterfall area are open daily from 08.30 to 16.30 when there is no temporary closure notice from the national park.

 

A: The entrance fee is 60 baht for Thai adults, 30 baht for Thai children, 300 baht for foreign adults, and 150 baht for foreign children. Boat trips, kayaking, island tours, and other services are charged separately.

 

A: Main attractions include Than Bok Khorani Waterfall, the nature trail, Lot Cave, Phi Hua To Cave, Chao Le Cave, Khao Karos, Ko Daeng, and the Hong Islands.

 

A: Phi Hua To Cave was temporarily closed from 7 November 2023 after cracks and falling rocks were found. Visitors should contact the park or Bo Tho boat operators before planning a visit.

 

A: A visit to the headquarters, waterfall, and short nature trail takes about 1 - 2 hours. A full-day trip is recommended if combining the park with Bo Tho, Lot Cave, Khao Karos, or kayaking.

 

A: The Hong Islands are part of Than Bok Khorani National Park, but they require a boat trip from Ao Nang, Khlong Muang, or an operating pier. Travelers should check weather, tide, sea conditions, and park announcements before booking.

 

A: Visitors should not litter, bring foam or single-use plastics, touch prehistoric paintings, write on cave walls, collect shells or coral, step on coral, disturb wildlife, or ignore park staff instructions.