Most people think of Surat Thani as the way through to the islands, but for campers it holds three worlds in one province: the limestone-ringed lake of Ratchaprapha dam, the quiet coast at Chaiya, and the Ang Thong islands. We list eight grounds; four are on a beach and four have swimming.
The national parks charge ฿30–70 per person and private camps about ฿100–150 a night; two places charge nothing to pitch. Nearly every ground has toilets, but only half have showers, about six in ten have electricity, and half rent gear.
Counted across the 8 campsites shown on this page, ordered by how many list each one.
The west of the province is Khao Sok country: Khlong Phanom National Park, with a waterfall to swim at; a private camp with morning mist not far from Ratchaprapha dam; and Khuan Khangkhok, a small island in the reservoir inside Khao Sok National Park, reached only by boat and surrounded by limestone cliffs and emerald water. In Chaiya there are grounds under coconut palms on the shore around Phumriang, with sunrise over the sea, and Ko Set, a tiny sandbar island half an hour by boat from Laem Pho. Out at sea is Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park, for kayaking, snorkelling and the climb to the viewpoint. For stream lovers there is a camp along a creek under oil palms, with its own restaurant.
February to April is best for every zone: little rain and a calm Gulf. Mid-year the coast is still good, though the Khao Sok side gets more rain. October to December is the Gulf monsoon, with strong wind and waves and island boats often cancelled, and Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park closes each year from November until around late December.
The two small-island grounds are boat-only and largely self-sufficient: Ko Set has no tap water and no electricity, so bring drinking water, washing water and lights. Only one of the eight grounds provides drinking water. The beach grounds at Chaiya can be windy at times — ask about the weather first. At Khlong Phanom National Park, bring all your own camping gear, and for Ang Thong arrange your boat well ahead.
฿30–70 per person in the national parks and about ฿100–150 a night at private camps, not counting boat fares for the island grounds.
Two places charge nothing to pitch — Khuan Khangkhok in Ratchaprapha reservoir and Ko Set in Chaiya — but both are reached by boat, so there is a fare to pay.
Yes, at Khuan Khangkhok, a small island inside Khao Sok National Park with toilets, showers and a restaurant. It is reached by boat only.
