VIETNAM THAILAND CAMBODIA LAOS MYANMAR INDONESIA JAPAN CHINA MALAYSIA SINGAPORE KHAO SOK UNCOVERED Webinar series April 2018 www.exotravel.com EXPERIENCE OUR ASIA
PROFILE - KIM MARTIN RASMUSSEN Product & Contracting Manager, EXO Thailand Having lived and worked in Thailand as a travel professional for more than a decade, Kim's knowledge of the country is extraordinary. While working in a variety of roles from operations and sales to product, he has not only explored every corner of Thailand, but also the travel industry as a whole.
OVERVIEW Map
OVERVIEW Map Phuket Khao Sok: 3 hrs Khao Lak Khao Sok: 1 hr Krabi Khao Sok: 2 hrs 15 min Khao Lak - Chiew Larn Lake: 2 hrs Surat Thani Khao Sok: 1 hr 30 min Khao Sok Chiew Larn Lake: 1 hr
DID YOU KNOW? That Rajjaprabha Dam got its name in May 1987 from the king at the opening ceremony on the king's 60th birthday. Before that day it was called the "Cheow Lan Project". It was designed as a multi-purpose project for power generation, flood control, irrigation, and fishery. In 1982, the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand started construction of the dam. It took about one year to completely flood the 185 square kilometers (71 sq mi) basin. To flood this large area, 385 families of Ban Chiew Lan village were resettled. Each family received 19 rai (7.2 acres) of rubber plantation. As part of the compensation, the resettled people received 1,000 baht monthly per family. Resettlement drove the creation of basic public infrastructure, water supply systems, and public buildings such as schools, police station, medical center, and community hall all built by the Thai government. A resettlement of animals took place by boat and helicopter to prevent them from drowning or starving on newly created islands. In 18 months 1,364 animals of 116 species were rescued.
CHIEW LARN LAKE General Info Total of 16 floating resorts on the lake in various conditions. 4 of them belong to the national park and 12 of them are privately owned. The National Park do not allow to build anymore resorts on the lake. The lake is Most resorts will be basic and offer fan only, but some resorts have air-condition and TV etc. In general there is no phone signal on the lake, but AIS can pick up signal in a few spots. The resorts that provide aircon will only provide aircon during the evening until early morning. Most raft house will only have cold water showers, but a few will provide hot water as well. It cost 300 THB per person for foreigners to enter the national park.
CHIEW LARN LAKE Map Panvaree The Greenery Boat Landing
PANVAREE THE GREENERY BEST OPTION Facilities: Aircon Yes, running from 19.00 08.00 hrs Fan Yes TV Yes Swimming pool - No WiFi / Phone Signal No / AIS Hot shower - Yes No of bungalows / Max capacity on the raft - 10 / 40 Website: https://www.thegreenerypanvaree.com/english-menu In terms of service and boutique design, then Panvaree the Greenery is the best floating resort on the lake. Comparing with 500 Rai, then Panvaree the Greenery provides personal service, set menus and no buffet line. The rooms have many small touches of design and details. The view is however not as good as 500 Rai, but it is still very good. The best rooms are the so called Superior rooms upstairs, there will be only 2 of these types.
PANVAREE THE GREENERY BEST OPTION Next door is Panvaree which is the first resort they build, and then due to a family conflict, they built the new addition called The Greenery, however due to regulations the 2 resorts need to be attached to each other. Panvaree The Greenery provide kayaks and have a suspension hang out place. Food is served as set menus,
PANVAREE THE GREENERY BEST OPTION The best rooms are the so called Superior rooms upstairs, there will be only 2 of these types
500 RAI SECOND BEST OPTION Facilities: Aircon Yes, running from 19.00 08.00 hrs Fan Yes TV No Swimming pool - Yes WiFi / Phone Signal - No / AIS Hot shower - No No of bungalows / Max capacity on the raft - 21 / 100 Website: https://www.eng.500rai.com/ Together with Panvaree the Greenery then 500 Rai is ranked among the 2 best floating resorts on the lake. They operate a pick up from Phuket, Khao Lak, Krabi and Surat Thani and all transfer will stop at their own check in point in Khao Sok where a light breakfast is served and souvenirs can be bought.
500 RAI SECOND BEST OPTION The common area when arriving at 500 Rai is very big and nicely laid out. You will get a welcome drink upon arrival and then lunch is served. The common area is where you have the lobby, all meals are served here, there is a small library and games as well as the swimming pool. Service level at 500 Rai is acceptable, but they are currently having a lot of domestic market volume and the setup is catering for groups. So buffet line food and tours and transfers are done in groups. Foreigners can order a la carte from the menu as the buffet line is cooked Thai style (spicy).
500 RAI SECOND BEST OPTION The rooms are spacious and you will have your own kayaks at your door step. At 500 Rai they have one special room type called the honeymoon suite. It is very good with Jacuzzi and spa room and huge balcony. You need to pull over the platform to get to the room, which offer a special kind of privacy.
PANVAREE BACKUP OPTION Facilities: Aircon Yes, running from 19.00 08.00 hrs Fan Yes TV Yes Swimming pool - No WiFi / Phone Signal No / AIS Hot water - Yes No of bungalows / Max capacity on the raft - 11 / 50 Website: http://www.panvaree.com/ Panvaree is the first built float house. It looks nice, but lacking service from staff which was quite obvious when we visited. If Panvaree The Greenery was not next door, then it would be OK, but when comparing with the newer and better resort next door then I would prefer not to book this one. Facilities are similar to Panvaree The Greenery.
PANVAREE BACKUP OPTION Rooms are spacious and location is good as it is next to Panvaree the Greenery. Service from staff is overall lacking, so would be cautious with this option and use only as a backup.
PHUPHAWAREE BACKUP OPTION Facilities: Aircon Yes, running from 19.00 08.00 hrs Fan Yes TV Yes Swimming pool - No WiFi / Phone Signal Yes / AIS Hot water - No No of bungalows / Max capacity on the raft - 30 / 120 Website: http://phupha-waree.com/ A rather modern looking raft house on the lake, just around the corner from 500 Rai. This rafthouse seem popular with both foreigners and Thais. They have jumping platforms and a spacious common area.
PHUPHAWAREE BACKUP OPTION As seen on the pictures, then common space as this floating resort is good and they have plenty of toys to play on the water.
PHUPHAWAREE BACKUP OPTION Rooms are modern and got TV and aircon as well as balcony.
EXCURSIONS ON THE LAKE Coral Cave Very nice excursion to a coral cave with stalagmites and stalactites, It is close to Panvaree The Greenery and will be included in their standard 3 day trip. The best part is that after you done a small easy hike of 30 min, then you get on a bamboo longtail boat to cross a lake for 7 min before reaching the cave. There is a park fee of 200 THB per person to be paid for doing this trek. Tarzan Viewpoint A really cool spot to go and have a fantastic look over the lake. The trek takes about 1 hour up and 45 min down. The last part of the trek is on sharp stones, so important to wear good shoes. The total distance is 2 KM each way, but it is quite steep. Morning boat safari All the resorts on the lake will arrange an early morning boat safari. The scope is to see animals, such as monkeys and hornbills. The start time is 06.30 hrs normally. To be honest then the idea is good, but in reality, then the noise of the boats will in most cases chase the animals away.
. CORAL CAVE
. TARZAN VIEWPOINT
. MORNING BOAT SAFARI
KHAO SOK Map 500 Rai Valley Retreat Royal Cliff Resort & Spa Our Jungle Camp Treehouse Anurak 18 KM
KHAO SOK LAND BASED ACCOMMODATION 500 Rai Valley Retreat Website: https://www.eng.500rai.com/c302-1 A truly fantastic property located in the strip leading to the national park entrance. You will enter a small security gate and then you come up to this amazing property. From outside it looks stunning and the rooms and details and decoration is really good. The owner is German, Mr Claus from Thanyapura in Phuket. His own residence is next door and you are not allowed to enter that area. There is a big swimming pool 50 meters long overlooking the jungle. No lifeguard on duty and no waiters will be around. The service level could be improved as now the 500 Rai crew seems to have no experience in the hotel industry. But they are slowing getting better and better based on feedback provided to them.
500 Rai Valley Retreat It consists of 6 rooms total, 4 in the lower floor and 2 on the upper floor. On the upper floor you also find the restaurant where all meals are served.
KHAO SOK LAND BASED ACCOMMODATION Khao Sok Royal Cliff Resort & Spa Website: http://www.khaosokroyalcliff.com/ Found this resort to probably be the best option for EXO clients in Khao Sok. They have recently renovated the swimming pool and that is a major improvement. The area is up against a backdrop of cliffs, so a bit similar to Cliff & River in style and views. However rooms are more modern and service level looks a bit better. The restaurant and lobby is Thai style with a twist of country style, but still looks good and they have a small area with stools where you can overlook the mountains. They have massage on spot as well.
Khao Sok Royal Cliff Resort & Spa They have 2 different room types both with AC: Thai Classic Room - building style and total 8 of these the one pictured Thai Boutique Chalet - bungalow style and total 10 of these
Khao Sok Royal Cliff Resort & Spa They have 2 different room types both with AC: Thai Classic Room - building style and total 8 of these the one pictured Thai Boutique Chalet - bungalow style and total 10 of these
KHAO SOK LAND BASED ACCOMMODATION Treehouse Website: http://www.khaosok-treehouse.com/ In terms of style and experience, then Treehouse is probably the perfect fit for getting the real jungle feeling when staying in Khao Sok. Every treehouse will have a different design and style, but they are all done in real fashion and have TV and aircon etc. The service level here seems to be not that good and the overall feeling of the whole resort is that it is rustic and in the nature. So if looking for best service then it will not be the right fit. If looking for treehouses, then nothing will beat this one.
Treehouse They have a swimming pool in the middle of the resort as well as an elevated platform, probably 5 meters above ground from where you can see above the trees and can do bird watching.
KHAO SOK LAND BASED ACCOMMODATION Anurak Community Lodge Website: https://anuraklodge.com/ Probably one of the best options in Khao Sok together with Royal Cliff. Since they changed management they have really improved and the rooms looks clean and nice. All bungalows got aircon and spacious balconies to sit outside. The restaurant is good looking and the small bar area offers one of the best views you can get in Khao Sok. The food is now served a la carte and no longer buffet style. Location is 18 kilometers away from the strip leading up to the national park.
Anurak Community Lodge They do not have a swimming pool. But the area is spacious and tranquil and good for bird watchers and families alike.
KHAO SOK LAND BASED ACCOMMODATION Our Jungle Camp Website: https://www.khaosokecoresort.com/ Brand new resort. Same owner as Our Jungle House. All rooms will be eco friendly and there will be no aircon. They have a nice big lobby with restaurant attached. Located next to Our Jungle House, so access to the river and monkeys will be roaming in the area.
Our Jungle Camp Totally they have 10 tree houses, 4 basic bamboo houses and 2 mud houses. They will build 4 more bungalows, so total count will be 20 bungalows.
KHAO SOK LAND BASED ACTIVITIES Sonchana Elephant Farm Website: N/A A really good ethical elephant camp. It feels very private and it is kind of hidden in the jungle. They got only 1 elephant for now. The elephant has only one tusk and looks blind on one eye. The program will need to be booked in advance. It is just about 3 KM from Anurak Community Lodge on the other side of the road.
Sonchana Elephant Farm
EXO FOUNDATION EXO Travel is fully committed to developing, operating, and marketing tourism in a sustainable manner. The EXO Foundation is our charitable fund to aid local organisations in the following ways: - Encouraging cultural respect - Treading lightly - Supporting local charities - Working with locals to develop community based tourism projects
EXOCONNECT CONNECTING YOU TO ASIA As part of our ongoing efforts to provide a higher level of service and added value, we have launched our new online booking system, ExoConnect. Book and receive an instant confirmation 24/7 and dramatically reduced time spent on the booking process, all accessible through our Travel Trade website.
THANK YOU FOR LISTENING We will send you the link to the webinar in a few days time. In case you have any follow up questions, please feel free to contact me on: kim@exotravel.com Stay tuned for the next webinar series from EXO TRAVEL.