Tips on places to stay (around 1k) eat, self guided tours, tours etc... Places that offer discounts for westerners with Thai drivers license and/or Thais

Plenty of places to stay close to the national park headquarters. There are 2 trails starting at the headquarters which you can negotiate without a guide, one following the river upstream, and the other one going North. Both trails are very well signposted. I would advise to book a day trip to the Cheow Larn lake 70 km further East, will set you back around 1200-1500 Baht. No "expat" discounts for any hotels or tours (just haggle) , but you might be able to get into the national park paying the Thai price.

We went earlier this year. LOVED our stay in one of the floating hotels on the lake, but wasn't cheap. The boat ride around the lake early in the AM with mist on the water was absolutely beautiful. The rooms were very basic, but use used the kayaks and swam a bunch. Had a great time.

We were very disappointed with the main park. One trail is just a dirt road that takes you up to a simple pavilion near a small river. Scooters were going up and down it...strange.

From there, the trail turns into a very small path that is very poorly signed. We tried to find our way to another waterfall, but couldn't find it. Signs were laying on the ground and the trail was very difficult. Washed out in many places, requiring scrambling over stuff. No fun.

We tried the other one that went up the river and were also very disappointed. Railings were broken off, the bridge over the river to get to the viewpoint was all busted up. Probably for several years. We got across the river anyway and went up to the lookout. Steps were missing and when we got up there, none of the vegetation had been cleared away so there was NO view! 555555

We stayed at the hotel that connects to the parking lot after you enter the park, on the left. Nice enough place, did a bag lunch for us for the walk. We could have sneaked in without paying, but I wanted to "support the national park!". Sorry I did.

If you are use to well maintained national parks back in the West, you might be disappointed at the main park area. The lake is wonderful though.

Can you access the lake through the park or do I need to take a tour to the lake ... Prefer DIY tours if possible !

DYI to the lake would mean driving/riding to the Rajaprabha dam 70 km East of the national park headquarters, or taking a taxi from Ta Khun at the main road not far from Surat Thani.

Riding scooter from samui anyhow so not much further will check out the tours when we arrive and see what's what ... Cheers

Some pretty good day tours to the lake and caves are setup by the guest houses near the park entrance. If you go to the lake, you'll have to negotiate hard to get a boat ride out to one of the floating "hotels".

Good walking shoes if poss.

If you're going to the jungle portion of the park, take a raincoat.
Been there 6 times, was raining 4 of them.
The lake portion (70 kms away) is much more beautiful in my opinion.

Do the raft bungalows if you get the chance.
Unforgettable.

Prices of the rafts will include food, because there is nowhere else you can go. Especially at the cheaper rafts, rats can be a problem. Mind you, due to tour groups the rafts are booked out often enough.

Plan to stay in the town 2 nights and do the rafting and waterfalls ourselves from the park HQ, then ride to the pier and arrange a night on a raft for the night there ... If anyone else has done and has tips ... Appreciated.

Boat to the raft hotels is about 1600 baht, better to take an organised tour if you wanna save a bit. If not then you might be able to knock them down a little..!

So....Spent 2 night in "town" ... Walked ourself to stop 3 in the national park which was officially closed to those without a guide but they let us go thru anyhow ... Nice for a few hours in the park ... They charged the full 200b even with Thai drivers license ... Tubing on the river @ 350 each was great fun for a couple of hours. Then rode ourselves to the dam part of the park and stayed in the govt. room by the lake @1200 and will take a private tour early morning to the 3 rocks, cave and stop for lunch. Cost 2800 for the whole boat for 5 hrs . Would have been 2300x2 for a 2day 1 night to stay on the lake but in a very basic hut with shared toilets... Staying in the govt room by the lake meant we got to go to try a bit of golf at the govt course and ride up to the viewpoint...and get a nicer room for the night ...

We showed up late in the day and those government hotels were pretty much booked. A few rooms were left, but not the good ones. Some looked very nice. Right on the lake with nice views.

We stayed at a place right on the river flowing out of the lake, near the big bridge you have to pass over the river. It was quite nice. Swam in the river until they started letting the water out of the dam as it was getting a bit risky. Quite the current.

How did you like the tour of the lake and the caves?

Lake tour was great... 2800 for 6 hours private tour for two. We were the only ones staying at the govt rooms by the lake...

The boat for overnight stay and tour is 3700 per boat then add the per person room charge which varies from around 1000 to 5000. The govt one is nice enough and is 1200 pp pn

http://khaosoklake.com/ just found this website - prices all seem to be the same as booking direct at the pier, so next time ill be using this site!!