Tourism for Positive Impact

At Anurak Lodge, our commitment to sustainability goes beyond minimizing our environmental impact. We have shifted from traditional footprint management to regenerative practices, and focus on creating lasting positive change for the environment, local communities, and cultural heritage in Khao Sok.

Our Impact

All our guests, staff, and partners contribute to our success. This is our collective impact so far!

Trees planted through
Rainforest Rising

Fruits & vegetables
harvested from our gardens

0 kg

Compost produced
for our gardens

0 kg

Staff hired
from the community

The 4C’s

Anurak Lodge’s sustainability efforts are guided by The Long Runs 4C framework: Conservation, Community, Culture, and Commerce. This holistic approach ensures that we protect the natural environment, support and empower local communities, celebrate cultural heritage, and operate a responsible business. By balancing these four pillars, we aim to create a positive impact for both the planet and its people.

What do the 4C’s mean to Anurak Lodge?

Conservation: We aim to regenerate our land. From rewilding former palm oil land through Rainforest Rising to soil restoration, water management, and biodiversity enhancement, we work to heal our environment using nature-based solutions like our vegetable garden and composting.

Community: Tourism should benefit local people. By sourcing locally and investing in training and career development for our staff, we create meaningful jobs and support surrounding villages.

Culture: At Anurak Lodge, culture is dynamic. We celebrate the region’s local knowledge and connection to nature. Through crafts and community-based experiences, guests can engage with and learn from this evolving culture.

Commerce: Regenerative tourism thrives when communities and businesses grow together. By collaborating with local partners and guests, staying financially resilient, and sharing best practices, we create long-term value for both the community and the region.

The 12 Sustainability Cornerstones

As part of VHG Hospitality, we follow the 12 Sustainability Cornerstones: essential practices that guide how we operate. Each day we work on progressing and championing these 12 cornerstones to continuously improve for our guests, community, and environment.

We collect and monitor data on electricity, water, and waste, to improve every year.

We separate our waste into plastic, organic, and other recyclables, and dispose of them responsibly.

We turn food and garden waste into nutritious compost for our grounds.

We have a dedicated Green Team that leads our sustainability efforts.

We continuously invest in staff training and development.

We educate guests about our sustainability efforts.

We provide safe refillable drinking water on-site.

We reduce single-use plastics year by year, aiming for zero.

We are committed to restoring our property grounds and leave it better than we found it.

We celebrate local culture and promise to stay open to learning from our staff members & community.

We work together as one community, guests, staff, and locals, to create positive change.

We plan to invest in renewable energy before 2030.

Sharing Our Journey

Rainforest Rising
At Anurak Lodge, we’re committed to bringing the rainforest back to life. Rainforest Rising is our reforestation program dedicated to restoring a former oil palm plantation, which was once a thriving lowland evergreen forest. Our one-acre restoration site sits within the lodge’s grounds and borders Khao Sok National Park, creating an important refuge for local wildlife.

We’ve begun removing palm oil trees and replanting the area with carefully selected indigenous tree species. This work helps rebuild natural habitat, enrich soil health, and support the return of birds, insects, and mammals that depend on this ecosystem.

Now, we’re inviting our guests to take part in the journey. By planting a native sapling, you contribute directly to a living forest that will grow long after your stay.

This initiative began in collaboration with the local forestry department and the Forest Restoration Research Unit (FORRU) of Chiang Mai University. With guidance from local environmental experts, we’ve identified 17 native tree species ideal for long-term forest recovery. All saplings are sourced from a native forest nursery in Khlong Thom District, Krabi Province.

Our long-term vision is to expand the project, monitor forest health together with our partners, and develop Rainforest Rising into a leading example of regenerative tourism in southern Thailand.

View the full list of tree species HERE

Vegetable Garden
We have a beautiful vegetable garden on-site and grow the majority of our produce ourselves to bring in fresh ingredients to the table. Many of the seeds come from our staff’s families and friends, allowing us to preserve and grow local varieties.

When walking through our gardens you’ll find lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime, chillies, and other ingredients that bring Thai dishes to life. Every meal at Anurak Lodge is not only flavorful but also connected to the land and local community.

The garden is also a place of learning and experimentation for our team. Our gardeners continually explore new plant varieties and share their knowledge with the staff, keeping sustainable practices and local knowledge alive.

Composting
We started composting our food scraps and garden waste in early 2025. We see compost as a solution for 2 major problems on-site. It’s the correct form of disposing of our food waste and it’s a natural fertilizer that will in return give our grounds a more nutritious value. We primarily use our compost in our gardens and to support the growth of the seedlings our guests grow through our Rainforest Rising program.

Supporting Community Livelihood
At Anurak Lodge, almost all our activities take place off-property, ensuring that the money tourism generates goes directly back into the community.

We support local businesses by sourcing ingredients from farmers, crafts from small enterprises, and experiences from family-run activities. Every home-cooked meal, bamboo raft ride, or handmade souvenir helps local families thrive and keeps the economic benefits of tourism within the community.

On-property, our team is deeply rooted in Khao Sok, with the majority of our staff coming from nearby villages. This not only brings local knowledge to our operations, but also ensures that tourism supports community learning and development. Through regular training programs, we invest in our team’s long-term careers and take pride in the many staff members who have grown with us over the years.

Sustainability Report
Sustainability isn’t just about the environment, it’s about running a responsible business that supports our values. We believe in sharing our journey openly. Our annual reports share the steps we’ve taken, the impact we’ve made each year, and the goals we’re working towards next.

Certifications & Awards
We work with trusted partners and certification bodies to keep our standards high, and our progress measurable. This pushes us to keep improving, share our learnings, and inspire others in the industry to do the same.

Anurak Lodge is currently proud to be Travelife Gold Certified

Our efforts have also been recognised through industry awards, reinforcing our commitment to responsible travel.

View all of our awards here

Responsible Guest Experience

We believe responsible travel is a shared journey. When you stay at Anurak Lodge, you become part of our sustainability journey.

We invite you to:

Plant a tree through our Rainforest Rising program.
Conserve water and energy during your stay.
Avoid single-use plastics.
Support the local community & respect Thai culture.
Respect wildlife and keep a safe distance.
View our full Responsible Guest Guide.

Your efforts help protect Khao Sok’s rainforest, wildlife, communities and culture and ensure that it will be here for years to come.