Sri Phang Nga National Park
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Thailand's 56th National Park (Sri Phang Nga) was designated in order to commemorate the 60th birthday of His Majesty The King on the 5th of December 1987 and it covers and area of over 246 square kilometers. The park actually shares boundaries with Khao Sok National Park to the east, (Check previous destinations) and Klong Naka wildlife Sanctuary to the north. In combination with these areas it creates a vital haven for large animals such as Tiger, Muntjack, Serow Tapir and Elephant.
From the entrance of the National Park, (at time of writing admission was 100 THB) you must either walk or drive to the parks designated car park where toilet facilities (basic but useable) are available and the beginnings of the parks nature trek and waterfall trails start.
The nature trail as mapped on the boards at the car park is defiantly not just a stroll in the park. If you follow the signs and plan to take the trek in full, allow around 3 hours to complete the loop. There are many interesting plants, bamboos and insect mounds staked out on the trail but the most impressive part is the view point from the top of on of Sri Phang Nga’s many mountains. Please also note that it you follow the trail in a clockwise direction it does get quite steep and you will have to be in reasonably good shape to make it to the top. For an easier trail to the top undertake the trail in an anti-clockwise direction. The slope is less steep and the view point can be reached in around 45 minutes. From here it is up to you if you wish to continue or just head back to the refreshing waters of Tamnang Waterfall.
Tamnang Waterfall is an impressive 60 meters high with a large plunge pool at the bottom, large carp and other freshwater fish are found in the lower streams and it is perfect for swimming, bathing and generally relaxing along the shore. To reach the waterfall follow the signs from the car park. It is a 500 meter walk and you can quite easily spend the whole afternoon just enjoying the crystal water that pours from the top. Thailandecoportal.com recommends that you trek (anticlockwise!) to the view point in the morning leaving provisions in the car or at the headquarters and return for them afterwards – the trail if undertaken this way will end in the car park. On returning to the headquarters walk the 500 meters to the waterfall and spend the afternoon soaking the muscles in the waterfalls fresh waters.
The nature trail also has 2 other waterfalls, Ton U and Ton Deng which are one of the attractions of the trail however are much smaller than Tamnang waterfall. If you are lucky you may spot Helmeted Hornbill, Pied Hornbill or white crowned hornbill, also found in the park is the rare Rafflesia Kerrii – See other Destinations.
So, how do you get there? The headquarters of the park are situated at Kilometer 756 of route 4 heading north from Takuapa and Khao Lak on the east side. To reach this road from Phuket Head north off the Island and follow the signs for Khao Lak. From here you join the route 4 road through the town of Takuapa, following the signs for Sri Phang Nga National Park. At kilometer 756 you will have to head east off the road for around 6 kilometers before you reached the headquarters but when you do it is defiantly worthwhile….Enjoy!
