Thailand Np's during the rainy season

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General info...ongoing.

Two tier entrance fee, around $2 for locals & $10 for westerners like me.

Everything is lush & green. Expect warm temps, humidity & afternoon storms.

Walks are generally short which is fine in this heat & humidity. Longer walks are usually guided.

Accommodation & camping sites available inside & outside park. There's usually a restaurant or food stall within walking distance. $2 - $4 meals.
Tents can be rented.

Weekdays are quiet, not a soul to be seen.

Make sure your vaccinations are up to date. Malaria tablets...talk to your Gp.

Bottled water for drinking & a portable bidet that fits those drinking bottles, comes in handy if your caught short somewhere.
Thai toilet system doesn't like toilet paper, so get used to washing your crack by hand...hand sanitiser afterward of course. If my 10yo son can learn to do it anyone can. He's a pro now.

On your way to Np's, 7/11's are everywhere & have all sorts of stuff from nail clippers to bottles of whisky.

Don't expect to buy a packet of Uno cards to fill in a couple of hours on a rainy day. It's not a 'thing' over here, bring your own.

Make sure your fly/ mozzie net has no holes...

A small, el cheapo, mutispeed usb driven fan is a goodsend at times, lasts until the cooler early hours...BigC or Lotus (our Woolies or BigW equivalent) have them or find them in the numerous market stalls.

Local sim card is way cheaper than Roaming.

Couple of teaser pics to follow when I get decent phone coverage.
Ooroo for now...

Namtok Chat Trakan & Thung Salaeng Luang Np's..

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The pics above are from the Phitsanulok region...these are from around Chiang Mai. Weekend mooch, the highest summit in Thailand (Doi Inthanon 2565m) was covered in cloud & was a mild 15°c but the falls were all pumping...and not another soul was seen on the jungle trails.

On the return leg we dropped into a slightly sulphur smelling hot springs to sooth our weary & damp bodies...again just us.

Doi Inthanon & Op Luang Np's..

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More hot springs...1st one is a freebee beside a river flowing brown, at the end of a road, at the foot of mountain.
Submerge up to your neck in a concrete pipe, good water temps, clean, open 24hrs.

Skirts the edge of the Chiang Dao Wildlife Sanctuary...

2nd...the private baths were being upgraded but the free flowing pools were just the right hotness & belly button deep. Soothing.
Just us using the facilities.

Pha Daeng Np...

Maybe I should change the heading to chasing hot springs & waterfalls.

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Sri Lanna Np...
The only Houseboat on the lake...roughly $60 a night or bring your own tent & camp along it's shoreline for $1.50.
Restaurant & a couple of long tail boats to take you up the lake.

There are entrance fees of course.

Huge Np, apparently there's Deer, Bear & Tigers within.

There's a theme forming in these posts...no one here except us falangs.

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Doi Pha Hom Pok Np...contains Thailand's second highest mountain which you can camp below & rise nice & early to catch the sunrise (better chance during the cooler, dry, months)

We choose the more relaxing family option...

Oops, my son is just back from getting his curly hair cut & our clothes are in the wash machine from a roadside stall...I'll be back.

While the washer machine is on spin cycle...within the Doi Pha Hom Pok Np is Fang Hot Springs. Accommodation includes camping areas.
Free areas & paid private area's for bathing, sauna/steam room, Traditional Thai massage. They start filling the tubs just before 8am.
Quiet, lush place for overnight or drop in.

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North East this time, along the Mekong River Thai/ Lao border...Phu Chi Fa Forest Park, no entry fees just sign your name & where your from so they can keep track of you.

Phu Chi Fa summit 1628m, around 15°c, short steep walk with beautiful views overlooking a Lao village far below.

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Phu Sang Np...
Hot spring waterfall flowing into a cool creek. When the track is open you can walk to the headwaters of the hot spring.

A little religious cave action.

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That bridge is ... interesting. Woven bamboo?

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Certainly is. 3 Lengths of bamboo underneath with woven bamboo matting on top...a little bouncy to say the least, we made sure our footfalls lined up with the bamboo underneath.

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It's the year 2566 BE in Thailand...and you can find a packet of Uno cards in Asia Books in the big shopping malls.

They still have petrol attendants that fill your tank for you & give you a free bottle of water.

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Doi Suthep Np...lots of trails in this area, just a stones throw from the city of Chiang Mai. Sadly, most will have to wait until next time as we return home tomorrow.

Pilgrims path or Monks trail, popular forested walk with a beautiful temple at the halfway mark beside a waterfall/cascades, you can walk around & catch your breath there before heading forever upwards to the famous Doi Suthep temple if you so desire...or turnaround & head back down.

Halfway temple...

To the top...Doi Suthep.

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I knew I should've stayed for another month ...bookings for a overnighter in Chiang Dao Wildlife Sanctuary opened yesterday. Thailand's 3rd highest peak. Bookings open from the 23-29 Oct. Walks available from 9Nov - 7Feb 2024
Just press En on the webpage or via google translate.

https://wildlifesanctuaryfca16.com/chiangdao