Khlong Phanom National Park

Khlong Phanom National Park protects 410 square kilometers of rainforest in Surat Thani province’s Phanom district, directly adjacent to Khao Sok National Park — the two share the same subdistrict, Khlong Sok, and similar limestone-karst terrain, but Khlong Phanom sees a fraction of Khao Sok’s visitors. Entry is 100 THB for foreigners, 50 THB for Thai nationals, daily 08:00-16:30.

Namtok Khlong Phanom, a short walk from park headquarters, is the easiest waterfall to reach — clear water sliding over a steep rock face into a swimmable pool. Namtok Dao Dueng lies further into the park for those willing to hike longer. Two cave systems open off the main trails: Kaew Cave and Tam Gao Cave, the latter estimated at 65 million years old. A forest trek from the temple near the entrance leads through a cave passage to the river, where canoe trips drift past overhanging branches with monkeys moving through the canopy above.

Deeper in the park, the Khao Wong trail passes a campsite with an unusual history — the area served as a hideout for communist insurgents through the 1960s and 70s, and the clearing today is a grassy meadow planted with jackfruit, guava, and lime trees left from that era. The Pha Dong Rak viewpoint, reachable from headquarters, opens onto the limestone ridgeline the park is named for.

Insider Tip: Because Khao Sok next door absorbs almost all the tour traffic through this stretch of Surat Thani, Khlong Phanom’s trails and waterfall pool are often empty even in high season — worth the detour if you’ve already done Khao Sok’s crowded viewpoints.

Watch out: trails beyond the main waterfall require an experienced guide — the terrain is steep and unmarked, and park staff recommend arranging one at headquarters rather than hiking independently. Facilities inside the park are limited, so bring water, insect repellent, and food for a full day.