อุทยานแห่งชาติคลองพนม

Not to forget: mosquito spray!!!! Good shoes!!!! The trail is for those who are really fit! The views are great! Sadly the big tree was struck by a storm

This is the most amazing national park I have visited in Thailand out of the dozens I have visited so far. Exactly what I was looking for. I arrived early in the morning after opening and was the first to enter, I was on the trail for almost two hours completely alone. Everything remains natural, there are no concrete paths, everything remains in its natural form and that is what makes this place special. This forest is very dense and feels very natural to me, this place gave me good feelings and closeness to real nature. You can hear the gibbons if you come at the right time, that is the main reason why I came, but I discovered many more surprises. I will come back here again. It could be nice to have new paths into the forest. I suggest coming with closed shoes and long pants, and knowing that the walk is not that easy. Those who want to can do it slowly. Bring water. Yes, the entrance fee is more expensive for tourists than for Thais. But come on, we came to travel, right? If anyone is thinking of skipping a national park because of an entrance fee of 100 or 200 baht more, think again, because this place is beautiful and it is definitely worth the entrance fee. But to be honest, it's healthier for this forest to absorb fewer people.

Khlong Phanom National Park has beautiful natural scenery, but unfortunately the overall experience is seriously undermined by blatant dual pricing and poor staff professionalism. The entrance fee system feels unfair and outdated: Thai visitors pay 10 baht, while foreigners are charged ten times more for exactly the same access and facilities. There is no added service, explanation, or value to justify this price gap—it simply feels discriminatory and leaves a bad impression right from the start. Staff behavior was also disappointing. One ranger stood out positively—he was genuinely helpful, spoke good English, and made an effort to assist visitors. Sadly, he was the exception. Most of the other rangers were seen standing around on their phones, chatting among themselves, and showing little interest in visitors or park duties. For a national park, this lack of engagement and professionalism is frustrating. When visitors are charged significantly higher fees, it’s reasonable to expect better service, clear information, or at least attentive staff. None of that was present here. It’s a shame, because the park itself has potential. However, until the dual pricing policy is addressed and staff standards improve, it’s hard to recommend Khlong Phanom National Park to international visitors. Natural beauty alone isn’t enough to make up for an experience that feels unwelcoming and poorly managed.

We were recommended trekking here by Toby in our hotel. As he advised, there were practically no tourists here. The walk is not for the faint hearted. Although there is a path, there’s quite a lot of scrambling, steep uphills and downhills, and it is very warm. Bring water and maybe a towel for comfort. Definitely bring insect spray. During some of the trek, there are ropes to assist you. There are some off track viewpoints that are worth going to. If you have a day free, i.e., no planned tours or day trips, it’s worth a visit if you’re physically able to do this trek.

I read a lot of the reviews in order to decide if I wanted to try and do this walk. Reviews mentioned the walk is 'difficult', 'demanding', 'challenging', 'strenuous', 'slippery', 'very steep' etc. I am 66 years old and have had a complex pain issue for 10 years and also have an arthritic left knee. I asked the lady in the visitor centre if she felt I would be able to do the walk and she was rather dubious! But I did it!! It took us 2 hours, which included several 5 minute stops. We didn't see any animals, but it was good to be immersed in nature and to see some beautiful views. Wear good walking shoes, have water and insect repellant. A challenging walk - probably the most challenging walk I have done in my life, but I'm pleased I was able to complete it! I enjoyed a cold beer at the cafe at the end of the walk - I felt I deserved it!