The route is signposted all the
way. Car parking is available at 20 baht per car. Restaurants and
souvenir shops are adjacent to the parking area. The admission fee
for adults is 50 baht: children 30 baht. In order to preserve the
pristine environment food and beverages are prohibited. You should
not throw soap or oily contaminants in the canal, jump into the
water or make a lot of noise.
Only 100 metres from the car park you will find the amazingly clear
waters which allow sight of this underwater world. The fresh water
is high in dissolved limestone which inhibits the formation of
precipitates so that the water truly sparkles in the sunlight, as it
flows between the mangrove-lined banks.
The local authorities have constructed a wooden walkway around six
hundred acres of the forest so that visitors can experience their
beautiful surroundings without damaging them. The walkway is about
two metres above the ground and takes about 45 minutes to walk
round. There are signboards along the trail which give information
about the different species of animals and plants which occupy this
ecological system.
The canal is a fascinating microcosm of Thailand’s forest areas.
Visitors will first encounter the mangrove wetlands with their
characteristic tortuous tangle of surface roots but this gives way
to the rarely found fresh water swamp forest with small trees and
sparse vegetation. This in turn yields to typical rain forest with
lush tree growths and shaded paths.
Further on past the prohibited area (Tha Pom Swamp) is the Chong
Phra Keaw swamp which is a 40 metre wide expanse where the sea and
fresh water actually meet. The waters on the land side are fed via a
limestone cave network. It is a fascinating area.
Perhaps the best way to enjoy the reserve is by canoe. This offers
unparalleled and silent access to all the wildlife which inhabits
the banks and waters of this unique water paradise. Visitors can
also observe the exact confluence where the clear fresh flows
encounter the detritus heavy sea water. There are small fishing
villages along the banks of the canal and by canoe one can observe a
way of life which has continued essentially unchanged, for hundreds
of years. If you are extremely lucky you may get to take your pick
of the day’s catch.
Canoes can be rented for 100 baht an hour or for 700 baht a day –
depending on your stamina! The pick-up point is for canoes is near
the entrance and the canal can take you all the way to the Andaman
Sea via the Klong Palee (Palee canal) 3 kilometres further on.
Things to remember
Tha Pom Klong Song Nam Natural Trail can be visited all year round
but low tides are the best time to see the crystal-clear waters at
their best.
Please do observe the prohibitions on food and beverages, detergents
etc. in the park area. The nature trail is becoming increasingly
popular area for both residents and tourists so the Authorities have
instituted a ban on swimming in the fresh water waters. If you wish
to swim, this is permitted in the sea water sections. If in doubt,
please ask for guidance from an official.
Adult
2000 THB, Child
(4-12years)::500 THB
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