Exploring the Northern Side of Thailand: A Weekend at Thong Pha Phum National Park

After months of coastal adventures in southern Thailand, I was asked by friends if I’d like to join them to head a little north and explore something different. The destination: Thong Pha Phum National Park, a protected area known for its waterfalls, caves, and mountains. The weather ended up being unexpectedly cool (mid 70s) which made hiking conditions ideal for me.

The park’s trails are beautifully maintained yet surprisingly under-traveled. Unlike the busy beaches down south, Thong Pha Phum hasn’t been overrun by tourists. During my treks, I only crossed paths with a couple other hikers. I didn’t spot much wildlife, just bats in the caves, an Asian boar, and plenty of birds. But as I was leaving on Sunday afternoon, another traveler told me they saw wild Asian elephants. I was completely jealous.

I went on this trip with friends I met while living in Phuket. We’ve had a group chat going about this adventure since August and finally made it happen. There were four of us in total, each from different countries and I was the only native English speaker.

This wasn’t pitched as a “luxury escape” weekend nor did I choose the accommodations (I was just happy to be invited). The setup was simple: a forest bungalow with no air conditioning, just a fan and a mosquito net. Luckily, the cool mountain air made it perfectly comfortable. The bathroom situation was... let’s just say rustic, but it fit the spirit of the trip.

Despite the simplicity, or maybe because of it, the weekend was one of the most refreshing I’ve had in a while. The real highlight wasn’t the scenery, though the mountains and waterfalls were stunning, it was the laughter. Living abroad, humor can sometimes get lost in translation. But on this weekend, surrounded by good friends, great music, and endless jokes, I laughed until my stomach hurt.

When I got home, I felt recharged. It was one of those trips that fills your energy tank back up. #Grateful