**Doi Pha Hom Pok, or its new name Doi Fa Hom Pok, is located in Fang District, Chiang Mai Province.**

At the highest campsite in Thailand, 1,924 meters above sea level.

Hike 3.5 kilometers in the early morning to reach the summit of Doi Pha Hom Pok, where you can witness a sea of mist and sunrise at an altitude of 2,285 meters.


This thread is from a trip on December 17-18, 2016.

A 2-2.5 hour hike from the campsite.

The weather app on my phone showed a temperature of 6 degrees Celsius, while the thermometer at the campsite where I pitched my tent read around 11 degrees Celsius.

This trip, my friends and I, a total of 5 people, met some young people along the way who shared the cost of the 4wd, bringing the total to 8 people.

Total Expenses:

Transportation:

  • Roundtrip bus fare from Mo Chit to Chiang Mai: 1,188 baht
  • Roundtrip red truck fare in Chiang Mai: 40 baht
  • Roundtrip bus fare from Chiang Mai to Fang: 160 baht
  • 4WD vehicle from Fang town to Fang Hot Springs and Doi Pha Hom Pok National Park: 2,100 baht/group (262.5 baht/person)
  • Entrance fee to Fang Hot Springs: 50 baht
  • Hot spring bath: 100 baht + shower
  • Boiled egg in hot spring: 10 baht

Accommodation:

  • Tent rental: 225 baht/tent (450 baht/5 people = 90 baht/person)
  • Sleeping bag rental: 30 baht + sleeping mat rental: 20 baht = 50 baht/person

Food:

  • Cup noodles for lunch: 20 baht/person
  • Guide fee for hiking: 38 baht/person (300 baht/8 people)
  • Pork hotpot: 100 baht/person (500 baht/5 people)
  • Fried pork rinds: 20 baht
  • Water and soft drinks: 35 baht/person
  • Grilled sweet potato: 40 baht + stove rental: 50 baht + additional charcoal: 20 baht = 22 baht/person (110 baht/5 people)
  • Lunch: 50 baht/person
  • Donation for charging mobile phone: 20 baht

Total:

No more than 2,400 baht/person, excluding dinner which will be paid separately in Chiang Mai.


What to Bring


- *Only 4WD vehicles are allowed to access Doi Pha Hom Pok. Regular sedans are prohibited.*

Contact the hot spring in Fang district or arrange a 4WD vehicle before entering Fang district to pick you up at the agreed-upon location. (Information in comment 1)

  • Headlamp (in case you want to watch the sunrise) The path is very dark and slippery, with some very steep slopes. It is recommended that the headlamp should be able to stay on for more than 2 hours.


  • I wore running sneakers, which were somewhat slippery on the approximately 10% of the trail that was covered in loose gravel. I fell once on the way back because it was already light out and I wasn't paying attention.
  • Long pants are recommended to avoid ticks and mosquitoes. However, be aware of branches and tree stumps along the trail that may cause scratches.

- Warm clothing and a waterproof hat are recommended, as it can get cold on the way up. However, if you bring too much, you may get hot on the way down.


- Individuals with low physical activity levels - Walking is possible when motivated, but many give up halfway.

- Exercise occasionally / regularly - Easy, a little tired


- We brought water with us on the hike, but we didn't end up drinking much. The humid and cool air meant that we only sipped half a bottle each (which cost 7-8 baht).


- Extension cords for charging devices are only allowed to be used between 6:00 PM and 8:00 PM. After that, the park will turn off the lights until it is dark.

  • According to a friend in the group, AIS had two bars of signal strength.

I am currently using DTAC, which has a signal strength of about 1 bar, fluctuating like a breeze. True is experiencing the same issue.


- It is recommended to turn on Airplane mode if you are not planning to use the internet. This will save battery life by preventing the device from searching for a signal.

Equipment used for photography: Fuji XT10 / Samyang 12mm, Fujinon 35mm f1.4, Fujinon 50-230mm / Gopro 5 / Iphone 6


The first day of travel, the evening of December 16th.

  • We left Bangkok at Mo Chit at 8:55 PM (Nakhonnayok).

- My bus departs at 9:30 PM (Twilight Tour because I didn't book with my friends).


Lignite reached the third area of Chiang Mai before Nakhonchai Air at 5:55 am on Saturday morning (almost half an hour earlier).

The Nakhon Chai gang followed later at 6:20 AM. (Lig Knight stopped for 20 minutes to eat - Nakhon Chai drove non-stop without stopping to eat)


Take a red car from Arcade 2, Nakhonchai Air, which is opposite each other, to Chang Phuak bus station. It costs 20 baht per person and takes about 12-15 minutes.


Go to the counter to buy a bus ticket to Fang District.


This section should display the bus departure times and encourage passengers to quickly board and take their assigned seats. We were in a hurry to board the bus and didn't have time to eat because we arrived just as it was about to depart.

Fortunately, otherwise I would have had to wait another 1.40 hours.


The image shows the time of the car. I captured it from a GoPro 5, so the quality is not very good. It was still early in the morning, so the light was low and the sky was cloudy.


First departure: 5:50 AM / 7:20 AM / 9:00 AM / 11:30 AM / 1:30 PM / Last departure: 3:30 PM.

The journey to Fang district takes 3 hours. Before getting off here, I met 3 other people who were also going up the mountain.

I arranged for the van to pick me up at the designated meeting point, which for me was the 7-Eleven in Fang District.

This perfectly completes the group with 8 members, within the limit without having to pay extra, for a price of 2100 including round-trip shipping.

and visit the hot spring once (but if you want the car to pick you up at Fang Hot Spring, it will only cost 1800/group).

I forgot to take a picture of the car when it picked us up, but this is the one we rode in. Nongsamanuk was the driver.



Contact number for car booking: 0854475810 Id line: tee4x4 Mr. Tee

Mr. Tee provided excellent travel information and pre-trip advice.


Vehicles entering the park must be either 4WD or pickup trucks.

The park is strictly off-limits due to the numerous potholes, rocks, and uneven sections on the road ahead.

Motorcycles are allowed on the trail. On my way back, I saw two people riding a 125cc MSX motorcycle with a passenger halfway up the trail.

On the way up, near the summit, I encountered a Vespa (a newer model) being ridden downhill with a pillion passenger. They were both very skilled.

The air below was not yet very cold, but as we ascended to the summit, mist began to envelop the forest, and the temperature gradually dropped.


Lately, my group has been thrilled to experience both the misty air and immerse ourselves in the beauty of the forest.




Upon reaching the summit, one will encounter a cluster of tents and 4WD vehicles that have already ascended.


The park's tents are already set up, so you don't have to waste time setting them up.


The mist still blankets the Doi Kiew Lom peak, with temperatures estimated to be around 15-18 degrees Celsius.


And it started to drizzle a little, making the air slightly humid. This is a good sign for encountering fog.


Upon arrival, we approached the park officials. I presented the tent reservation I had made online and paid at the Krung Thai Bank counter (plus a 10 baht fee).

Tent reservation website >> http://nps.dnp.go.th/reservation.php?option=tent


The website listed the blanket cost at 10 baht, but upon arrival, the actual cost was 60 baht. This is comparable to the price of bedding sets sold in department stores.


I received all the items I ordered: a sleeping bag and a sleeping mat. Please note that the sleeping bag does not come with a built-in pillow, so I will need to find some clothes to use as a pillow.

Reaching the top of the mountain, we were famished. Fortunately, there is a restaurant here that sells food, snacks, and necessities. (They also sell chilled canned beer and soft drinks.)





We gathered at the scenic pavilion to enjoy a meal of instant noodles, each of us sharing a can (20 baht). It was truly the most delicious instant noodle meal I've ever had.



Each group will be provided with a black bag for waste disposal during their time at the park.


Upon our return, we simply brought the garbage back with us and received a refund of the 100 baht garbage deposit that was collected at the park entrance.

There are two restrooms on Doi Kiew Lom. The first one is located next to the park office, making it easy to find.


The lower level requires descending further, where there is a rarely used shower room.

As the saying goes, "With a pure heart, the water used for bathing is irrelevant."


As the evening approached, the mist that had blanketed the park began to dissipate.

The scene we had been waiting for unfolded before us. We began to see white wisps of fog in the distance, and it gradually became clearer.

The sun's rays gradually peeked through the clouds at the sunset viewpoint.

As a result, more and more people began to gather to soak in the serene atmosphere of the place.



Zoom in!



The sunset viewing point is crowded during this time, but with careful planning, you can still find angles to take photos for your friends.



The sun has been shining brightly lately, with no clouds to obscure it. This has led to a surge in people taking profile pictures.



At 6:00 PM, you can visit the park office to charge your device.


I brought a power strip to charge my multiple devices, including power banks, phones, and camera batteries (also for my friends).


A donation of 20 baht was made to the park.



Our group dispersed to return to our tents for personal matters. Meanwhile, my group had already planned to have a hotpot dinner together.


500 baht per set, the amount is a bit small for 5 people.


For those who enjoy heavy buffets, I recommend ordering one set for 2-3 people.



Note: As there is no text to translate in the provided HTML, the output is the same as the input.

The advantage of sitting near the shop is that they can refill the soup for us, so we sat next to the shop.


If you plan to buy anything for the tent, do it now.


As shops are not yet open at 4 a.m. when we wake up, we prepare snacks and food as much as possible to serve as a backup power supply for our journey.



Realizing his full stomach, he suddenly remembered that the Milky Way would be low in the early evening.

It was just after 7 pm, and the park lights were still very much on.

Let's try taking a picture first.



Hmm, something flashed. I'd better move. Oh, that's it...

A hidden Milky Way among the trees, truly adorable.

From my tent, I could only move this much. The Milky Way was at a low angle, and the trees were somewhat blocking the view.

This was the first elephant I ever owned, and I was overjoyed.



At 8:00 p.m., the park ranger called for the equipment that was being charged to be collected. I went up to get the equipment, and nothing was missing.

We continued taking photos of the stars, shooting continuously. I fumbled around, some photos were blurry, some were good.

But in the blink of an eye.

With the sky completely dark, I was able to capture stunning images of the stars.

Everyone in the tent was excited to see the stars so clearly (although the Milky Way was not visible to the naked eye that day).

We continued to take photos for a while, and I ended up with more bad shots than good ones.

The image is somewhat affected by the light from the barbecue stove and the flashlights of the tourists.



The elephant is slowly sinking into the mud.



In total, it took me about an hour to photograph the stars while chatting with friends from different groups.


The fog crept in, obscuring the view of the sky. Even the stars were no longer visible. It was now the time when the park prohibited noise (9 pm).

Although I regret not taking enough photos, I still managed to capture some. Oh well.


English:



We then took photos with our friends in front of the charcoal stove where we were warming ourselves. It was a lot of fun (using a mobile phone to trigger the shutter).

The temperature that night was around 11-15 degrees Celsius. One sweater and a sleeping bag rented from the park were enough to keep me warm. I didn't need to rent a blanket.

If we hire a guide for an early morning trip.


At 3:30 AM, the guide will wake you up to wash your face, brush your teeth, and start the trek at 4:00 AM. (300 baht/group)


To reach the summit, a 3.5-kilometer hike takes approximately 2.5 hours, allowing ample time to witness the sunrise.

The first part of my tent, the guide woke up late. So my group went with another group first, and the guide followed us later. After about 400 meters,


This is the point where we must pass all of the above.


The trail is steep, slippery, and very dark. A flashlight is highly recommended, especially if you are hiking at night like me. In the worst-case scenario, one flashlight per 2-3 people in a group is sufficient.


For those who are not physically fit and do not exercise regularly, if you can get through the first 500 meters, the "Morn Wat Jai" section, you can continue.

Despite frequent breaks, our group reached the summit of Doi Pha Hom Pok in 2 hours and 30 minutes, before sunrise.


The eastern horizon was already tinged with the soft glow of orange, creating a breathtaking spectacle.


The day we ascended, the sky was clear, and a sea of mist enveloped Doi Pha Hom Pok in a 360-degree panorama. It was truly magnificent.

As the sun began to rise, I moved to the western side of Doi Pha Hom Pok to capture the sunrise.


This side offers more than just the sunrise. It boasts a sea of mist and a sky painted in shades of pink.

Looking west, we can see the peak of Doi Ang Khang, which connects to the Burmese side.


I zoomed in on the point of interest. I really like this picture. It feels like an island in the ocean surrounded by the sea.


This is the Ang Khang mountain range, but it is on the Burmese military base side.


Upon closer inspection, a structure can be observed at the top of the photograph. This information was provided by Mr. Tee, who is responsible for 4WD vehicles.


Looking back to the east, the sun had fully risen, and the mist was fluffy and tinged with red, creating a stunning view.

Zoom in again.


I'd be glad to translate the sentence from Thai to English, considering your provided instructions:

Original Thai:

ผมชอบจังหวะพระอาทิตย์ขึ้นมาระดับนึงแบบนี้นี่แหละ ถ่ายภาพย้อนแสงสนุกดีครับ

English

I particularly enjoy this specific moment when the sun rises. It's fun to capture the backlit scenery.

Explanation:

  • The translation maintains a simple and concise tone, as requested.
  • It avoids personal pronouns and colloquialisms, adhering to a formal academic style.
  • The sentence is translated accurately, conveying the original meaning without embellishment or interpretation.
  • The translation is grammatically correct and reads naturally in English.

Additional Notes:

  • The original sentence expresses a personal preference, which is retained in the translation.
  • The phrase "ถ่ายภาพย้อนแสง" (lit. "taking backlit photos") is translated as "capture the backlit scenery" to provide a more descriptive and evocative image.
  • The translation is suitable for use in academic writing or formal communication.

I hope this translation meets your expectations. Please let me know if you have any further questions or requests.


In this picture, my boyfriend is walking to the end of the viewpoint to take a playful photo. There are not many people here, which is good.

However, I later learned that most people urinate in that area.

Let's take a quick group photo. It's still crowded, so we can't stand too close together.


After taking a flurry of photos for quite some time, we realized that almost everyone had already descended the mountain.



At approximately 7:40 AM, the ideal time to capture panoramic views without crowds, I was able to secure stunning wide-angle shots.



This is a video I took with my GoPro showing the surrounding scenery. The front sensor is slightly scratched.

The remaining descent is not difficult, but caution is advised. Although it is a downhill walk, it can still be steep and slippery. However, it will not be as strenuous as the previous ascent.



After visiting Doi Pha Hom Pok National Park, most tourists hire a 4WD vehicle to travel to Fang Hot Springs for a relaxing soak in the thermal waters.

However, we had already bathed there before, so we decided to bathe on the top of the mountain instead.

After not showering for a day and a half (ewwwww), I went to take a shower in the bathroom. The water was so cold that my body almost gave out.

I later learned that the temperature these past two days was around 11 degrees.

We arranged for a 4WD vehicle to pick us up with the children at the agreed time of 11:00 AM.

During that time, we were able to take a few photos. The fog came and went, and it was beautiful.





On the way down, we stopped at the Pine Viewpoint for a group photo before heading back. At that moment, the fog was coming and going, so the view would be a mix of fog and trees depending on the time you visit.

We then took a car from Fang Bus Station, where the 4WD vehicle dropped us off.


The return trip to Chang Phuak Bus Terminal in Chiang Mai city took 3.5 hours (due to traffic congestion in the city center).

We stopped for a quick bite to eat and some snacks in Chiang Mai city before heading back to Bangkok.


  • I took the night train back, which was convenient because it had USB ports for charging my phone and a tablet screen in front of me.

The in-seat tablet was unusable on both my outbound and return flights.

  • The group of friends took the NCA Gold Class bus back, which did not even have a tablet screen. The NCA bus arrived about 20-30 minutes later than me as usual.

Arrived safely in Bangkok.

I went on December 18th-19th, which was not a long holiday, so there were not many people and the tents were not fully booked.

Approximately 60-80 tourists were present at the Doi Pha Hom Pok viewpoint.

The morning selfie is definitely crowded, but in the late morning, the sea of fog is clear and there is hardly anyone around.


This trip allowed me to witness both the mist blanketing the forest and the sunset from the campsite.

A sky full of stars, a sea of mist, the sunrise at the peak of the mountain, and lush green forests.


Translation:

"Though it was only a two-day trip, it truly encompassed every atmosphere imaginable. It's undeniably a 5/5 experience."

In terms of price, value for money, and enjoyment.



Doi Pha Hom Pok, standing at 2,285 meters, is the second highest mountain in Thailand. It is also home to Kew Lom, the highest campsite in the country.

Farewell to Doi Phakham Pok, Fang District, Chiang Mai Province.



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