' For me, if breathing is the top priority,
then traveling is probably the second most important thing.
Because it helps make breathing more meaningful
and more complete. '

This trip's camera equipment prioritizes small, easy-to-carry options for convenient shooting.

I departed from Bangkok at 8:00 AM in a private car. It was a close call whether my friend's car would be available, as we only confirmed it on the day of departure. The initial plan was to take public transportation, but this option proved to be much more convenient. The morning atmosphere in Bangkok was not yet cold, but the traffic remained as consistent as ever, meaning it was congested. I drove straight from Min Buri to Pak Kret, and from there, I followed the map provided by my partner, as I am not skilled at explaining routes.

The fog started to appear along the way, but it shouldn't be anything serious.

On the way to Thong Pha Phum District, we encountered a wandering monk who signaled for water. P'Aen rushed to give him the water, which was our last bottle. However, we could have stopped to buy more water anywhere. Additionally, P'Aen offered 70 baht to the monk.

As I drove leisurely, I snapped photos through the windshield, eager to pick up my friend waiting at Thong Pha Phum Market. The sight of the mountains ahead filled me with a warmth that defied the long journey ahead.

After picking up a friend at Thong Pha Phum Market, we headed towards Pilok, another 70 kilometers away. Our group was now complete with four members: me, P'Tong, P'Aun, and Num. The road to Pilok was a mixed bag, with some good stretches, some bad stretches with potholes and bumps, and some sections with occasional drops. There were a few tight spots where passing oncoming vehicles was a bit tricky, but if you weren't in a hurry, you could just take it slow and enjoy the scenic views of the surrounding forest.

"It may be an old path for many, but for new travelers it is an experience mixed with excitement, which holds meaning and memories."

After driving for three kilometers, we finally found the village. It took us eight hours to get here, including stops at gas stations. We left at 8:00 AM and arrived at 4:00 PM. We called Aunt Tu again to ask about our room and parked the car to unload our luggage. Our room is easy to find, it's the yellow one on the right with artificial grass. After putting our things away, I went straight to the bathroom because I was afraid it would be too cold to shower later. Luckily, there was a water heater in the bathroom.

The room at Pillok Garden Hill costs 1,000 baht per room. We came as a group of four, so it was 500 baht per person. Compared to the atmosphere, I think it's more than worth it.

After a refreshing break, we headed to the market to buy ingredients for our barbecue, as the accommodation didn't provide any. Drinks, however, were available for purchase at the accommodation at reasonable prices. The market prices were surprisingly normal, with no inflated tourist markups. We bought a variety of skewers, priced between 5 and 10 baht each, and ended up with quite a few. Pork was 150 baht per kilogram, and we also bought a kilogram of chicken thighs and breasts for the same price. Splitting the cost between four people, it came out to a very affordable amount per person, providing us with a satisfying meal with leftovers for the next day.

We purchased ingredients such as garlic, pepper, seasoning packets, and oyster sauce to marinate the pork and chicken. Everyone then took on their assigned tasks until the young Burmese man, Te Ma, had finished building the fire. We waited for the coals to turn red and smokeless, signaling the start of our barbecue.

: The rental fee for the stove is 100 baht, the charcoal costs 10 baht, and the equipment is provided free of charge by Aunt Tu.

Following the scent, I arrived at the accommodation. The staff informed me not to feed the animals. However, upon seeing a mother and her young offspring, I felt compelled to walk a considerable distance to provide them with food. Despite my efforts, the mother returned to me. I believe she must have been extremely hungry, as she continued to eat in front of me even while I was photographing a cicada. Eventually, when we stopped offering her food, she wandered away.

The night was cold and windy, a somewhat unwelcoming reception. The temperature was around 19-20 degrees Celsius, which I considered chilly. The night was quiet, with few people walking around. The only group we saw grilling was our own.

The next morning, we woke up at 7:00 am to find someone to share the cost of renting a four-wheel drive car to Pilok Mine. The rental price with a driver was 1200 baht (only to the mine), while 1500 baht would allow us to visit other attractions as well. Since we were short on money and couldn't find any travel companions, we decided to rent a motorbike for half a day for 200 baht, along with a bottle of gasoline for 35 baht. While waiting for the motorbike, we walked around the accommodation and took pictures. We then went up to pay respects at the shrine of the Lord of Sadong before coming down to walk around the market. We noticed that the number of people had started to increase, possibly due to the three-day long weekend (December 3-5).

Shrine of Lord Sadong

Looking down from here, I feel a warmth that is difficult to describe.

Our accommodation last night was photographed from the area of the Sa-dong Shrine.

I rented a motorbike from the black-shirted lady who sells curry and alms. The motorbike wouldn't be ready for a while, so we went to eat at our accommodation and then went for a walk to take pictures, as we still had plenty of time.

Pilok Temple Pagoda

Air-touching terrace: You can pitch a tent here, as it's not crowded. However, be aware that the wind might be strong.

I want to have one for traveling.

Seeking a friend who was consumed yesterday.

It was almost ten in the morning when we got our motorbike and continued our journey. We could only go as far as the motorbike would take us. We drove out of the village and soon saw the sign for "Neung Chang Suk" on the right. We drove 1.5 kilometers and arrived. The wind in this area was very strong, and the air was cool and comfortable. There were tourists coming and going all the time. There was also a small stall selling drinks (but I didn't take a picture of it).

The Heroic Sacrifice of Major General Tawan Reungsri

Major General Tawan Reungsri's heroic actions are a testament to his unwavering dedication to duty and his profound compassion for his fellow soldiers. Following the tragic helicopter crash on July 16, 2011, which claimed the lives of five personnel, Major General Reungsri, then commander of the Surasee Task Force, established a forward command post at the Kaeng Krachan Special Operations Company to oversee the search and rescue operation.

Despite the challenging terrain and adverse weather conditions, Major General Reungsri remained resolute in his commitment to locate the missing individuals. On July 19, 2011, he personally led a search team aboard a Blackhawk helicopter. Tragically, the helicopter crashed, resulting in the loss of all nine personnel on board. This devastating incident marked a significant loss for the Thai military and plunged families, superiors, and subordinates into profound grief.

Major General Tawan Reungsri's unwavering leadership and selfless sacrifice in the face of adversity serve as an enduring inspiration to all who serve in the armed forces. His legacy will forever be etched in the annals of Thai military history, a testament to his unwavering commitment to duty, honor, and the well-being of his fellow soldiers.

Descending from the Elephant Tusk Hill, we headed towards our next destination, the Jogkradin Waterfall, a renowned waterfall within the Thong Pha Phum National Park. The waterfall cascades down a sheer cliff face over 30 meters high. We drove a short distance, I don't recall the exact kilometers, but it was a quick journey. I regretted not bringing a change of clothes to take a dip in the water. In the early morning, there were few visitors, with only a couple of people enjoying the cool water. The crystal-clear water looked inviting. After admiring the scenery for a while, we continued our journey to the Khao Khad Gap.

I drove from Chok Kardin Waterfall to Khao Khad, but I felt like something was missing along the way, so I stopped to refuel. The menu I tried was Hang Lay pork. The restaurant is located next to the Pilok Police Station. After eating, the first thing that came to mind was Thai Massaman curry, but Hang Lay is spicier, so I ate it with cucumber to reduce the spiciness. I must admit that Hang Lay is very delicious. If I wasn't already full, I would have ordered another plate of Hang Lay chicken.

Hang Lay: A traditional Burmese dish featuring thick slices of pork belly cooked in a rich and creamy curry broth infused with turmeric and spices.

Despite feeling full, we continued our journey. I apologize for not providing detailed directions, as I am not familiar with the route myself. We mostly followed the signs and asked for directions when we got lost.

A symbol of eternal friendship between Thailand and Myanmar.

A short drive from the Nithi Nirand Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge brings you to the Khao Khad viewpoint, where a constant breeze provides fresh, cool air. From this vantage point, you can enjoy panoramic views of the Burmese landscape.

The way to Burma

After a brief encounter, we returned the motorbike to the owner and realized we had some time to spare before heading to Thong Pha Phum National Park. We decided to make a quick stop at Pilok Mine, a place we had yet to visit. Initially, I hadn't noticed that we hadn't been to this location before.

The weather was getting hot before we left Pilok, so we decided to stop for some iced coffee at Chang Gaek Classic Home. We enjoyed the coffee and the atmosphere. The waitress told us that the ice here is homemade and lasts a long time, so I took my glass with me to refill with water for the road.

Bidding farewell to the enchanting village of Pilok, a place where warmth and camaraderie abound. Houses adorned with smiles, both from tourists and locals alike. A village that I knew I wouldn't visit just once. Though life here seems to move at a slower pace, unhurried by time, my time here felt fleeting. Despite the departure, I carry with me cherished memories. We packed our belongings into the car, preparing for our onward journey to Thong Pha Phum National Park. As the car pulled away, I didn't look back, for I knew I would return. I long to stay at Aunt Glen's house again.

The scene at Thong Pha Phum National Park was shocking, with a massive crowd. This was my first time experiencing such a large number of visitors at the park, as I usually avoid visiting during long holidays. After unloading our belongings from the car, we had to quickly drive out due to the lack of parking space. My friends and I rushed to find a camping spot as more people were arriving. Fortunately, we found a good spot with no wind, even though it didn't offer a view. It was perfect for cooking. When my friend arrived, I went to ask the park ranger about the stove. He informed me that there would be a wait, but we didn't want to waste time. We went out to buy snacks and drinks for the evening. When we reached the convenience store, it was locked. We walked to the park entrance to ask the staff. The kind lady told us that we could ask the restaurant next to the convenience store, as they were short-staffed and could open the store for us. We returned to buy our food and went back to ask the ranger about the stove. It cost 100 baht. "Do you have charcoal and a grill?" I asked. "Oh, you need those too? Wait a moment, I'll get them for you," the ranger replied. However, as it was getting dark, my friend and I asked a friendly older gentleman camping nearby for charcoal and used bamboo sticks instead of a grill. He even offered us more charcoal if we needed it. Thank you so much, sir! We ended up asking him for charcoal twice.

Arrival temperature

A lone hornbill in the park is very tame and jumps around. It must be lonely.

This area is particularly popular for camping due to its scenic location overlooking the Wachiralongkorn Dam and the constant, strong breeze.

The time has come to channel your inner cannabis spirit with the legendary chicken grilling scene.

Leftover chicken and pork from the first day. A small stove with little charcoal may take a while, but I assure you it will be delicious. Wait for the chicken to warm up by the fire. Looking at the tents around me, people are cooking with gas canisters, the smell is so tempting. Looking back at my own tent, the smell of grilled chicken and pork is just as good. If only I had some hot rice, it would be perfect.

Living with the forest, living with nature, living with life. In five years, I will return to my home in the countryside and may be able to grill chicken and eat it like this often. I will be happy and will not need anything else. I just want to live with nature and live out my human life. I don't need to struggle more, I don't need to destroy more. 'Live as much as nature has given me, and when I have free time, I will give it back to him...'

The only light came from two candles. We sat by the fire, talking to each other. I mean, the other people did. My battery died, so I went to bed early.

As the night wore on, the temperature began to drop, and I found myself curled up like a shrimp, using a borrowed towel as a makeshift blanket (having forgotten my sleeping bag). Fortunately, the ground was not too hard, so my back didn't ache. I pulled on my socks, but the cold persisted, so I added a layer of sweatpants over my t-shirt and sweatshirt. Despite the discomfort, I managed to doze on and off until morning. While the cold made me long for the night to end, the joy of the experience made me wish it would linger.

I walked around enjoying the view and capturing the morning atmosphere. One camera battery died, and the other was about to die, but I wasn't worried. Anything that could capture images was good enough for me.

After enjoying the scenic walk, it was time to pack up the tent and continue the journey to the Vachiralongkorn Dam.

We made a quick stop at the dam before heading to the Thong Pha Phum market for lunch. We visited two highly recommended restaurants. At the first restaurant (left), I ordered rice noodles with fish, which came with a delicious fish dipping sauce. I slurped down the noodles and the hot, clear broth while savoring the fish dipped in the sauce. The bowl was quickly emptied. The second restaurant (right) offered amazing value for just twenty baht. I had the pork waterfall noodles, which included not only pork but also crispy pork rinds, liver, and meatballs. Choose whichever restaurant suits your taste!

' With full bellies, we prepared to return to Bangkok. This marks the end of our trip to Kanchanaburi. We would like to express our gratitude to our fellow travelers, P' Tong, P' Aun, and our friend Num. '

I apologize for any errors in this text. (This text has not been proofread.)

Video attached.

Link to YouTube video