Hello friends and fellow travelers, this is my second review. At the end of the year, what could be happier than traveling to a cold place or a mountain? As I love to travel to different places, after the final exam, it would be the perfect time to go somewhere that allows us to experience the true nature we seek. So I gathered my friends, searched for places and the right time, and finally ended up here, Phu Soi Dao, Uttaradit Province. And there's a partner, a travel companion, who's a friend from high school, Nang. Many people I invited usually stopped when they found out that we would take the train and then walk up the mountain. But this girl is tough and brave. Let's go, just the two of us.

This is a thread I wrote before. It can be used as a guide to some extent.


"Well, well... Who said there's nothing to do here?" Trip on January 6-8, 2016 https://pantip.com/topic/34656885

#CNXbeforeMdie Travel before dying before presenting research https://pantip.com/topic/36018061/comment4

Sukhothai, a city worth visiting, not just a stopover. https://pantip.com/topic/36178294

Our journey began with booking a train ticket before boarding the train. We were on train number 107 from Bang Sue to Phitsanulok, 3rd class, reserved seat, at a price of 178 baht per person. The train was scheduled to depart at 8:30 PM, but it arrived at 9:00 PM.


As laid-back individuals, my friend and I spontaneously decided to embark on a train journey. Upon boarding, we settled into our reserved seats. Train travel has always held a special allure for me, offering an experience that transcends mere transportation. Aside from its affordability, it provides a unique opportunity to observe the lives of fellow passengers. The cool air and refreshing breeze that caress one's face during the journey eliminate the need for air conditioning, further enhancing the overall comfort.


On the train, food and drinks are served directly to your seat. Snacks and water are available throughout the journey. Upon reaching Nakhon Sawan, vendors will board the train selling various items such as stir-fried chicken with basil, pork buns, peanuts, and salted fish. While the train journey may be lengthy, it provides an opportunity for introspection and reflection. If you haven't experienced it before, I highly recommend it. I managed to catch a nap, while my companion, who initially complained of drowsiness but couldn't sleep, has now fallen asleep. We're gathering our energy for tomorrow's extensive walking.


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And then we arrived at Phitsanulok, the city of two rivers, at three in the morning. Wow, we're here!


We then took a shared taxi from the train station for 60 baht to the old Phitsanulok bus terminal to catch a bus to Phu Soi Dao.


And then we arrived at the old Phitsanulok Bus Terminal.


Our original plan was to take a bus to Chae Hom District and then hire a car to go up to Phu Soi Dao. However, when we arrived at the old bus station in Phitsanulok, we were approached by a motorcycle taxi driver wearing a green shirt who asked if we were going to Phu Soi Dao. We talked to him and he told us that he already had two people going to Phu Soi Dao, so there would be four of us in total. He offered to take us all for 300 baht each, just for the trip up. At that time, we thought it was a good deal, so we decided to go with him. When we actually went to leave, there were ten of us in total. The vehicle we were in was a kind of two-row truck with a roof and metal bars on the sides, like a pig transport truck. But not quite that bad. Anyway, all ten of us got in the truck, with a kind lady driving. I'll tell you how she was kind later. When we set off, the lady warned us to put on our jackets because it would be cold along the way. Everyone put on their jackets tightly. We left around 4:30 AM. The lady drove steadily, and it was very dark with no lights along the way. But she was very experienced and knew the road very well. It wasn't long before we arrived at the market in Chae Hom District. The lady stopped so that everyone could buy food and supplies. There were a lot of things for sale there.


The market primarily offers fresh produce, including vegetables, various fruits, and grilled chicken. Other vendors sell traditional snacks like "khanom krok" (coconut pancakes) and soy milk, as well as grilled meats. Across from the market, there is a Lotus's Express supermarket and a 7-Eleven convenience store.


As I made my way, I pondered what to eat. Upon arrival, I was overwhelmed by the enticing options. The sight of the food ignited my hunger. Ultimately, I opted for sticky rice, grilled chicken, and bamboo rice to enjoy on my journey.


My friend bought bread for lunch, while for dinner we decided to buy instant noodles to eat together on top of the mountain. As we walked through the market, the driver suggested that we buy sweet potatoes to roast. She said it would be delicious to eat hot roasted sweet potatoes in the cold weather. I thought it was a good idea, so I bought 20 baht worth of sweet potatoes to take with us. After buying food, don't forget to buy bottled water, as we will need to drink water along the way and on top of the mountain. Manage your water well. Once everyone in the car had finished buying their supplies, we continued on to Phu Soi Dao National Park. Along the way, everyone dozed off, sleeping and waking up intermittently. After a while, it was morning. The scenery along the way was beautiful, with rice fields alternating with mountains. As we got closer to the park, it started to drizzle and we saw fog covering the mountain peaks, which created a very nice atmosphere. Looking back into the car, everyone was huddled up and hugging themselves because it was very cold. There was both rain and wind, and since we were in a car, the wind was naturally strong. Of course, it was the rainy season transitioning into the winter season, so who would have thought that it would rain like this? As a result, no one in the car was mentally prepared for the rain.


We soon arrived at the Phusoidao National Park office. The entrance fee was 40 baht per person. We unloaded our luggage, paid the lady, and negotiated our return trip. The lady asked us to pay a 400 baht deposit, with 100 baht refundable upon our return. There were two nursing students on the same car who were also returning with us. We contacted them and agreed to go down together the next day. Somehow, we ended up chatting with them and they decided to join us. We didn't even know each other before! 555


The process of ascending to the pine forest: 1. We must register our names, the number of tents, and bedding. 2. Once completed, we pay a deposit for garbage collection of 200 baht per group, porter fees of 30 baht per kilogram, and tent fees. We receive a receipt to confirm our belongings upon arrival. Initially, I came with only one friend, but as it turned out, our group expanded to four people due to the friends we met on our return journey.


We then took a pickup truck from the park office to the foot of Khao Soi Dao. Everyone looked at each other and said, "Let's go!" There are beautiful waterfalls along the way for taking pictures. Before we started climbing, we took a moment to stretch and take a few photos.


The journey to Phu Soi Dao begins at 9:00 AM. There are five key points along the trail: Sending Relatives Hill, Conquering the Experts Hill, Wild Banana Tree Hill, Behind the Tiger Hill, and Death Hill. Each hill presents a different level of difficulty, increasing in intensity as you progress.


As I ascended, a light drizzle enveloped the area, creating a thick fog and smoke. The path was damp but not muddy, and the air was a mixture of humidity and coolness.


The initial section before reaching the Farewell Mound is a trail that runs alongside a waterfall. The stream may have some ups and downs along the way. This section is relatively easy to walk. My companions and I chatted and got to know each other. The two companions were friendly and talkative. I felt fortunate to encounter such positive camaraderie during the journey. Soon, we arrived at the Farewell Mound, marking the start of the path to the Pine Glade on Phu Soi Dao.


We continued walking. The path was mostly flat with some occasional steep sections, but not too challenging. The surrounding atmosphere was filled with a light mist, lush green trees, and slightly humid air, which kept us all feeling refreshed, despite the increasing difficulty. Even though things were getting tougher, everyone still managed to smile.


The first test of the mountain came at the "Neung Prab Sien" hill. The previously flat path began to incline, becoming a steep climb with alternating stairs and rocks. My friend and I continued walking until our companion informed us that she would meet us at the top. Neither my friend nor I were particularly fit, but we were able to maintain a steady pace.


After conquering the challenging "Neung Prabsian" hill, hunger pangs began to set in. We decided to stop for a bite to eat along the way, before reaching "Neung Pa Ko." I pulled out some grilled chicken and sticky rice, savoring the delicious meal. The atmosphere was incredibly serene, with mist and cool air surrounding us. Although the chicken had grown cold, it was still tasty. Meanwhile, my friend enjoyed a bread roll.


After we had our fill in the middle of the forest, we continued our journey. We arrived at the Khao Gho hill, which was relatively flat with some slight slopes. The difficulty level started to increase as we approached the Neun Lang Sue Kroeng hill, where the slopes became steeper and steeper. However, my friends and I were undeterred.


On the way from the Tiger Stripe Hill to the Death Hill, we came across a stunning viewpoint. One spot was a rocky outcrop on the edge of a cliff, offering a view of green mountains shrouded in wispy clouds, as shown in the picture. We couldn't resist taking a few photos.


After a long hike, we finally reached the last hill, the true test of our endurance: "Death Hill." This steep, rugged slope was the final obstacle before reaching the pine forest.


Phu Soi Dao is a trail that continuously ascends, with a steep incline and few rest stops.

I continued walking, taking minimal breaks, as I knew that resting too much would only make me more tired. However, I couldn't help but think, "When will this ever end?" I ended up walking ahead of my friends, who told me to go on without them as they were slower. I continued on, leaving them behind, until I finally reached the top of the "Hill of Death." I felt a sense of relief. From there, I descended a slightly sloping path and began to see the pine forest. I thought to myself, "Just a little further." I quickened my pace and finally reached the starting point of the pine forest. After a while, my friends caught up with me.


From the "Conqueror of the Pine Forest, Reach for the Stars" sign, we continued our journey. Along the way, before reaching the Phusoidao campsite, we were surrounded by pine trees and meadows. Most importantly, when we went, there was a drizzle that caused the fog to cover the area. Of course, we took some pictures for a while.


And finally, we arrived at the camping ground on the Phu Soi Dao meadow. We used the receipt they gave us at the bottom to collect our belongings, including the tent, at the park office on top. There is nothing for sale up here, so you need to bring all your food with you. However, you can rent charcoal stoves, gas stoves, pots, kettles, grilling grates, and tongs.


Essential items for bathing or using the restroom, such as water tanks and basins, are present. Water from the stream is pumped into the tanks, and users must either press a button on the tank or draw water from the stream for bathing or other needs. The office building has a rainwater tank that can be used for washing dishes or brushing teeth in the morning.


After gathering our belongings, my friend and I decided to take a nap in the tent. Around 6 pm, my friend woke me up to take pictures, saying, "Hey, wake up! Maybe you can capture the orange sky." I had previously mentioned wanting to photograph the orange sunset sky. However, there was fog that day, which I hadn't anticipated. By the time I woke up, it was too late. I could only take pictures near the tent. This location offers viewpoints for both sunrise and sunset, but we missed the opportunity. The pictures I managed to capture are shown below.

As darkness fell, we decided to boil water and cook instant noodles, which we devoured with gusto. The sweet potato we had intended to roast was forgotten, as it was too damp. Due to the weather, we rented a picnic gas stove and opted for a boiled sweet potato instead. Everything tasted delicious, likely a result of our hunger and the cold.


After a satisfying meal, my friends and I brushed our teeth and used the restroom before returning to our tents to sleep around 9 pm. We brought the rented water bucket and basin with us. Back in the tent, everyone curled up in their warm sleeping bags. I put on another thick sweater before bed, anticipating the morning chill. Before entering the tent, I thought that with the overcast sky, I wouldn't be able to see any stars. Suddenly, I heard voices outside the tent, saying excitedly, "Hey, come out and look at the stars! There are so many!" My friend was about to fall asleep, but I was wide awake, eager to try my hand at astrophotography. As a complete novice, I didn't have a tripod, so I simply stepped out of the tent and started taking pictures, resulting in the images you see here.


The last day, we woke up around 6:00 AM and decided to take a walk around to enjoy the view. Behind the park office, there was a path leading to the border marker and the sunrise viewpoint. The sky was clear and the air was fresh, so we took some pictures in front of the mountain, which was the highest point of Phu Soi Dao and covered with pine trees. The morning atmosphere was pleasant, not too cold, and just the right temperature.


We then returned to collect our belongings, hired porters, and began our descent. The weather today was excellent. The fog that had previously obscured everything had lifted, revealing a clear sky and bright sunshine.


Upon reaching the starting point of the descent, we were met with a breathtaking view. The previous day, the area was shrouded in fog, obscuring everything from sight. Today, however, we were treated to a magnificent panorama of mountains veiled in a sea of mist. It was truly a rewarding experience, as if we had visited two seasons and two distinct atmospheres in one trip.


A Journey of Self-Discovery: Hiking in the Wilderness

Descending from the mountain, we washed away the sweat and dust, enjoying a hearty meal before heading to the new Phitsanulok bus station. As the bus carried us back to Bangkok, I reflected on the journey, the cost of which amounted to just over two thousand baht. It was a price well worth paying for the fatigue of the hike, the knowledge gained, the enriching experiences, and the friendships forged.

This trip reminded me that all it takes is the courage to step outside your comfort zone and explore. Whether you venture alone, with friends, or as part of a larger group, nature offers a unique and rewarding experience. No one can tell you exactly what you will gain from a journey into the wilderness, but one thing is certain: nature has the power to rejuvenate the soul. It provides a space for introspection, allowing you to listen to your own thoughts, connect with your companions, and gain a deeper understanding of both yourself and the natural world.

So, pack your bags and embark on your own adventure. You'll discover that time spent in nature is truly good for the heart and soul.

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