…As the green season officially arrives, many people who enjoy the earthy scent of grass during the rainy season are probably looking for fun trips. For me, when the rainy season arrives, I often drive out to destinations that are not too far from Bangkok, so as not to get tired from driving for too long both ways. I just want to relax my brain, recharge my batteries, and let my body feel relaxed from work. And most of the time, I avoid traveling on public holidays, but instead travel on weekdays. I drive out of Bangkok early in the morning, or late in the morning, and then return to Bangkok around 3-4 pm to avoid the tedious rush hour traffic of city life.

My destination this time was the Kaeng Krachan Dam in Phetchaburi Province. After a leisurely two-hour drive from Bangkok, enjoying the scenery along the way, a heavy downpour greeted me as I approached the dam. With poor visibility, I pulled over to the side of the road in a safe spot. As I sat in my car, watching the rain fall on the reservoir, I played the song "Fon Tok Tee Na Tang" by Sek Loso. It was an unforgettable experience.

As the rain began to subside, we continued our journey for a short while, stopping at a restaurant by the dam for a bite to eat. We came across a restaurant with a beautiful view called "Rim Gaeng". The post-rain atmosphere at this restaurant was truly extraordinary. From the balcony, we could see the clouds slowly drifting along the mountain ranges that lined the vast expanse of water. The soft golden light of the setting sun peeking through the clouds added to the enchanting atmosphere. Just standing still and taking in the view made us forget our hunger for a moment.

This restaurant is actually located in a resort of the same name, so it also offers accommodation services. The room rates are around 1,000 baht, with options for both bungalows and rooms in the main building (at the time of my visit, the resort was still under renovation, but it has since been completed). After discussing with the restaurant, I arranged for a driver to take me up to Pha Nen Thung in the morning for 1,600 baht, as the route requires a pickup truck.

The next morning, a car was arranged to pick us up at 5:00 AM. The distance from the Kaeng Krachan National Park office to Pha Nen Thung is approximately 45 kilometers.

The Phaneun Tung Bridge will only be open for crossing twice a day:

• In the morning, from 5:30 AM to 7:30 AM, and in the afternoon, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM.
• In the morning, from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM, and in the afternoon, from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM.

After nearly two hours of bouncing along in the car from the park headquarters, we finally reached the tourist service point at Pha Nen Thung. This area features a central camping ground and a tourist service point selling food and drinks. A further 200 meters' walk will take you to the Km.30 sea of mist viewpoint.

Next, continue to the viewpoint at Km.36 for a close-up view of the fog. The entrance is wide enough for cars to pass each other, but on the way back, you will need to find a place to turn around inside.

On the way back, we stopped to admire the view near the guesthouse. The air here was incredibly humid. As I stood there enjoying the scenery, I felt something sticky on my feet. When I took off my shoes, I saw it: a leech. I've been in the forest many times before, but I've never been bitten by a leech. This was my first time, and it happened just a few steps off the side of the path. The little leech was already waiting to greet me.

Descending from the Phaneun Thung hill, you will reach a stream near the Baan Grang Camp. Here, you will find a multitude of butterflies fluttering about. If you visit during June, you will be able to witness the butterflies in all their glory. However, it is a pity that many of these beautiful creatures are likely to be run over by cars.

Descending from the Phaneun Thung hill, we stopped to admire the scenic view from the suspension bridge and the central tent area of Kaeng Krachan National Park. The panorama before us was breathtaking, especially on weekdays when the tranquility and silence were exceptional. The campsite boasts well-maintained and exceptionally clean restrooms.

This location is considered a top choice for nature tourism due to its proximity to Bangkok and its well-developed tourist amenities. If you're interested in experiencing the sea of mist or taking a boat trip on the reservoir, you'll be treated to stunning views of the rainy season scenery, which is just as beautiful as the winter season.

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