Hiking in the Rainy Season: A Guide to Phu Soi Dao National Park

The rainy season in Thailand brings with it a unique opportunity to experience the lush landscapes of Phu Soi Dao National Park. While leeches may be a concern, the park boasts stunning scenery, including vibrant wild orchids and the iconic "Manao" limestone formations.

Phu Soi Dao's main attraction is the summit of Phu Soi Dao, standing at an impressive 2,102 meters above sea level. This peak ranks as the fourth highest in Thailand, offering breathtaking panoramic views. However, access to the summit is restricted during the rainy season due to safety concerns. Visitors can still enjoy the park's lower elevations, including the scenic "Lan Son" meadow, situated at 1,633 meters.

With careful planning and preparation, hiking in Phu Soi Dao National Park during the rainy season can be a rewarding experience. Visitors should be aware of potential hazards such as leeches and slippery trails, and ensure they have appropriate gear and provisions.

  • Lemon follows the page of Phusoidao National Park until she is sure it's time to go!
  • July 1st to January 15th is the open season for conquering the Phusoidao pine forest.
  • https://www.facebook.com/%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%B8%E0%B8%...
  • http://park.dnp.go.th/visitor/nationparkshow.php?P...
  • For more information, please contact

    📍095-629-9528

    📍095-024-7633

    📍091-024-7633

    • The national park allows access to the Phu Soi Dao Pine Forest from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
    • If tourists arrive at the Phu Soi Dao National Park and are unable to reach the Pine Forest in time, the park has prepared a camping area at the park headquarters below.
    • From January 15th to June 30th of each year, the national park closes overnight stays on the Phu Soi Dao Pine Forest.

    Before traveling one day, buy a round-trip train ticket in advance. The cheapest option is a 3rd class train, which costs 179 baht per trip.

    • Departure: Departing from Bangkok Station (Hua Lamphong) at 8:10 PM, arriving at Phitsanulok Station at 2:35 AM. Travel date: August 6, 2018.
    • Return: Departing from Phitsanulok Station at 10:00 PM, arriving at Bangkok Station (Hua Lamphong) at 5:10 AM. Travel date: August 8, 2018.

    • National Park Tourist Passport Ready If anyone doesn't have one yet, you can buy it at the park. It costs 100 baht each. Having it with you will make you look cool when you visit national parks.

    • Call Sergeant Ae at 083-599-8826.
    • Phu Soi Dao National Park Facebook page: Affordable car and shuttle services.
    • https://www.facebook.com/toursuwinai3/?hc_ref=ART8X1...
    • Fixed price for 4 passengers in a comfortable sedan: 1,500 baht per trip, approximately 200 kilometers (during weekends, the cost can be shared among more people, making the round trip only 300 baht per person - very convenient! Contact Sergeant Ae in advance to book your trip). Services include sedans for 4 people, vans for 7 people, minibuses for 10 people, and double-decker buses for 12 people.

    Sergeant Aem will pick you up from Phitsanulok Railway Station. (If you are traveling by bus, you can choose to be picked up at either the old or new bus terminal.) We will then stop by the Pa Daeng Municipal Market in Chat Trakan District to buy food, candy for energy, bread, and drinking water (important because we will need to hire porters to carry it up to the pine forest for us. There is rainwater collected by the park staff on the pine forest, but it may not be enough if there are many tourists). Finally, we will take you to Phu Soi Dao National Park.

    • The 70-kilometer journey from Chat Trakan District to Phu Soi Dao National Park is a scenic route with constant fog. The driver, Sergeant Ae, was kind enough to stop whenever requested.

    • The journey from Phitsanulok Railway Station to Phu Soi Dao National Park began at 3:00 AM and arrived at approximately 7:00 AM. Even with a private car, the trip took four hours.

    • A variety of equipment is available for rent at the Lan Son Phu Soi Dao, please contact the Phu Soi Dao National Park Tourist Service Center at the top of Lan Son Phu Soi Dao.

    • National Park Entrance Fees: Thai citizens: Adults 40 baht, Children 20 baht. Foreigners: Adults 200 baht, Children 100 baht.
    • There is a 200 baht garbage deposit. On the way down, bring the garbage you brought with you in a bag to receive a refund. Let's all work together to keep it clean.
    • It's still very early. Let's go have breakfast at the Phu Soi Dao Welfare Shop first.

    • Passport Ready Phu Soi Dao National Park

    • Rental fee for tent, sleeping equipment (2 people, 1 night) and porter fee (porter must bring it to us at the pine field) at a fixed price of 800 baht.
    • Note: After paying the National Park Service fee, please carry the service card with you while visiting the National Park for inspection.

    • Hire porters to carry your personal belongings separately, as the trek is 6.5 kilometers long. Avoid carrying heavy loads to prevent exhaustion. The cost is 30 baht per kilogram.

    • This is the essential part that the lemon carries itself.

    • And your necessities, mostly food, drinks along the way, medicine, and raincoats.

    • Ready, the officers took us in the back of a pickup truck to the starting point for the hike to conquer the Phusoidao Skywalk.
    • Phusoidao Waterfall is so much fun to play in. On the way back, I'll definitely play there.
    • Phusoidao Waterfall is located in Huai Mun Subdistrict, Nam Pat District, Uttaradit Province. It is a medium-sized waterfall in the Huai Nam Phai stream that flows into the Mae Pat River in Nam Pat District. There are a total of 5 levels of waterfalls, each with a beautiful name: Phusoidao, Skow Duen, Meuan Fun, Kannika, and Suphaphon. The waterfall flows all year round.

    • We set off at 9:00 am, full of determination. We had already crossed many mountains, and we were sure we could get through this one too.

    • To reach the summit of Phu Soi Dao, hikers must conquer five slopes, starting at the "Phu Soi Dao Waterfall" and ending at the "Phu Soi Dao Pine Forest", which sits at an elevation of 1,633 meters above sea level.

    • The first hour will be the most challenging as we adjust to the new environment. Therefore, it is crucial to avoid taking breaks and maintain focus on walking. Photography may distract us and drain our batteries. Remember, there is no electricity at Lan Son Phu Soei, so bring a flashlight.

    • Bring all the life-saving equipment so you can walk again. Inhale, apply, and spray.

    • After just one hill, the symptoms started to show on the way to the second. The insects were starting to get annoying, and Lemon had to cover her ears and mouth with a cloth. As for her eyes, she kept swatting them away. Why were these insects so attracted to her? Several horseflies flew into her eyes. Next time, she would have to find some glasses to protect her eyes.

    I planned to hike to the top of Death Hill and have lunch there, but I couldn't go any further. I took a long break at this point (I don't know where it is, I'm completely lost). I kept asking passing tourists how much further it was, but I was so tired that I couldn't even count the hills anymore.

    • After a lunch break at 11:30 AM, we trudged through the dense forest, silently ascending and descending, relying on sweet candies as our only source of motivation.

    • It's good to be out of the jungle. This must be Death Hill, the check-in point where everyone has to stand and look cool.
    • But that's not it, Manao. This is Tiger Hill. Let's keep going.

    The Last Grueling Kilometer: Death Hill

    The final kilometer was a brutal test of endurance. The aptly named "Death Hill" loomed before us, its steep incline demanding every ounce of our remaining strength. We inched our way forward, barely registering the checkpoint as we focused solely on reaching the summit. Our goal: to conquer the Lan Son Phu Soai plateau and claim victory.

    • Tears almost fell. We, the two of us, conquered the Lan Son Phu Soi Dao field in 6 hours.
    • While others exercise every day, we exercise once a year by hiking up the mountain. This time, the two of us are still in good health, able to walk, and still love and care for each other as before. That is the main purpose of Manao's coming.

    • After reporting to the Phu Soi Dao National Park officials, we had to hurry to capture the images of the Naak flowers, as they would soon close. If there is no sunlight tomorrow, they will not bloom again.

    • No need to walk far, the cockscomb flowers are right here for us to admire.

    There are still many more behind the scenes, even though I'm not yet ready to show 100% of myself.

    • The fog is very thick. I wonder if we will be able to see the beautiful sunset tonight.

    • A short walk from our campsite, we stood to brave the cold, awaiting the day's final light.

    • Sitting and walking, taking pictures of the fog, taking pictures of myself and my friends who were waiting on the meadow of Phu Soi Dao. Until the lemon couldn't wait any longer, the insects were swarming, and how could the thick fog have sunlight?

    As I approached the meadow where the tents were pitched, the light filtering through the mist was a beautiful orange color.

    • The visit to Lan Son Phu Soi Dao was well worth it.

    • The friends waited until the light faded and then walked back.
    • Meanwhile, Manao and Mr. Manaai had a barbecue dinner, which they couldn't finish.
    • (You need to order from below and pay 399 baht. Then the vendors will carry it up to serve us at the Phu Soi Dao pine forest.)

    • To use water for personal hygiene in the bathroom, we must rent a water tank and a dipper from the staff.
    • We can then scoop up cool, clear water to use ourselves. One tank is more than enough for a shower or hair wash, especially in this cold weather.

    • Take a moment to brace yourself, it's freezing!

    • Morning coffee session before everyone disperses to prepare breakfast or explore the surrounding area.
    • Others are staying for two nights, while I'm only here for one.

    Stroll through the morning atmosphere, with the border post between Thailand and a neighboring country as the destination.

    • The Queen Sirikit's midday dew orchid, a type of orchid with a unique flower shape resembling a rooster's comb, is known for its resilience and ability to withstand harsh conditions. It is said that this orchid will not bloom easily until the sun rises and awakens it.

    • The landscape of Phu Soi Dao National Park is characterized by a complex mountain range stretching from north to south, forming a natural border between Thailand and the Lao People's Democratic Republic.

    • Manaow is going to travel abroad.

    • **Conquer the mountain, visit two countries.**

    • Just one step across the border, and we arrive in the neighboring country, the Lao People's Democratic Republic.
    • This is a must-visit check-in point.

    • Upon returning from abroad, we sought a peaceful corner to enjoy breakfast while gazing at the mist drifting across the towering mountains before us. It was then that we resolved to conquer the 2,100-meter peak.


    • Before returning, Manao still wanted to take pictures of Sai Thib Waterfall alone. Let Manai go back to collect his belongings and wait.

    • The steepness and the signs warning of slippery conditions made me nervous, especially since I was alone.

    • Standing at this point to take a picture, I still felt it wasn't enough, so I walked up, and that's when the unexpected happened. I slipped and fell into the waterfall. I was soaked. I couldn't get up, I was still sliding around. The first thing I worried about wasn't my own body, but the Canon EOS 77D in my camera bag (not waterproof).
    • The 77D was in much worse shape than I was. The humidity caused the 77D to never wake up again.

    This is the last photo of the waterfall I took before I slipped and fell. Accidents can happen to anyone, so please be careful when visiting waterfalls. Always bring someone with you in case of an emergency.

    • 10:00 AM. It's time to say goodbye to the pine forest at Phusoi Dao. Walk back together with your new friends who you met at the pine forest.

    • On the way back, I think 3 hours should be enough to capture the scenery at Death Valley.

    Translation:

    This is the spot where anyone who conquers the Phusoidao Skywalk must be careful. Standing there, you must also be cautious because it is high up and you might feel dizzy.

    • And these are the new friends of Manao Kawdein.
    • Friendship from people who love hiking and traveling, it's easy and very close. We have an appointment to go hiking together again in the future.

    • And Manao wants to show off.
    • As you can see, the porters here are very good-looking. I wonder if the girls who come here will scream like Manao.

    • With eyes fixed on the goal, we walk on. When we hear the sound of the waterfall, that is our finish line.

    • Victory for everyone, captured as a memory to be proud of and cherished.
    • Thank you to our strong bodies that carried us to conquer the Phu Soi Dao field, a total round-trip distance of 13 kilometers. It took a total of 9 hours to walk, 6 hours to go and 3 hours to return.

    • Our reward was simple: a refreshing dip in the Phusoidao Waterfall.
    • We then hopped in the back of a pickup truck, returning to our starting point, feeling happy and fulfilled after experiencing Manao's dream trip.

    Trip Expenses for Two People (One Night, Weekday)

    Transportation:

    • Roundtrip third-class train tickets: 179 baht x 4 = 716 baht
    • Transportation from Phitsanulok train station to Phu Soi Dao National Park: 1,500 baht x 2 = 3,000 baht (can be shared among 4 people in a sedan)

    Accommodation:

    • Tent equipment package for one night for two people: 800 baht

    Entrance Fees:

    • Phu Soi Dao National Park entrance fee: 40 baht x 2 = 80 baht

    Total Cost:

    4,596 baht / 2 = 2,298 baht per person

    Additional Expenses:

    • Food, drinks, charcoal grill, and personal porter fees are not included.

    • See you again with us two on the next trip.
    • Goodbye.

    • Travel video of the trip

    "Phu Soi Dao is a public property for all citizens. Please be responsible and mindful during your visit." Phusoidao National Park stated...

    • Lastly, Manow would like to remind everyone to read and prepare for the "khoon" insects, as the bites can be itchy for months. Don't worry, just be careful and treat the bites properly.
    • Always wear clothes that cover your arms and legs. Don't let the "khoon" see your skin.
    • Make sure to bring antiseptic wipes, betadine, and bandages.
    • Have fun conquering the Phu Soi Dao meadow!

    Translation:

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    #phu soi dao national park#phitsanulok#mountain#thailand#nature exploration#adventure tourism#sightseeing and photography.#train
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