Photo Trip Report: Camping Thailand's Northwest

[buksida]

We were going further north into our sixth province and the Mae Ping National Park today, following a quick stop at the impressive Bhumibol Dam. The engineering for the structure was impressive, to say the least. They could build something like this in the 1960s and keep it functioning, but can’t build or maintain the main highway out of Bangkok to the south in four decades.

To follow: Mae Ping National Park

[Green Nomad]

Yet again 1st class photography Buksida, congratulations.

[pharvey]

..... following a quick stop at the impressive Bhumibol Dam. The engineering for the structure was impressive, to say the least. They could build something like this in the 1960s and keep it functioning, but can’t build or maintain the main highway

You want to try Eastern Europe.... Or the UK these days for that matter!! But I digress... Cracking report once again - and of course superb photo's

[buksida]

We arrived at the entrance to Mae Ping National Park a couple of hours later, and Mrs B wanted to take the trip to the lookout and viewpoint at Pha Daeng Luang the next day, which was only accessible in a 4×4 with the rangers. However, unbeknown to us, you had to book this trip online on the partially functional state website in advance … and it was fully booked until the end of January, so that plan was scuppered.

We decided to cut the two-night camp in this park, which only had a reasonable 100 baht farang entrance fee, to one and headed to the spectacular Ko Luang Falls with their cerulean pools formed by the river running over limestone formations.

To follow: Mae Ping National Park

[buksida]

Our campsite for the evening was at Kaeng Kor at the end of the lake, which looked like a scene from the Swiss mountains and was a clearly popular selfie spot. Again, a bunch of Thai campers turned up late and began to set up in the dark, but we’d already secured the prime spot.

Thais camping in national parks tend to be sensible and quiet due to the rafts of rules and regulations and roving rangers preventing any notion of ‘sanuk’. However, the morning tranquility was shattered by a ranger with a very noisy petrol leaf blower, so we made tracks after a lakeside cup of joe.

To follow: Khlong Wang Chao National Park

[PeteC]

3rd from bottom....are those trees growing in the water due to high water left over from an abundant rainy season?

[buksida]

They seemed to be a permanent feature, but I guess this lake was high because the river flooded the previous month.

[Dannie Boy]

Definitely very scenic - twenty years ago I’d be itching to follow in your footsteps but probably a bit old in the tooth now.


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[buksida]

Age isn't much of a limitation, as we saw plenty of Thai campers much older than us. The Bangkokers are into posh camping or glamping and have all the mod cons and fancy tents. Many also had pickup conversions with a motorhome or tent on the back, which looked quite comfortable.

[Dannie Boy]

When my sons were young we had many wonderful camping holidays in the UK but particularly in France - I probably posted photos before with both tents, folding caravans and my favourite, two VW Camper Vans (1971 and 1978 vintage).

Although I’m sure I’d enjoy the experience, the thought of buying all the gear is somewhat off putting even though I think you’ve mentioned that (at some campsites) you can hire the equipment, but I’m not sure I fancy that.

I’ll probably just enjoy reading your posts!!


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[buksida]

Yep, as with most things here, good (imported) gear is expensive in Thailand, and campervans or truck conversions will bankrupt you! Most of our camping gear isn't top-of-the-line and came off Lazada, so it's cheap and easily replaceable (I think we're on our fourth tent now). I saw tents for sale in Makro yesterday fo 500 baht!

[migrant]

I did a lot of camping when young, anything to get out of the city. I also took our kids camping often. But somehow not having pine trees around kind of stops me from going out.

[buksida]

It was time to turn south, so we headed for Khlong Wang Chao National Park, an hour south of Tak. This quiet park had a picturesque camping spot right on the river, and being a weekday was very quiet. We also had the waterfall to ourselves (again) so I took advantage to get some shots.

To follow: Chong Yen

[Green Nomad]

Great report Buksida. I am close to retiring here in Hua Hin and planning road trips around the country for bird photography and sightseeing. We would not be camping though, could you give me some tips, links/routes for any trips you have done where accommodation is available, some areas you have visited look wonderful, love to follow in your footsteps.

[buksida]

Accommodation is available pretty much everywhere in Thailand. The national parks have rooms to rent in addition to tents, but booking them is a nightmare. Another tip would be to buy your glass overseas and bring it with you, decent birding lenses are hideously expensive in Thailand.