Thong Pha Phum National Park Voyage Tips and guide

Thong Pha Phum National Park (อุทยานแห่งชาติทองผาภูมิ) is in Kanchanaburi, Thailand. The national forest is part of the Western Forest Complex, located very close to the Myanmar border. The national park is famous for its caves, waterfalls and is the location of Khao Chang Phueak, the province's third highest peak.

Thong Pha Phum National Park was officially designated a national park in 2000. The park spans approximately 1,120 square kilometers of Thong Pha Phum and Sangkhlaburi Districts. The park is bordered by Thungyai-Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuaries to the north, Sai Yok National Park to the south, Khao Laem National Park to the east, and the Thai-Myanmar border to the west.

The park is mostly made up of complex, mountainous terrain aligned in a north–south direction as part of the Tanintharyi Range. Elevation ranges from 100 to 1,249 meters above sea level, with Khao Chang Phueak, located in the western part of the park, being the highest peak. These mountains are the source of numerous streams that eventually feed into the Khwae Noi River.

The national park has four major types of woodland categories: tropical rain forest, dry evergreen forest, hill evergreen forest and mixed deciduous forest.

The national park is home to a variety of animals including the Asiatic elephants, serows, barking deer, wild boars, sun bears, tigers, dholes, porcupines and clouded leopards, in addition to various species of birds, fish and reptiles found in other parts of Thailand.

Like the rest of Thailand, there are three seasons, hot (February - May), wet (May - November), and cool (November - February). The best time to visit is during the cool season when the temperature is relatively lower and there is much less precipitation, Chang Phueak peak is also open during the cool season (usually between November to February, exact dates vary annually).

From Kanchanaburi town, take Route 323, and then route 3272 after around 120 km in. This road will naturally become Kanchanaburi Route 4088 which will lead you all the wat to the national park and the village of I-tong which is the main community around the national park.

For Thai nationals the entry fee is 20 baht for children and 40 baht for adults. Monks, children under 3 years old, elderly and disabled people enter for free. For foreigners, the entry fee is 100 baht for children and 200 baht for adults.

There is also an extra free for transport as follows: bicycles - free, motorcycles - 20 baht, four-wheeled vehicles - 30 baht, six-wheeled vehicles - 100 baht, and vehicles with more than six wheels but less than 10 wheels - 200 baht.

The best way to get around the national park is by car.

• 14.68454598.3791671 Chokkradin Waterfall (น้ำตกจ๊อกกระดิ่น). A large waterfall tucked in the hills. There is a turquoise blue colour due to the mineral deposits. (updated Aug 2025)
• Noen Kut Doi -Noen Chang Phueak Viewpoint (จุดชมทิวทัศน์เนินกูดดอย-ช้างเผือก). A view point of Chang Phueak mountain. Great place to see the morning fog. (updated Aug 2025)
• 14.67235998.3686252 Noen Chang Suek Viewpoint (จุดชมพระอาทิตย์ เนินช้างศึก). A great place to view the sunrise, with a view of Chang Phueak and the former mining village of Ban I-tong . (updated Aug 2025)

• 14.72827198.3882671 Khao Chang Phueak (เขาช้างเผือก). The most famous attraction in the national park. This mountain is only open during the dry season (between November - February) and limits only 60 hikers per day due to the limited space above. To reserve a spot, one will need to call the national park headquarters during a certain time period (best to check information on the national park's Facebook page for details as the procedures might change each year).
  The hike itself is 8 km round trip, overnight hike near the summit. The most famous part is the ridge leading to the summit which is very narrow and people have been injured by falling off the ridge due to misteps. (updated Aug 2025)

There are no shops inside the national park premises, but there are gift shops located right outside the national park in the local communities that surround the area in Ban I-tong village.

There are no restaurants inside the national park premises, but there are restaurants located right outside the national park in the local communities that surround the area in Ban I-tong village.

There are no places to drink inside the national park premises, but there are establishments located right outside the national park in the local communities that surround the area that serve alcoholic beverages in Ban I-tong village.

There are two 2-person cabins available for rental, located by the national park headquarters. Reservations must be made online via the national park website.

There are small hotels and guesthouses located right outside the national park's premises in Ban I-tong village.

• 14.72552398.3844861 Chang Puaek Campgrounds (จุดกางเต็นท์เขาช้างเผือก). The only camping spot availabe in the national park is on Chang Puaek, near the summit. However this spot is only available for hikers who successfully booked to climb the mountain. There is no water at the campsite, so you will need to carry all your water or food up (or pay a porter in the area), but there are a couple of drop toilets in the area. (updated Aug 2025)

Backcountry camping is not permitted in the national park.

Nicknamed the "Three Hundred Curves Road", Kanchanaburi Route 4088 to Thong Pha Phum National Park has a series of twists and turns all the way. While substantial improvements have been made to the infrastructure, this can be a tricky road to drive through for those that are inexperienced in the area.

Myanmar. The national park is located right on the Thai-Myanmar border. However due to the current political situation in 2025, it is not advised to visit Tanintharyi.

Sangkhla Buri. Thailand's longest wooden bridge, close to Khao Laem Reservoir.