Photo trip report: Nakhon Si Thammarat

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buksida
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Photo trip report: Nakhon Si Thammarat

Post by buksida »

It was that time again ... a road trip beckoned, so I decided to find a province not too far that I had yet to explore. A friend of mine has a teaching job in Nakhon Si Thammarat (NST to the locals) so I ventured down there to have a look. The city itself is a very long sprawling mass of low-rise shops on two major roads, there is a nice park area but nothing really separates it from any other typical Thai town. I was here for the mountain range, rivers and nature so our first stop was Phrom Lok Waterfall and National Park ... at 6am the following day.

The reason we left at 6am is evident in these photos, not another soul in the place, not even the park staff to collect their inflated farang entrance fees, so we went straight in and jumped into the first pool for a refreshing swim. I then had a chance to climb up a few of the tiers and play around with the shutter settings ...
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To follow: NST hinterlands ...
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson
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Re: Photo trip report: Nakhon Si Thammarat

Post by pharvey »

Superb photos once again - Looks a great place buks and somewhere I've never heard of. Talking entrance fees and if you know, what are the "farang prices"?
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Re: Photo trip report: Nakhon Si Thammarat

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The National Park fee is 200 baht for farangs, 20 for Thais. Some let you in for the local price with a Thai driving license or work permit, many don't anymore. Just the total lack of other people there made it a fantastic place to be at seven in the morning!
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Re: Photo trip report: Nakhon Si Thammarat

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On the way back from our early morning waterfall jaunt we visited a temple with a mummified monk who's heart (according to locals) still beats once a year or so! Not a square meter of the land around NST is wasted, rubber is the primary crop here but they also grow rice. The mountain range that forms the backbone of the province is the highest point in southern Thailand with Khao Luang the peak at 1780 meters.
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To follow: Lansaka...
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Re: Photo trip report: Nakhon Si Thammarat

Post by Frank La Rue »

Great pics, looking forwards to the continuation - My sister - in - law's husband is from this town - I have never been there but she claims it made him what he is like.........
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Re: Photo trip report: Nakhon Si Thammarat

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And what is he like? :shock:
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Re: Photo trip report: Nakhon Si Thammarat

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The following day we headed west to a place nestled in the mountains called Lansaka and a wee village called Kiri Wong whose claim to fame is "the cleanest ozone in Thailand" apparently. It reminded me a lot of Kanchanaburi with its river valleys and rolling hills, a very pleasant afternoon was spent by the river with a few beers and some food - didn't see another farang all day!
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To follow: North to Khanom ...
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Re: Photo trip report: Nakhon Si Thammarat

Post by dtaai-maai »

I love these threads, Buksi - feel like I'm vicariously visiting SE Asia through your lens. Thanks for that! :thumb:

From a brownie points perspective (rather than photographic artistry), didn't you miss a trick by not placing Mrs Buksi (if this is indeed that fine lady) beneath the "Awesome" sign?

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Re: Photo trip report: Nakhon Si Thammarat

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Unfortunately that isn't mrs buksi ... just me testing out the new 300mm lens! :oops: :oops:
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Re: Photo trip report: Nakhon Si Thammarat

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We soon headed north to explore some of the beaches in Nakhon Si Thammarat province, on the way though was another waterfall stop, there are over 300 of them in this region. This one was called Wang Lung and was made up of a number of pools and shallow falls nestled deep in a jungle valley. It was a popular spot for locals to cool off from the punishing tropical heat though at the end of dry season the river was a little low - this would all change in the coming months.
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To follow: Khanom ...
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson
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Re: Photo trip report: Nakhon Si Thammarat

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^ Looks superb buks - picnic, couple of cold beers and a spot of swimming!! In all seriousness, how much of a drive from Hua Hin? [EDIT] And any recommendations where to stay...?

Love DSC_1106.jpg by the way - should be one for the "Caption Competition"!! :D

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Re: Photo trip report: Nakhon Si Thammarat

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I would estimate approx 7 hours from Hua Hin with a couple of snack stops. I stayed at my mates place but there is plenty of accommodation in NST city.

Heading north through Sichon our final destination was Khanom, a coastal town overlooking Koh Samui. The beaches around here are becoming a very popular alternative to the touristy, crowded, and expensive resort areas on Samui. We passed through the town, fishing village, and more developed beaches to arrive on an idyllic little bay called Had Kweng Pao. Being a long weekend it was quite busy with locals but this didn't stop us finding a little beachfront bungalow despite being told everywhere was full by a miserable German expat.

Some wild weather came in that night and we sat out on the beach watching the storms rage around us. The next couple of days were spent swimming, paddle boarding, and generally chilling out in the local reggae bar, after the weekend warriors left we had the place entirely to ourselves.
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Re: Photo trip report: Nakhon Si Thammarat

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Looks great!
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Re: Photo trip report: Nakhon Si Thammarat

Post by Frank La Rue »

Great contribution - My brother-in-law does not know it yet but he will for sure take us there to enjoy.
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Re: Photo trip report: Nakhon Si Thammarat

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Here are a couple from the Reggae bar, a very chilled out place on the beach run by a Thai Rasta and his South African girlfriend. As expected things were a bit of a blur in there and a few shots are not suitable for public forums!
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And finally the view from the room and a very early sunrise over Samui on the day we departed.
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Thanks for reading, the full photo gallery and trip report can be found here: http://ontheroadasia.com/nakhon-si-thammarat.php
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson
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