A walk to discover the mangrove world in Krabi province
If you are staying in Ao Nang, Krabi province, and enjoy strolling, observing, and listening to nature, don't miss a visit to Tha Pom Klong Song Nam. The walk takes 40 minutes at a snail's pace, making it ideal for a family getaway. The big plus for children aged 7 to 77 is a dip in a natural pool at the end of the tour.
The changing colour of the Tha Pom River.
The Tha Pom River (Klong Tha Pom in Thai) rises in the swamp forest of Khao Chong Phra Kaeo and ends its course in the Andaman Sea. The river water's salinity varies with the tides, causing incredible changes in color..
When the sea level rises, the river becomes brackish and cloudy and turns dark blue. Still, when the tide goes out, the seawater no longer mixes with the crystalline river water, which turns beautiful turquoise.
The place is named after this unique natural characteristic: Song Nam, in Thai, means "two-coloured waters."
The water is much more beautiful on the ebb tide, so it's best to time your visit according to the tides.
We admire the crystalline water and the tangle of mangrove roots.
The Nature Trail in the mangroves
The "nature trail" is a 1.2 km-long footbridge that crosses 3 different ecosystems: a mangrove, a swamp, and a tropical forest. It's an easy walk, shaded by trees and quiet (when there aren't too many visitors, which was always the case for us).
If you look hard enough, you'll see a multitude of crabs, snails, and fish.
The view of the surrounding countryside is also delightful .
Completing the entire loop takes 30 to 40 minutes, but we took our time, stopping at the "observatories" to watch the wildlife, enjoy the birdsong, or take photos.
Needless to say, it's a photographer's paradise!
A natural pool in the mangrove
There are numerous steps and pontoons along the trail. The entire freshwater zone is preserved, so swimming is prohibited. These pontoons are intended for observers and photographers. You have to cover almost the entire loop to reach the swimming area, the part of the river that mixes with the seawater. The water is cool and pleasant, making for a relaxing end to your visit!
Feeling peckish before or after your visit?
Let's face it: in Thailand, people eat everywhere, at any time of the day or night 🙂 To make no exception to this rule, there are several small restaurants near the entrance to the Nature Trail. They offer simple but delicious meals at meager prices. If you're feeling adventurous, try the water snails, a local specialty.
A local resort: Thapom Resort
On arrival, we took the wrong road. We ended up in the middle of a small hotel connected by a staircase to the entrance of the visiting area: Thapom Resort. We haven't stayed at this local hotel, so we don't know what it's worth, but it has a pool with a waterslide for young children and can be nice for a quiet night away from everything. We've added the link to their Facebook page just in case 😉 As we stayed in a great hotel in Ao Nang we drove there for the day.
Other sights in the area
You can take advantage of being in the area to go kayaking at Ao Thalane. We opted instead to continue our road trip and visit Kuan Nom Saow Restaurant & View Point. The steep, unpaved road to get there is an adventure in itself, but the panoramic views are splendid, and the welcome is warm. As it was the rainy season, we watched the storm roll in while sipping our coffee.
A 15-minute drive from Tha Pom Klong Song Nam, on the way back to Ao Nang, is a small panoramic restaurant perched at the top of a hill: Kuan Nom Saow Restaurant. It is perfect for a coffee or a fresh fruit shake.
Tha Pom Klong Song Nam, helpful info :
▻ Entrance to the Nature Trail in the mangroves costs 100 baht per person.
▻ The park is open daily from 8:00 to 17:00..
▻ Location: Please note that the rental point in Google Maps points toward Thapom Resort, not the Nature Trail entrance. Follow the Thai location point indicated here to arrive directly at the official parking lot: Plus code: 6Q7G+F9 Google Maps
▻ Parking costs 20 baht per car.
▻ At the Nature Trail entrance, it's possible to rent kayaks to go for a ride on the river in the mangrove (there are over 3 km of river to explore). Rental price: 100 baht/hour
▻ There are toilets near the park entrance.
