Nature and waterfalls, relaxing time in Thung Song

If you are a nature lover and so-called “authentic” corners, then You should like Thung Song! I already mentioned this in my article about Ko Mak, I don't particularly like the use of this word, but I know that it speaks to a lot of people.

Yet, out of habit, I know that this is the kind of article that will go a little unnoticed... That's the whole paradox of travel blogging.

When we deal with a subject and a destination that is known and popular, it attracts... But as soon as we talk about a little-known place... It has trouble uniting... (Do you agree? I could write a whole article on this subject... wait and see)

But anyway, I digress a little, for now, let's get back to the subject.

Thung Song is a non-touristy place, at least from a foreign tourist point of view. The locals, for their part, happily go there for a weekend to enjoy a family picnic around a natural swimming pool.

Well, that's all very well and good, but where is Thung Song?

First of all, nothing beats a good map to help you locate this district:

Then, in more detail, and well as mentioned above, it is a district, of the Nakhon Si Thammarat province. City and region that I am starting to know since that is where my wife is from (and therefore where the in-laws are).

Nakhon Si Thammarat is already not very touristy (although it is less than 2 hours from Surat Thani, a place of passage for so many people going to the Gulf of Thailand) so much so that Thung Song is even less so.

But so much the better, a country is not meant to be invaded by tourists everywhere, that some areas are privileged, it is obvious and valid everywhere in the world. But it is also good for others, it leaves places that we willingly qualify as "off the beaten track", which just comes down to being curious enough to look elsewhere than in the “classic” places.

So what is there to see and do in Thung Song?

Namtok Yong National Park

Namtok literally means “falling water”, which means, as you will have understood, a waterfall (and not rain which is another word…).

Despite its local popularity, it is not easy to find at first. I did not find the right direct route, because it was not well indicated. But it also allows you to discover the area differently than in the park itself.

The national park of Yong waterfall is just before the small town of Thung Song, about 10 km from the center.

Situated at the foot of a small mountain range, it is a very nice place to come and bathe there on a hot day (which is basically any day in Thailand... Except at the height of the rainy season, between September and December, because the sudden influx of rainwater regularly causes drownings).

Even though we didn't go swimming, we still enjoyed this moment in nature. Jitima sat down to make some sketches in her notebook, while I took some photos and enjoyed the cool air on the tree trunk lying along this beautiful natural swimming pool.

I then observed the activity surrounding me, this joy perceptible in all these people, children or adults swimming around, families in quiet picnic mode, dads or moms making their offspring take a little dip.

We stayed there for a good hour before going to see the other "attraction" in the area, not without stopping in the courtyard of a local temple, before joining the main road.

Tham Talot Public Park

It is not so much for its public garden itself that this park is worth a look. No, the attraction of the place is this converted cave (Tham means cave in Thai) under the hill with statues of Buddhas, including a large one lying down, something quite common in Thailand, it is true, but here, it comes with quite original (although recent) wall paintings.

In addition, the atmosphere around this cave is rather special, as evidenced by the presence of these fortune tellers who stay there, napping while waiting for someone to come and consult them (And the Thais like that; so they will also be busy)

Waterfalls galore

In addition to Yong Waterfall, there are several waterfalls in the national park of the same name. In total, there are no less than 10 waterfalls that you can admire. around Thung Song.

In the lot, at least 2 are worth the walk. Plio Waterfall (also spelled Pliew or Plew) whose particularity is to descend the slope of the mountain on 5 levels. A waterfall that I have not yet had the chance to personally see, but I think I will make up for this one of these days.

The other "hit" in the area is Klong Chang, also called Khao Men waterfall, named after the summit of the mountain where the source of the fall is located, which is divided into 7 stages.

In both cases, a great trek is possible and it is a change of scenery guaranteed.

His Chinese temple

It is certainly of recent construction, but if you like colours and style, it is also a change from Thai temples!

We had been invited to a ceremony serving as a blessing/inauguration of the temple, even though it was not yet 100% finished (my niece being part of the dance troupe invited to do a small performance)

Here is its location on a map if you are ever curious 😉

Where to eat and sleep in Thung Song

I didn't need to sleep there, however, I asked myself the question for you and here is my selection:

- The Villa Khaopreedee, my first choice, for a price of just €10, this is a charming little hotel, close to the station and the center.
- Sino@ThungSong, a recent hotel which has the advantage of being at the foot of the station, right in the center, and this, for a low price of around €12 per night!
- Smile Resort Thungsong, good reviews for this also recent hotel, it is the most "expensive" of the selection, in quotation marks yes, because with a night starting at 15€, we remain in the small budget, only downside, this one is on the outskirts of Thung Song, but anyway, given the distance, it is not a big handicap either...

As for eating, as usual in Thailand, there is spoiled for choice. But if you want to try something different, go to the bridge near the station in the evening, you will find street restaurants including one offering a typical southern dish, Mataba roast.

How to get to Thung Song

Thung Song is 766 kilometers from Bangkok, you can also get there by car, train and plane (well almost).

By car (or motorbike) : Take National Highway No. 4, pass through Petchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon. Then, take National Highway No. 41 to Surat Thani. Continue to Thung Yai and Na Bon district to reach Thung Song. Allow an easy 8-9 hours of travel from Bangkok.

By train : Thung Song is an important hub in this southern part of Thailand. As such, many trains pass through there.

By plane : The nearest airport is Nakhon Si Thammarat, served by at least 2 companies, Nok Air et Air Asia. Upon arrival, you can find buses going to Thung Song. The other option is to come from Surat Thani airport.

By bus : From Bangkok, you should first go to either Surat Thani or Nakhon Si Thammarat. From Nakhon Si Thammarat, you can go to the city bus terminal on Phaniad Rd (with a mototaxi or a Songtaew). I don't know the fare, but it shouldn't be very high, knowing that it's about 60 km, I would say between 40 and 50 Baht, knowing for example that to go Surat Thani-Nakhon Si Thammarat, it costs between 100 and 120 Baht per trip.

To book your transportation to Nakhon Si Thammarat or Surat Thani, you can go through this site.

Bicycles can be rented from Sirindhorn Botanical Garden, located 5 km south of Thung Song centre. The cost for mountain bike rental is 150 baht for the day.