I started off posting these on the travel forum but have since found this one so will continue here.
Chaloem Ratanakosin National Park.
This small national park of 59 square kilometers it is officially in Kanchanaburi province and is best accessed from Kanchanaburi if you are coming from BKK or south.
At the major intersection north of Knachanaburi go straight ahead on to road 3199 then take a right turn onto road 3086 then a left turn (sign posted) on to road 3480 which leads to the park. From the north take the Utai Thani road 333 and follow it down to the turn off to 3086 then on to 3048. From anywhere else you will have to work it out yourself same as I did.
This park is best known for its caves the first of which winds its way up a stream and is quite popular and interesting with bats and a unique frog which barks like a dog. This cave is the only access to the part of the forest that is mostly visited and a good track of around 2 km goes from there up to a large cave at the top of the hill, the last part of this track consists of steep stairways which are a serious challenge for the unfit. There are a couple of waterfalls up this track and places where people swim.
It would seem that it can be quite daunting for some up that track as last time we were there we came across a group of young people with worried looks on their faces gazing at their phones muttering that there was no Facebook access.
There is a dirt road to another waterfall they call the ‘slider waterfall’ (one guess) which can be driven up in a reasonable sized car or pickup. There is also another road to a waterfall in the heart of the park that has always been closed off when we have been there, a situation which makes me want to go see what’s up there.
Interesting bird life both round the camping ground, up the track through the cave and the road to the slider waterfall, also monkeys to be seen at times.
There is a good camping ground with good toilets and several good houses for rent all with mains power.
The park staff are very keen not to lose anyone and keep a check on who goes up and comes down the track into the cave which is only opened at 8am and closed at 4.30pm. Staff patrol the track in the afternoon to make sure everyone is out by closing time, they also have staff stationed at the slider waterfall.
More Info at: National Park of Thailand, Online Reservation National Park of Thailand, Forest Park of Thailand, Thailand National Park, Thailand Forest Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department, Royal Forest Department
A couple of the birds :
Blue-whistling Thrush
Chinese Sparrowhawk