I'm awake at dawn as normal and open my laptop hoping for good news. What happens next is distressing, as Chelsea have been humiliated at Elland Road. It's not an ideal start to the day as I busy myself preparing a breakfast consisting of toasted sandwiches and coffee. I'm trying to take it easy under medical advice, but today holds more opportunity to explore this remarkable district of Thai Mueang, which is turning out to be one of the best I've visited. Four more attractions are on my wish list, but I decide to get the hospital visit out of the way first.
These injections at the naval hospital at Lam Kaen are becoming routine now, taking less than an hour. I'm quite impressed with the prominently male medical staff who are well trained to deal with minor cases. With another late start this morning, it's midday before we add to our attractions list. We take the short journey to Thap Lamu Pier, where we were last night. Now, in daylight we can better appreciate the importance of this pier.
While few people will remember the name Thap Lamu Pier, the Similan Islands are in the minds of everyone who visits this part of Thailand. 'Exotic' and 'paradise' are words often used to describe these islands, but they lie 65 kilometres offshore so they are expensive to visit. You need to have a good reason to go, and that usually means reef diving or snorkeling. Thap Lamu is the closest port to these islands, and the facility offers choices for enthusiasts. There are day trips, but the only practical transport is by speedboat. For those who wish to stay on the island, there are several options for package tours. Boat operators to Similan tend to use agents based in the popular tourist areas of Phuket or Khao Lak.
Their tours included pick-ups from your hotel. Surprisingly, agents don't have offices at this pier, but then few tourists would stay in Lam Kaen, as this lies outside the tourist belt. One thing I do find out is that local boatmen do take tourists out island hopping, but these islands are much closer to the shore. The best way to hire a boat is to talk directly with local boat owners. With one of today's boxes ticked, we head south, following the same route as yesterday morning.
While the coastline of Thai Mueang district is gorgeous, it's useful to remember there is a mountainous hinterland too. While some of the high peaks are worth visiting, you would need a lot more time than I have. I must be content today with waterfalls.
We continue along HWY 4, where the first waterfall of note is Khanim Waterfall. This waterfall is easy to reach, just a kilometre from the main road. I read that it was free to visit, but there is a Park staff member issuing tickets. I'm surprised until I realise that the ticket is valid for all the remaining attractions I wish to visit today. This waterfall is a large, multi-tiered waterfall, nestled in dense jungle and ideal for nature lovers. The area supports rich wildlife, including over 188 bird species like the black-thighed falconet and red junglefowl. Very few foreign visitors come here. Those who do arrive by songthaew (converted pickup truck) from Khao Lak. Not too far away is another waterfall.
Lampi Waterfall is further off the main road and is much more popular with dedicated parking, toilets, and some catering. The latter we don't need after we found a quiet restaurant on the road leading up to the falls. Lampi Waterfall is a beautiful and visitor-friendly waterfall in Khao Lampi-Hat Thai Mueang National Park. Access is easy via a concrete path. A pedestrian-only suspension bridge crosses the stream, giving access to a higher level. Lampi Waterfall is a single-drop waterfall plunging about 40-50 metres into a large, clear natural pool surrounded by lush rainforest. A few dozen people are here today enjoying some southern sunshine around the pool.
It's still only 2:30 PM, and that is perfect for our last visit today, retracing our route yesterday. As we pass through Thai Mueang town, we turn back towards Thai Mueang Beach and along the tree-lined road we took yesterday. On that occasion we arrived at the Khao Lampi-Hat Thai Mueang National Park office. Today we are prepared to have a look inside. From the checkpoint, it's over 5 kilometres more before the road ends, blocked by Khao Na Yak, a mountain on a headland that forms the seaward side of the Thung Maphrao Estuary opposite Thap Lamu port, which we were at earlier. Once inside the park, you notice the difference, as the entrance fee is enough to preserve the area from commercialism and allow park staff to preserve the nature and ecology of the park. Cabins are available to allow overnight stays in the park, and there is an area for tents and camper vans. I need to say little more than this park is phenomenal. The access road is separated from the beach by tall pine trees, allowing a welcome escape from the heat. The beach is pristine, kept free from debris accumulated on the beach.
Within this park there are a few features. Of note are the remains of tin dredging. Tin mining along the Phang Nga and Phuket coastline was at its height in the 19th and 20th centuries but became uneconomic. There is abandoned machinery and workings here in the park. There are some other interesting features here, but you need a suitable 4 X 4 vehicle or to walk for 3 kilometres along Khao Na Yak Beach. Notable are the savannah grass fields and the rocky coves of Khao Na Yak.
At 4.00 PM, I have to call it a day. It's been another great day for travelling along this magnificent coastline. The park officially closes for day visitors at 4:30 PM. I'm not alone in wanting to extend the time here as long as I can. I plant a camping chair facing the ocean and fall asleep. It's that sort of place. All too soon we must head back and stop at the night market food stalls set up along the Thai Mueang Beach road. Here we can buy something to take back and eat in the room. We just need another stop at 7-Eleven to add something for breakfast tomorrow, and this visit to Phang Nga is all but over. Tomorrow we start our way back, but this tour isn't finished yet.

Source: Visit