Warning signs of illness do not always make themselves known. When the illness I had returned, I fell into a cycle of suffering for quite some time. After treatment and recovery, the symptoms of depression and bipolar disorder subsided. I remembered that when we go into the forest, we encounter trees and fresh air, and nature truly heals everything. So I decided to ask my girlfriend's permission to travel alone, as she had to work...

This trip, I spent a long time looking for a place to go that was peaceful, shady, and suitable for tourism and making reviews. I finally decided to go to Sukhothai because it has the "Ramkhamhaeng National Park", also known as "Khao Luang Sukhothai".

I departed from Nakhon Ratchasima Bus Terminal 2 at approximately 8:30 PM.

The journey required a transfer in Phitsanulok to reach Sukhothai, as there were no direct buses from Korat. The travel time was approximately 6-7 hours, resulting in an arrival time around 2:00 AM.

The vehicle is a small, open-air truck with a width of approximately half a meter. It has a screen for passengers to watch content during the journey. The question is whether they can watch it at this time. The answer is no, they are sleeping.

The bus arrived in Phitsanulok on schedule. I hopped on a connecting bus to Sukhothai for 50 baht, a journey of about an hour. Upon arrival in Sukhothai, I faced a dilemma: how to reach the historical park. As I stepped off the bus, a motorbike taxi driver approached, offering a ride for 350 baht. The park was about 30 kilometers away, and this seemed cheaper than taking another bus and then a taxi. Without hesitation, I hopped on the motorbike and sped off towards the park.

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Arriving at the destination around 5:10 AM, the restaurant was not yet open, so I had to wait for a while until after 6:00 AM when a convenience store staff member arrived.

The wind was extremely strong during my visit, so much so that it was cold. I huddled up to avoid the wind until the restaurant opened, at which point I was finally able to have breakfast.

After finishing their meal, visitors wait for the park officials to open the entrance at 8:00 AM to pay the entrance fee and enter the park.

Upon arrival, I encountered an immediate challenge. The two-person tent I had intended to rent lacked a waterproof flysheet, leaving me vulnerable to the elements during the rainy season. The staff informed me that a waterproof tent required an upgrade to a three-person model, resulting in a price increase. Ironically, the three-person tents were located indoors, sheltered from the rain. Despite my inquiries, I was denied the option of setting up the tent outdoors. Consequently, I opted for the three-person tent with a sleeping mat, incurring a total cost of 490 baht for two nights.

After paying the entrance fee, we immediately headed towards the "Suam Haeng Khwam La" arch, determined to conquer the mountain peak within 3-4 hours, as many reviewers had suggested. (Wink emoji) Note: Porters are available for hire here, but tourists should contact the park in advance to arrange this service. However, for this trip, I carried everything myself, so I'm unsure of the per-kilogram rate.

Upon seeing the steep ascent and taking a few tentative steps, my initial goal shifted. Unlike the gentle slopes of Phu Kradueng, this mountain presented a formidable challenge with its sheer, unrelenting incline. The only objective became reaching the summit, regardless of the time it took.

Unlike Phukradueng, there are no convenience stores here. Instead, there are small rest stops with benches for hikers to take breaks. There are also water tanks with clean drinking water (although some may have sediment, so it's best to check before drinking).

The journey continues, and the conditions become increasingly challenging. The steep incline leaves us breathless and weary. The path ahead remains arduous, and the weight of the camera becomes unbearable. We rely solely on the GoPro camera to capture the remaining moments.

The climb is punctuated by stunning views, offering moments of respite to recharge and admire the scenery.

After carrying the backpack and walking until I started to feel tired, I realized that I should have hired a porter. I wondered if the view from the top would be worth the tiring climb. It was a long and tiring 4 km. While I was feeling discouraged, I wasn't completely alone, as I met 6 new friends during this journey.

Upon reaching the summit, I didn't waste any time. I went straight to collect my belongings and took a refreshing shower to cool down before melting away with sweat. It was tiring, what can I do? Due to the rain, I slept so soundly that I forgot to take pictures of the tent. 5555+ I sincerely apologize for this. If I have the chance in the future, I will go back and take some pictures to make up for it. Hehe.

After a short nap, I was awakened by the people I met on the trail and invited to join them for a meal. I had only brought instant noodles, assuming there would be more food options available. However, the only food available for purchase was dried goods, requiring campers to cook their own meals using rented stoves and gas canisters for 150 baht. Fortunately, the other campers took pity on me and provided a generous feast, ensuring I wouldn't go hungry.

After finishing our meal, the heavens opened up, as if by divine intervention, allowing us to walk to the Pha Narai viewpoint. Our guides highly recommended it, claiming its beauty was unparalleled. With such a glowing endorsement, how could we resist? So, we set off on our journey.

The journey to various points of interest remains uphill, but the distance is not too far. From the campsite to Pha Narai, it is only 200 meters away (but it is a 200-meter uphill climb). It is advisable to choose good walking shoes as the path is steep and slippery. I almost had to take off my shoes to walk.

The view from here is truly breathtaking, just as they say. However, the wind is incredibly strong, almost blowing me away despite my small stature.

We apologize for the lack of clarity in the video, as it was filmed using a GoPro due to intermittent rain and the humidity of the passing fog, which made it difficult to handle a camera.

The mist and the cool breeze filled me with joy, but my ears were ringing and my legs were heavy with fatigue. I returned to my tent and fell asleep immediately. This place is perfect for a relaxing walk, and there's no need to worry about blood-sucking leeches. Although it's a humid forest, there's no sign of the slimy, bloodthirsty creatures.

On the morning of the 2nd...

The sound of the clock mingled with the sound of snoring.

I woke up at 4:30 AM. When my ears were fully functional, I heard the sound of light rain. I thought to myself, "Here we go again! I won't be able to see the view again!" So I tried to go back to sleep amidst the sound of the clock, snoring, and the sound of the rain singing in unison.

After a short nap, I was awakened by the sound of the alarm clock again. However, it wasn't the sound of my usual alarm clock. I opened my eyes and checked my phone. It was 5:00 AM. The rain had stopped. It was time to go see the first light of the day. I got up and went to wait for the members of my team, The Avengers (who saved my life by giving me food and water 55555+), to go see the first light together.

Nature's Enchantment: A Moment of Tranquility at Pha Narai

The first rays of dawn at Pha Narai dispelled all worries, leaving only a sense of awe. The mesmerizing dance of wind and mist cast a spell, holding me captive in its ethereal embrace. The slow-moving clouds, illuminated by the sun's gentle rays, painted a scene that no photograph could capture.

This experience serves as a reminder of nature's unparalleled ability to soothe the soul and inspire wonder. The fleeting beauty of the sunrise at Pha Narai offers a glimpse into the transformative power of nature, reminding us to cherish each moment and find solace in its embrace.

Many recommend that this is a must-see. Especially if it rains at night and you wake up to stars in the morning (as instructed by Team Leader The Avenger), it means you are about to encounter a spectacular sea of mist. So, don't forget to pay close attention, or you'll miss out!

After being mesmerized by the stunning scenery and feeling the chill of the cold air, I returned to the camp and had breakfast with the team. Feeling a sense of belonging and gratitude for their hospitality, I decided to join them as a follower. With a chuckle, I thought to myself, "Since I've already entrusted my well-being to them, why not tag along?"

Today's mission for the team is to visit all the cliffs. We will travel from Khao Chedi to Phu Ka, then descend through Mae Ya before finishing at Pha Chomprong (apologies if I missed any spots, but we did visit them all).

We trudged wearily through Khao Chedi, where the only way was up, leaving our legs aching. However, the occasional mist and cool breeze provided some encouragement.

We took a break to admire the view before continuing our journey. At this point, the bulky camera was barely used, leaving only the trusty GoPro to capture almost everything, as it was impossible to hold anything else.

The path leads us to continue walking with difficulty. Fortunately, we have a good leader like P'Ek, who has been here for the 6th time. So I feel comfortable leaving my life with P'Ek 5555+. Seeing this sign almost made me faint. I walked until I was about to die. In the end, there was only 1 kilometer left! OMGGGG!!!

After accumulating fatigue and exhaustion for some time, we passed thousands of trees, not including the leeches that were constantly crawling up our legs, making them tired. Finally, we arrived at our lunch break spot, Phu Ga.

The view here is breathtaking.

The journey here was well worth it. The view is truly spectacular, and the mist swirling around us makes us feel like we're flying. It's an incredible experience.

Lost in the moment until my stomach growled... Oh! It's lunchtime already! ... Luckily, thanks to the kind hospitality of Team Ek, this lunch with a beautiful view is the perfect combination.

They dispersed to find suitable places to have lunch and fill their stomachs, saving their energy for the walk back.

A luxurious restaurant is surpassed by the experience of enjoying a delicious lunch amidst the scenic beauty of the mist. Truly blissful!

It was time to return to our final destination via Mae Ya before the sun set. We felt a pang of regret as we looked at the weather and realized that we would probably not see the sunset today. The clouds were already starting to gather again.

Approaching the helipad, the team took a commemorative photo of The Avengers to cherish the memory.

The last rays of sunlight fade at Pha Chomprong, but the impression remains.

Day 3

The last day before the return trip...

Waking up in the morning with the thought of whether to go see the sunrise at Pha Chomprong as a farewell. Because there are more and more people, the atmosphere of going to see the panoramic view will not be very private. But in my heart, I wanted to take a risk because I thought that most people would go to Pha Narai. So we should go to Pha Chomprong instead...

As anticipated, I embarked on a solo journey to Pha Charoen Prang, arriving as the first and only visitor. The solitude was palpable, bordering on eerie.

The sea of mist and the first light of dawn complement each other perfectly. We sat and enjoyed the view for a long time until Ek and the Avengers escaped the crowds.

After watching the mist drift away and the sun gradually rise until it was bright in our eyes, it was time to prepare for our return journey. We arranged with Team Ek to descend around 9:00 AM. Since our good fortune had not yet run out, Team Ek offered to drop us off at the Phitsanulok Transportation Center, saving us the hassle of finding further transportation. Note: They were returning to Bangkok via that route.

Payment successful. Ticket issued. Bus departs at 01:00 AM.

...bidding farewell to the Avengers team and expressing gratitude for the wonderful camaraderie they shared, before parting ways...

The next problem I faced was how to wait without dying of boredom at the bus station. Since it wasn't even 3 pm when I arrived, I decided to rent a room nearby for 350 baht so I could rest and avoid further physical discomfort. ...

The trip concluded successfully, arriving in Korat at 7:30 AM, officially marking the end of this journey.

...What I gained from this journey was not just the healing power of nature, but also the deep friendships that everyone generously offered. It was a taste of adventure and travel that no one who hasn't experienced it can truly understand. The lesson I learned from this experience is that we never know what life will throw our way, but we can prepare ourselves for it...

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#khao luang sukhothai#sukhothai#national park#thailand#bus
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