Tat Mok National Park — Attraction in Phetchabun Province

I notice that a lot of provincial national parks are not at popular as, for example Khao Yai National park. This park is looking a little run down, the roads are not well maintains so that the plant life is encroaching on the road. Building and public structures which were previously in good order are slowly falling apart. This is sad as the park itself is a beautiful place. Its main attractions are Waterfalls although they are set in beautiful valleys and mountains. The Tak Mok and Song Nang water falls are at the end of a jungle walk. You need decent footwear to take this walk and will be crossing the water course in numerous occasions too. It is well worth the walk although I should also warn that the path is not always clearly defined and the water crossings need some thought. It is worth the walk to get to the falls. The Song Nang falls are smaller of the two. You can cross the base of the falls and climb up one tier of them to get closer. The Tak Mok falls are the higher falls and require a further walk of about 10-15 minutes depending on how fit you are. There is a climb to them but again it is worth it; care should be taking coming back down – so take your time please. These are cliff falls and as you approach them expect to see lots of rainbow colours emanating from the wall. I was here in December so the rains had stopped but there was plenty of water running out of the hills. I would assume that going here during the dry season would mean that you would see little water from the falls and would only appreciate the jungle walk through. That said this park is beautiful. The drive through the park takes you through valleys and you climb up and over hills and descend back down through...

Beautiful nature. The waterfall is a treat. However to get there is a trek. I would say the hike is medium+. What makes it more challenging is that you have to cross the river many times in zig zag in order to ascend. Also passing rocky areas. Even though there's a lot of water involved, wearing proper hiking shoes with a good sole grip is the best. Even if the get wet. As there's a lot of sharp rocks and wearing flip flops would not be protective for your toes and feet. If not having hiking shoes, at best use Crocs shoes with toe coverage and a band in the heal so the foot doesn't slip. There's also 2 waterfalls near each other one is lower both in altitude and the height of the waterfall, and the other one is much higher up to reach it. We went to the higher up. For this one the hike is trickier. For sure this is not a hike to go with small kids (unless you are very experienced) or for persons with some physical challenges as it can be strenuous. It took us about 1.5 hours to go up, at a decent speed. Do also give yourself plenty of time, meaning don't go up if it's already mid afternoon as it would get dark and can easily get lost. The paths are not very clear. And the forest is in its own rather dark with lots of shade. If it's already 2 or 3 pm might be best not to go all the way to...

Foreign price to enter is many more times the price Thais pay.

Despite this almost all signage is in thai only? Why am I paying more for a worse service?

Nobody tells you at the entrance that the waterfall is closed. The first time you realise is once you have driven 10-15km inside the park and are confronted with a barrier. There needs to be a big sign at the entrance clearly communicating this. But let's be honest it should not be closed at all. A lot of water in a waterfall is a good thing. Just ban swimming, no need to close the whole area.

The nature trail which starts from near the barrier is completely overgrown - no maintenance - impossible to follow after 10 metres.

So it seems the only thing left to do in the park is the chom dao viewpoint. Why charge full price if most things are not accessible?

Seems like a lovely park but let down by mismanagement as well as the entrance fee xenophobia and discrimination that exists in every thai...