A dam between river and reservoir

The Vajiralongkorn Dam holds back the Khwae Noi in Tambon Tha Khanun, Amphoe Thong Pha Phum. Its reservoir extends across Amphoe Thong Pha Phum and Sangkhla Buri. Two scales meet here: the direct intervention in the river’s course and a body of water that extends beyond the boundaries of a single district. The dam was formerly called Khao Laem Dam and is Thailand’s first rock-fill dam with a reinforced concrete facing. Along with its connection to the water, this construction gives the site a distinct technical character. The route to the dam follows Highway 323 and the Thong Pha Phum–Sangkhla Buri road; check road conditions before setting out. A cycling route and a grass slide are listed as two of the dam’s ten check-in spots.

Mountain ranges, waterways and caves

Thong Pha Phum National Park lies partly within Amphoe Thong Pha Phum, and complex mountain ranges shape its landscape. Several streams originate in the park and flow into Vajiralongkorn Reservoir and the Khwae Noi. The national park is also home to numerous wild animals. Lam Khlong Ngu National Park is also located in the district. Its biodiverse forests are home to a wide variety of plant and animal life. The two national parks thus offer contrasting natural features: mountain terrain and spring water in Thong Pha Phum, and forest diversity in Lam Khlong Ngu.

A notable feature of Lam Khlong Ngu is the Pillar Cave. It contains a limestone pillar about 62.5 meters high, and a stream flows through the cave. You should hire a park guide every time you visit the caves in Lam Khlong Ngu National Park. Good physical fitness and equipment for hiking and wading are also required. Check current access conditions before traveling. A guide, good fitness and suitable equipment are therefore all part of planning a cave visit.

Waterfalls with different features

Srinakarin Dam National Park includes Pha Tad Waterfall and offers opportunities for hiking in nature. Its natural pool is suitable for swimming, and water conditions vary seasonally. Jok Kradin Waterfall is also in a national park in the district: in Tambon Pilok, it plunges over a 30-meter-high rock face in Thong Pha Phum National Park. Water conditions here may also vary seasonally. The two waterfalls therefore differ in the features described: Pha Tad has a natural swimming pool, while Jok Kradin is defined by its plunge over the rock face.

Pilok and Tha Khanun: history and culture

E-Tong (Pilok Mine) is a former mining community in Tambon Pilok and is now a major tourist attraction in Amphoe Thong Pha Phum. In the same area, Noen Chang Suek viewpoint is 1,053 meters above sea level. Wat Tha Khanun in Tha Khanun offers a different focus: the temple features a Buddha footprint and Phra Buddha Chedi, and a Burmese-style pagoda stands on a hill. Nearby, a suspension bridge crosses the Khwae Noi and offers views of Thong Pha Phum. As bridge conditions can change, check the current situation before visiting.

As a contrast to the river and waterfalls, the natural Hin Dat Hot Spring is also worth visiting. It is located near Ban Kuimang in Tambon Hin Dat, and its water temperature is about 45 to 55 °C. Thus, Amphoe Thong Pha Phum offers not only a reservoir, caves and waterfalls, but also a natural spring with its own distinctive temperature range.

Discover more destinations: Tha Kha-Nun, Chalae, Nong Prue District, Amphoe Mueang Kanchanaburi, Sai Yok, Bo Phloi District

For the main travel overview: Kanchanaburi.