Thung Kha Bay Mangrove Forest Nature Trail

 

Location: 10.356835,99.232003

Thung Kha Bay Mangrove Forest Nature Trail is 24 km south of Chumphon by way road No. 4119 and 4017. 

It is part of the Mu Ko Chumphon National Park (actually a Marine Park).

There is an entrance charge which is 40 Baht for Thia's and 200 Baht for Foreigners, with children at half price. Parking costs 30 Baht.

To help understand the mangrove ecosystem a nature trail has been built consisting of a boardwalk stretching for over 1 kilometer. The boardwalk starts at the carpark. 

This first section of mangrove trees has actually been farmed and is not naturally occurring. This picture was taken shortly after the trees were planted.

As you walk along the boardwalk you will come to the Visitor Centre where there are information boards explaining about the forest and the park (all in Thai). From the Visitor Centre the boardwalk takes you to the suspension bridge over Tha Jorake Canal.

Take care the bridge is a little wobbly but you have a nice view from it.

On the opposite side of the bridge the boardwalk continues along the bank of the canal.

The boardwalk ends near the estuary to the sea.

Either side of the bridge walkways take you into the mangrove which looks to be naturally occurring here.

At the entrance to the forest can be found the observation platform.

And this model of a whale shark for that instagram moment.

Please note we have not visited since June 2014 so have updated this blog based upon pictures found on the net. Reluctance to revisit due to being charged 5 times that of a Thai. Kindly comment below if this has now changed.