Tha Pom Khlong Song Nam

Open Days: Daily

Opening Hours: 08.30 – 16.30

 

Tha Pom Khlong Song Nam in Krabi Province is a distinctive nature attraction and ecological learning trail in Khao Khram Subdistrict, Mueang Krabi District. Located at Ban Nong Chik, Moo 2, the site is famous for its crystal-clear canal where freshwater from underground springs meets seawater from the Andaman Sea according to the tide cycle. This natural meeting of freshwater and saltwater creates the place known as “Khlong Song Nam”, or the two-water canal. At low tide, freshwater dominates and the canal becomes exceptionally clear, revealing sand, aquatic plants, fish, and submerged tree roots. At high tide, seawater pushes inland, creating brackish water with a green-blue tone and a different atmosphere.

 

The water of Tha Pom begins from underground spring sources around Khao Chong Phra Kaew and the Khao Khram area. It flows through rainforest, freshwater swamp forest, mangrove forest, and eventually toward the Andaman Sea. This short but complex water route makes Tha Pom a natural outdoor classroom. Visitors can observe how freshwater, seawater, limestone minerals, mangrove roots, swamp vegetation, aquatic life, and tidal movement interact in one compact landscape.

 

The name Tha Pom refers to the local canal area, while Khlong Song Nam refers to the canal’s two-water character. Freshwater flows down from spring-fed forest areas, while seawater enters from the mangrove side during high tide. When the two systems meet, the water may become brackish, and its appearance changes throughout the day. Visitors who come at low tide usually see the clearest water, while those who come during tidal influence may see a greenish-blue brackish tone.

 

The main visitor route is a raised wooden nature trail of about 700 meters. It forms a loop through freshwater swamp forest, mangrove forest, and the canal-edge landscape. The boardwalk allows visitors to experience the ecosystem without stepping on fragile roots, wetland soil, or aquatic plants. Along the route are viewpoints, resting areas, photo spots, and sections where the clear water and tangled root systems can be seen closely.

 

The most memorable image of Tha Pom is its emerald-green water with tree roots visible beneath the surface. These roots are not only beautiful; they are part of the forest’s survival system. Plants in wetland and mangrove conditions must adapt to soft soil, brackish water, and changing water levels. Their roots spread, support, breathe, and stabilize the canal banks. The visible root network is therefore both a scenic highlight and an ecological feature.

 

The canal’s clarity is connected with its limestone spring source. Water moving through limestone carries minerals that help suspended particles settle. As the water flows through calm pools, aquatic plants, and root systems, it becomes unusually transparent. Although the water looks clean and inviting, visitors should not drink it. Natural spring water in limestone areas may contain minerals and microorganisms, so it should be enjoyed visually or used only in designated water-play zones.

 

Tha Pom is special because several forest ecosystems exist together in one small area: rainforest, freshwater swamp forest, and mangrove forest. The rainforest protects moisture and upstream water. The freshwater swamp receives the spring-fed flow, while the mangrove forest connects the canal with tidal seawater. When these ecosystems overlap, they create high biodiversity and a rare landscape that can be explored easily from a single boardwalk.

 

Visitors may see plants that tolerate wet soil, brackish water, and tidal changes. Fish and other aquatic life move through the canal according to the tide. Some two-water fish species are especially interesting because they live or feed in zones where freshwater and seawater meet. Watching fish move through clear water between tree roots is one of the most rewarding parts of a visit.

 

Swimming or water play is allowed only in designated areas. Most of the site is a protected wetland and mangrove ecosystem with fragile roots and aquatic plants. Entering the water outside approved zones can damage the root systems, disturb sediment, break plants, and erode the canal bank. The limited water-play area is therefore an important conservation measure, not merely a restriction.

 

The best time to see the clearest water is during low tide, when freshwater flow is more dominant. Those who want to see the green-blue brackish tone should visit when the seawater begins to push in. Visitors who are serious about photography should check the tide table for Krabi or ask local staff before going. Morning to late morning is usually a good time for walking, photography, and avoiding heavy crowds.

 

Tha Pom is suitable for families, photographers, nature lovers, students, and travelers looking for a quieter inland side of Krabi. Families can use the site as a practical lesson in wetlands, mangroves, tides, freshwater, brackish water, and conservation. The walk is relatively easy, but visitors should still move carefully, especially after rain, when wooden surfaces may become slippery.

 

Getting There from Krabi town, take Highway 4 toward Ao Luek, then turn into Khao Khram Subdistrict following signs for Tha Pom. From the turnoff, continue about 5 kilometers to the parking and entrance area. Private car, rental car, taxi, or a chartered vehicle is the most convenient way to visit. Travelers staying around Ao Nang, Khlong Muang, or Ao Thalane can combine Tha Pom with nearby Khao Thong, Ao Thalane, or mangrove-kayaking routes.

 

Visitors should follow the boardwalk, stay within marked areas, avoid stepping into the swamp forest, avoid touching or breaking roots, avoid feeding fish, and never leave trash in the canal or forest. Soap, shampoo, and chemicals must not be used in the water. If entering the designated water-play area, visitors should do so carefully and keep the site clean. The beauty of Tha Pom depends directly on the health of the water and root system.

 

Kayaking may be available in related mangrove areas through permitted local services. Visitors should use only approved routes and follow local guidance because mangrove canals are affected by tides, roots, and water depth. Responsible kayaking allows visitors to experience the mangrove landscape from water level without damaging the ecosystem.

 

Tha Pom also shows how community-based natural resource management can work. The local authority manages entrance fees, the boardwalk, visitor zones, cleanliness, and conservation rules so that people can enjoy the site while the forest and canal remain protected. Visitors who follow the rules help support the long-term care of this freshwater, brackish-water, swamp, and mangrove ecosystem.

 

In summary, Tha Pom Khlong Song Nam is one of Krabi’s most distinctive inland nature attractions. Its highlights include the two-water ecosystem, the 700-meter wooden nature trail, emerald-clear water, underwater roots, freshwater swamp forest, mangrove forest, and the tidal relationship between Khao Khram’s spring water and the Andaman Sea. Visitors should choose the right tide, walk respectfully, stay within marked areas, and help protect the water clarity that makes this place exceptional.

 

 

A: Tha Pom Khlong Song Nam is located at Ban Nong Chik, Moo 2, Khao Khram Subdistrict, Mueang Krabi District, Krabi Province. It is a nature attraction with a clear canal, swamp forest, and mangrove forest.

 

A: It is called Khlong Song Nam because freshwater from underground springs meets seawater from the Andaman Sea in the same canal, creating freshwater, brackish water, and saltwater conditions according to the tide cycle.

 

A: The site is open daily from 08.30 to 16.30. Morning to late morning is generally recommended for easier walking, better light, and clearer water views.

 

A: The listed Thai admission fee is 20 baht for adults and 10 baht for children.

 

A: Water play is allowed only in designated areas because most of the site is a fragile swamp and mangrove ecosystem with sensitive roots and aquatic plants.

 

A: Low tide is best for seeing the clearest freshwater. Incoming tide creates the green-blue brackish-water effect. Visitors should check the Krabi tide schedule or ask local staff before going.

 

A: The raised wooden nature trail is about 700 meters long and loops through freshwater swamp forest, mangrove forest, clear-water pools, and root-viewing areas.

 

A: Visitors should stay on the boardwalk, avoid stepping into swamp areas, avoid damaging roots, avoid feeding fish, avoid leaving trash, avoid using chemicals in the water, and enter the water only in approved areas.