Panoenthung entry Nov 1

Baan Krang will open on October 1st this year, rather than the usual November 1st.

Just announced by KKNP - Panoenthung will be open again in October. More details to follow.

Latest is may be delayed for general public. Conflicting messages. Wait and see. CONFIRMED NOVEMBER 1ST

My last meeting with the park indicated that whilst Panoenthung would open, Thor Thip would not and that area would remain a research area. I suppose the first person going up will be able to report back on the actual situation. If you do go up in October, spray well if staying overnight as the kun fly were terrible when I visited a month ago.

It has been confirmed that Panoenthung will open on November 1st.

Private vehicles allowed but MUST be 4WD.

Opening will be to KM 33 only. After 33 is research area. Not know if you can enter to walk yet or not.

Local vendors are being registered to provide transport services to take day trippers up if they have a 4WD, legal vehicle and correct insurance.

The actual announcement (which has a few more details/complications like prior booking) ...

End of waiting 1 November 2021 💚🌿✨ Announcement to open Khao Phanoen Thung tourist attraction 🏕🏔🌿 Who misses him? At the same time, there are still a few days left...Prepare to pack your bags and go out to see the beautiful sea of ​​mist and feel the cold weather that makes your heart tremble. And watch the first light from the sunrise in the morning 🌞✨ The tourists who wish to travel to the area of ​​Kaeng Krachan National Park. Must comply with the following travel rules 1. Tourists who will enter the Kaeng Krachan National Park Must comply with the measures to prevent the spread of communicable diseases of the Ministry of Public Health. and follow the measures to prevent the epidemic of Phetchaburi Province and follow the rules for vaccination prescribed by Kaeng Krachan National Park 1.1 Astra Zeneca vaccination 1 dose not less than 14 days 1.2 Astra Zeneca injection complete 2 needles 1.3 Sinovac 2 injections 1.4 Mixed vaccination (Sinovac 1st dose and Astra Zeneca 2nd dose) 1.5 Other brands of vaccines shall be as prescribed by the Ministry of Public Health. 1.6 Tourists who have not been vaccinated Must have test results with ATK kit or RT-PCR method, duration not more than 72 hours (tourists can check from home with photos or video clips of the SWAB and a photo along with the results). 1.7 For persons under the age of 12, they can enter if their parents have received the required vaccines. 2. Tourists must wear a mask or cloth mask. all the time in the area of ​​Kaeng Krachan National Park 3. Tourists entering the area of ​​Kaeng Krachan National Park Must register to visit the national park through the QueQ application or register by the form at Kaeng Krachan National Park Determine and register in-out of Kaeng Krachan National Park through the application, Thai wins in all cases. without concealing information or providing any other information that is completely false 4. Limit the number of tourists not to exceed the maximum that the area can accommodate. By stipulating the rules for using a 4x4 driving vehicle that is a public service or a community service under registration or control according to the regulations of Kaeng Krachan National Park. For transport services up to the hill country, which has a maximum number of tourists according to the capacity of Kaeng Krachan National Park. In the area of ​​Khao Phanoen Thung by stipulating round-trip 500 people and 150 overnight stays and stipulating that cars must have more than 2 passengers to be allowed. to reduce the number of cars that go up the hill 5. Tourists must comply with social distancing measures DMHTT = Distancing (Stay away) Mask wearing (wear for love) Hand washing (wash hands) Testing (check quickly) ThaiChana (use Thai wins and Doctor Chana) and strictly follow the orders of the officials 6. Going up and down Phanoen Thung Hill - Morning round 05.00 - 09.00 (start counting time at Ban Krang) Down 10.00 - 12.00 *For this round, must go - return only * - Afternoon round 13.00 - 15.00 *For overnight stay only* 7. In the case of tourists bringing their own personal cars Call or contact the service center. to inquire the number of tourists first every time *Limited to 4 wheel drive vehicles only *Limited to 2 people/car *Limited to the afternoon session For overnight stay only If you have any further questions, you can ask for more information at Kaeng Krachan National Park Phone number 032 772 311🏡☎️ #Kaeng Krachan National Park # Kaeng Krachan, a natural world heritage site #The 6th World Heritage Site of Thailand and the 3rd Natural World Heritage Site of Thailand #Phanern Thung New normal 😷

 

Did you have to do any prebooking, or did you just turn up? Is it as difficult as others were stating last month?

Sounds like they have made it too complicated for the average Joe. What a messy affair. I also heard you could not stop on the way up as well? I have not been for a long time (nothing to do with the park - too busy with other life issues). Because I have not been I have not got any up to date info but last night I was told that one of my favourite rangers there lost the will to live and sadly took his own life.

In August I was told by the Chief the road to Thor Thip will not open as its now considered a research area due to the amount of wildlife that started showing there after the closure. I can attest to that, it became cat city. Sad to not open that section but I fully understand their wishes to keep that area free of regular disturbances. 

 

It seems like they have no problems allowing people walk the road towards Thorthip. I know many who have done and got permission from the rangers. 
Stopping on the road between km18 and Panoen Thung is unfortunately not allowed. 
But walking out of Panoen Thung camp in the direction of Ban Krang is fine.

And enforcement is non-existent. Most of the time there is no rangers at the km18 gate. Worst thing that can happen is a jealous registered driver to complain.
Perhaps driving up as a private car in the morning will be a bit harder to do. But there is definitely nobody going to stop you from driving up in the afternoon and then drive back down that same late afternoon. And if you leave a bit late to be the last one, there is also nobody going to complain/know if you stop on the road. With the many black leopard sightings recently on that stretch of the road, that is likely to be an interesting activity for the serious naturalist.
At least they have been upholding the visitor cap somewhat. Still feels pretty crowded up there, especially with all the restrictions making it harder for people to travel beyond the actual campground. 

Also within the club of registered drivers rules are still changing. 
So far every registered driver could find his/her own guests. So the drivers with the best contacts/ "marketing skills" would get most work. Advantage for the 'consumer' was that at least you can book your own favorite driver (for as far as you have one, haha). 
Unfortunately at the moment they seem to plan to shift to an actual queue system where all bookings need to be made through one point and then simply the next driver on the list gets the job. Just like in Kui Buri, or the Khao Yai night safari where that has already proven to be really annoying when someone a bit more interested in nature gets into the vehicle of a formula 1 driver wannabe.

But anyway, at least if you like to go camping up at Panoen Thung, it is easy to do with your own car.

Also, all the rangers seem to dislike these new rules, so they are not likely going to cause you any trouble. They see it was poorly thought out, and honestly actually not a benefit for anyone. The sea of mist drivers had more than plenty of work prior the road closure 3 years ago. And no doubt that amount of work would only increase especially if this pandemic settles down.
I am not sure where the money goes to, but the registered drivers pay to the club. So perhaps someone will benefit, but then again, it is also a full-time task running the bookings for that whole club. 
The only thing it really did is complicate things for those who are the most interested in nature. But anyway, it is still worth visiting, you just need to make a camping trip out of it.