Tha Phom Klong Song Nam, Krabi
WHAT do you get when you mix salt and plain water?
Well, brackish water, water that has a lower salt content yet salty enough to kill certain species of fish and other fresh water microorganism. The area is known as estuary. It has its own set of habitat, with its own ecosystem.
The level of salt content in the water actually would depend on the tide. During high tide it means the water will go upstream.
But during lowtide, the water will flow into the sea, causing the salt level in the river to go lower. Obviously the salinity level is higher on the coastal area compare to higher inland.
This is one of functions of the mangrove trees – to filter the salinity in the water. The roots of the mangrove trees will absorb the salt and filter it before releasing the clearer water, minus the salt, to be carried out inland during the high-tide. (Amazing isn’t it?)
Most of the time, the condition of the water in estuary is quite muddy with high turbidity, usually from the sediment flowing in from the upstream.
But in Klong Song Nam, Krabi, it is totally opposite.
It is crystal clear – despite its location near the sea.
Can you imagine turquois-coloured water, allowing you to see to the bed of the river and watch angel fish swim freely while nibbling on the green algae on the rocks inside the water?
And this is no human made – or regulated. Au naturale!
Khlong Song Nam in Thai literally means "two water canal", because of its special feature location where crystal clear freshwater, which the pool’s floor and the roots of Lumphi palm (Eleiodoxa conferta) are virtually visible, meets seawater from the mangrove forest. Basically it is where the fresh water from the hill meets with the salty, sea water.
The Klong Song Nam, is located in Moo 2, Baan Nongjit, Khao Khram Sub-district, Muang District, Krabi Province. Only 100 metres from the car park you will find the amazingly clear waters which allow sight of this underwater world. The fresh water is high in dissolved limestone which inhibits the formation of precipitates so that the water truly sparkles in the sunlight, as it flows between the mangrove-lined banks.
The local authorities have constructed a wooden walkway around six hundred acres of the forest so that visitors can experience their beautiful surroundings without damaging them. The walkway is about two metres above the ground and takes about 45 minutes to walk round.
There are signboards along the trail which give information about the different species of animals and plants which occupy this ecological system.
The canal is a fascinating microcosm of Thailand’s forest areas.
Visitors will first encounter the mangrove wetlands with their characteristic tortuous tangle of surface roots but this gives way to the rarely found fresh water swamp forest with small trees and sparse vegetation. This in turn yields to typical rain forest with lush tree growths and shaded paths.
Further on past the prohibited area (Tha Pom Swamp) is the Chong Phra Keaw swamp which is a 40 metre wide expanse where the sea and fresh water actually meet. The waters on the land side are fed via a limestone cave network.
It is a fascinating area.
It is a fascinating area.
Perhaps the best way to enjoy the reserve is by canoe. This offers unparalleled and silent access to all the wildlife which inhabits the banks and waters of this unique water paradise.
Visitors can also observe the exact confluence where the clear fresh flows encounter the detritus heavy sea water. There are small fishing villages along the banks of the canal and by canoe one can observe a way of life which has continued essentially unchanged, for hundreds of years. If you are extremely lucky you may get to take your pick of the day’s catch.
Canoes can be rented for 100 baht an hour or for 700 baht a day – depending on your stamina! The pick-up point is for canoes is near the entrance and the canal can take you all the way to the Andaman Sea via the Klong Palee (Palee canal) 3 kilometres further on.
The place is indeed, a beautiful area to visit. Five kilometers in length, it is unique for its outstandingly clear waters and its location on the tideline.
To get there from Krabi town take the Krabi-Ao Luk road (Highway 4) and turn right at the Pom Khao Khram intersection after five kilometres. The route is signposted all the way.
Car parking is available at 20 baht per car. Restaurants and souvenir shops are adjacent to the parking area. The admission fee for adults is 50 baht: children 30 baht.
In order to preserve the pristine environment food and beverages are prohibited. There is even signboards saying that one should not throw soap or oily contaminants in the canal, jump into the water or swimming.
Since the place is considered as sacred to the locals and some of them go there to meditate, visitors are recommended not to make a lot of noise.
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