Thong Pha Phum is located 147km from Kanchanaburi, 70km short of Sangkhlaburi and just off Route 323, this small but bustling market town lies nestled under limestone hills at the southern end of Khao Laem Lake. Though it lacks the tourist amenities of Kanchanaburi and the rustic appeal of Sangkhlaburi, it's still an attractively quiet town in an unbelievably beautiful landscape.

Until the construction of Route 323, Thong Pha Phum was a remote outpost of Kanchanaburi province, best known to Thais as one of the last diehard communist strongholds during the 1970s. Nowadays it's better known to the trickle of Thai tourists who stop here for its natural beauty.

Facilities for Western tourists are limited and most of the nearby sights are really best visited from Kanchanaburi or Sangkhlaburi, but some may find that the understated charm of the town make it worth a stopover. If you decide to stay, you'll find a decent range of good value accommodation, and some restaurants offering delicious local fare.

Orientation
Krung Thai Bank in the centre of town has an ATM. The post office is a bit of a walk from the centre on Route 3272, which circles Thong Pha Phum. The local police can be found in the centre of town. The regional tourist office is located near the police station, but they generally only receive Thai visitors so don't speak much English. The hospital is a short walk from the centre of town up the road past Krung Thai Bank.