🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
When people talk about the "Chumphon tree tunnel," they actually mean two places on opposite sides of the province. The first is the pine tunnel on the coastal road in Pak Nam Chumphon, near Khao Matsee — a natural stretch of road where the pines on both sides have grown until their branches curve in to meet overhead in a green canopy. Drive through and it feels like passing under an arch of leaves. The other is Baan OuadChum, a seaside treehouse cafe in Pathio district designed around big trees. This guide covers both, plus nearby stops you can string together into a single trip.
The Pine Tunnel on the Pak Nam Chumphon Coastal Road
The main spot for the tree tunnel is on the coastal road in Pak Nam Chumphon, around the foot of Khao Matsee in Pak Nam subdistrict, Mueang Chumphon district. This is a row of sea pines planted along both sides of the road years ago, and now that they've grown to full height the branches lean in and meet over the middle of the road in a long tunnel. Drive or cycle through and it feels noticeably shadier and cooler than out in the open. It's a new landmark that Pak Nam locals love bringing people to photograph, about 15 min from Chumphon town.
- Location — the coastal road in Pak Nam Chumphon at the foot of Khao Matsee, Pak Nam subdistrict, Mueang Chumphon (search the map for "Khao Matsee Viewpoint," then follow the coastal road)
- Best time to shoot — early morning, when the low sun streams through the leaves, or late afternoon before dusk for soft light and fewer people than midday
- Entry fee — none, it's a public road; you can park on the shoulder to shoot, but watch for oncoming traffic
- Time needed — 20–30 min is plenty to grab the tunnel shot and the sea view right beside it
Straight talk before you go
This is a working road that locals actually use, with cars passing the whole time — it's not a closed lot where you can stand in the middle for long. Time your shots, check both directions first, and don't linger in the lane. In the rainy season the trees get dense and the surface turns slippery. If you really want good light, come morning or evening and skip midday, when the sun is overhead and hot.
Want more out of Chumphon? Book tours & activities
Booking online ahead on Klook or GetYourGuide is usually cheaper than the gate and skips the queue. Pick only the experiences you actually want — prices and availability are shown live on each site.
Touring Pak Nam by Local Saleng Three-Wheeler
The charm of the Pak Nam side is that you can see it the community way. Locals run saleng (sidecar three-wheelers) that take you around several spots in Pak Nam Chumphon in one loop — the pine tunnel, the viewpoint, and the fishing way of life. The ride runs about 300 THB per vehicle, seats around 3 people, and takes roughly 2 hours. It's an easy way to get around and chat with locals along the way. If you'd rather not drive yourself or you're a small group, this is good value and genuinely fun. Ask about the queue at the Pak Nam community tourism point.
Khao Matsee Viewpoint
A hilltop above Pak Nam with 360-degree views of the sea, the fishing village, and the islands. The landmark is a statue of Guan Yin (Avalokitesvara). Open roughly 06:00–19:00 — come in the evening for the sunset and the lights of the fishing boats.
Phra Rot Beach / Pak Nam Sea
The beach and shoreline right along the coastal road. Walk and catch the breeze, and shoot the sea alongside the pine tunnel in a single stop.
Pak Nam Fishing Village
A fresh seafood market and waterfront seafood restaurants, near the pier for boats to Koh Tao and Koh Phangan. A good spot for lunch or dinner after your photos.
Baan OuadChum, the Treehouse Cafe on the Pathio Side
The other tree spot in Chumphon that gets a lot of talk is Baan OuadChum Treehouse, a cafe and community space in Pathio district. It's built with houses and wooden walkways around big old trees, with balcony corners and leafy nooks where you can sip coffee and take in the view. It's a shady, photogenic stop, and if you're exploring the northern side around Thung Wua Laen or Khao Dinso it's an easy add-on. It sits behind King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Chumphon Campus (Pathio).
- Location — behind KMITL Chumphon Campus (Ladkrabang Pathio), Pathio district, Chumphon
- Hours — roughly 08:00–20:00 (Tuesdays open in the afternoon; hours can change, so check the cafe's page before you go)
- Prices — coffee and drinks start in the low hundreds of THB; snacks and food menu available
- Contact — call 092-895-2218 (confirm opening days and seating before a holiday)
Photo tips
The tree tunnel looks best in low, angled light — line your camera up along the road so the pines sweep in as leading lines. A solid light-colored top stands out against the green of the leaves. At Baan OuadChum, the filtered light through the leaves and the wooden balcony work nicely; shoot mid-morning while the sun is still soft so you get the view without shooting into the glare.
Planning a Tree + Sea Trip in Chumphon Without Wearing Yourself Out
The Pak Nam pine tunnel is on the town side, while Baan OuadChum is up on the Pathio side to the north — a fair distance apart. Don't rush to cram it all into one day; pair each spot with its own zone instead. Here's a sample two-day plan that takes in both the trees and the sea at an easy pace — adjust the timing as needed.
Town side — pine tunnel, Khao Matsee, Pak Nam
Pathio side — Baan OuadChum + the northern coast
Getting there and parking
These spots are spread out and public transport is limited — having your own car or renting a car/motorbike in town is by far the easiest way around. The Pak Nam coastal road is narrow with traffic, so park where you won't block the way and don't stand in the middle of the road to shoot. The road up Khao Matsee is steep for about 800 m and the parking lot at the top is limited, so if it's busy you may have to wait for a spot.
Want a full day-by-day plan for Chumphon
See the Chumphon travel guide →