Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park

The 98-sq-km 'Three Hundred Peaks' national park includes some of the finest examples of shoreline habitat remaining in Thailand. Located on the western seaboard of the Gulf of Thailand at the thinnest part of the southern isthmus, the park includes fine beaches, caves and wetland habitats. Limestone hills, rising as high as 605 meters, present fine views of the coast of Prachuab.

Khao Sam Roi Yot is one of the country's best bird watching sites. It is particularly notable for migratory shore birds and waterfowl. Of 275 recorded bird species, 60 are mainly confined within the park. Sightings include rare species such as the purple heron (one of only two breeding sites in Thailand), white-bellied sea eagle, and spotted and imperial eagles. Mammals include the goat-antelope or serow, still widespread in the park, slow loris, Malayan porcupine, crab-eating macaque, mongoose, leopard cat and leopard. Irrawaddy dolphins can sometimes be seen offshore.

Visitors can see the main attractions along the hiking trails that criss-cross the park. The Khao Krachom trail leads to the top of the tallest hill, near the center of the park. Steep trails lead to the fine beaches of Sam Phraya and Laem Sala or alternatively boats can be hired from Ban Bang Pu. A popular trip is the two-hour boat cruise along the Khao Daeng Canal, from near the park headquarters. Passing through mangroves and wetland habitats, the trip is most popular at sunset.

The park has three outstanding caves. Phraya Nakhon Cave can be reached on foot from Ban Bang Pu or by boat. The trail is steep and rocky. Tham Phraya Nakhon has two sinkholes and a pavilion built for a visit by King Rama V in 1896. The cave was named for Phraya Nakhon, ruler of the city-state of Nakhon Si Thammarat, who inadvertently discovered it over 200 years ago when a gale forced his ship ashore.

Deep tunnels and interlinked chambers characterize Kaeo Cave. You can rent a lamp to see the calcite-encrusted walls, which glisten like jewels, giving it the name 'Crystal Cave'. Sai Cave is located off the road between Sam Phraya Beach and Pranburi. A 20-minute climb gets you to the single large cavern where villagers rent out lamps to see the calcified 'waterfalls'.

Khao Sam Roi Yot is located about 320 km south of Bangkok or 37 km south of Pranburi. Songthaews run from Pranburi to Ban Bang Pu from where you have to walk to the park headquarters. Better is to charter a vehicle for around 300 baht for the whole trip. Forestry Department bungalows for eight to 20 people are available at the park headquarters or at Sam Phraya Beach. Tents can also be hired. Restaurants are available at both the park headquarters and at Sam Phraya Beach. For advanced reservations, call the Forestry Department in Bangkok on +66 2 561-4292.

The best time to visit the park is between September and March when the migratory birds are present in great numbers. Bring along binoculars or hire a pair from the park headquarters. Bring along mosquito repellant too. King Mongkut died from malaria two months after contracting the disease at Khao Sam Roi Yot. There isn't much risk of malaria these days, but the mosquitoes can still be irritating.

Bird Watching at Sam Roi Yot National Park

The three hundred peaks national park in Prachuab Khiri Khan is home to more than 200 species of resident or migratory bird. Seldom seen species such as the Painted Stork, Purple Heron, Northern Pintail and the Greater Spotted Eagle are commonly sighted at the park, particularly in the wetlands areas. Other species such as the Chestnut-headed Bee-eater, Hoopoe and the White-bellied Sea-Eagle are commonly seen around the park headquarters.

One of the best ways to see the shore and wading birds is to take a canal trip along the Khao Daeng Canal at sunset. The cost of chartering a long-tailed boat for the trip is 300 to 400 baht. Binoculars can be hired at the park headquarters.

Please see Sam Roi Yot National Park, for more details.

Pa La-u Waterfall

The Pa La-u waterfalls are situated within the Pa La-u forest, about 60 km from Hua Hin town. The Pa La-u falls are actually two waterfalls, the Pa La-u Yai and the Pa La-u Noi, which cascade down 11 tiers of rock. As well as the falls, the year-round verdant forests are also home to a group of Karen people, and varied wildlife.

To get to the falls, follow Highway No 3219 from Hua Hin for about 63 km, then turn right to Fa Prathan Village. The falls are another 4 km. It's also possible to take a minibus to the site from Hua Hin market. Services run at 11.30 am, 1.00 pm and 3.00 pm. Return services from Fa Prathan village leave at 6.30 am, 8.00 am and 9.00 am.

Kaeng Krachan National Park

Kaeng Krachan National Park, the largest national park in the country, takes in 2,915 square km. It was declared to be a national park on June 12, 1981 with clearly defined areas for reservoir and the jungle to the north of the dam in the park area. It located 50 km from downtown, at Kaeng Krachan District.

The national park is very popular with visitors, for the opportunities it presents for rambling through the rich forest and the enjoyment of bird and butterfly watching. The most popular sightseeing spots are km 30-31, for the sea of fog, Thor Tip Waterfall, trekking in the upper reaches of Phetchaburi River and mountaintop, visiting caves with thousands of bats or prehistoric artifacts, etc.

Visitors to the park may enjoy relaxing by the lake a headquarters, touring Pala-u Waterfall in Prachuab Khiri Khan Province, or taking a boat tour of the lake and the lower Phetchaburi, River. For a more rugged experience of the park, visitors my request permission to travel up the Khao Panoen Thung Road or to arrange hiles of one or more days. Visitors inside the park encounter evergreen forest, clear mountain streams, and wildlife. Visitors who wish to tour the forest along the Khao Panoen Thung Road or the hike the trails within the forest must request a permit at the visitor center located at headquarters. In general, guide service is required for any forest travel away from the Khqo Panoew Thung Road. Trekking and hiking are not possible during the rainy season, when the trails are treacherously slippery and the road may become impassable.

The height of mountaintop, Panern Thung Mountain, is about 1,207 meters that takes 6 hours to reach. There is an only one main road run from the entrance to km 36 and then hike pass the deep forest. It is advised that a trekking trip must be a guide and bring along all food and camping equipment.

The park official also provides accommodation service to tourists who desire to stay overnight at the dam site. Reservation must be made in advance at the Reservation Section, Royal Forest Department, tel (662) 579-0529.

Other attractions nearby the park are Kaeng Krachan Dam and Khao Tao Mo Cave. Kaeng Krachan Dam located in the vicinity of Kaeng Krachan National Park. It is about 53.5 km from Phetchaburi township. It was constructed to store water, and then deliver to the Phetch Dam for distribution into the irrigated area. It can eliminate the water shortage problem in Hua Hin District through the mouth of the Phetch River area. Construction was completed in 1966 with a height of 58 meters and length of 760 meters.

Khao Tao Mo Cave was a newly discovered cave stretching for a vast area in Tha Yang District. Marvellous stalagmites and satlactites beautify a throne hall-like chamber in the cave. To get there, driver along branch road leading to Kaeng Krachan Dam and drive for 6 kilometers to Phetchaburi Water Transmission and Maintainance Project , then take a left turn and cross a bridge and follow direction signs for 15 kilometers to Phra Phuttabat Khao Luk Chang Temple. The cave is another 9 kilometers beyond the temple.

Getting there by car has two routes; they are Tha Yang Route and the road parallels a concrete irrigation canal (Highway Route No.3499). It takes about 60 km from Phetchaburi downtown to Kaeng Kracharn National Park's entrance.

The one-way road is set to secure in driving onto the mountaintop. The incoming way is from 5 am to 9.30 am and from 2.30 pm to 3.00 pm. The outgoing way is at noon to 1 pm and from 4.30 pm to 6 pm. Visitor cannot get into the park without permission. Please contact an officer at the entrance gate.

Getting there by bus, visitors can take on the Bangkok - Tha Yang Route and drop at Tha Yang Market. For more information, please contact the southern bus terminal (662) 435-1199 and 435-1200

Getting there by mini van (or 'songthaew'), its station is at the Clock Tower. They service from 7.00 am to 2.00 pm with 1 hour and 30 minutes of traveling. Chartering is recommended to visitors to get any convenient. Charter price is approximately 500 baht.

Getting there by taxi, its station is in front of Phetchaburi Rama Theature, at Surinruechai Road. They run daily from 7.15 am to 6.00 pm and take about 400 baht of charter price.

Thanarat Infantry Camp

The Thanarat Infantry Camp, a part of the Royal Thai Army, is located about 238 km to the south of Bangkok, near Phetkasem Road. The camp straddles both Pranburi and Hua Hin Districts. Notable sights include:

Tasadet Natural Study Center, located on the western side of Thanarat Camp, about 12 km from Phetkasem Road near the Pranburi River. Flower gardens, unusual trees and a farm for agricultural produce are situated within the camp. Accommodation and camping areas are available. Enjoy the great outdoors by cycling, trekking, rafting, fishing and cooking under the supervision of the camp authorities.

Infantry Museum, maintains an extensive collection of weapons and costumes from times past to the present day. It opens Monday to Friday from 8.30 am to 4 pm.

Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat Museum, houses the personal effects, insignia and important documents of this great Thai soldier and former prime minister. The museum opens daily from 8.30 am to 4 pm. Group tourists should call ahead for permission.

Thanarat Camp also has army commando courses for anyone wanting to see how tough they are. The course includes jumping from a 34-foot tower, climbing a dummy cliff, traversing a rope bridge, practice shooting and more. Not for the faint-hearted. All activities are under the watchful eyes of the camp instructors. Anyone who successfully gets through the course in one piece receives a certificate.

For more details, please contact the Tourist Promotion section of the Royal Thai Army +66 2 297-5715, 282-8835 or +66 32 542455-64 ext 4025.