One of Thailand’s most beautiful and valuable parks, Nam Nao National Park (0 5672 9002, reservations 0 2562 0760; admission 400B; 6am-10pm) covers nearly 1000 sq km at an average elevation of 800m across the border of Chaiyaphum and Phetchabun Provinces, just beyond Khon Kaen Province. Although it covers remote territory – this remained a People’s Liberation Army of Thailand (PLAT) stronghold until the early 1980s – Hwy 12 makes access easy. Temperatures are fairly cool year-round, especially nights and mornings, and frost occasionally occurs between November and February.
Marked by the sandstone hills of the Phetchabun mountains, the park features dense, mixed evergreen-deciduous forest on mountains and hills; open dipterocarp pine-oak forest on plateaus and hills and dense bamboo mountain forest with wild banana stands in river valleys, plus scattered savannah on the plains. Three rivers are sourced here: the Chi, Saphung and Phrom. A fair system of trails branches out from the visitor centre to several scenic viewpoints. The park also features waterfalls and caves, some of which are easily reached by car along the highway. Nam Nao’s highest peak, Phu Pha Jit, reaches a height of 1271m and, with a park service guide leading the way, you can camp on the top.
The 1560-sq-km Phu Khiaw Wildlife Sanctuary lies adjacent to the park so wildlife is abundant, but the animals here are more timid than at nearby Phu Kradung National Park, and so are sighted less often. Elephants and banteng (wild cattle) are occasionally seen, as well as Malayan sun bears, leopards, tigers, Asian jackals, barking deer, gibbons, pangolins and flying squirrels. Over 200 species of bird, including parrots and hornbills, fly through the park.
Accommodation includes a camp site (per person with own tent 30B, 2-person tent hire 50B), huts (2 people 300B) and 17 bungalows (4-person 1000B). There are restaurants next to the visitor centre.
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