Around Chaiyaphum Thep Satit Phu Khieo

Located 342 kilometers northeast of Bangkok, Chaiyaphum boasts both natural beauty and traces of the Khmer civilization. but most visitors seem to know only its amazing krachieo (Curcuma) fields in Thep Sathit District. Chaiyaphum has more charms than what many people are aware of. Forests and a plateau occupy most areas there. while the central part of the province is a flatland. Three major mountains. namely Phu I-Thao. Phu Lankha. and Phu Phang Hoei. stretch from the east to the west. bringing greater diversity to Chaiyaphum. If you drive from the flat central region to Lam Sonthi and Thep Sathit districts. you will find the route gradually curving up along the mountain to the north of the province. Although some off-roads in Chaiyaphum·s national parks are rough. it is still quite easy to drive when it is not the rainy season. Motorists should have some experience in driving up high mountains on curving roads. They must check their car to ensure that the braking system and wheels are always in a good condition.
There are two routes to choose from Bangkok to Chaiyaphum. The first route is Highway 1 (Phahonyothin Road) passing through Rangsit-Wang Noi Road. When you arrive at the Saraburi intersection, turn right on Highway 2 (Mittraphap Road) and then turn left on Highway 201 in Si Khieo and Dan Khun That districts towards the town of Chaiyaphum. The second route is Highway 2 (Mittraphap-Khon Kaen Road) for those who drive from Nakhon Ratchasima Province. After passing through Cho Ho District, turn left on Highway 205, passing through Non Thai District Then go straight towards Nong Bua Khok subdistrict intersection, Chaturat District. Next, turn right o n Highway 201 and drive towards Chaiyaphum at a length of 119 kilometers.
From Lam Sonthi District of Lop Buri to Thep Sathit District of Chaiyaphum, motorists will take a two-lane curving road to the Khao Phang Hoei Mountain Range. They must drive carefully, and after entering Thep Sathit District, the route will become flat leading to Pa Hin Ngam National Park and Sai Thong National Park, where the beauty of Curcuma fields can be observed in the rainy season, from June to August.

Drive towards Nang Bua Raheo District on Highway 2354, and then turn left and continue for about 17 kilometers. Make a left turn again and go straight on an asphalt road for about 13 kilometers until you arrive at Pa Hin Ngam National Park, where you can find a wide parking lot, toilets, restaurants, and souvenirs shops on roadsides. What you should do first is to get information at the tourist center there. Tents and bungalows are offered at your selection. Among interesting resorts are Rai Oei Fun, Phu Thep Phiman Resort, Thep Sathit Country Club, and Rai Phansa Resort. Food is available in many restaurants and resorts, such as Cho Euarng, Sarakham Rot Sap, Rai Kanyarak, Khao Man-Kai Thot, and Thidarat Kitchen. Restaurants there close quite early.
From the tourist center, drive to the checkpoint before entering the forest on a two-lane road. Sounding the horn is not allowed in this area, and motorists should not drive too fast or try to weave in and out of traffic. Driving on the mountain road for about one kilometer, you will find the first site where you may walk along the bridge to appreciate the blooming fields of Curcuma, the butterfly-like flower, which is pink and purple in color. In the morning or after a fall of rain, the fields will be even more fantastic in the fog. From the first stop, continue your trip for another kilometer, you will find a major scenic viewpoint, called Sut Phaen Din,” or the “Edge of the Earth,” where you can see the Phang Hoei Mountain Range and Sap Langka Wildlife Sanctuary clearly.
Next is Pa Hin Ngam National Park, comprising two major attractions: Lan Hin Ngam and Lan Hin No. Lan Hin Ngam, covering an area of four acres, has numerous rocks of curious shapes, such as a castle and mythical animals, but the most famous one is the World Cup Rock Lan Hin No, covering an area of 80 acres, has both rocks of different shapes and many species of insect-eating plants. The rocks have turned into picturesque shapes and forms because of strong winds and rain.

From Pa Hin Ngam use Highway 2354 to Highway 225 (Chaiyaphum-Nakhon Sawan), turn left and continue your trip towards kilometer 122. Then go straight for another nine kilometers until you get to Sai Thong National Park, about 70 kilometers from the town of Chaiyaphum. Toilets, restaurants, and a tourist center are found there. Not so far from the center is a camping area, but during the rainy season, it is more convenient to stay in bungalow-style accommodations.
About 12 kilometers from the national park office, the Sai Thong Forest is carpeted with white and pink Curcuma in five fields. The first field is the most beautiful of all. For those who do not have much time, it will be enough to visit only Curcuma fields in Pa Hin Ngam. From Pa Hin Ngam, head north on Highway 2354, and when it meets Highway 225, turn right heading for the town of Chaiyaphum. Before the town, there are three major tourist sites worth visiting. First is Ban Na Yang Klak, which is known as one of the top twenty villages for woven cloth, especially that in the design of Curcuma flowers. Second is the silk village of Ban Khwao on Highway 225, 13 kilometers before the town of Chaiyaphum. It is noted for its quality and elaborately patterned hand-woven silk, khit, mudmee, and triangle pillows. The third attraction is Phraya Lae Shrine, believed to house the spirit of Phraya Phakdi Chumphon (lae). the founder of Chaiyaphum, who sacrificed his life to protect the city from Lao invaders during the reign of King Rama Ill. His shrine is regarded as one of the province’s most revered structures.
The town of Chaiyaphum is small and peaceful. Many hotels are available, such as Charoen Hotel, Chaiyaphum Inn, Ratanasiri H otel, and Sirichai Hotel. Two kilometers from the town hall on Highway 2158 is Prang Ku, an old castle in the Khmer style, which served as a hospital for people in the 13th century. You may visit Prang Ku without staying overnight in the town.

For nature lovers, Tat Ton National Park is worth exploring. To get there, take Highway 2051 from the town of Chaiyaphum and travel for about 21 kilometers. This national park is part of the Phu Langka Mountain Range. Tat Ton and Tat Fa waterfalls are scenic spots in this area. Water is abundant during the rainy season from June to September. For those who drive along Highway 2159 (Chaiyaphum – Nong Bua Daeng), they will lind Pha Koeng at kilometer 27. Pha Koeng is the peak of this highway, where the panoramic view of Chaiyaphum is afforded, especially the Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary. A Buddha image in the posture of stopping quarrel among relatives is enshrined there.
You are recommended to prepare some food and water before heading north along Highway 2159 2037, and 2366 to a high mountain. From this area, you will take Highway 2055 leading to Chulabhorn Dam and the natural attraction of Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary. Motorists should be careful while driving on the mountain to Chulabhom. or Nam Phrom, Dam along Khon San – Chulabhorn Dam Road. They may drive along the 700-meter ridge of the dam to observe scenic views as well Accommodation under the supervision of the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand is also offered to visitors.
The last tourist destination and the most important attraction on this route is Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary. To get there, use the same road as that leading towards Chulabhorn Dam. After a drive of three kilometers before the dam, turn left and going lor another 24 kilometers from the Pang Muang checkpoint, you will reach the national park office. Oneday tourists may ask permission from the checkpoint, but overnight tourists must seek permission from the National Park, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation Department, or the Chief of Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary. A study tour during JulySeptember is not allowed since the sanctuary serves mainly as a natural habitat for wild animals. Visitors should stay there for at least one night and two days to have enough time for bird watching, wildlife observation, and nature study. Food shops are available. The best viewpoint to observe hog deer is at the Kamang field. On top of this field is the royal residence of Her Majesty the Queen, who released wild animals into the natural habitat there.

Category: Chaiyaphum