| Cover
story: 10
Aug 06 / Vol.
23 No. 9 |
By
Rarin /
Photos by courtesy of TAT
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As Unseen Thailand Project 1 met with considerable success,
the Tourism Authority of Thailand has launched Unseen Thailand
Project 2 with a lot more "unseen" attractions. For
those who love to challenge themselves, Thaiways has
selected 8 interesting places in adventurous category to be
introduced below:
1. Shooting the Rapids at Thi
Lo Re, Umphang, Tak Province
(426 km north of Bangkok)
Thi Lo Re Waterfall
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Brave strong winds and big waves to admire the charm of the
waterfall in the Mae Klong River located inside Umphang Wildlife
Sanctuary in the western forests of Thailand. The site boasts
one of the most famous rafting paths in Thailand which is the
Thi Lo Re Waterfall. Those who look for the heart racing and
gut wrenching thrill of shooting the rapids will not be disappointed
for there are many rapids with different levels of difficulty
where you can enjoy getting wet without shivering because of
the warm weather of Thailand.
How to get there
From Mae Sot County in Tak Province, turn left onto Highway
1090 (Mae Sot-Umphang). It takes about 4-5 hours to reach Umphang.
The routes are winding so drivers must be very careful. Recommended
period: November-January For more information,
please contact TAT Northern Office Region 4 on tel: 0 5551 4341.
2. Adventurous experience on the
top of the Mokochu Mountain Range, Mae Wong National Park, Nakhon
Sawan/ Kamphaeng Phet provinces
(240 km north of Bangkok)
Trekking to the peak of Mokochu mountain, the highest point
of Mae Wong National Park with a height of 1,964 metres above
sea level, is a challenge to adventure lovers. With such a height
and a total distance of 27 km, you are required to walk 4 to
5 days to cover a round trip from the park office to the peak
and back. In spite of the distance and the difficult accessibility,
the peak is still a preferable destination for many young adventurers.
The hilltop commands majestic views of sunrise and sunset.
How
to get there
From Nakhon Sawan Province, use Highway 1072 to reach Khlonglan
County. Then continue driving along Highway 1117 heading for
the park office. From the park office, the only way to reach
the mountaintop is by walking. In some parts of the route,
you have to wade and in others, you have to climb up steep
hills. You are recommended to contact park rangers at least
one week in advance. Recommended time for trekking:
November-February.
For more information, please contact TAT Central Office
Region 7 on tel:
0 3642 2768-9.
3. Cycling amidst the vast field
of Thung Salaeng Luang National Park, Phitsanulok Province
(377 km north of Bangkok)
The national park comprises a grassy area and a pine forest
in the embrace of hill evergreen forest. The beautiful scenery
of the Nong Mae Na Forest Guard Unit serves as one of the best
cycling routes of Thailand. The distance from the Forest Guard
Unit to the Nang Phaya Field where camping is allowed is 14
km.
How to get
there
From Phitsanulok Province,
drive along Highway 12 (Phitsanulok-Wangthong) and turn right
at the Camp Son Junction. To your right, there is a sideway
to the Forest Guard Unit. A camping area is available at Nang
Phaya Field. Recommended time: November-February. For
more information, please contact TAT Northern Office Region
3 on tel: 0 5525 2742.
4. Wandering through Khao Wong
Kot (Labyrinth) known as Kunming and Guilin of Loei Province
(520 km northeast of Bangkok)
It is a limestone mountain range in an area of 9,000 rais (14.4
sq km) comprising three large limestone mountains and more than
500 peripheral hills. The shapes of these mountains are strangely
different. You will see them in various figures such as human
faces, elephants and dogs. The cave is full of narrow crevices
that magically connect to each other. That's why it is called
Kunming and Guilin of Loei.
Around the site, there is a route for nature study. A guide
is available to lead your way and describe (in Thai) the scenery.
It takes about one hour to cover the 1-km route. Along the route,
there are several kinds of plants of deciduous forests such
as hill cyads aged hundreds of years. Fossils of primitive marine
lives (225 million years) are discovered here as well.
How to get there
From Wang Saphung County in Loei Province, drive along Highway
201 heading towards Nong Hin County. When approaching the
fresh-food market, turn right into Ban Pha Ngam. Remember
to contact the tourist service office to ask for a guide to
lead your way. Recommended time: All year round but
preferably from November to February. For more information,
please contact Loei Tourist Coordination Centre on tel: 0
4281 2812.
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5.
Abseiling at Than Rattana Waterfall, Khao Yai National Park,
Prachin Buri
Province (135 km east of Bangkok)
This route was just discovered in 2002. The waterfall cannot
be reached on foot. The only way to do so is to abseil. The
beauty of the route and the excitement of the abseiling make
this adventurous route one of "Unseen Thailand 2".
The first cliff is 70 metres high. Looking below, you might
not want to go down but want to look for another route, but
the only way you see is by rope.
How to get there
From Prachin Buri Province, use Highway 33 (Prachin-Prachantakham).
When reaching Noen Hom Intersection, turn left onto Highway
3077. Then go for a further 51km to arrive at Khao Yai. Those
who would like to go abseiling need to be healthy and do not
suffer from acrophobia. Recommended time: the rainy
season (June-October) For more information, please
contact TAT Central Office Region 8, tel: 0 3731 2282, 0 3731
2284.
6. Canoeing in Khlong Song Nam
(Tha Pom), Krabi Province
(814 km south of Bangkok)
Tha Pom is about 34 km from the provincial town of Krabi. The
canal of Tha Pom is well known for its crystal clear water.
It is called by local people Khlong Song Nam in Thai or literally
"two water canal". This is because of its special
location where seawater meets freshwater during the high-tide
periods, resulting in a mixture of seawater and freshwater in
the canal. Situated amidst mangrove forest and swamp forest,
Tha Pom is home to an astonishing variety of creatures from
the two kinds of forest areas. They adjust themselves to live
together harmoniously in such specific conditions.
How to get there
From Krabi Town, drive along Paphru-Tha Pom Route heading to
Ban Nongchik. A total distance is 28 km. Recommended time:
all year round. For more information, please contact
Krabi Tourism Coordination Centre, tel: 0 7562 2163.
7. Sailing through Le Khao Kop
Cave, Trang Province (828 km south of Bangkok)
Tham Le Khao Kop has a stream running through it. The only way
to get inside is by taking a boat. The cavern consists of around
fifteen caves which differ from one another in shape and size.
The highlight of Tham Le Khao Kop is Tham Lot or Thong Mangkon
(the dragon's stomach). To explore this cave, you have to lie
down on your back in the boat along the 100-metre waterway.
This dramatic cruise will get the adrenaline flowing and you
will automatically hold your breath when the boat passes sharp-pointed
stalactites that are only a few inches away from your belly.
A round trip takes about an hour.
How to get there
It is situated in Huai Yot County, about 7 km off the office
building of the county administration. Visiting the cavern
when the tide is out is a boon. Please check with the cave
office on tel. 0 7527 1808. Opening hours: 08:00
a.m.-06:00 p.m. Recommended time: except the rainy
season. In the rainy season, the cave expedition may not be
possible because of high tide.
8. View the sea of mist at
Ban Thap Boek, Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park, Phetchabun
Province
(346 km north of Bangkok)
Formerly, the park was the battle field between the Thai
government and the Communists. Its topography is mountain
ranges comprising several important tops. The mountain ranges
run from east to west and are the origins of several streams.
Phu Lom Lo is the highest mountain with a height of 1,614
metres above sea level and is a challenge to adventurers especially
in the rainy and cool season. The Than Phayu viewpoint near
the Forest Guard Unit at Ban Thap Boek commands a breathtaking
view of the sea of mist there. This is one of the best places
to see the sea of mist in the lower northern part of the country.
How to get there
From Lom Sak County, drive along Highway 203. When reaching
Lom Kao County, turn left onto Highway 2331, and heading to
the park office. The total distance is 60 km. Recommended
time: November-February. For more information,
please contact TAT Northern Office Region 3 on tel: 0 5525
2742.
If you are interested in going to any of the places mentioned
here, you are recommended to find essential information before
starting out on your trip. You may contact Alex
Holiday for a personalised trip.
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