Natural Attractions
Ramkhamhaeng National Park (Khao Luang)
Widely known as Pa Khao Luang, the park has an area of 341 sq.kms or 213,125 rai covering Amphur Kirimas, Amphur Ban Dan Lan Hoi and Amphur Muang Sukhothai. Blessed with wildlife, birds, natural beauties including fertile trapical jungles and mountains stretching from the north to the south, the park originate rivers and brooks. It is cold throughout the year with average temerature ranging from 12-14 degree Celsius.
Interesting natural and historical attractions in the park include:
Khao Luang, Located south of town, enjoys wonderful sceneries. Tredding route to atop the hill is about 3,270 meters. About 1,000 meters away from the park's office stands the giant Pterocarpus. About 300 meters away from the giant tree is located the Mor E Hok stone fossils. The view area is about 400 meters away from the stone fossil. About 720 meters away from the view area is situated the Pha Mahat Raw Water Source. About 380 meters from the water source is located Chan Berk Phrai. About 300 meters from Chan Berk Phrai stands the large banyan tree. 320 meters from the tree is located Plong Nang Nak, a 0.5-meter-wide and 1.5-meter-long vertical natural opening. Along the route are located caves. Khao Luang is about 1,200 meter above sea level.
- Sai Rung Waterfall, originated from the Chedi Mountain, is beautiful but has water only during the rainy season.
- Buddha Footprint, housed at the foot of the Tham Phrabath hill, was invented in the reign of Phra Maha Thammaraja Lithai. It is about 600 years old.
- Narai Cave used to house the statue of Phra Bodhisattva Awalokitesuan, presently only the base left.
- Phra Mae Ya Cave used to house the statue of Phra Mae Ya currently located at the shrine of Phra Moe Ya in the compound of town hall.
- Saleed Phong Dam, widely known as Tham Nob Phra Ruang, is located between the
- Phrabath Yai mountain and the Kew Eye Ma hill. In the post, water from the dam flowed through canals to the capital of ancient Sukhothai.
The park could be accessible by two routes:
From Bangkok, tade route # 101 to Kamphaengphet. Turn lelt at the office of Kirimas district to the park's office (12 Kms). Or, from Bangkor, head to Phitsanulok via route# 101. Turn left at the office of Kirimas district to the park's office.
Otherwise, from Bangkok, folow route # 117 and turn into route # 12 through Amphur Kong Krailas and Amphur Muang. From Amphur Muang, take route # 101 to Amphur Kirimas (19 kms) and turn left into the road leading to the park (12 kms).
Accommodation: 2-3-room houses and camping sites are available. 60-day-in-advance-accommodation booking is recommended. For more information, contact the park's office, PO Box 1, Amphur Kirimas, Sukhothai 64160, tel. 0 5561 9200 or the department of the national parks, tel. 0 2562 0760
Sri Sachanalai National Park (Pa Ka)
With an area of opproximately 311.57 sq.kms or 202,520.50 rai covering Amphur Sri Satchanalai. Amphur Thung Saliam of Sukhothai and Amphur Thern of Lampang. the park is blessed with fertile tropical hilly forests, wildlife, birds and natural wonders. The Office of the Park is situated in Moo 6, Ban Pa Ka, Tambon Ban kaeng, Amphur Sri Sachanalai.
Interesthing attractions in the Park include:
- Tad Dao Waterfall, originated from the Tha Pae stream, is located about 4 kms away from the park's office/ The 30-meter-high fall is wonderful. Ideal for rest and relaxation.
- Tad Duan Waterfall, situated about 500 meters away form the office of the park, is ideal for swimming. Coveniently accessible.
- Huai Sai Waterfall, surrounded by mountains and natural beauties, is located about 3 kms away from the park's office
- Thara Wasan Cave, blessed with fantastic stalactites and stalagmites, is located about 1.5 kms away from the park's office. Wildlife, in particular hundred thousands of bats are found here.
- Bats Cave, located about 20 kms away from the park's office, is blessed with fantastic stalactites and stalagmites. The cave is the habitat of hundred thousands of bats.
The park could be reached either by car or bus.
By car: From Amphur Muang, follow route#12 and turn right at Km 15 into route 1113 until the Sarachit Intersection. At the intersection, turn left into route 1294 to the park. Total distance is about 100 kms. Otherwise, take route 101 from Amphur Muang to Amphur Srisachanalai (68 kms). Turn left in front of the Srisachanalai Hospital and follow route 1201 (11 kms). At the Sarachit Intersection, turn right into route # 1294 (40 kms) to the park. The total distance is about 122 kms.
By bus: From Bangkok, get off at the district of Srisachanalai. Daily Songtaew service (one trip a day) from the distric's office to the park is available. Or get off at the sarachit Interection and then take a bus to the park.
Accommodation: 1-3-room guesthouses are available. Book the houses in advance at the office of the Sri Sachanalai National Park, PO Box 10, Tambon Ban Kaeng, Amphur Sri Sachanalai, Sukhothai 64130, tel. 0 5561 9214-5 or the department of the national parks, tel. 0 2562 0760.
Tham lom - Tham Wang Natural Park
Located in Moo 7, Tambon Na Khun Krai, Amphur Sri Samrong, the park is a part of the Mae mok-Mae Phan Lam national preservation forest. Covering an area of about 8,500 rai, the hilly park is blessed with wonderful caves nautally adorned with fantastic stalactites and stalagmites. Natural teak forests are widely found within the park. Ancient tools and arms found here winess that the park used to be the troop marching route before during early Sukhothai Period.
|
