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    Phetchabun Mountains

    Thailand

    Phetchabun Mountains

    Region

    The Phetchabun Mountain Region lies in the Pa Sak Valley, about 350 km north of Bangkok, flanked by mountain ranges east and west.

    by Felix Gillen

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    7. Phetchabun Mountains
    The Phetchabun Mountain Region lies in the Pa Sak Valley, about 350 km north of Bangkok, flanked by mountain ranges east and west. Higher elevations around Khao Kho and Phu Thap Boek are cooler than the lowlands; during the cool season, morning fog often blankets the valleys.The region is especially popular with Thai weekend guests; international visitors are rare. Destinations include the ceramic-clad temple Wat Phra That Pha Sorn Kaew, Nam Nao National Park, and in the south, the UNESCO World Heritage Site Si Thep.
    The Phetchabun mountain region includes the Pa Sak valley and the highlands around Khao Kho, Phu Thap Boek, and Nam Nao National Park. Phetchabun is about 350 road km north of Bangkok. The region is a draw for nature, cool winter mountain climate, and the Dvaravati site Si Thep, less for classic sightseeing tours.
    Khao Kho

    Place 1 of 4

    Khao Kho

    Khao Kho in Phetchabun Province is a mountainous district with a cool climate, known as Thailand's Switzerland for its beautiful landscapes. In the cool season, mornings often bring fog to the valleys.

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    Nam-Nao National Park

    Place 2 of 4

    Nam-Nao National Park

    The Nam Nao National Park straddles the border of Phetchabun and Chaiyaphum provinces. Established in 1972, it covers approximately 970 square kilometers.

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    Phu Thap Boek

    Place 3 of 4

    Phu Thap Boek

    Phu Thap Boek, at around 1,770 meters, is the highest point in Phetchabun province and the Phetchabun Mountains. The mountain is located in Lom Kao district near the border with Loei province, surrounded by Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park.

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    Thung-Salaeng-Luang National Park

    Place 4 of 4

    Thung-Salaeng-Luang National Park

    The Thung Salaeng Luang National Park spans approximately 1,260 square kilometers across Phitsanulok and Phetchabun provinces and was designated in 1963 as one of Thailand's first national parks.

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    Sights in Phetchabun Mountains

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Wat Phra That Pha Sorn Kaew

    Temple on a roughly 830-meter high peak near Khao Kho, originally a meditation center. Terraces, stairs and chedi are covered with millions of ceramic shards. Its landmark is five staggered white Buddha figures, the largest with a gilded head. Cover shoulders and knees, no public bus, approx. one hour by car from Phetchabun.
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    Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park

    Established in 1984, the National Park spans the provincial borders of Phitsanulok and Loei. It combines rock formations like Lan Hin Taek – a cracked stone surface with orchids and mosses – with its contemporary history: Here, the Communist Party of Thailand had a base, and between 1968 and 1972, insurgents and the army fought. A museum commemorates this.
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    Si Thep Historical Park

    Ancient city complex in the south of the province, a center of Dvaravati culture and later under Khmer influence. Preserved are ramparts, moats, and the foundations of several temple structures, plus a museum with artifacts. The site was inscribed in 2023 as part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Si Thep and Associated Dvaravati Monuments.
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    Phu Thap Boek

    The highest mountain in the province, accessible via a steep road from Lom Kao. On the ridge lies a Hmong village, its cabbage fields stretching across the steep slopes, with campsites and viewpoints in between. In the cool season, fog banks often settle in the valleys in the mornings, and it gets cold at night.
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    Established in 1972, the park covers approximately 970 square kilometers in Phetchabun and Chaiyaphum. It encompasses mountain and dry forests, pine forests, and grasslands, with its highest point being Phu Pha Chit at 1,271 meters. Approximately 360 bird and 340 butterfly species have been recorded. It offers waterfalls, caves, viewpoints, and campsites.
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    Essen & Trinken

    1

    Or To Phat Thai

    Restaurant in P24R+5Q.
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    2

    Café by the Daisy Field Suan Lung Nid

    Café in ทุ่งดอกมาร์กาเร็ต สวนลุงนิด Tambon Thung Samo.
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    3

    Sakura Cafe Khao Kho

    Café in 89 โครงการภูหมอก วิลเลจ Tambon Thung Samo.
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    4

    Rai Song Rao Kitchen

    Restaurant in 93 หมู่ที่ 6 Tambon Khaem Son.
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    Food and Drink

    Phetchabun thrives at the culinary crossroads of Central Thai and Isan cuisine: curries and noodle soups stand alongside Som Tam, Larb, and sticky rice. What makes the region unique is its highland agriculture. On the slopes around Khao Kho and Phu Thap Boek grow cabbage, lettuces, strawberries, macadamia, and passion fruit; in the valley, tamarind. Consequently, plenty of fresh produce fills the street markets, and along the mountain roads, almost every farm features a roadside stall.

    Sweet Tamarind

    Phetchabun is known as the city of sweet tamarinds; the tamarind tree is the province's tree. The sweet variety is eaten as fruit and sold by the kilo in markets, also dried or as a paste.

    Khanom Jeen

    Fermented rice noodles with curries, fresh herbs, and pickled vegetables are available at many morning markets in the region.

    Mountain Vegetables

    In the highlands around Khao Kho and Phu Thap Boek, vegetables like cabbage are grown, and stalls along the mountain roads sell fresh produce.

    Isan food

    Because Isan directly borders it, papaya salad, Larb, and grilled dishes with sticky rice are found on many country roads.

    Mountain Road Cafes

    Around Khao Kho are many cafés with valley views, catering to Thai weekend guests.

    Culture and History

    Phetchabun is located between Central Thailand and the Isan region, where both meet. Hmong communities live in the mountains. The province's name derives from Sanskrit words for “diamond” and “perfect,” and it is also known as the City of Sweet Tamarinds.The province's oldest historical layer lies in its south: Si Thep was a significant city of the Dvaravati culture and later came under Khmer influence. The complex, with its moats and temple foundations, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2023.Political history defines the northern mountains. Within the area of today's Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park, beyond the provincial border, the Communist Party of Thailand maintained a base, and battles were fought there between 1968 and 1972. A museum now commemorates this period.Hmong villages are found at higher elevations, such as Phu Thap Boek, where cabbage and vegetables thrive on the steep slopes.Domestic tourism has transformed the region. Khao Kho, known as the Switzerland of Thailand for its cool climate, is a popular weekend getaway for Bangkok residents, leading to numerous resorts and cafes along its mountain roads. Little English is spoken here.

    Exploring locally

    The region is located about 350 kilometers north of Bangkok. There's no railway line, and Phetchabun's small airport only sees irregular flights, so the easiest way to get here is by bus or car via Highways 1 and 21. If you're coming from Isan, drive via Khon Kaen and Chum Phae.Having your own vehicle is very helpful here. The destinations are spread out along mountain roads, and public transport usually only reaches the district centers. The ascents to Khao Kho and Phu Thap Boek are steep and feature long downhill stretches. For information on road safety, please refer to the Federal Foreign Office.Songthaews run from Phetchabun and Lom Sak to the villages, mostly during the day. Motorcycle taxis cover short distances.Travel times: From Phetchabun to Wat Phra That Pha Sorn Kaew near Khao Kho, you'll need about an hour.The peak season is during the cool months from November to February, when accommodations on weekends and around New Year get booked up early. It gets hot from March to May, and while the landscape is greenest during the rainy season, mountain roads can be affected by landslides.

    Nearby

    Khao Kho

    Khao Kho

    Khao Kho in Phetchabun Province is a mountainous district with a cool climate, known as Thailand's Switzerland for its beautiful landscapes. In the cool season, mornings often bring fog to the valleys.Notable sites include the temple Wat Phra That Pha Sorn Kaew with five tiered white Buddha figures and ceramic mosaics, the wind farm at around 1,000 meters, and the monument for the fallen of the battles between army and communist insurgents from 1968 to 1982.For this sprawling mountain region, your own vehicle is essential. The most popular travel time is November to February.
    Thung-Salaeng-Luang National Park

    Thung-Salaeng-Luang National Park

    The Thung Salaeng Luang National Park spans approximately 1,260 square kilometers across Phitsanulok and Phetchabun provinces and was designated in 1963 as one of Thailand's first national parks. Its characteristic feature is vast grasslands between pine and mixed forests, a savanna landscape rarely found in Thailand.The open plains, such as Thung Salaeng Luang, covering about 10 square kilometers, and Thung Non Son, with its pines and wildflowers, are the most famous destinations. From October to February, morning fog often blankets the savanna. Well over 100 bird species have been counted.In the north of the park lies the tiered Kaeng Sopha Waterfall near Route 12. You can stay overnight in bungalows or at the park administration's campsites.
    Phu Thap Boek

    Phu Thap Boek

    Phu Thap Boek, at around 1,770 meters, is the highest point in Phetchabun province and the Phetchabun Mountains. The mountain is located in Lom Kao district near the border with Loei province, surrounded by Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park. From the ridge, the view stretches over the surrounding mountain ranges; in the mornings, fog often gathers in the valleys.The slopes are covered with cabbage fields, cultivated by the Hmong families of Ban Thap Boek village. Around these fields, many resorts, campsites, and local eateries have sprung up, some of which are considered illegally built. Many visitors stay overnight here to witness the sunrise.The climate is cool year-round, with December and January being the coldest months. Wild cherry trees also bloom during this time. Warm clothing is advisable even in the dry season.
    Nam-Nao National Park

    Nam-Nao National Park

    The Nam Nao National Park straddles the border of Phetchabun and Chaiyaphum provinces. Established in 1972, it covers approximately 970 square kilometers. Its highland terrain features a mix of pine forests, dry and mountain forests, and grasslands, giving the park a distinct character compared to the tropical parks in the south.Among its inhabitants are wild elephants, gaur, bantengs, and Sambar deer, plus around 360 bird species. Trails lead to viewpoints, waterfalls such as Haew Sai, and caves. The highest point is Phu Pha Chit, at 1,271 meters.Route 12, connecting Lom Sak and Chum Phae, passes through the park, ensuring easy access. The park headquarters offers bungalows and a campsite. Nights can get noticeably cool, particularly in December and January.
    Sukhothai Historical Park

    Sukhothai Historical Park

    The Sukhothai Historical Park preserves the remains of the first capital of the Sukhothai Kingdom, which flourished in the 13th and 14th centuries. UNESCO inscribed the site, along with the historical cities of Si Satchanalai and Kamphaeng Phet, on the World Heritage List.The site is divided into several zones. In the center, within the old city walls and moats, stands Wat Mahathat with its lotus-bud-shaped chedi; nearby are Wat Si Sawai with three Khmer-style prangs and Wat Sa Si on an island in the pond. To the north, Wat Si Chum houses the mighty seated Buddha Phra Achana within a narrow masonry shaft.As the zones are spread out, most visitors explore the park by *bicycle*; rentals are available at the entrances. Mornings and late afternoons are much more pleasant than the midday heat. The Ramkhamhaeng National Museum on the park's edge historically contextualizes the finds.

    Sources & method

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