Phu Thap Boek

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.