Thung Salaeng Luang National Park (Nong Mae Na)

The ThungSalaengLuang national park, also called Nong Mae Na, has a unique geographical shape. It is similar to a turtle’s ridged shell, but with an undulating surface. The limestone mountain range stretches along a line, with its highest point at KhaoKhae , the source of many rivers such as HuaiKhekYai and Khlong Wang Thong. As the rainy season is from July to October, travel is recommended during the cool season, November to February, when cooler breezes blow.Interesting sights include a hanging bridge, rapids (such as Kaeng Wang Nam Yen), and expansive savannas (such as Tung SalaengLuang and Tung Nang Phaya) covered in wild flowers and grass. A 3-kilometer nature study route is available (the Pho Ko Rice Field Nature Study Route), which begins at the Nong Mae Na Office. There are tents for rent, a campsite (with a fee of 30 baht per night), and eight bungalows near the park headquarters at Km. 80.To get there, take one of these two routes. From Phetchabun, take Highway No. 21 to AmphoeLomSak for 13 kilometers to Ban Na Ngua and turn left. Go further along Highway No. 2258 to KhaoKho, pass the Ban SadaoPhong Intersection and KhaoKho Palace, and go straight on until reaching Ban ThangTawan. Turn right for 4 kilometers until the Office 1 of the National Park is reached, located in ThungSalaengLuang. Alternatively, from Phitsanulok, take Highway No. 12, Phitsanulok-LomSak Route, for approximately 100 kilometers and turn right onto KhaoKho, passing the Office of AmphoeKhaoKho until reaching Ban SadoPhong. Turn right onto Highway No. 2258, passing KhaoKho Palace. Go straight on to Ban ThangTawan and turn right for 4 kilometers to reach the Office 1 of the National Park. For additional information, contact the ThungSalaengLuang National Park, P.O. Box 64, AmphoeMueang, Phitsanulok 65120, Tel. 0 5526 8019. Alternatively, contact the Department of the National Park, Wildlife and Flora in Bangkok at 0 2562 0760 or visit www.dnp.go.th.