Invitation from Mother Nature in Thailand
After a fairly long period of extremely high temperatures, the rainy season has arrived in Thailand. The weather is still on the warm side, but will gradually become cooler due to the expected rainfall. The first heavy rain showers have already taken place, which is causing nuisance in some places, but in general the rainy season is good news for nature lovers. Everywhere in the country nature colors itself in all its splendor and the many waterfalls in the national parks again offer a spectacular sight.
There are many possibilities to get out into nature, near you or a little further away, but Phoowadon Duangmee already selected four destinations that may also be attractive to you.
The Siam tulip in full bloom
In the Pa Hin Ngam National Park in Chaiyaphum province, about 300 km from Bangkok, you can enjoy wild flowers, especially the Siam tulip. From June to August you will see a carpet of flowers as far as the eye can see. The park is popular with weekenders for the flowers, as well as the odd-looking rock formations. The endless meadows stretch out before the visitors like a dream landscape – misty and still in the morning.
Perched on a bluff overlooking the valley floor, you can see a verdant rainforest canopy stretching to the nearby mountain range. This view is known as “sud phaen din” – or the edge of the earth. As the name suggests, you will be overwhelmed by a great feeling of being “alone in the world”
You can camp in the park or rent a ranger house. For more information call Pa Hin Ngam National Park on (044) 890 105 and also see the previous article on this blog: www.thailandblog.nl/isaan/chaiyaphum-isaan
The rapids in the Mae Taeng River
In the Mae Taeng River in Chiang Mai province you will find the Sob Kai Rapids. Over a distance of 10 kilometers, the river boils and swirls over rapids, offering you an exciting rafting adventure through the rainforest. The tricky turns and class III and IV rapids demand fast action from good rafters and thrill seekers alike. Rafting through the raging waters downstream from Baan Sob Koi to the Elephant Cam takes about three hours. Baan Anatta Resort offers rustic cabins on the river and can arrange rafting. The best time for this is from July to November. For more information seebaananattaresort.net/index.html or call the Tourism Authority of Thailand (Chiang Mai Office) on (053) 248 604-5.
Sai Thong National Park, Chaiyaphum
If you really want to experience an environment where you can forget about your city life for a while, head to Sait Tong National Park in Chaiyaphum province. Like Pa Hin Ngam National Park - its sister 50 kilometers away - Sai Thong National Park is known for its Siam tulips, but this park is home to the unique ivory white Siam tulip.
The park is less visited than its charming sister and therefore offers the feeling of being alone in the world.” There are beautiful waterfalls and steep cliffs to admire. Those cliffs have rather strange names, such as “Pha Ham Hod” or shrunken balls. There is a walking route that takes you 3 kilometers through fields with Siam tulips and other wild flowers. You can camp there, so bring your tent, basic cooking equipment and food. The best time is from June to August. For more information there are several websites, see eg /en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sai_Thong_National_Park or call Bel Sai Thong National Park on (044) 738 428.
Phu Wua Wildlife Sanctuary
In the extreme northeast of Thailand in the province of Bueng Khan you will find the Pua Wua Wildlife Sanctuary. It is a wonderful place to swim "in the wild". There are idyllic rocky pools in the great Mekong River plus rapids upstream where you can enjoy a swim. In the rainy season, the park is well known for endless grassy trails and fields of wildflowers. This month and next are best for swimming, while October is a good time to enjoy the flowers.
For more information call Phu Wua Wildlife Sanctuary at (081) 260 1845 and (042) 429 362.
Source: The Nation
About this blogger
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Bert Gringhuis (1945), born and raised in Almelo in the beautiful Twente. Later lived for many years in Amsterdam and Alkmaar, working in export for various companies. I first came to Thailand in 1980 and immediately fell in love with the country. Been back many times since then and moved to Thailand after my (early) retirement as a widower. I have been living there for 22 years now with my somewhat younger Thai lady Poopae.
My first experiences in Thailand as a kind of newsletter sent to family, friends and acquaintances, which later appeared under the name Gringo on Thailandblog. Many, many articles followed those first stories and that has grown into an almost daily hobby.
In the Netherlands still an avid footballer and football referee, but the years are starting to tell and in Thailand still avid, but the pool billiards is really of inferior quality, ha ha!
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