Wang Nam Khiao... the world's 7th largest ozone source, Switzerland of the Northeast. Anyone can claim whatever they want, but for me, Wang Nam Khiao is just Wang Nam Khiao. An agricultural district that happens to be surrounded by mountains and forests on many sides. It's not as luxurious as heaven, but I'm not trying to discredit it either. Because overall, Wang Nam Khiao has something good to offer. It's a relaxing place near Bangkok, easily accessible by private car.

I have visited Wang Nam Khiao many times, but I have never been able to see it all. The place is vast, with a wide variety of attractions. In mid-February, during Valentine's Day, they hold an annual event called "Chrysanthemums Blooming in the Mist". This gave me the perfect excuse to return to Wang Nam Khiao for another visit.

To visit Wang Nam Khiao, you need to understand that it's like a cracked city, with Highway 304 (Kabin Buri-Pak Thong Chai-Korat) cutting through the middle. Tourist attractions are divided into two zones. If you're coming from Kabin Buri, the right side is the Thai Samakkhi sub-district, with highlights like Pha Geb Ta Wan and Thap Lan National Park. The left side is the Khao Phang Ma zone, famous for its banteng sightings and beautiful resorts. The Khao Phang Ma road, Rural Road No. 3052, also connects to Khao Yai National Park.

I live in downtown Korat, just 80 kilometers from Wang Nam Khieo. I took my wife, who was on leave from work, for a motorcycle ride. It wasn't a big bike, but a Honda Wave with an indigo pattern that was a decade and a half old. But it was still tough and took the two of us on our travels.

Now that we have a rough idea, let's start the trip.

(1)

This trip, I arrived at Wang Nam Khiao in the late afternoon, just in time to set up my tent for the night on Pha Kiew Ta Wan, in the Thap Lan National Park. This is a prime spot for watching the sunset. The road is excellent all the way, turning off from Highway 304 towards Ban Thai Samakkhi for 13 kilometers.

The tent site is quite spacious. You can choose your location as you like. Normally, the tent fee is 30 baht per person, but during my visit, the fee card was not ready, so they allowed me to camp for free. If you haven't prepared anything, they have tents and other equipment for rent. However, there is no restaurant here, but you can drive down to the village to eat, which is not far away.

Previously, Pha Kiew Ta Wan had problems with the restrooms, which were small, relatively dirty, and insufficient. This has now been rectified with the construction of new, improved restrooms that are reasonably clean. However, they still use groundwater and natural resources. During periods with few visitors, there are no issues. However, during festivals when there are many people, the water supply may be insufficient or reddish-brown. There are no facilities for charging batteries. The overall atmosphere of the area is good, with the only drawback being the occasional presence of litter from tourists.

No rush today. After setting up the tent, I watched the sunset. Below is Nadi District, Prachinburi. Pha Khep Tawon is the end point of Nakhon Ratchasima Province on this side.

I went down to eat rice at Baan Thai Samakkee, a roadside restaurant with a decent selection of dishes. There was also a convenience store where I could buy snacks and other necessities.

During my visit, the weather had transitioned out of the cold season, with pleasantly cool temperatures and clear skies. The open sky from the clifftop provided an excellent view of the stars. The red lights visible in the distance are from wildfires, which are common during the dry season.

Before coming on this trip, I had heard in the news that the Milky Way would be rising in the east from around 5 am onwards. I set my alarm clock, and as soon as it went off, I left the tent and set up my tripod to look for the Milky Way. I couldn't see it with the naked eye, but I managed to capture it on camera.

(2)

The morning atmosphere at Pha Kiew Ta Wan was excellent. The thin mist floated in the distance, so I spent my time enjoying taking pictures, wandering around until it was almost noon.

Looking from the cliff along the forest line, you will see scattered lantan trees. Below, in the agricultural area, there are also lantan trees. This point is considered the only remaining lantan forest in our country. This is the origin of the name Thap Lan National Park.

Next, head to Pha Chom Tawan. This place is not just for watching the sunset, but also offers a variety of other activities. The entrance is located on Thai Samakkhi Soi 2, the same road as Starwell Garden Home, Baan Chom Duen, and Phu Mai Nao. If you are coming from Pha Khep Tawan, it will be on the left side, about 6 kilometers past the Thai Samakkhi Subdistrict Administrative Organization. Once you turn into the alley, follow the road straight ahead. The road is gravel but cars can drive on it. When you reach the T-junction, there will be a sign telling you to turn left 300 meters to Pha Chom Tawan. Turning right is a shortcut to Highway 304.

Pha Chom Tawan may be just a small cliff, but the view is beautiful. It's easier to see the fog than Pha Khep Tawan, more or less depending on the season.

Today I planned to visit the Thai Samakkhi zone, but first I need to refuel. Every time I come to Wang Nam Khieo, I have to stop by "Nontri Steak Hut" for a steak. The only reason is that this is the shop of an old friend from my university days (lol...)

Let me tell you, the steak here is delicious (I'm biased...). The atmosphere of the restaurant is excellent (I'm biased...). The service is impressive (I'm biased...). If you come to Wang Nam Khieo and don't eat steak here, it's like you haven't been here (I'm biased again...). Plus, the owner is not only handsome, but also a bit of a flirt (lol...).

Just kidding! But seriously, if you're looking for a delicious steak, try Nonthri Steak Hut. The restaurant is located on the right side of the road leading up to Pha Kiew Ta Wan, about 2 kilometers past the Thai Samakkhi Subdistrict Administrative Organization. It's open from 11am to 9pm, and the steaks range in price from 150-250 baht. The quality is excellent for the price, and the owner is very friendly. He's even a former university student president!

My friend suggested I visit the Wang Nam Khiao Coffee Roasting Factory near the Huai Krabog Reservoir, so I stopped by to check it out. It's a privately owned coffee roasting factory, and if you're lucky, they'll let you watch them roast coffee beans using their brand new equipment. They also sell various coffee-based products, including coffee shampoo, soap, and scrub. This is the first time I've seen these products! The cafe area has a great atmosphere, and the coffee tastes excellent. The prices are reasonable, around 50-60 baht. In my opinion, it's the best coffee shop in Wang Nam Khiao. I asked about their coffee beans, and they told me they use beans from Doi Chang in Chiang Rai. The coffee beans they buy from local farmers in Wang Nam Khiao are used to make the shampoo, soap, and scrub.

He has a cool house located behind Huai Krabong with a fantastic atmosphere. However, the price is a bit harsh for backpackers at 2,500 baht per night. If you're okay with the price, I highly recommend it as one of the top choices for accommodation in Wang Nam Khieo. Alternatively, you can also camp there. For more details, check out their Facebook page > http://on.fb.me/1Wm8AnZ. I heard it's really good, so I wanted to share it with you.

It's time to continue to the 14th Benjamas Blooming in the Mist Festival at Thai Saman Khee Subdistrict Administrative Organization. This year, the event is held around Valentine's Day. I went one day before the opening ceremony, but I was able to see the flowers. It's a pity that the atmosphere didn't live up to the name of the event because I came in the afternoon when the sun was blazing, so it was more like "Benjamas in the Burning Sun" (lol...).

Okay, when the sun is bright, the flowers are very colorful. I learned something new that the flowers at Wang Nam Khiao are beautiful because the weather is hot and sunny during the day and cool at night. This temperature difference makes the flowers have bright colors.

Later, I rode out to the entrance of Highway 304. Yesterday, I saw a large golden statue of Luang Pho Khoon. That is Wat Bu Phai, also known as Wat Ban Rai 2. If you come to Wang Nam Khieo, feel free to stop by and pay your respects to Luang Pho Khoon.

During the tourist season in Wang Nam Khiao (November-March), strawberry farms line the roadside. My friend told me that there were only two farms last year, but after their success, this year there are ten. These farms are not owned by people from Wang Nam Khiao, but by Hmong people from the north who have rented land to do business. After March, they pack up and return to their hometowns. My wife and I chose one farm and walked around picking strawberries just for fun. Picking them yourself costs 60 baht per 100 grams, which is equivalent to 600 baht per kilogram. It's super expensive! Just pick for fun and don't get carried away, or your wallet will be empty. (Haha...)


After having fun at the strawberry farm until around four o'clock, I decided to go back and wait to take pictures of the sunset at Pha Kiew Ta Wan. It was a good decision because even though the sunset itself wasn't that beautiful, the twilight sky that evening was amazing.

That night, the vast campsite became home to just me and Miss, with the wildfire creeping closer and closer. And because of those red flames, I had to change the location for my Milky Way photography in the morning. I woke up at five o'clock and went down to my old friend's place, Nonthri Steak Hut. I got this picture.

(3)

As the sky brightened, I returned to Pha Kiew Ta Wan. The smoke from the forest fire hung in the air, making the view a bit hazy. But it didn't matter to me anymore, because tonight I would be sleeping near Khao Phaeng Ma instead. Speaking of the Khao Phaeng Ma zone, there is a popular tourist attraction that is like a symbol of Wang Nam Khieo: Flora Park. It is open to the public from November to April. When the rain comes, it closes for renovations. This cycle repeats every year. I recently heard that the flowers are in full bloom, so I decided to stop by.

From the cliff, you can see the sunset. Continue on Highway 304 and turn left towards Kabin Buri. As you approach the border of Nakhon Ratchasima and enter Prachin Buri, you will find a three-way intersection with a right turn to Khao Yai. This is Flora Park Road (นม.3052). Drive straight for about 8 kilometers.

The flowers are bright and colorful, as the story goes. But be warned, the entrance fee is a bit expensive. Adults on weekdays cost 120 baht, on weekends 150 baht, and children 50 baht. Consider how much money you have in your wallet before deciding whether to go in. Be sure to bring sunscreen, as the sun in Wang Nam Khiao is very harsh.

I would say the most outstanding are the various types of roses. They have large, full blooms and beautiful colors.

The other part is the Dok Gaan Phrueksa flower, which looks similar to Japanese cherry blossoms or Nang Phaya Suea Krong. It usually blooms during the dry season from February to April. When I went, about 20-30% of the flowers were in bloom. If you go when they are all in bloom, I guarantee it will be beautiful.

After spending a considerable amount of time taking photos to get the most out of the ticket price, we headed towards Khao Phang Ma. From Flora Park, we backtracked a little and found a sign indicating the way up to Khao Phang Ma. The distance is only 4 kilometers, and the incline is not too steep, but the road is entirely gravel. Motorcycles can easily navigate it, but for sedans, it's a different story. For the well-being of your car, I would say that small cars should "avoid" it. SUVs or pickup trucks, however, will have no problem. Once you reach the top, you will find the residence of the officers of the Khao Phang Ma Wildlife Sanctuary. Not far from there is a viewpoint and a spot for observing banteng, which usually come out to feed in the evening.

After talking to the officer, I found out that there is a better spot for watching bulls, called "Chok Khao Song", which is a sub-unit of the wildlife sanctuary and not far from here. The way up and down is also easier. He recommended it so much that I would be crazy not to believe him. But since I'm already here, I should check out the area a bit. If possible, I'll try to spend one night here and another night at Khao Song to get the full experience.

To get to the Khao Sung checkpoint, I won't go into detail in this review to avoid making it too long. You can read the full review of the bull watching trip here (click > http://wp.me/p7ca93-Me). In this review, I'll just briefly mention that it's located at Ban Khlong Sai. Turn into Khlong Sai Hill Resort. The road is a gravel road that is relatively okay for small cars to drive up. There is a camping ground and a good bathroom on top, but there is no restaurant or camping equipment for rent. Be sure to bring everything you need.

The park has installed electric fences along the entire boundary to clearly separate the community from the forest. These fences are designed to prevent banteng from wandering out and eating the villagers' crops. If this is not done, the problem between crop growers and herbivores will never be solved.

After setting up the tent at 5 pm, I went to watch the banteng at the unit. I didn't have to walk far. After a while, I saw a small herd of about ten banteng walking out of the forest. The officer had binoculars for me to look through. That day, there were only me and the lady, so I didn't have to fight anyone for the binoculars.

The officer said that there weren't many bulls because the big herd had come out three or four days ago. Now it's probably the turn of the small herd. We watched them until six o'clock in the evening, then the officer invited us to take a car down to see other points below along the electric fence. Then we were lucky, we didn't go down a kilometer when there was a herd feeding not far from the fence. It was getting dark, but I had a tripod that helped me get some pictures.

Before dusk, we returned to the rice we had bought at the campsite. Having only one tent in this area was so peaceful. We slept listening to the sound of insects and came out to enjoy the stars. I must say that this place is perfect for taking pictures of the stars. There may be some light interference, but it can also be turned into a prop.

And like the past two days, I woke up before dawn to catch the elephants as usual. It's not very clear, even the camera can barely see it, but I'm still smiling.

(4)

After a short nap following my Milky Way photography session, I woke up to the breathtaking morning atmosphere on the mountaintop. The air was crisp and fresh, and the view was simply magnificent.

On the last day of our trip, we descended from the Khao Sung checkpoint. My wife and I decided to visit a famous mulberry garden in Wang Nam Khiao called Suan Mae Mon, located in Wang Mi Subdistrict. It's on the road from Wang Nam Khiao to Khao Yai, following the Th. 3052 road.

Along the way, you will pass the Lam Phra Phloeng Reservoir. This is a reservoir, not a dam, as the Lam Phra Phloeng Dam is located in Pak Thong Chai. Water from the dam flows here to be stored. Currently, a bicycle path is being constructed along the dam. Once completed, it will likely be very popular. There is a rest stop here maintained by the Department of Rural Roads, which includes a small garden.

From the reservoir, it's another 4 kilometers to Khao Yai, where you'll find the Ma Moen Garden. This garden does not use chemicals in its cultivation. It's a traditional agricultural garden that wasn't created specifically for tourism. It's worth supporting and visiting. There's no entrance fee, and you can sample everything for free. Plus, you'll get a warm smile from the friendly owners. The prices of all the products are reasonable. I highly recommend the mulberry juice blended with honey - it's delicious! As for the mulberries, you can pick and eat them all year round.

As a last stop before heading back, we dropped by A Cup of Love, a popular sheep farm and coffee shop in Wang Nam Khiao. Since it was located by the roadside and we were passing by, we decided to give it a try. However, on a Saturday, the place was packed with people and the parking lot was full. We were planning to compare their coffee with other shops, but when we saw the prices - 90 baht for an iced espresso and 80 baht for an iced mocha - we decided to swallow our saliva instead. (Haha...)

Since I was already there, the entrance fee to the sheep farm and photo spot was 50 baht. I decided to pay and take a few photos just to have some stock photos of what the place is like. Anyone who likes this type of attraction would probably say it's worth it. As for my style, I have to say that if I hadn't gone in, there wouldn't have been anything to regret.

All set, I looked at the clock. It was three in the afternoon, time to return to Korat. I'll go back the same way I came. I must say that this trip to Wang Nam Khieo was a very happy one.

And even though this time I saw many more things, it's still not everything Wang Nam Khiao has to offer. Because the truth is, there are still waterfalls to visit during the rainy season, and there are many more interesting natural attractions to explore. This means I'll have to come back many more times, especially now that I know where to find good camping spots that are easy to get to (by motorbike). …

If you're interested in reading my other blog reviews, or if you'd like to chat, ask me questions (if I have the answers, of course), or go on an adventure with me, I'd be delighted to hear from you.

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