Nam Phong National Park acquiring a total area of 197 square kilometres, the park covers a large area in Khon Kaen namely; Nong Ruea, Ubolratana, Phu Wiang, Ban Fang, Mancha Khiri, and Khok Pho Chai as well as two Amphoes in Chaiyaphum province, Ban Thaen and Kaeng Khro. The park headquarters is located by the lake over Ubolratana Dam. Forest in this national park is watershed of the chi and Phong Rivers. The deciduous dipterocarp and dry everygreen forests in this mountain range are a major source of herbs. There are viewpoints in the park. ‘Hin Chang Si’ is a group of rocks, where wild elephants use for scratching their flanks. This point has a scenic view of the Uboltatana lake and Khon Kaen city. Hin Chang Si viewpoint can be accessed by car, eight kilometres from Sok Tae Reforestation Park. From the head quarters, walking to Hin Chang Si takes around two hours. Some 30 minutes on foot from Hin Chang Si is Plan Chat viewpoint. Pha Sawan is another viewpoint from where visitors can witness beautiful scenery of the lake. The cliff is a two-hour walk from the headquarters. Another interesting attraction in the park is Phon Kham, crater-like rock well. For more information, call Nam Phong National Park at Tel. 0 4324 8006 or of National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department in Bangkok at Tel. 0 2562 0760.
How to get there: Nam Phong National Park can be reached from two routes.
1. From Khon Kaen, go via Highway 12 to Chum Phae District, then turn right at kilometre 30 to Ban PHue for another 19 kilometres via Highway 3034 (Nong Saeng-Tha Ruea). This route is 49 kilometres.
2. From Khon Kaen, bound for Amphoe Ubolratana via Highway 2, heading for Udon Thani, then turn left to Amphoe Ubolratana. In the Amphoe, use Highway 3034, which lies along the lake over Ubolratana Dam. This route is 65 kilometres long.