Located
in Amphoe Wang Thong, Nakorn Thai District, the park
covers an area of 136,250 rai of land. The terrain is
mainly covered by lush forests with mountain ranges
raising 100 to 645 meters above sea level. Attractions
include Namtok Kaeng Bua Kam: a 5-tiered waterfall,
Namtok Phu Daeng Ron, Namtok Huay Plu, Larn Mapha Dua
view point, and Ban Nong Hin view point.
To reach
the national park drive along Highway No. 12 from the
city for 6 kilometers, then turn left onto Highway No.
11 (Phitsanulok - Uttaradit). Proceed for another 25
kilometers to Ban Nakam, then turn right and drive for
approximately 9 kilometers. Upon reaching Ban Kaeng Ched
Kwae School, turn right and drive along the road for 300
meters to the entrance on the left. Accommodations are
available. Contact Kaeng Ched Kwae National Park Office
(temporary) National Park Guard Unit ( Phu Daeng Ron )
Ban Huay Plu ,Sup Prai Wan,Wang Thong District,
Phitsanulok 65130 or email
reserve@dnp.go.th.
Phu Hin Rong
Kla is a distinctive national park with a unique mixture of
scenic attractions and historical sites. It was once the
stage of armed conflicts between two extreme political
ideologies. The Park covers a total area of 191,875 rai of
land (76,750 acres) and is approximately 130 kilometers from
Phitsanulok city. It can be reached by taking Highway No. 12
and turning left at Km.68 marker into Highway No. 2013, a
road leading to Nakhon Thai District.
The park
area is mainly covered with lush green forests, several
awesome waterfalls, and a vast plain of rocks with cracks
scattered all around. The highest point of the park is 1,617
meters above sea level. Here, rock formations are naturally
formed into different shapes beyond your wildest
imagination. Some rocky grounds have deep splits (Lan Hin
Taek), while others have uneven formations.
Apart from
natural attractions, the park offers opportunities to
explore many of its historical sites that tell the story of
national political conflicts.
Because Phu Hin Rong Kla was the strategic headquarters of the
Communist Party of Thailand (CPT) during 1967 to 1982, the
area was declared as a red area by the Thai government. For
nearly two decades, the site had become a strategic
battlefield between the Royal Thai Army and the CPT. Phu Hin
Rong Kla was the perfect location for the CPT to fight the
military. Its remote, closed mountainous area was superb for
an elusive defense. It was not until 1982 that the conflict
was overcome when the government granted amnesty to all the
students who had joined the CPT. In 1984, Phu Hin Rong Kla
was declared a National Park.
During the CPT’s golden era, a hospital, a school of political
and political tactics, living quarters, an air-raid shelter
and other necessary facilities were set up. Today, visitors
to Phu Hin Rong Kla can travel along the park’s main road to
witness the remains of a rustic meeting hall, the political
school, and the administration building.
There is
also a trail leading to Lan Hin Pum, an area of jutting
rocks that the CPT used as an air-raid shelter. From the
spot, it is possible to see the remains of the CPT
headquarters with a small museum displaying some CPT weapons
and medical instruments. Follow another trail to Pha Chu
Thong, the cliff where a red flag was raise when the CPT
gained a victory.
Tourists or
visitors wishing to stay overnight are advised to make
advance reservations at the National Park Division, Forestry
Department tel. 05 523 3527 or 02 561 4292, or email
reserve@dnp.go.th
