Phu Laen Kha National Park

Phu Laen Kha National Park (Thai: อุทยานแห่งชาติภูแลนคา) is a national park in Thailand with a total area of 125,312.50 rai (about 200.50 km2) covering Amphoe Kaset Sombun, Amphoe Nong Bua Daeng, Amphoe Mueang Chaiyaphum and Amphoe Ban Khwao of Chaiyaphum Province in northeastern region.

Phu Laen Kha National Park
อุทยานแห่งชาติภูแลนคา
Mo Hin Khao at night with clearly milky way and stars
Map showing the location of Phu Laen Kha National Park
Map showing the location of Phu Laen Kha National Park
Park location in Thailand
LocationChaiyaphum Province, Isan, Thailand
Nearest cityChaiyaphum
Coordinates16°0′36.3348″N 101°53′26.2284″E / 16.010093000°N 101.890619000°E / 16.010093000; 101.890619000
Area200.50 km2 (77.41 sq mi)
Established20 December 1996
Governing bodyDepartment of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation

Phu Laen Kha is the 180th national park of Thailand. It is an area consists of complicated mountains and plateaus approx 200 (656 ft) to 725 m (2378 ft) above the sea level. There are many unique and beautiful places include interesting viewpoints. There is also hiking and camping in the area and also many other tourist attractions to see and explore.[1] The best time to visit is between May and December.

In addition, visitors can continue to travel from here to another three national parks nearby in Chaiyaphum, namely Pa Hin Ngam, Sai Thong and Tat Ton.[2]

Sights

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  • Mo Hin Khao (มอหินขาว) is an iconic rock formation on the sward, similar to Stonehenge of England. Therefore, it is known as "Thailand Stonehenge", regarded as both the symbol and the landmark that is best known for the national park. In addition, this place was also selected to be one of the 2009 TV commercial locations of Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) under the campaign "12 Months 7 Stars 9 Suns" (12 เดือน 7 ดาว 9 ตะวัน) presented by Thongchai "Bird" McIntyre.[3]
 
View of Chiyaphum and Phang Heuy mountain range from Pha Hua Nak viewpoint.
  • Pha Hua Nak (ผาหัวนาค), cliff and viewpoint that are not far from Mo Hin Khao (about 4 km (2 mi)). Pha Hua Nak is about 905 m (2969 ft) above average sea level and can see the Mueang Chaiyaphum below, with cool temperatures throughout the day. On the opposite side of Pha Hua Nak is the Phang Heuy mountain range (เทือกเขาพังเหย). Its name refers to "Naga [mythical serpent]'s head cliff", according to its characteristics.[4]
  • Pha Kluai Mai (ผากล้วยไม้), another viewpoint cliff of the park.
  • Hin Prasart (หินปราสาท), a striking natural upright rock apart from Mo Hin Khao.
  • Pratu Khlong (ประตูโขลง), a strange stone that looks like a beautiful arch.

References

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  1. ^ "Phu Lan Kha National Park". Bangkok Post.
  2. ^ "ภูแลนคา (Phu Laenkha)" [Phu Laen Kha]. Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (in Thai).
  3. ^ "'เบิร์ด' ลุยเที่ยวไทยทึ่งหินงาม 'มอหินขาว'" ['Bird' to travel to Thailand, amazed, beautiful rock, 'Mo Hin Khao']. Thai Rath (in Thai). 2009-09-08. Retrieved 2019-06-03.
  4. ^ "ผาหัวนาค (อุทยานแห่งชาติภูแลนคา)" [Pha Hua Nak (Phu Laen Kha National Park)]. Thailand Tourism Directory (in Thai).
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