Doi Phu Kha National Park

Introducing Doi Phu Kha National Park

This national park (0 5473 1362; www.dnp.go.th; child/adult 200/400B) is centred on 2000m-high Doi Phu Kha in Amphoe Pua and Amphoe Bo Kleua in northeastern Nan (about 75km from Nan). There are several Htin, Mien, Hmong and Thai Lü villages in the park and vicinity, as well as a couple of caves and waterfalls, and endless opportunities for forest walks. At the time of writing there were no maps at park headquarters but it’s possible to hire a guide (300B a day) there. The park is often cold in the cool season and especially wet in the wet season.

The park offers A-frame bungalows (0 2562 0760; reserve@dnp.go.th; for 2-7 people 300-2500B). You must bring food and drinking water in from town, as the park office no longer offers food service.

This area can get quite cool in the winter months – evening temperatures of 5°C to 10°C are not uncommon – so dress accordingly.

To reach the national park by public transport you must first take a bus or sǎwngthǎew north of Nan to Pua (30B), and then pick up one of the infrequent sǎwngthǎew to the park headquarters or Bamboo Hut (35B). The one that goes from Nan to Pua leaves about 6am, the one from Pua to Ban Toei at about 7am.

Ban Bo Kleua is a Htin village southeast of the park where the main occupation is the extraction of salt from local salt wells. It’s easy to find the main community salt well, more or less in the centre of the village. Many small shops and vendor stands sell the local salt in 2kg bags for 25B; it’s delicious stuff. Rte 1256 meets Rte 1081 near Ban Bo Kleua; Rte 1081 can be followed south back to Nan (107km) via a network of unpaved roads.

Last updated: Jul 28, 2009