Pha Taem National Park

Introducing Pha Taem National Park

Up the Mekong from Khong Jiam is a long stone cliff named Pha Taem – the centrepiece of Pha Taem National Park (0 4526 6333, reservations 0 2562 0760; admission 400B; 24hr). From the top you get an amazing bird’s-eye view of Laos, and you can see the first sunrise in Thailand. Down below, reached via a trail, the cliff features prehistoric rock paintings that are at least 3000 years old. Mural subjects include fish traps, plaa bèuk (giant Mekong catfish), elephants, human hands and geometric designs. The second viewing platform fronts the most impressive pictographs. A clifftop visitor centre ( 8am-5pm) contains exhibits pertaining to the paintings and local geology.

Nam Tok Soi Sawan, a 25m-tall waterfall flowing from June to November, is another popular spot. It’s a 19km drive from the visitor centre, but it’s best reached by the 9km hiking trail tracing the cliff. What the park calls Thailand’s largest flower field (blooming late October to end of December) lies just beyond the falls. The far north of the park, where roads are so bad they are best travelled on two wheels, holds many more waterfalls and wonderful views. Pa Cha Na Dai cliff serves Thailand’s first sunrise. Scattered across the 340-sq-km park are several areas called Sao Chaliang, mushroom-shaped stone formations similar to Phu Pha Thoep in Mukdahan National Park.

Pha Taem has camp sites (per tent 30B, 2-person tent hire 150B) and six bungalows (6-bed with fan 1200B, 4-bed with air-con 2000B). Vendors sell snacks and beverages near the visitor centre.

Last updated: Aug 21, 2009