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AMPHOE KHAO KHO
Khao Kho
Khao Kho is made up of mountain ranges to northwest of town about
1,174 metres above mean sea level covered in the main by deciduous
plants. Very cold during November-February, it once was the base
room which communist insurgents conducted their struggles against
the authorities during 1968-1982. Today it is accessible via two
routes; off Highway No. 12 (Phitsanulok - Lom Sak) at Ban Camp Son
with a further distance of 30 kilometres of off highway No. 21 at
Ban Na Ngua, about 13 kilometres from town with a further distance
of 30 kilometres. Both routes wind through considerably steep terrain.
Interesting places include various viewing points, remains of communist
bases and buildings, war memorial, arms museum, a Chedi containing
Holy Relic and the Si Dit waterfall.
Rai B.N.
Rai B.N. is a private agriculture plantation growing cold-climate
crops, including various flowers which alternately bloom throughout
the year. It is situated on the route to Khao Kho 3 kilometres from
Ban Camp Son and fruit-based items for sale.
AMPHOE LOM SAK
Pho Khun Pha Muang Memorial
The Pho Khun Pha Muang Memorial at Lom Sak district in the north
of Phetchabun commemorates this former ruler or the area, which
was a contemporary of Sukhothai.
Phu Hin Rong Kla
Lom Sak District is the starting point to go to Phu Hin Rong Kla
to the west. As the route is quite steep, extreme care should be
exercised in driving. Phu Hin Rong Kla is a popular destination
located along the Phitsanulok and Phetchabun borders and offers
exotic scenery. It was once the base of communists' resurgents fighting
against the government some twenty years ago.
AMPHOE MUEANG
City Pillar Shrine
Phetchabun's City Pillar Shrine has been brought over from the ancient
town of Si Thep and is considered the oldest such structure in Thailand.
Huai Pa Daeng Reservoir
The Huai Pa Daeng Reservoir was created by the dam constructed to
block the waterway to the west of town for irrigation purposes.
Some 8 kilometres from town on Highway No. 2006, it is a pleasant
place for recreation and picnic with scenic natural views in the
background, particularly in the morning and late afternoon.
Tat Mok National Park
The Tat Mok National Park has a huge waterfall fed by streams flowing
down cracks and crevices of the mountains creating a beautiful 12-level
fall. On both sides of the trails leading up to it are large, shady
trees providing a pleasant surrounding. To reach the park, take
off from town past the town hall to the east for some 15 kilometres
to Ban Chaliang Lap. Then take a right turn onto Highway No. 2275.
After just 300 metres is a left fork leading to an access on to
steep slope for a distance of 20 kilometres. From here another 1.8
kilometres on foot to arrive at the waterfall.
Wat Mahathat
Wat Mahathat is located on Nikon Bamrung Road in town. The temple
houses a number of ancient chedis of Sukhothai style.
Wat Trai Phum
Wat Trai Phum on Phetcharat Road features a Buddha statue called
Phra Buddha Mahadhamaracha cast in the ornamental Lop Buri style.
The ritual bathing of the Buddha image or the traditional Um Phra
Dam Nam ceremony is held during September each year.
AMPHOE NAM NAO
Nam Nao National Park
The Nam Nao National Park is an immense tract of forest still in
perfect condition. With pineries, grasslands and virgin jungles,
it is habitat to large number of animals and more than 100 species
of birds. During December-January, the mercury could drop to as
low as 2-5 degrees Celsius. The park headquarters is about 50 kilometres
to the west of Lom Sak district on Highway No. 12. Points of interest
are spread out. Attractions reached by taking Highway No. 12 (Lom
Sak-Chum Phae) include:-
Tham Pha Hong, 300 meters off the main road at Km.39 to the north.
Within the caves are formations of stalactites and stalagmites.
It is also a point from which to view the scenery at sunset.
Ban Paek Pinery, 5 kilometres by foot off the main road at Km.49.
Phu Kum Khao Pinery, 15 kilometres off the main road at Km.53. Dense
rolls of pine trees cover an area of about 10 square kilometres.
Namtok Heo Sai and Namtok Sai Thong are located on the same route.
Both waterfalls can be reached on foot for a distance of 1 kilometre
and 1.5 kilometres respectively off the main road at Km. 67.
There are also attractions on Highway No. 2216 (Lom Kao - Huai
Sanam Sai) such as Pha Lom - Pha Kong cliffs which are 5 kilometres
from the main road at Km. 40 and the Tham Yai Nam Nao cave near
Km. 60.
AMPHOE SI THEP
Si Thep Historical Park
Some 130 kilometres south of Phetchabun on Highway No. 21, and with
another 9 kilometres after a left turn, is the Si Thep Historical
Park. Si Thep is an ancient town where many architectural structures
still remain indicative of its past prosperity during the 11th-18th
Buddhist Centuries. It was once the centre of contact between the
Dvaravati kingdom in the Central Plain basin and the Khmer kingdom
in the Northeast. A twin-city, there were over one hundred ancient
sites all built with bricks and laterite, most of which have crumbled.
There are also remains of several ponds spread out all over the
area. Most of the ancient relics recovered are parts of architectural
nature such as elaborate lintels, plastered designs and Sema stone
(used to mark out limits of Buddhist temples) and human skeletons
still adorned with ornamental pieces.
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