Pang Ung, the Switzerland of Thailand7 December 2012
Pang Ung, also known in its full title as “the royal project Pang Tong 2”, is initiated by Their Majesties the King and Queen. Under the royal demand to build a water reservoir, the consolidation around the border lines was restored, people’s living conditions were improved, and rich natural resources were rehabilitated.
Many might not see what “Pang Ung” means. The term “pang” refers to a lodge for workers in the wood, while “ung” in Thai northern dialect means a marshy frying pan basin, which is likely to denote the water reservoir.
The name given to Pang Ung is “the Switzerland of Thailand” for rows of verdant Black pine and Kesiya pine trees running along the vast water reservoir in the warm embrace of intricate mountain ranges. Here, you will find a picturesque landscape and a very impressive atmosphere when the fog bank lingers upon the waters. Especially when the sun rises in the morning, nothing could be more romantic than the reflection of gleaming sunray on the water surface.
One of the popular scenic points for the sunrise is on the dam crest. There are a massive crowd of tourists expecting for the rising sun here, particularly in winter and during long weekends. Another favorite scenic point for photography is at the bamboo pavilion located by the lake. This spot is considered Pang Ung’s landmark, as almost every visitor capture photos of his memorable trip at this spot.
Apart from admiring the breath taking views of morning fog, an activity one should not miss is cruising down the stream on a bamboo raft to appreciate the relaxed ambience, including Pang Ung’s highlight: a pair of swans – one in black and the other in white - which had been bestowed by the Queen.
In addition, Pang Ung Park, located near the royal project office, is meant to supersede former opium plantations by variety of plants local to the highland topography. The plants grew there are mainly for consumption or medical purposes, such as avocado, persimmon, Chinese pear, and Chinese bayberry. Together with cold-climate flowering and ornamental plants, like rose, hydrangea, and orange trumpet. Moreover, there have been many attempts to reintroduce species of local flora and fauna to the region of Pang Ung. For example rough-lipped dendrobium (or ueang sae in Thai), other several orchids, as well as a kind of small frog known as kied lan.