SUAN PHUENG
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SUAN PHUENG
This bordering district of Ratchaburi would have fallen off the travellers’ radar had it not been because of a string of Mediterranean-themed resorts dotting its mountainous landscape. Most are destinations in themselves, complete with a horse ranch, sheep farm, trickling streams and European gardens. But securing a room at one of these resort farms requires advance planning, as each has only a limited number of rooms and, believe it or not, they fill in very fast.
Apart from the destination resorts, Suan Phueng has a handful of natural attractions that would make a pleasurable one-day excursion. These include Bo Klueng Hot Spring, Som Maew Rapids inside the Sirikit Forest Garden, Phawothai Local Museum and Pong Yoop, a curious geological feature caused by a rift in the ground, similar to the Grand Canyon in the United States only much smaller.
Suan Phueng is about 160km (two hours) from Bangkok and is a very popular weekend destination.
Suan Phueng Attractions
Besides a handful of themed destination resorts with whitewashed Mediterranean villas and sheep farms, Suan Phueng has a few but interesting natural attractions. Pong Yoop (Highway 3087, open only on weekends), with its curious geological formations caused by sudden collapse of soil thousands of years ago, is a quick stop.
Not far from Pong Yoop is Bo Kleung Hot Spring (15km north of Suan Phueng) where you can have a dip in a well-landscaped pool and enjoy the picturesque scenery. Gao Jone Waterfalls, slightly north of Bo Klueng, is ideal for hiking. The 2.5km trail, crisscrossing a dense, forested jungle and coving nine levels, takes about two-and-a-half hours to complete.