Location : Amphoe Lom Sak
Khao Kho National Park
Khao Kho National Park Khao Kho National Park covers an area of forest Amphoe Lom Kao, Amphoe Lom Sak, Amphoe Mueang Petchabun, and Amphoe Khao Kho and with an area of 304,521 hectares. The forest, which will declare to be Khao Kho National Park, used to be Namtok Than Thip Forest Park. It has high bio-diversity, species and wildlife, beautiful natural tourism places such as the waterfall, caves, isles, islet, cliffs, scenery view point and historical fighting monument encountered between the government and the communist terrorists, which had taken along time before tranquilized. At present has a memorial construction for the heroes who passed away in that war, especially the village’s name, the bridge’s name used first name and last name of the heroes. The beautiful palace made for His majesty the King and Her majesty the Queen in the occasion were be in residence at Khao Kho, Phetchabun.
How to get there
By Car
Khao Kho National Park is in the office of Namtok Than Thip Forest Park, 32 kms away from the city of Mueang Phetchabun. Beside travel by personnel car, also travel by first class bus and by the plane, which has just 9 kms far from the commercial airport.
Tourist Attractions
Khao Kho: Khao Kho includes various small and large mountains of the Phetchabun range in Khao Kho district. The reason it is called “Khao Kho” is because there are a lot of “Ton Kho” – Mountain Serdang (Livistona speciosa). Due to the chilly temperature throughout the year, and its coolness in the winter with beautiful scenery, it is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Phetchabun.
Khao Kho comprises complex mountain ranges. Its summit is 1,174 metres above sea level. Khao Ya is 1,290 metres, while Khao Yai is 865 metres. Moreover, there is Khao Takhian Ngo, Khao Hin Tang Bat, Khao Huai Sai and Khao Um Phae. The forests in this area are deciduous dipterocarp forest, pine forest and evergreen forest. The interesting point is the plants in the Family Palmae which seem like the Asian Palmyra Palm, but they bear fruits in bunches similar to betel nuts. Although, at present a large area of forests has already been cut down, some are still to be seen.
Interesting attractions at Khao Kho are as follows:
Chedi Phra Borommasaririkkathat Khao Kho At the summit of the chedi contains the relics of the Lord Buddha brought from Sri Lanka. The chedi was built by the people of Phetchabun as merit making for the King on the auspicious occasion of the 50th Anniversary Celebrations of His Majesty’s Accession to the Throne, as well as, to be an object of worship for Buddhists. On significant religious days, tourists and people will come to conduct a religious ceremony at this place such as a candlelight procession around the temple.
Khao Kho Palace (Phra Tamnak Khao Kho) Phra Tamnak Khao Kho is located on Khao Ya Mountain. The palace was constructed for the King on the occasion of his royal visit to observe the projects from his royal initiatives, as well as, to visit the people in Khao Kho district and the ones nearby. It is a concrete building in a semi-circle shape with 15 rooms overall making it different from other places. Visitors can ask officials for permission to visit the surroundings of the palace.
Khao Kho Sacrificial Monument
It was built to honour the heroic deeds of the civilians, soldiers, policemen and those who sacrificed their lives in the fight to protect the connecting area of the 3 provinces; namely, Phitsanulok, Phetchabun and Loei during 1968 – 1982. It is made of marble in a triangle shape with a height of 24 metres. It represents the cooperative mission between the civilians, soldiers, and policemen in 1981. The inside wall displays the history of the Memorial and a name list of the people in the event. To get there, Take Highway 2196 until Km. 28. At the T-junction, turn right to Highway 2323 for 3 kilometres, being a total distance of 31 kilometres.
Than Itthi (Weapon Museum)
Than Itthi (Weapon Museum) is situated a bit after Km. 28 on Highway 2196. Turn right into Highway 2323 for 3 kilometres. It is a view point where beautiful scenery can be seen and was once an important strategic base in the past. At present, it is a weapon museum, displaying the cannons, military tank remains and weapons used in the battle on Khao Kho. There is also a briefing room for a group visit.
How to get there
By Car: Take Highway 2196 until reaching Km. 29, continue for 4 kilometres and turn left to the palace. The route is quite steep, vehicles should be in good condition and possess high engine power. From Phetchabun to Khao Kho, take Highway No. 21, Phetchabun – Lom Sak to the Na Ngua T-junction, a distance of 13 kilometres. Turn left along Highway 2258 for another 30 kilometres. Otherwise, take Highway No. 12, Phitsanulok – Lom Sak to Km. 100. At Ban Camp Son, turn left into Khao Kho along Highway 2196 for 33 kilometres. The transport to Khao Kho should not be