Si Nan National Park - Nan, Thailand

     Si Nan National Park covers an area of approximately 583,750 rai or 934 square kilometres in Wiang Sa, Na noi and Na Muen districts. The undulating mountain ranges line up from the north to the south, paralleling on both the western and eastern sides. They divide the area into the west and the east. Along the riverside are mixed deciduous and deciduous dipterocarp forests. Within the compound of the ranges, there are hill evergreen forest, dried evergreen forest and pine forest. Rare animals that can be found are many flocks of peacocks, leopards, panthers, bears, deer, wolves and Asiatic wild dogs. Moreover, many important wild animals are wild elephants, bantengs, and gaurs, which usually migrate in and out the frontier between Thailand and the Lao People’s Democratic Republic.

    Interesting Attractions in the National Park are as follows:

    Pha Chu’s foot is where the Office of the National Park is located. In winter,the sea of fog can be admired from the top of the cliff. When the fog is disappearing, the Nan River curving at the end of the forest can be seen. It is also a spot to view the sunrise. The distance to the spot is approximately 2 kilometres. The way near the summit is full of pointed rocks; therefore, a pair of sneakers should be prepared for the convenience of climbing. It takes 1 hour for a round trip. Those interested in climbing up to the summit of the cliff have to contact the park official.

    According to legend,Chao Ueang Phueng, the lover of Chao Chan Pha had to get married to Chao Chuang, making Chao Ueang Phueng upset for not being able to marry the man she loved. Therefore, she decided to commit suicide by jumping off the cliff. Chao Chan Pha later followed her and found out about her death. Chao Chan Pha; therefore, killed himself by jumping off the cliff as well. The bodies of Chao Chan Pha and Chao Ueang Phueng were next to each other. At the same time, Chao Chuang saw the woman he loved jumping off the cliff. He was very sad and decided to follow her as well. However, his body hurtled away. With the true love between Chao Ueang Phueng and Chao Chan Pha, in the next life, Chao Ueang Phueng was born as an orchid hanging under the Chan Pha Tree - Dracaena loureiri Gagnep., while Chao Chuang was born into a pine tree at the spot of his death. (Chuang in northern dialect means a pine tree, while “Ueang Phueng” refers to an orchid). This cliff has, thus, been called “Pha Chu”- the lovers’ cliff - since then.

    Camping on Doi Samue Dao is our famous activity to do when we come to Si Nan National Park. On the top of Doi Samue Dao has a small land on the ridge which enough for 20-30 tents, so you must reserve space in the morning by put your tent on the point your like (no reservation service) then you can go elsewhere. If you arrive Doi Samue Dao in the afternoon or evening this area may be full, However you can put your tent somewhere and walk to the top of the hill for the view point of the sunrise in the morning. Ideal for relaxation, see the stars at night ,the sunrise and sunset on Doi Samue Dao.

    Pha Hua Singha is the the large rock on the cliff that look like lion's head. Pha Hua Singha is nearby Doi Samue Dao, tourists can walk to the top of the cliff by contact the officer for a giude.

More information call : Bangkok office +66 2562 0760, Nan office +66 5470 1106 or TAT call center 1672.

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Si Nan National Park covers an area of approximately 583,750 rai or 934 square kilometres in Wiang Sa, Na noi and Na Muen districts....Read More

Options in Nan, Thailand
     As a relatively remote province, Nan is best reached via private car or public bus. However, it is possible to take a train or plane to nearby Phrae or Chiang Rai and then a bus to Nan. Once in Nan, it may be easier to get around with your own car, but there are standard forms of local transport available for visitors: i.e. songtaews, motorbike taxis, samlors, and tuk tuks.

    Getting to and from Nan

    By Train:
    There is no train service directly to Nan, but as the bus alone is such a long ride a combination train, bus journey might be more enjoyable. From Bangkok’s Samsen station take a train to Denchai station, the only station in Phrae, the province that borders Nan to the south. Leaving Bangkok around 9 pm, the train arrives at Denchai around 6 or 7 the following morning. From the train station in Denchai a blue songtaew goes to Phrae from where red buses leave fairly regularly for Nan, a 1 ½ hour ride that costs about 40-50 Baht.

    By Car:
    From Bangkok, take Highway No. 32 to Nakhon Sawan, Highway No. 117 to Phitsanulok, Highway No. 11 to Amphoe Den Chai, and then Highway No. 101 to Nan via Phrae, a total distance of 668 kilometers.

    If you have rented a car in Chiang Mai the faster is from Phrae, though the more scenic route goes towards Phayao and then descends into Nan. As roads in the far north are hilly and many are unsealed (off the main roads) it may be preferable to rent a 4x4 if you plan to do any serious exploring on your own. Be aware that only Commercial First Class Insurance provides full coverage on rental cars (as opposed to limited personal or third party only insurance). Most international car rental agencies will offer this insurance (some only for those with a valid international driver’s license) while local companies may or may not. You may wish to request a copy of their insurance policy and ensure that it states "For Commercial Use". Regardless, inspect rental vehicles prior to rental and drive with caution, particularly as traffic in Thailand can be quite confusing, especially the habit of Thai motorcycles drivers to drive on the wrong side of the road.

    By Bus:
    Transport Co. Ltd. operates bus services from Bangkok's Northern Bus Terminal (Mo Chit 2) to Nan every day. Overnight VIP buses are very comfortable with much leg room and the trip takes about 10 hours to complete. There are also regular busses from Chiang Rai to Nan. Call 0 2936 2852-66 or visit www.transport.co.th for more information. Other private companies include Phrae Tour (Tel: 0 2245 2369), Sombat Tour (Tel: 0 2936 2495-6), and Choetchai Tour (Tel: 0 5471 0362 (Nan Office)).

    By Air:
    Solar Air has three flights a week into and out of Nan from Bangkok’s Don Mueang Airport. For schedule or reservations, contact www.solarair.co.th

    Getting Around Nan
    As in most rural Thai provinces there are typically songtaews that follow established routes around the provincial capital and local busses and songtaews for trips between towns within the province. Songtaews, motorbike taxis, and samlors (three wheeled pedal powered cabs) are usually available for private charter as well.