Thung Salaeng Luang National Park Park

Address: Thung Salaeng Luang National Park, Thailand (straddles Phitsanulok and Phetchabun provinces)

Website: https://www.dnp.go.th

Hours: Daily 8:00am-4:30pm (typical for Thai national parks)

Admission: Foreign adults approx. 200 THB; Thai nationals discounted (rates subject to change)

Established in 1959, the sprawling Thung Salaeng Luang National Park is one of Thailand’s oldest national parks. It lies in Phitsanulok Province, between Nakhon Sawan and Phitsanulok, and spreads across a vast forest with altitudes ranging from about 300 to 1,200 metres over limestone hills.

Beautiful and serene today, the park hides a bloody past. From the 1960s to the 1980s it served as an infiltration route for the People’s Liberation Army of Thailand and was sealed off by the army as it tried to eradicate the communists. The proximity of Highway 12 also made for easy access for poachers and illegal loggers, and many of the larger animals have since been hunted out.

The park still shelters a wide variety of animal and birdlife, including elephants. Its main natural highlight is the meadows, which occasionally become carpeted with wild flowers; the meadow of Thung Salaeng Luang itself lies quite deep in the park and is best reached by four-wheel drive. There is also a lovely waterfall, Namtok Kaeng Sopha, sometimes fancifully nicknamed ‘Thailand’s Niagara Falls’, which is easily reached from Highway 12. Accommodation is available in bungalows and dormitories, and there are several camp grounds, though you will need to bring your own tent.

Nearest regional transport hubs are in Phitsanulok and Lom Sak; road access to park entrances is by car or local minivan services. Check local park offices for specific entrance points and conditions.

• Visit the park's highland viewpoints at dawn for clearer air and better cloudscapes.
• Hire a local guide for remote trekking routes and for wildlife spotting - the park is large and trails can be confusing.
• Avoid the rainy season (June-October) for long hikes; trails can become muddy and some areas inaccessible.