Have you visited the Uthai Thani in Thailand?

Uthai Thani province in Northern Thailand is less traveled but is richly endowed by nature with its large resource of forest and wildlife. “Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Reserve” which has forests, plains, many streams, and many rare and endangered animals was proclaimed a Nautral World Heritage Site on 13 December 1991.

Other attractions include the different lifestyles of locals, such as the life of raft residents on Sakae Krang River, a waterway that aided the birth of the province and which has been a lifeline for its people since ancient times. In addition, at the end of the Buddhist Lent, Buddhists from all directions congregate in the province for a major merry-making festival called Tak Bat Thewo at the foot of Khao Sakae Krang at Wat Sangkat Rattana Khiri.

The province is divided in to 8 Amphoe (districts), as follows:

Amphoe Muang Uthai Thani
Amphoe Lan Sak 58 kms. from the city
Amphoe Nong Kha Yang 11 kms. from the city
Amphoe Nong Chang 21 kms. from the city
Amphoe Thap Than 16 kms. from the city
Amphoe Ban Rai 79 kms. from the city
Amphoe Sawang Arom 30 kms. from the city
Amphoe Huai Khot 51 kms. from the city

North borders of the province are Amphoe Phayuha Khiri, Amphoe Krok Phra and Amphoe Lat Yao of Nakhon Sawan.

South borders include Amphoe Wat Sing and Amphoe Han Kha of Chai Nat and Amphoe Doem Bang Nang Buat of Suphan Buri.

East borders are Amphoe Phayuha Khiri of Nakhon Sawan and Amphoe Manorom of Chai Nat. The Chao Phraya River divides the provinces.

West borders are Amphoe Um Phang of Tak and Amphoe Sangkhla Buri and Amphoe Si Sawat of Kanchanaburi.

Blooming Krachiao Flower Festival in Chaiyaphum

If you are a sucker for greens and delicate flowers, then this is the best time for you to visit Pa Hin Ngam National Park and Sai Thong National Park in Chaiyaphum Province of Thailand. Chaiyaphum Province (342 km northeast of Bangkok) from 1 June to 1 August has the seasonal flower “Krachiao” in full bloom.

Krachiao or curcuma is in the ginger family and is widely found in Pa Hin Ngam National Park of Thep Sathit County and Sai Thong National Park of Nong Bua Raheu County. During the rainy season, the flower blooms in abundance and carpets the forest in Pa Hin Ngam National Park with its mauve and pinkish colours. Known as the “Siam tulip”, the sight of these pinkish-purple flowers in bloom is a wonderful spectacle. Held over two months each year, the Blooming Krachiao Flower Festival celebrates the blooming of this flower in rainy season.

Getting to Chaiyaphum province is not a big problem. From Bangkok, drive along Highway 1 and go past Saraburi. When you reach Ban Phu Khae Village, turn right onto Highway 21. When you arrive at Chai Badan County, continue driving on Highway 205. You will go past Sonthi Sub-county. Before getting near Thep Sathit County, turn left onto Highway 2354. Drive for 17 km and turn left onto an asphalt road. Go on for about 13 km. The park office will come in sight. There are also regular bus services from Bangkok to Chaiyaphum.

The unique geographical landscape of Chaiyaphum Province in the northeast of Thailand gives rise to a range of natural attractions of exceptional beauty. Besides enjoying the flowers and beautiful surroundings, travelers can visit the Phang Hoei viewpoint, which commands a fine panoramic view of the Central Plains and the Northeast. Lan Hin Ngam, is a nearby area full of beautiful stone formations in different shapes and sizes. The rocks are in many different shapes resembling castles, animals and the FIFA World Cup.

Sai Thong Waterfall is also worth visiting. You should not miss walking along the natural trail to the “end of the land” viewpoint which is a cliff at the edge of the mountain range. Standing there and looking down, you will get a fine panoramic view of the Central Plains and the Northeast.

Bird watching in Northern Thailand

For the bird watchers, Northern Thailand is a paradise. In the winter months this is a great area to see migrants, especially flycatchers and thrushes. Some of the national parks offering great opportunities for bird watching include:

Doi Inthanon National Park – Owning Thailand’s highest mountain, Doi Inthanon, this National Park, in Chiang Mai province, is unique in Thailand as it is 300 metres higher than any other mountain in the country which allows it to support a tract of upper montane forest and Thailand’s only sphagnum bog. Doi Inthanon spans a number of habitats and consequently contains the birds associated with them. Some of the popular species found here are Chestnut-tailed Minla, Green-tailed Sunbird, Rufous-winged Fulvetta and Chestnut-crowned Laughingthrush.

Doi Chiang Dao National Park, in Chiang Mai province, is Thailand’s third highest mountain at 2220 metres. The higher altitudes hosts winter specialities such as Thrushes occur as well as resident Giant Nuthatch and Hume’s Pheasant. The lower altitude prides itself in large numbers of common forest birds such as Rusty-naped Pitta, Hooded Pitta and Tesias. In April and May Streaked Wren Babbler is particularly common at Wat Tam Pa Plong.

Doi Ang Kang, in Chiang Mai province, is an area on the border with Myanmar consisting of a number of peaks and ridges and hosts a large number of rare species. Crested Finchbill is seen by most visitors. Red-faced Liocichla and Spot-throated Babbler are also found here.

Chiang Saen is a small town, in Chiang Rai province, next to the Mekong river close to the famous “Golden Triangle” border area with Myanmar and Laos. Winter wildfowl often congregate here in flocks of thousands. Ruddy Shelduck are sometimes found on both the lake and the Mekong river and Spot-billed Duck is often easily seen on the river from Chiang Saen town itself. Many Eurasian species of duck can be found here with Ferruginous Duck, Baer’s Pochard, Baikal Teal and Falcated Duck being among the most interesting.

Doi Phu Kha National Park covers 1680 square kilometres of forested mountains in Nan province, close to the border with Laos. Doi Phu Kha has exciting side trails off of the long road through the park, where a number fo exciting species can be seen. Crested Finchbill, Red-faced Liocichla, Black-throated Tit and Green Cochoa have all been seen on this mountain. Also the rare Beautiful Nuthatch has been reportedly been observed here.