Overview

Phu Soi Dao National Park covers an area of 149,375 rai and Amphoe Ban Khok, Amphoe Nam Pat, Uttaradit, and Amphoe Chat Trakan, Phitsanulok. Geographically, it consists of high mountains along the Thai-Lao border, whose summit is Phu Soi Dao which is 2,102 metres above sea level. Its topography consists of high mountains covered with undulating hill evergreen forest with prairie and pine forest such as the forest of Son Sam Bai (Pinus Kesiya). It is cool nearly all year with various kinds of wild flowers such as Ngon Nak (Murdannia giganteum) and Dok Din (Aeginetia indica), which grow in the pine forest of Phu Soi Dao. The national park can be visited all year. However, colourful flowers bloom during the rainy season. It is recommended to visit the park at the end of the rainy season and at the beginning of winter. Interesting attractions in the park are Namtok Phu Soi Dao, Lan Son and Namtok Sai Thip.

How to get there
From Uttaradit, take Highway No. 1045. Pass Sirikit Dam to Amphoe Nam Pat, a distance of 68 kilometres. Then, take Highway No. 1239 to Ban Huai Mun for 47 kilometres. From there, take Highway No.1268 for 18 kilometres to Namtok Phu Soi Dao. It is the starting point of the walk to the Lan Son Summit. Accommodation and camping area are provided in the park. For more information, please contact Phu Soi Dao National Park at Tel. 0 5541 9234-5 or visit www.dnp.go.th

When to go
The weather here is very comfortable all year round. Its average highest temperature is about 35.0 degrees celsius and the lowest is about 13.0 degrees celsius or the mid-average is 27.0 degrees celsius. The average rainfall is 1,334.4 milimeters/year. Its raining season starts from May to October while the winter starts from November till February and summer starts from April to June.

When to come
The best time to visit Phu Soi Dao is between mid August and early October. Later than that the flowers will be gone. The mountain top meadow is closed to visitors from January 15 to June 31 to allow nature to recover and get ready for a new flower season.

What to see

Phu Soidao waterfall: It is located at km. 62 marker on highway no. 1268. The water flow in from the rich forest on the highland. The park's Tourist Service Center is there where the treks begin. Porters and a guide can be hired from here to climb to the peak.

Below are the spots on the 6.5 km trail to the summit (takes 6 to 7 hours):

Nuen Songyart (relatives see-off): It is a steep hill lying hundreds of meters that could make one feels tired quickly.

Nuen Prapsiane (defeating the wizard): A hill with valleys on both sides: on the left is Namphai creek from which Phu Soidao waterfall originates; on the right is Pak creek that borders the provinces of Pisanulok and Uttradit.

Nuen Suakrong (tiger): Another hill on the trail to the peak.

Nuen Morana (dead): A very steep hill standing as the last piece of hurdle. At the end the climb is the flat plain dotted with pines.

Soidao land: The summit plateau of pinewood at about 1,800 meters above the sea level. It covers an area of roughly 5 square kilometers, about one third is inside Laos.

Saithip waterfall: A small waterfal with beautiful scenery of lush rocks and forest line.

Facilities
To stay overnight in the park, tourists need to bring your own gear and food supplies. Porters are available for hire.

Contact address
The National Park of Phu Soidao
Huaymune Sub-district
Nampat District
Uttaradit 53110
Tel: 055-419 234, 419235

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