Mae Wong National Park in Thailand

Mae Wong National Park

Mae Wong National Park, covering an area of 894 km2, is located in the Daun Mountains of western Thailand, in the provinces of Nakhon Sawan and Kampaeng Phet. The landscapes of the park are rugged and hilly, with one of the highest points of Thailand Khao Mo Ko Chu (1964 m).

Mei Wong is one of the best places in Thailand to see rare birds such as the Nepalese kalao, Burmese yuhina, curved-billed timelia, peacock pheasant, and mountain crested eagle. According to some reports, 450 species of birds, including migratory birds, have been seen in the park.

How to get there and settle in

The administration headquarters and the main visitor center are located in the northern part of the park on the main road, and some attractions can also be found there. The headquarters is 16.5 km from the center of the nearby city of Klong Lan, where buses to and from Bangkok run several times a day. There is no public transportation to the park itself, so a private shuttle must be arranged.

The park offers many short, medium, and long hiking trails, up to a week-long journey through the thickets. Several long trails lead to waterfalls deep in the jungle, but there are also those that can be easily reached in a day, taking into account the return trip.

How to get to Mae Wong

Photographs taken in August 2011 and published by the DNP, the Animal and Plant Conservation Service, and the World Wildlife Fund confirm that there are still tigers in May Wong, of which nine were captured. Among the mammals that can be found in the park are the Himalayan bear, langur, jackal, white-tailed gibbon, chepura tapir, and many others.

Because of the high altitude, nighttime temperatures can drop to 8-9º. Visitors are advised to bring sweaters.

During the rainy season, you should take insect repellent with you. There are some very annoying flies that can make you itchy when they bite you.

  • The rainy season is from June to October.
  • The winter season with cooler weather is from November to February
  • The summer (hot) season is from March to May.

The entrance fee for foreigners is 200 baht for adults and 100 baht for children.

Stay and Meals

Small rooms with basic amenities are available for rent in the park, and there are several campsites along the road for visitors wishing to camp.

Camping at Mae Wong

Tents can be rented locally for 250 baht for 2 people or 225 baht for 3 people. Sleeping bag and other accessories cost 60 baht per person. It is best to bring your own sleeping bag, as Mei Wong is quite a popular park visited by many locals, hence sleeping bags may be in poor condition.

There are 9 bungalows for 5-7 people, some with double beds. Prices range from 1,500 to 2,400 baht per night, with a discount from Monday to Friday, except for holidays.

Camping at Mae Wong

Bungalows can only be booked in advance through the DNP website. Since the money transfer must be made within 2 days and transfers from abroad take longer, reservations can only be made from Thailand. Payment can be made at 7-Eleven stores or banks.

Mae Wong Cafe

May Wong Attractions

Administration headquarters and visitor center

The administration headquarters and visitor center are 16.5 km from the city of Klong Lan and 6 km from the checkpoint in the northwest of the park. There are not only basic facilities such as showers, toilets, a restaurant and parking, but also a canteen and gift store. The bungalows are located here as well.

Visitor Center Mae Wong

The camping site is located 400 meters west of the visitor center, next to a small waterfall called Kaeng Fa Koy Nang. Tents and other supplies can be rented at the visitor center. Even further away, a kilometer west of the campsite, there is an open spot with a waterfall called Kaeng Fa Nang Roi, which is ideal for swimming and picnicking.

Kun Nam Yen Camping and Lookout

Located 3.7 km from Chong Yen and 24 km from the administration headquarters. Compared to Chong Yen, the toilets and showers at this campsite are larger and cleaner. However, there are no restaurants or rooms here.

The observation deck has a 360-degree view from a height of 1,248 meters, making it one of the best in Thailand.

Bungalows at Mae Wong

Chong Yen Camping and Lookout

Chong Yen is a campsite substation located at the northwestern edge of the national park. It is located at the end of the main road (93 km), 27.5 km from the administration headquarters.

The observation deck 300-400 m to the north is the highest point of the road at 1,420 m, a popular stop for local hikers. This campsite is a favorite spot for bird watchers.

Chong Yen Lookout

To stay in Chong Yen you need permission from the administration, you can rent rooms only at the headquarters. There are no restaurants on site, so visitors must bring their own food and necessary equipment. The toilets and showers here are without excess and can get unpleasantly dirty on weekends, when there are especially many visitors.

There are several small trails in the area. The trail to the southwest, old and overgrown, leads to the town of Umphang. We have no information about its exact length, but the map shows it to be 10.7 km. To walk this trail, you need permission from the administration.

Chong Yen's caretakers are constantly watching several places that are favored by birds. There you can see peacock pheasant, red-throated partridge and white-necked shrub.

The top of Khao Mokoju

The highest point of the park, located 38 km from the administration headquarters at an altitude of 1964 meters above sea level.

Khao Mokoju Summit

The summit can be reached by a five-day round-trip hike accompanied by a ranger. Getting there is not always possible; the Facebook page usually reports favorable conditions, but questions can only be asked in Thai.

The cost of a chaperone is 13500 baht per group. Tourists are responsible for buying enough food and water for themselves and staff, and must bring a tent, sleeping bags, rain gear, etc. It is possible to hire locals to carry things for 550 baht per day (excluding food and water).

From November to February you can see a sea of fog from the top. The hills below are a breathtaking sight.

Mae Kra Sa Waterfall

The waterfall is created by the streams of the mountain range Tanon Tong Chai and falls from a height of 900 meters in the form of 9 tiers. It is located 18 km from the visitor center on the same trail that leads to the summit of Kao Mokoju. An accompanying ranger is required to visit it.

Mae Kra Sa Waterfall

Mae Gee Falls

One of the highest waterfalls in Thailand with one tier at a height of 200 meters. Mei Gi originates on the Tanon Tong Chai Ridge, which can be accessed by a trail that leads to the top of Kao Mokoju. A guide is required for the visit.

Mae Reva Falls

A five-level waterfall with deep pools located about 21 km from the visitor center on the trail to the top of Kao Mokoju. To reach it would require a three-day hike, including the return trip.

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