Leaving the beach behind and continuing on the other side of Cha-am town, soon you will notice countryside and limestone hills scenery. Khao Nang Phanthurat Forest Park is a forest park located in the rural area of Ban Khao Mai Nuan, Khao Yai Subdistrict, Cha-am District, Phetchaburi Province. The park covers an area of 2,009 rai and features natural attractions including nature trails and viewpoints as well as several locations around the park that were inspired by famous stories from Thai literature.
The same legend is told and retold and today the same limestone mountain is known as Khao Chao Lai Yai, the ‘old woman’ or ‘giantess’ mountain and is associated with the legendary giantess Nang Phanthurat who had adopted and brought up Sang Thong in this region of Phetchaburi. Thus this area of limestone hills and forests is today known as Khao Nang Phanthurat Forest Park.
However, Khao Nang Phanthurat Forest Park is another area to visit when in Cha-am for the Traveller, offering not only a legend to explore but also a very scenic landscape of limestone hills which the visitor can explore on nature trails, on foot or by bike, and even go camping there. Viewpoints are marked for those who wish to admire the area from above and its many caves and other geological features. A natural birdwatcher’s and butterfly watcher’s paradise, as well.
People can visit and experience many things like going for a walk on nature trails, exploring limestone caves, checking out the various species of birds and butterflies, cycling and even camping. There are several lookout points including the viewpoint called the “Elephant Pen” and “Thung Setthi”. In addition, there is a natural limestone opening called “Nang Phanthurat Mirror” that looks just like a huge picture frame and in fact frames a wonderful view.
In terms of plants Khao Nang Phanthurat Forest Park is also of great interest. On its limestone slopes within a low elevation of about 10-50 m above sea level Aristolochia phuphathanaphongiana (Aristolochia phuphathanaphongiana, Krachao Nang Phanthurat) grows as an endemic species of this herbaceous climbing plant.
Why visit Khao Nang Phanthurat?
Yet, it is another side story of Forest Park. Locals used to extract limestone and use dynamite blowing for excavating rock faces, which, however, caused huge devastation to a big portion of the mountain in a big collapse. It was His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great who put an end to all rock blasting in 1996 in an effort to conserve the “Urn of Nang Phanthurat” limestone Mountain.
The landscape of Khao Nang Phanthurat was later under the royal initiative to be saved and restored in 1998 by growing trees to prevent further erosion and allow nature to repair the damaged part of the hill. Hazard zones were clearly marked and the park staff put measures in place to prevent rock falls and make the site safe for visitors to enjoy nature learning experiences.
Khao Nang Phanthurat Forest Park is suited as an alternative destination to the beach for travelers to the area of Cha-am. You can take a trek through hills of limestone and a multitude of structures to learn the legend and see how it has been restored to full beauty after once being razed.
Travellers should wear suitable shoes and bring loads of water. It’s also wise to check trail conditions and activities before embarking on a journey to this wonderful forest park.
