Phu Toei National Park (อุทยานแห่งชาติพุเตย) is in Suphanburi, Thailand. It is the only national park in the province and is also the crash site of the tragic Lada Air Flight 004.
Understand
[edit]History
[edit]Phu Toei National Park was officially established as Thailand's 85th national park on September 30, 1998. The park encompasses forest areas in Dan Chang District, Suphan Buri, including the former Phu Toei, Phu Krathing, and Taphoenkhi forest parks. The park covers parts of Ong Phra, Khao Phu Rakam, and Khao Huai Phlu forests.
Phu Toei National Park was also the site for Lada Air Flight 004 which crashed in 1991 and killed all 213 passengers. As of 2025, it is the deadliest aviation accident in Thai history.
Landscape
[edit]Phu Toei National Park contains rugged mountain ranges, with its highest peak, Khao Thewada, reaching 1,123 m. The park is a vital watershed, feeding into major streams in Suphanburi and Kanchanaburi.
Flora and fauna
[edit]80 percent of the national park is covered by a mixture of dry evergreen forest, dipterocarp forest, and two-needle pine forest.
Animals in the national park include tigers, barking deers, wild boars, leopards and many other reptiles and bird species.
Climate
[edit]Like the rest of Thailand, there are three seasons, hot (February- May), wet (May- October), and cool (October - February). The best time to visit is during the cool season when the temperature is relatively lower and there is much less precipitation, making the national park more plesant to visit.
Get in
[edit]From Bangkok, take Highway No. 340 (Bang Bua Thong – Suphan Buri). When you reach Suphanburi Province, turn left onto Highway No. 322 and continue to Don Chedi District, for 31 km. From there, turn left onto Highway No. 3264 to reach Ban Sa Kra Chom for about 16 km. Then turn right onto Highway No. 333, heading toward Dan Chang District for 30 km. Next, turn left onto Highway 3086 (Dan Chang – Bo Phloi route) to reach Ban Plak Pradu, which is 32 km away. Then turn right onto Route 3480 to Ban Thung Makok, and turn right again to reach Ban Huai Hin Dam for about 38 km further. Finally, turn right once more and continue for 6 km to arrive at the Phu Toei National Park Headquarters.
Fees and permits
[edit]For Thai nationals the entry fee is 10 baht for children and 20 baht for adults. Monks, children under 3 years old, elderly and disabled people enter for free. For foreigners, the entry fee is 50 baht for children and 100 baht for adults.
There is also an extra free for transport as follows: bicycles - free, motorcycles - 20 baht, four-wheeled vehicles - 30 baht, six-wheeled vehicles - 100 baht, and vehicles with more than six wheels but less than 10 wheels - 200 baht.
Get around
[edit]The best way to get around the national park is by car. There is no public transport available in the area.
See
[edit]
- 1 Lauda Air Shrine (ศาลเลาด้าห์). A shrine commemorating the victims of Lauda Air Flight 004 that crashed into the national park in 1991. The plane debris is still visible in the area.
- Merkus Pine Forest Nature Trail (ป่าสนสองใบ) (near the summit of Khao Thewada). This nature trail showcases the unique flora in the region.
- 2 Taphoen Ngoen Cave (ถ้ำตะเพินเงิน). A small cave with four chambers. Check with the national park before visiting to confirm that it is open.
- 3 Taphoen Thong Cave (ถ้ำตะเพินทอง) (in the Karen village). A cave decorated with Buddha statues left by the villagers.
- 4 Taphoenkhi Noi Waterfall (น้ำตกตะเพินคี่น้อย) (near the Karen village). A nice waterfall around the national park.
- 5 Taphoenkhi Yai Waterfall (น้ำตกตะเพินคี่ใหญ่) (near the Karen village around the national park). A nice waterfall, larger than its counterpart, Taphoenkhi Noi Waterfall. Best visited between September and December.
Do
[edit]- 1 Khao Thewada (เขาเทวดา). The highest point in Suphanburi, at the top you get a good view of the whole province. The hike to the summit is only 800 m long, but the trail is extremely steep, so it can take over an hour to finish the hike.
Buy
[edit]There are no shops in the national park. However there might be small shops in villages around the park premises.
Eat
[edit]There is no place to buy food in the national park. Travellers should bring their own food.
Drink
[edit]There are no bars in the national park as alcohol is banned in Thai national parks.
Sleep
[edit]Lodging
[edit]There is no lodging in the national park.
Camping
[edit]There are only three campsites in the national park. The spots and basic camping gear can be reserved on the spot or in advance (recommended during high season).
Backcountry
[edit]Backcountry camping is not permitted in the park.
Stay safe
[edit]Take standard safety precautions when entering any other national parks in Thailand: Khao Thewada can be very slippery during a rain, beware of flash flooding when swimming in waterfalls and entering a cave especially during the rainy season. Because there are no amenities in the national park, be sure to pack enough food and drinks, even if the hike is only 800 m.
Go next
[edit]- Kanchanaburi. More mountains, waterfalls, rafting on resevoirs.
- Uthai Thani
