Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
DON'T MISS
A CHANCE TO SOAK YOUR CARES AWAY
Doi Pha Hompok National Park
(Doi Fang or Mae Fang National Park; 0 5345 3517; adult/child 200/
100B) is a picturesque spot known for its hot springs (
bòr nám rórn; bor náam hórn
in northern Thai). Trails
wind through a boulder-strewn field punctuated by some 40 geothermal springs, pools and steam vents sometimes
shooting water 30m high. A small bath complex pipes the heated water (50°C and 87°C) into public and private
bathing pools (20B to 50B). There is no time limit in the public pools so you can take advantage of the water's
curative powers for as long as you like. Just remember to wear modest swimming attire, as provincial Thais are
easily embarrassed about Western-style bathing suits. Once you've turned yourself into a prune, you can get a
massage or enjoy or fruit drink or snack. Rather than boiling themselves, Thai visitors opt to boil eggs in the hot
water instead. The park is very tranquil during the week once the tour buses have evacuated.
The rest of the park is forested and mountainous with hiking trails and
camping
(
www.dnp.go.th
; mountain
campsite 60B) . A popular local activity is to camp at one of the mountain campgrounds and then hike to the sum-
mit of Doi Pha Hompok (one of Thailand's highest peaks) just in time for sunrise. At the top of the mountain, av-
erage temperatures are a mere 2°C during winter and 14°C during summer. From November to February average
temperatures in the park are 14°C to 19°C.
The park lies about 10km west of Fang at Ban Meuang Chom, near the agricultural station, off Rte 107 at the
end of Rte 5054.
Sights & Activities
Wat Tha Ton
( 0 5345 9309;
www.wat-thaton.org
)
In Tha Ton, this temple sprawls up the side of a wooded
hill. There are nine different levels and each level affords stunning views of the mountain-
ous valley towards Myanmar, the plains of Tha Ton and the winding river.
From the base to the ninth level, it is about 3km or a 30-minute walk. The first level has
a statue of Kuan Yin, the Chinese goddess of compassion; the international liaison monk
has his office here too. The large white Buddha peeping out from the trees is on level
three. On level eight is the recently constructed Chedi Kaew, featuring a colourful almost
Arabic-influenced stupa.
BUDDHIST TEMPLE
Hilltribe Trekking
(tours from 1000B)
Tha Ton has a very low-key personality and does little to promote itself as
a tourism destination, but within 20km of the town, there are six hill-tribe villages inhab-
ited by Palaung, Black Lahu, Akha, Karen and Yunnanese. These villages see fewer for-
eign visitors than those around Chiang Mai. Treks can be arranged through any of Tha
Ton's guesthouses.
ADVENTURE SPORTS
