Northeastern Thailand - Thailand - page 954

tion is to hire a car to take you to Pak Chom (about 700B) where there are buses to Nong
Khai (80B, four hours) at 10am and 3pm.
If you're heading west and you've got your own wheels, consider following the
seldom-seen back roads along Mae Nam Heuang; they'll eventually deposit you in Dan
Sai.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Phu Ruea National Park
Phu Ruea means 'Boat Mountain', a moniker stemming from a cliff jutting out of the peak
that's sort of in the shape of a Chinese junk. The 121-sq-km Phu Ruea National Park ( 0 4280
7624; admission 200B) isn't one of Thailand's most impressive reserves, but it does offer vast
views from the summit (1365m), reached by either a sŏrng·tăa·ou or a 1km footpath. For
a longer hike to the top, take the easy (but usually overgrown) 2.5km trail from the lower
visitor centre to 30m-tall Nam Tok Huai Phai , arguably the park's most scenic waterfall, and
then keep going another 5.5km.
There are two campgrounds. The upper campground (per person with own tent 30B, tent hire 305-450B,
r 500-700B) is informal and facilities are poor, but the campsites and rough bucket-shower
rooms put you pretty close to the summit for sunrise and sunset. There's hot water, all-day
electricity and wi-fi at the more attractive lower campsite (per person with own tent 30B, tent hire 540B,
bungalows 4/6 people 2000/3000B) , which also has six comfortable bungalows with TV and
fridge. There are restaurants at the campsites (those at the upper site aren't always open),
and many small resorts below the park with cheaper prices. Night-time temperatures can
drop to near freezing in December and January, so come prepared.
The park is 50km west of Loei on Rte 203 and buses can drop you in the town of Phu
Ruea (55B, one hour) where you'll have to hitch or charter a truck (around 800B, includ-
ing a few hours' wait) to the park itself. The summit is 8km from the highway.