Phu Toei National Park, located in the Dan Chang district of Suphan Buri province, goes down as one of Thailand's least known and least visited national parks. So much so, that most Suphan Buri folk don't even realise that their province has a national park.
As for the official amount of paying visitors Phu Toei attracts every month - well, it is no more than 300, and that is in the peak of the high season!
Situated bang on the borders of Kanchanburi and Uthai Thani provinces, Khao Thevada (Angel Mountain) at a height of approximately 1,200m is Suphan Buri's highest mountain.
And for those who really like the cold weather, rest assured that temperatures on top of Khao Thevada in the winter nights can drop to near freezing.
Just below Khao Thevada is the 200-year-old isolated Karen village of Ta Pheurn Khi, so isolated that some of the villagers born there have never been into the town district of Don Chang, let alone Bangkok.
The vicinity of Ta Pheurn Khi is home to two waterfalls and an abundance of endangered animals.
Pitch a tent
Just 7km from the park's Dan Chang entrance point is Khao Son. It is completely surrounded by pine trees and offers a breathtaking view of this huge national park.
For those staying overnight (tents only, of course) at this entrance's campsite, there is the nearby Lao refugee village Ban Pakhee, which is almost completely self-sufficient.
The village is so Laotian, you'll feel like you were actually in the middle of Laos itself.
Prefer a 4-wheel drive
Phu Toei once made world headlines. On the fateful night of May 26, 1991, above the sky of Phu Toei, an engine on a Lauda Air jet caught fire and caused the plane to explode in mid-air.
There is a shrine at Khao Son dedicated to the 223 on board who lost their lives that night.
A plaque shows the precise point of the crash and also remains of the aircraft.
Travel in Phu Toei is not easy and to avoid burning out the clutch on your car, you ought to consider hiring a four-wheel-drive for the trip.
XTRA
Getaway
>> Situated on the borders of Kanchanburi and Uthai Thani provinces, Khao Thevada (Angel Mountain) rises to 1,200m. In the winter night temperatures can drop to near freezing.
>> The vicinity of Ta Pheurn Khi is home to two waterfalls and an abundance of endangered animals.
>> For more travel advice, contact the chief of the Advisory Committee, Ajarn Nimet (Nicky) on 087 167-6782.
