Phu Kradung National Park (อุทยานแห่งชาติภูกระดึง), located in Amphoe Phu Kradung of the Loei Province, is one of the famous national parks of Thailand, which has the highest point of 1360 m. Every year tens of thousands of people come to make the climb up this famous mountain. It received the title of a nationally protected forest in the year 1943. It received the title national park on the 7th of October 1959. It is the second national park of Thailand after Khao Yai National Park. Loei (Thai เลย) is one of the most sparsely populated provinces (changwat) of Thailand, located in the North-East of Thailand. ... 1943 (MCMXLIII) is a common year starting on Friday. ... Brecon Beacons National Park, Wales A national park is a reserve of land, usually owned by a national government, protected from most human development and pollution. ... Khao Yai National Park (Thai เขาใหญ่) is a national park in Thailand. ...

One view from one of the cliffs of Phu Kradung mountain

Image File history File links Pah_lom_sak. ... Image File history File links Pah_lom_sak. ...

History

Phu(ภู) comes from the Thai word Phukao(ภูเขา) meaning mountain. It's used the same as Mt. is used in English. The name Kradung(กระดึง) comes from the word Krading(กระดิ่ง) a word of the Loei Province aboriginals. Also Phu Kradung(ภูกระดึง) can be translated as Ra Kang Yai(ระฆังใหญ่) meaning a large bell. This name comes from a legend during a Buddhist holiday. During the holiday many of the towns people heard the sound of a large bell. They believed it to be the bell of Indra. Loei (Thai เลย) is one of the most sparsely populated provinces (changwat) of Thailand, located in the North-East of Thailand. ... This article or section contains information that has not been verified and thus might not be reliable. ...

As for the beauty of the mountain can be defined in the local folk tale. One person named Phran, who fled from another village. He believed that Phu Kradung, had never been climbed before. He led his bull to the top of the mountain. He found it full of beautiful deer, and pine forests. There were many different types of plants, trees and wild animals. After this he stayed, and lived his life surrounded in the beauty of Phu Kradung.

Travelling to Phu Kradung

Autobus

A full view of the mountain, from a nearby resort

The easiest route to Phu Kradung, is to take a bus from Khon Kaen to Pha Nok Kao. Get off in front of Raan J Gim(ร้านเจ๊กิม). From there a minibus is available to take you to the central office of the park. The minibus takes approximately half an hour. The park office closes at 15.00, as climbers will not have enough time to climb the mountain before dark. Image File history File links Pah_nok_kao. ... Image File history File links Pah_nok_kao. ... Khon Kaen (thai ขอนแก่น) is a town in the North-East of Thailand, the Isan. ...

Park Trails

The Main Trail to the top from Amphoe Phu Kradung

This is a very old and historical trail. Travelers start their way on the trail in Amphoe Phu Kradung at the main park office. There are many places to rest on the way up. These rest plateaus are called Sum(ซำ). There are seven of these plateaus on the way up. In order of climbing the mountain:

• Sum Hake(ซำแฮก) The word Hake(แฮก) most travelers believes that it means to be out of breath, because of its resemblance to a sound that you might make when out of breath. The real meaning of Hake(แฮก) means sacred or holy object in the local dialect. This plateau is approximately one kilometre from the bottom.
• Sum Bawn(ซำบอน) This plateau is approximately 700 metres from Sum Hake.
• Sum Kok Kawk(ซำกกกอก) This plateau is approximately 360 metres from Sum Bawn.
• Sum Kokwaa(ซำกกหว้า) This plateau is approximately 880 metres from Sum Kok Kawk.
• Sum Kokpai(ซำกกไผ่) This plateau is approximately 580 metres from Sum Kokwaa
• Sum Kok Doon(ซำกกโดน) This plateau is approximately 300 metres from Sum Kokpai.
• Sum Krae(ซำแคร่) This plateau is approximately 585 metres from Sum Kok Doon.

Mountain Crab – Lucky climbers may run into this creature

Travelers must start off at the parks main office at the base of the mountain. They then can begin their climb up to the Sum Krae plateau. On the plateau there are several vendors selling food and water, and is a good place to rest. There is also a washroom available there. After this plateau there is still 1020 metres to the top. This last 1020 metres to the top is the hardest and steepest part. There are ladders and ramps at parts where it is impossible to walk. Once at the top of the mountain, there is still a 3.6 kilometre walk to the park office at the top and the campsite. At the campsite there are tents available and lodging buildings. There are many hiking trails on top of the mountain, to the many cliffs and waterfalls of the mountain. Image File history File links Moutain_crab. ... Image File history File links Moutain_crab. ...

Trail to the top from Amphoe Namnao

Travelers have the ability to climb the mountain from Amphoe Namnao. This is a new trail. It will be open in the year 2005. There's not yet any places to stop and purchase food and drinks on the way up on this trail. 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Trails at the top of the Mountain

There are two areas of trails on top of Phu Kradung. One is the normal open to public trails, while the other is the closed off forest. In the normal area, there's a waterfall trail and a cliffs trail. The closed forest has two areas, named area one and area two.

Waterfalls Trail

Cliffs Trail

The horizon from the Pah Nok Cliff

From the tourist office on the mountain, travelers can explore the cliffs trail. There are many cliffs that are known worldwide for their beauty. Image File history File links Pah_nok_an. ... Image File history File links Pah_nok_an. ...

• Pha Nok Ann Cliff(ผานกแอ่น) This cliff is located on the east side of the mountain. Approximately 1.1 kilometres from the campsite and tourist office. This is an important tourist spot, where many people go to watch the sun rise. In the summer and rainy season, this cliff is above the clouds, creating a beautiful view of the sun rise.
• Pha Mak Duk Cliff(ผาหมากดูก) This cliff is located on the west side of the mountain. It is located approximately 2 kilometres from the campsite and tourist office. Travelers who have little time come here to watch the sunset, due to its closeness to the campsite.
• Pha Jam Sil Cliff(ผาจำศีล) Approximately 600 metres from Pha Mak Duk Cliff.
• Pha Na Noi Cliff(ผานาน้อย) Approximately 600 metres from Pha Jam Sil Cliff.
• Pha Yiap Mek Cliff(ผาเหยียบเมฆ) Approximately two kilomtres from Pha No Noi Cliff.
• Pha Daeng Cliff(ผาแดง) Approximately 1.5 kilometres from Pha Yiap Mek Cliff.
• Pha Som Sak Cliff(ผาหล่มสัก) Approximately 2.5 kilomtres from Pha Daeng Cliff. This cliff is located on the west side of Phu Kradung mountain. Most people who climb the mountain, will go to watch the sunset at this cliff. On a nice clear day, it's possible to Phu Pha Jid Mountain(ภูผาจิต) of Nam Naao National Park(อุทยาแห่งชาติน้ำหนาว).

Closed Forest 1 (Waterfalls Trail Khun Phawng)

Closed Forest 2 (Sawng Lok Cliffs Trail)

Wild Animals Native to Phu Kradung

Kam Pir the deer. Travelers will meet this friendly one at the campsite on top of the mountain.

• Deer Travelers who climb to the top of Phu Kradung will definitely see at least one deer. One group of dears is looked after in the camp site. This allows these deer to not be scared of humans, thus letting the other deer to not be bothered by travelers. The first deer's name is Kam La(คำหล้า) which means the last born. The second deer's name is Kam Pir(คัมภีร์) which means religious scripture.
• Grubs Small insects that are called Thak(ทาก) . These insects are very common to Phu Kradung beyond the little recognition they receive. Most people don't like these insects, although they are important to Phu Kradung's environment (As most people believe they're disgusting).There are a lot of these insects during the rainy season. They have made residence in many of the building on Phu Kradung. There are also many near the waterfalls and in the closed forests. These grubs are similar to those found in Khao Yai National Park or Khao Luang National Park, yet are of bigger size.
• Elephants
• Mountain Crab

Image File history File links Kampee_deer. ... Image File history File links Kampee_deer. ... Subfamilies Capreolinae Cervinae Hydropotinae Muntiacinae A deer is a ruminant mammal belonging to the family Cervidae. ... This page is a candidate for speedy deletion. ... Khao Yai National Park (Thai เขาใหญ่) is a national park in Thailand. ... Genera and Species Loxodonta Loxodonta cyclotis Loxodonta africana Elephas Elephas maximus Proboscidea is an order including only one extant family, Elephantidae or the elephants, with three species: the Savannah Elephant and Forest Elephant (which were collectively known as the African Elephant), and the Asian Elephant (formerly known as the Indian...

Famous Plants and Trees of Phu Kradung

• Maple Tree or Fai Deun Ha(ไฟเดือนห้า) The leaves of these trees turn red during the winter season(In Thailand the month of December). If travelers want to be sure that they will see red leaves they can and should phone the park before hand.
• Nepenthes Can be found close to the Pha Na Noi and Pha Dang cliffs.
• Siam Tulip This tulip can be found close to Pha Yiap Mek and Pha Dang cliffs. This flower blooms beautifully annually during the month of April. In the month of May you can still find many of these flowers blooming but insects and other animals will have begun to eat them.

A pine tree on Phu Kradung

Species See text The genus Nepenthes (Tropical Pitcher Plants or Monkey Cups) in the monotypic family Nepenthaceae contains roughly 80-100 species, (depending on author), several natural and many cultivated hybrids. ... Binomial name Curcuma alismatifolia Gagnep. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (600x900, 111 KB) Summary Picture of a pine tree on Phu Kradung. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (600x900, 111 KB) Summary Picture of a pine tree on Phu Kradung. ...

External links

• Phu Kradung National Park