Phu Pah Toeb.
In the Isan plateau that connects the Mekhong River exists the unique landscape. These sandstone mountains, though look dry, possess a tourism charm no other regions do that is the sandstone sculpture in as many different shapes as the viewer’s imagination may lead to. Just as the same at Phu Pah Toeb in Mukdahan National Park, and those tiny wild flowers at Mujalin ground that will bloom when the cold wind start to blow. The Mukdahan National Park or Known as Phu Pah Toeb was established as Thailand’s 59th national park, with a total area of about 48.5 square kilometers or about 30,312.5 rai covering Mukdahan’s Amphoe Muang and Amphoe Don Tan.
Its landscape is made up of connected steep mountain ranges, the recognized peaks of which include Phu nang Hong, Phu Tham Phra, Phu Lang Se, Phu Hin toeb, Phu Markyang, Phu Pong and Phu Ma No, with Phu Jom Sri standing about 420 meters as the highest peak. Most area is of steep Rocky Mountains and stone grounds with beautiful and amazing stone sculpture naturally created in different shapes or “Toeb” as called by the locals.
This is the all year around natural sight to visit, especially in late rainy season from October – December when the weather is finely cool. By the stone grounds, wild flowers and earth floral are found, adding a colorful attention to Phu Pah Toeb.
A tour on Phu Pah Toeb can be done within one day, with attractions to reach on foot. Start from the National Park’s headquarters, nearby is Hun Toeb Rock Group the site of hugest of all rock sculpture. A littler further away lies a vast stone ground of earth floral called Laan Mujalin where tiny flowers are found with a view of the Mekhong. After flower admiration, ones may drop by to swim at Namtok Wang Duen Ha – a huge basin enclosed by magnificent rocks, or to drop in for scenery viewing at Pah Ood to see the giant camel-shaped rock and the Mekhong connected to the green forest. From Pah Ood, go to Phu Tham Phra to take pictures of the National Park’s most beautiful waterfall Namtok Phu Tham Phra before furthering to take high-angle view of scenery at Pah Manao
From Pah Manao Viewpoint is a trail to walk further about 700 meters away from Phu Tham Phra. Pah Manao is a steep cliff on the hill ridge-from here Mukdahan National Park’s abundant forest and the Mekhong scenery can viewed.
End up the program at Tham Fahmue Daeng for a study of pre-historical human account through the traces of over 5,000 yearlong civilizations.
After all sights are done, if you still have one more day to go, never miss a city tour to admire the city’s view as well as the scenery of Kekhong river at Hor Kaeo-Mukdahan Chaloemprakiat Kanchanabhisek, to worship Phra Chao Ong Luang – the City’s Buddha image at Wat Sri Mongkol Tai.
Travel Details for Phu Pah Toeb.
Location: Tambon Na Si Nuan, Amphoe Muang, along the Highway no. 2034 (kukdahan to Don Tan) about 17 kilometers away from the city.Good time to go: Late rainy season up to early winter around November to December.
How to get there:
From Bangkok to Mukdahan; take Highway number 1 through Saraburi. From Nakorn Ratchasima, to go to Mukdahan, drive along the way towards Amphoe Baan Pai through Maha Sarakam passing Loi-Et’s Amphoe Pone Thong, Amphoe Kamcha-e on to Mukdahan’s Amphoe Muang.
From the city of Mjukdahan, go along the Highway number 2034 (Kukdahan to Don tan) for about 15 kilometers, and then take a right turn towards Amphoe Don Tan for about 2 kilometers where a junction to enter Mukdahan National Park is found.
Where to shopping: Tourists may go to shopping at the Indochinese Market before returning to Bangkok.
Where to stay: Those who would like to stay overnight, the Mukdahan National Park has accommodations and camping ground to serve their needs. A group visit that requires officer’s briefing may give pre notice to Mukdahan National Park.
