Cover story: 05 Feb

Vol. 26 No. 2

in Thailand

By Mintra

Thailand has abundant forests, mountains and beaches which are not only beautiful but also serve as viewpoints to admire the fantastic sunrise. So, there are a large number of travellers who are willing to wake up early, carry a camera and a tripod to climb up the mountain to take photos of the first light of the day to keep them as mementos. The following are some recommended places to view the daybreak.

Huai Nam Dang National Park

1. Chanadai Cliff, Pha Taem National Park, Ubon Ratchathani (629 km northeast of Bangkok)

The steep Chanadai Cliff at the Mekong riverside is one of the most beautiful spots to watch the dawn in Thailand. The site is special because it is where people see the first sun of the country of the New Year. The atmosphere is cool and fresh with the breeze from the Mekong.

Pha Taem National Park (Photos by courtesy of TAT Ubon Ratchathani Office)

Chanadai Cliff provides you with a spectacular scene of puffy sea of mist in the cool morning plus the first light of the day. Strange-shaped rocks and lovely wild flowers are welcoming you along the way to the cliff. You are recommended to go there at the end of the rainy season or at the beginning of the cool season (October-December).

For more information, please contact TAT Ubon Ratchathani Office, tel: 0 4524 3770, 0 4525 0714.

2. Nok Aen Cliff, Phu Kradueng, Loei
(520 km northeast of Bangkok)

Nok Aen Cliff, Phu Kradueng

Nok Aen Cliff is a highlight of Phu Kradueng National Park. The cliff is about two kilometres from the park office. It is a rocky ground with pine trees setting themselves at a perfect angle and serving as a background for photo taking. The cliff commands an awesome view of the daybreak.

Maple leaves at Phu Kradueng

When looking down, you will see expansive fields and ridges of mountains. Along the way leading to the cliff, there are piles of rocks with a shrub of wild Rhododendron which will be in full bloom from March to April. Every morning in the cool season, the cliff is usually crowded with tourists aiming to take photos of the sunrise here. If the weather permits and you reach there at the right time, you will see the sunrise at the same time of the moon that is fading away.

Camping at Phu Kradueng (Photo by courtesy of TAT)

For more information, please contact TAT Loei Office, tel: 0 4281 2812.

3. Phu Chi Fa, Chiang Rai
(785 km north of Bangkok)

Phu Chi Fa (Photo by courtesy of TAT)

Those who haven't been to Phu Chi Fa are recommended to go there once. The sea of mist here is very fluffy, so thick and looks like the real "sea". The landscape is exceptionally beautiful, more so than words can depict. To see the superb view of the sunrise at Phu Chi Fa, you are advised to go there during the period from November to February. In the cool season, several kinds of wild flowers are in full bloom, such as the white bauhinias and Nang Phaya Suakhrong or Thai Sakura which is pink in colour.

Phu Chi Fa (Photo by courtesy of TAT)

For more information, please contact TAT Chiang Rai Office, tel: 0 5371 7433, 0 5374 4674-5.

4. Huai Nam Dang National Park, Chiang Mai
(696 km north of Bangkok)

The dawn at Huai Nam Dang is number one for many people due to its thick white puffy sea of mist. When you stand at the well-known Doi Kiew Lom Viewpoint at dawn and look to the east, you will see Mount Doi Chiang Dao sets itself as a perfect background of impressive misty mountainous scenery and the sunrise.

Huai Nam Dang National Park (Photos by courtesy of TAT)

If you are lucky, the white lingering mist will be so thick and display a spectacular "sea of mist" before your eyes. Besides the breathtaking view, the fresh, cool and romantic atmosphere also help make the beholders happy even though they have to wake up before 5.00 a.m

Doi Chiang Dao (Photos by courtesy of TAT)

For more information, please contact TAT Chiang Mai Office, tel: 0 5324 8604, 0 5324 8607.

5. Doi Phukha National Park, Nan
(658 km north of Bangkok)

Doi Phukha National Park has Doi Phu Wae Peak as a vantage point commanding a fantastic view of the first light of the day accompanied by the sea of mist. Apart from the view, Doi Phukha is home to a rare tree species name Bretschneidera sinesis Hemsl. or Chomphu Phukha in Thai whose pinkish flowers bloom in February.

Doi Phukha National Park

There are several magnificent waterfalls and caves such as Pha Phueng Cave, Pha Daeng caves, Sila Phet Waterfall and Phu Fa Waterfall. What's more, adventurous lovers will love Doi Phukha as it features the Wa River which is excellent for white-water rafting.

For more information, please contact TAT Phrae Office, tel: 0 5452 1118.

Views of spectacular daybreak at Hat Khanom-Mu Ko Thale Tai National Park. (Photos by courtesy of TAT)

6. Hat Khanom-Mu Ko Thale Tai National Park, Nakhon Si Thammarat (780 km south of Bangkok)

The sunrise at Hat Khanom never fails to impress visitors. The dawn here is interesting because the landscape features both the sea and mountain. Khao Dat Fa Viewpoint commands a panoramic view of the daybreak with large and small islands as a background. In the early morning, besides watching birds, you may also see gibbons and hear them calling. What's more, the sea in this area boasts beautiful corals.

For more information, please contact TAT Nakhon Si Thammarat Office, tel: 0 7534 6515-6.

If you are interested in visiting any of these places by yourself, it is a must to find out more information. Anyway, you can conveniently contact a travel agent to arrange everything for you. (See lists of tour and travel agents on pages 50-51.) Above all, please remember that:

• Nature is beyond human control. So do not expect too much to see the dawn in order not to get disappointed.

• Avoid long weekends, Saturdays and Sundays when these places will be so crowded.
• A thick jacket or wind-proof jacket is required as the weather can drop below
10° C on some mounts.
• Learn about the regulations of each place and prepare necessary things such as camping gears in advance.
• If you want to capture the moment of the first light of the day, you should not forget the tripod.
• Please keep the place clean.

For the correct pronunciation of romanized Thai words, see Romanization System of the Thai Language .