Mae Yom is one of Thailand’s most beautiful national parks due to its rugged terrain, extensive teak forest, rushing streams and unspoiled nature, but it’s rather difficult to get to, being almost 50km from the nearest town—Phrae.
Covering an area of 455 square kilometers, the park is known to most Thais as it has been at the center of an argument that has raged for a couple of decades concerning the construction of a dam along the Mae Yom River, which would flood vast tracts of the park, including the country’s last remaining stand of natural teak. At present the plan is on hold, but it’s probably best to check before you go that this pristine jungle has not become a huge building site.
Places of interest include Dong Sak Ngam, the dense teak forest that covers a huge area of the park and includes some massive examples of this precious tree, characterized by giant leaves and dead-straight trunks. Another famed spot is Kaeng Sua Ten, or the Leaping-Tiger Rapids, a favorite spot for white-water rafting as long as work on the proposed dam has not begun.
Getting There
Follow H101 from Phrae north towards Nan, then branch left on to H103 towards Ngao. After about 20km, turn right on H1120, passing through the town of Song, after which you will soon reach the entrance to the park.
Need to Know
- What is it? A remote national park containing Thailand’s last stand of natural teak.
- Opening hours: 06:00-18:00.
- Entrance fee: 100B (adults), 50B (kids).
- Where? About 50km northwest of Phrae.