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Study nature in one of the seven biospheres in Asia Bangkok - Nakhon Ratchasima

2 days, 1 night

(suitable for children and family)

Starting from Bangkok, head for Sakaerat Environmental Research Station in Tambon Phu Luang, Pak Thong Chai district, Tambon Wang Nam Khieo and Tambon Udom Sap in Wang Nam Khieo district of Nakhon Ratchasima. The station is about 300 km from Bangkok and 60 km from Nakhon Ratchasima city. It is around 79 km on highway No 304.

From Bangkok, you can take either of these three routes:

1. Bangkok-Nonthaburi-Pathum Thani-Saraburi-Muak Lek-Pak Chong-Si Khio-Pak Thong Chai: The distance is about 300 km. (This is the longest route, but on main roads in good road condition.)

2. Bangkok-Nonthaburi-Pathum Thani-Nakhon Nayok-Prachin Buri-Kabin Buri-Na Di-Wang Nam Khieo: The distance is about 220 km.

3. Bangkok-Min Buri-Chachoengsao-Kabin Buri-Na Di-Wang Nam Khieo. The distance is about 230 km. (The roads uphill in Kabin Buri are a little steep and require careful driving.)

We recommend the third route on highway No 304 Min Buri-Chachoengsao. The road condition is in good condition. Pass Chachoengsao Railway Station, cross Chachoengsao Bridge then turn left at a major intersection. You can see the 5-km mark.

Around 22-23 km, take a break at a PTT petrol station where you can even change vehicle oils. You’ll also find a coffee shop and restaurants. Credit cards are accepted. Go straight for another 12 km and you can find an LPG gas station next to a PTT petrol station. They are near Phanom Sarakham Police Station (0-3855-1666, 0-3855-1561) and Phanom Sarakham Hospital (0-3855-1444, 0-3855-1888).

When you reach 56 km, you will be in Prachin Buri. Around 86-87 km, you will pass Kabin Buri Police Station (0-3728-1586). Some parts of the road are three lanes on each side and in good condition. Go straight until you meet Kabin Buri intersection. Take the flyover (following a sign to Pak Thong Chai district) then around 56 km you will pass a Kasikorn Bank branch. Drive for about one km and you will find a Wang Nam Khieo Service Centre. Around 59 km, you will pass Wang Nam Khieo Hospital (0-4422-8242, 0-4422-8243).

When you reach 79 km, you are at the entrance to the Sakaerat Environmental Research Station. Take a left turn and go straight for about 3 km before arriving at the research station, the first biosphere in Thailand and one of seven biospheres in Asia. The area is mainly covered with two forests – a Dry Evergreen Forest having Takien or Iron Wood (Hopea ferrea Pierre) and Krabao Klak (Hydnocarpus ilicifolia) and a Dry Dipterocarp Forest having teng (Shorea obtusa Wall.), rang (Shorea  siamensis Miq) and white meranti (Shorea talura Roxb.) You will also find bamboo forests, forest plantation area and grass fields.

The station is perfect for environmental and ecological research and students’ field studies while it is also a natural laboratory suitable for schools organising science camps. The forest area in front of the station is a location for forest nature studies.

Moreover, the station is equipped with facilities necessary for seminars and conferences such as accommodation, conference room and meeting facilities.

Tips: The transition period from rainy season to winter is the most suitable time for visiting this station.

Sakaerat Environmental Research Station is an eco-tourism site, both for one-day and two-day trips. However, advance reservation is required. A group of at least 10 people are welcome alone while a smaller group would have to join with other groups to do activities. Activities on the first day include sight-seeing in Dry Evergreen Forest, bird-watching and watching Siamese Fireback Pheasant, one of the most beautiful pheasants in Thailand, with a guide lecture. Then you can have dinner and enjoy the presentation about Sakaerat forests.

At night, you can enjoy watching night insects, survey the sky with a telescope before going to bed, preparing yourself for the next morning.

To contact the station, call 0-4425-8642, 0-4424-2533, 0-4424-4474, 08-9813-4101.

The next day, you can learn how to watch birds through the telescope, enjoy trekking in Dry Dipterocarp Forest and Dry Evergreen Forest. Local scholars will be your guides. Lunch is served in the woods.

On Mittraphap Road to Bangkok, at around 196 km, you can take a left turn for 3 km to visit Suan Mueang Porn (Mueang Porn Garden), an eco-tourism spot, which provides you with more than 500 kinds of fruit seeds and seedlings of tropical and exotic plants. There, you can clearly appreciate the view of Lam Takhong Dam.

Recommended: The balcony is very close to Lam Takhong Dam. You can enjoy your meal with music in a pleasant atmosphere. The garden is open daily from 8am to 9pm. Call 0-4332-3263 or 0-4432-3459-60.

Important contacts

Nakhon Ratchasima Police Station: Tel 0-4424-2010

Wang Nam Khieo Police Operation Centre: Tel 0-4422-8252-3

Tourism Police: Tel 0-4434-1777-9

Maharat Hospital: Tel 0-4425-4990-1