Chang Klang - Lan Saka Nakhon Si Thammarat may not rank high as a holiday destination. But that's not because it lacks places to wow visitors. The truth is, this southern province is rich with overlooked gems. And today's route is just a peek at Nakhon Si Thammarat's tourism treasure trove. The small town of Chang Klang, our starting point, can be reached via Highway 4195 which splits off from No. 41, the main highway, 40 kilometres or so south of Wiang Sa. Chang Klang is about 16 kilometres down the 4195. Once you're at Chang Klang, go to the town's police station, reset the odometer and drive east along Highway 4015. Less than 5.5 kilometres from the police station, you'll reach an intersection at Ban Chan Dee. Now on your right there are two roads: Rural Highway 4014 and Highway 4230. Take the first one. Ten kilometres and a half along the 4014, you'll find a side road to Namtok Klong Jang. The fall is 1.5 kilometres down that narrow road. To get to Point B, drive back along the 4014, and about 4.5 kilometres or so, look to your left for a police booth. The dirt trail to Khao Maen viewpoint is opposite the police booth. Yes, on your right. From the viewpoint, ask the villagers how you can drive further to Wat Manao Wan. Getting to the wat means you can return to Highway 4015 without having to backtrack all the way to Ban Chan Dee intersection. Well, suppose that you're now back on Highway 4015. Drive ten kilometres and a half west of Wat Manao Wan, and you'll see the 1.7-kilometre road to Namtok Tha Phae, today Point C. (Oh, along the way on the 4015 there are a number of agrotourism sites that you might wish to check out - fruit orchards, flower nurseries and a peafowl farm, for example.) After visiting Tha Phae Waterfall, drive back to the 4015. Only about 600 metres down the highway, you'll find Chang Klang Agrotourism Centre. Three kilometres and a half from the centre, you'll arrive at Sala Than Phor Khlai, our Point E. From there, the side road to Namtok Karoam, where the headquarters of Khao Luang National Park is located, is only four kilometres down the highway. The 4015 continues to Lan Saka where there are several more waterfalls and other interesting places, including Ban Khiriwong, a gateway for hikers heading to the legendary summit of Khao Luang. |