Tham Prathun Non-Hunting Area

History & Significance

Tham Prathun Non-Hunting Area was officially declared a protected non-hunting area on March 4, 1999. Spanning an area of 20.88 square kilometers, the landscape is characterized by rugged limestone mountains and dense vegetation, most notably the ancient 'Tad' trees (a primitive palm-like plant family). The area holds immense ecological and historical value, preserving rare flora and fauna alongside prehistoric archaeological sites.

Highlights & What to See

The non-hunting area features three major attractions:

• Hup Pa Tad: Discovered in 1979 by Phra Khru Santithamkoson, this hidden valley is reached by walking through a dark 50-meter cave. Emerging from the cave, visitors find a massive sinkhole illuminated by natural sunlight, revealing a lush, primeval forest dominated by ancient Tad trees. The self-guided walking trail is about 700 meters round trip.
• Khao Khong Chai: Standing 353 meters above sea level, this mountain houses the area's headquarters. Prehistoric stone tools and pottery shards have been found in its caves. Around 18:00 daily, visitors can witness massive swarms of bats flying out from the caves at the foot of the mountain.
• Khao Plara: A challenging peak rising 598 meters above sea level. A steep 900-meter trek (taking about 3 hours round trip) leads to a stunning viewpoint and a 320-meter-high western cliff. Here, visitors can view prehistoric paintings over 3,000 years old, featuring around 40 black and red drawings of humans and animals depicting ancient social life.

Visitor Information

The area is open daily from 08:30 to 16:30. Admission fees are 20 THB for Thai adults (10 THB for children) and 200 THB for foreign adults (100 THB for children). For hiking up Khao Plara, visitors must contact a park officer to guide them. Hikers should wear sturdy sneakers and bring plenty of drinking water, as the trail consists of small, slippery rocks. Parking is available on-site. For inquiries, contact 0 5698 9127.