Location : Amphoe Muang
Koh Thepho was formerly a cape between the Chao Phraya River and Sakae Krang River, which met together at the south of the cape. Later, a canal was excavated to link both rivers in the northern part in order that the water from the Chao Phraya River will add to the Sakae Krang River in case of lack of rain. This cape therefore became Koh Thepho.

Koh Thepho is an interesting point for travellers who love cycling. The journey on the isle starts after you cross a bridge which links between the municipal fresh market and Wat Ubosatharam. The bridge is not so long and quite narrow since it provides a small lane for only two motorcycles. Along both sides of the road, there is a bamboo forest, corn and rice field, with a peaceful, shady atmosphere. Local people here earn a living by planting “Manorom” and “Khao Taeng Kwa” pomelo, and Mafai.

When visitors pass Ban Tha Din Daeng, they can see people selling Suea Lamphan, a mat made of bamboo, in front of their houses, not at the market. If travelling to Wat Phum Tham, it is possible to see a recreation hall with a serene atmosphere. After finishing cycling and reaching the end of the marked route, they will arrive at the pier to cross to Tha Sung. The total distance of the cycling route on this isle is 33 km.

Tourists can contact Khun Somprasong Srimueang to ask for a map of Koh Thepho and the city of Uthai Thani. Also attend the Uthai Thani Cycling for Health Club (Charoeun Chakayan Shop) 101-102 Tha Chang Road, Amphoe Mueang, Tel. 0 5651 1991 everyday. Location : Amphoe Muang
Rafts on Sakae Krang River reflect the lifestyle of Uthai Thani people that has always been linked with water. Water is used here to grow pandanus and for raising fish in floating baskets, particularly gourami, that has become a main occupation of the province and which has made it famous. Tourists can take a boat to view the life of people living on rafts on Sakae Krang River by boarding at Lan Sakae Pier near Municipal 2 Fresh Market in Amphoe Muang or boarding at Lan Suphannika in front of the provincial hall on Si Uthai Road. The route passes Wat Tha Sung and ends at Tambon Tha Sung where Sakae Krang River and Chao Phraya River meets. There are tour boats serving visitors. For more information, please contact Pan House Travel at Tel: 0 2933 0577, 0 2538 0335, 0 2538 3705. Location : Amphoe Ban Rai
is a temple in a valley. It has a beautiful two-storey Thai-style convocation hall. The area has been exquisitely landscaped. The monastery is the 13th of 19 branches of Wat Sangkhathan in Nonthaburi that are in places such as Chiang Mai, Um Phang, the United Kingdom, and India. The monastery was built in 1987 and has a total area of 320,000 square metres. The surrounding area is mountain and forest.

The most striking feature of Khao Wong Monastery is the 4-storey Thai-style multi-purpose pavilion. Built almost entirely of wood, the pavilion has a pond in front with many fish. Around the pond is a garden of colourful flowers. The wood used in the pavilion’s construction was donated by locals and has been transformed into a work of architecture that retains natural qualities. The monastery has a monthly meditation class for those who are interested.

Getting There: Use the same route as Phu Wai Cave. It is about 3 kilometres before reaching the cave (there is a cooperative store selling souvenirs and free accommodations for up to 200 persons). Location : Amphoe Ban Rai
It is located in the south west of Uthai Thani, being a part of the Western Forest next to Phu Toei National Park in Suphan Buri. The topography includes limestone mountains which are high, undulated and steep, with more than 35% of slope. It is a water source, flowing through Amphoe Ban Rai, Uthai Thani.

Interesting Attractions
Tham Phu Wai, a large cave, with a spacious area housing stalagmites and stalactites in various forms, such as pagoda and basin. Visitors have to climb up to the entrance on the mountain slope. The air is fresh and well-ventilated. There is a hole leading through to the opposite part of the mountain. 9 species of bats live in the cave. Visitors can contact a guide at the entrance of the cave. It takes about an hour to walk through the hole. Behind Tham Phu Wai, there is aother small cave: Tham Thep Mali or Tham Phaya Nak, which is quite deep but naturally attractive with stalagmites and stalactites. See the wide splendid view on the top of Khao Phu Wai which is 700 metres high from sea level. Additionally, the deciduous dipterocarp forest on the mountain ridge is quite unspoilt.

Getting there:,
from Amphoe Ban Rai, take Highway 3011, Ban Rai - Phu Bon route, passing the bend in front of the Chaopho Khao Rak Shrine until getting to the intersection with the direction sign of Ban I Lum – Ban Khao Phu Toei. Turn right and go on for about 6 km. Drive pass the entrance of Wat Tham Khao Wong for another 3 km. before getting to the entrance of Tham Phu Wai. Location : Amphoe Ban Rai
This hill Tribe centre has a house with a raised lower floor, a thatched roof and bamboo walls. This is a replica of a Karen house for tourists to see and there is also a room displaying tools and utensils of Karens. There is accommodations available and a cultural performance if advance notice is given. Moreover, there are hill tribe volunteers taking visitors to see nearby areas. For more information, please contact Tel: 0 5652 0723, 0 5651 2026.

The Karen village near here is Chao Wat Yang Daeng Village that strictly adheres to old traditions. It leads a simple lifestyle and has a peaceful atmosphere. The interesting event of this village is the New Year Festival that is held on the full moon night of April.

Getting There: From Amphoe Ban Rai, take Highway No. 3011 (Ban Rai-Phu Bon) for about 17 kilometres. Location : Amphoe Thap Than
Khao Pathawi, in Tambon Taluk Du, is a small mountain range with a length of approximately 750 metres and a height of 253 metres. It is quite high and steep, formed by rocks of different heights situated one behind another to the top. Surrounding the mountain, there are about 30 small and large caves, such as Tham Prathun, Tham Bandai, Tham Ang, Tham Phutthaprawat, Tham Buddha Prawat (Lord Buddha’s Biography), Tham Pla (Fish Cave), and Tham Khangkhao (Bat Cave). Stone tools and pre-historical human skeletons were found. The ground in front of the mountain is covered with shady trees and there are a lot of monkeys. Location : Amphoe Nong Khayang
Take Highway No. 3265 for about 12 km. from the city. Cross the Khlong Yang Bridge and drive on for about 4 km. Otherwise, rent a boat from the mouth of Khlong Yang to get to the swamp, taking about 5 km. Bueng Thap Tae, located at the end of Huai Khwi, is about 8 km. long and 300 metres wide. It is the source of various fish, so local people live by using water from this swamp and fishing. In winter, grebes from other regions will migrate to this swamp. In addition, on the side of the swamp near Ban Tha Thong, a habitation site of pre-historical humans was found with metal tools, pottery, beads and glass bangles. The evidence shows that they were a civilized tribe because they knew the method to make accessories from metals. Bottles of alcoholic drink brought into the Kingdom of Ayutthaya by Western people were also found. Location : Amphoe Lansak
Thung Yai Naresuan – Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary has begun to be known since it was registered as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in December 1991.

Huai Kha Khaeng has an area of 3,609,375 rai or 5,775 square kilometres, covering an area of 6 districts of 3 provinces: Amphoe Ban Rai, Amphoe Lan Sak, and Amphoe Huai Khot in Uthai Thani; Amphoe Sangkhla Buri and Amphoe Thong Pha Phum in Kanchanaburi; and Amphoe Umphang in Tak. It also includes the area of Thung Yai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary, so this is the largest connected conserved forest in Thailand and the South East Asia Region.

The weather is very hot in summer, and it rains heavily all day in the rainy season, while the winter lasts for a very short period.

Huai Kha Khaeng was announced to be a World Heritage Site because of its natural diversity, including 5 out of 7 kinds of tropical forests which are dry evergreen forest, montane forest, savanna, mixed deciduous forest, and deciduous dipterocarp forest. These forests are blessed with biodiversity. Some of the fauna are nearly extinct, such as wild water buffalo, serow, leopard, Asiatic wild dog, red junglefowl cock, green peafowl and many species of forest insects.

Normally, the wildlife sanctuary does not open for tourists because it is a conserved, high-sensitive area. A lot of people’s visits may destroy the ecological balance. However, after the sanctuary was announced to be a World Heritage Site and became well known to the public, it has permitted travelers to visit only 3 points of areas to learn about nature without staying overnight. Therefore, tourists have to follow the rules strictly.

Those permitted areas are:
1. The Headquarters of Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary;
2. Cyber Ranger Station (see further details in the Cyber Waterfall); and
3. Huai Mae Di Ranger Station (in the area of Amphoe Ban Rai, on Route 3011, Huai Mae Di – Ban Mai Khlong Angwa. There is a nature study route.

In the area of the headquarters of the wildlife sanctuary, there is a statue of Seub Nakhasathien, facing southwest to see how the Western Forest changes through time. There is an 8-stepped stairway which represents the time of 8 months when Seub was in the position of the head of the sanctuary. The pattern on the stairs represents the obstacles in his work.

Seub Nakhasathien Memorial Building is a multi-purpose building used as a place to arrange events and exhibitions concerning Seub Nakhasathien, the important person who played a major role in encouraging the announcement of Huai Kha Khaeng as a World Heritage Site.

Khao Hin Daeng Nature Study Route is approximately 6 km. long, taking about 4 hours to travel on foot. There are 18 points to interpret the meaning of the nature, including deciduous forest, deciduous dipterocarp forest, mixed deciduous forest, and dry evergreen forest, as well as a sight-seeing point, Pong Thian. After December, there are a lot of birds from various species, most of which are red-breasted parakeet and lineated barbet. Normally, tourists can travel on this route by themselves, using a manual provided at the headquarters of the sanctuary. For a guide, please contact Huai Kha Khaeng Forest Fire Prevention Unit in advance at Tel. 0 5651 3527. However, this natural route is closed in April.

In the rainy season, it is difficult to drive through the entrance due to flooding on the laterite road.

For a nature tour at Huai Kha Khaeng wildlife Preserve Area, prior approval is necessary from the Wildlife Conservation Division of The Forestry Department at P.O. Box 4 Amphoe Lansak, Uthai Tahni province 61160. Accommodations available. Location : Amphoe Lansak
This mountain is situated in Amphoe Lan Sak, 60 kms. from Uthai Thani city. Viewed from a distance, the hill resemble a Chinese junk surround at the base by a natural most of about 12 meters in width. The side of the mountain are covered with many species of trees and inside the mountain there are many caves such as Tham Kaeo, Tham Si Chompu, Tham Thong Phra Rong, Tham Buddha Satham, Tham Ang Nam Mon, each having their own particular beauties. Some of them are adorned with beautiful stalangmites and stalactites. A visit to the caves will require some 4-5 hours to see all the interesting sights. There is electricity for illumination in the caves, but the authorities should be contacted in advance to light the caves and payment must be made for the cost of the electricity. Location : Amphoe Lansak
Khuean Thap Salao is located in Mu 6, Tambon Rabam. From Amphoe Lan Sak, take Highway 3438 for about 15 km. At Km. 47, turn into the intersection leading to Khuean Thap Salao for about 2 km. to the sight-seeing point. If coming from the city, the entrance is on the left.

Khuean Thap Salao is a large irrigation dam, obstructing Thap Salao Stream to create a reservoir with an attractive view, with an undulated mountain range as a background. In the south of the dam, there are deciduous dipterocarp forest and planted forest garden. Local people often come on weekends for recreation. There is a welfare shop provided. Location : Amphoe Lansak
Huai Rabam Forest Garden is located in Tambon Rabam, 78 km. from the provincial town, with an area of 11,740 rai (18,784,000 square metres). This reforestation is under responsibility of the Thai Plywood Company Limited. There are also teak, eucalyptus, and casuarinas junghuniana Miq. forests. Visit the plot of newly planted forest. A reception house with a capacity of about 30 persons is available for staying overnight but visitors have to bring their own food. In the dry season, there is a shortage of water. In the rainy season, it is difficult to enter to the forest garden. For further details, please contact the Thai Plywood Co., Ltd. at Tel. 0 5651 1094 or Provincial Forestry Office at Tel. 0 5631 1009.

Getting there: drive along Highway 3438. At about Km. 46, turn left and go on for about 16 km. Location : Amphoe Lansak
Tham Khao Khong Chai is a mountain in Tambon Lan Sak, with a height of 353 metres. In front of Khao Khong Chai, there is a shallow, spacious cave in a form of a large tunnel. It is believed that this cave used to be a habitat of pre-historical humans because they found stone tools and shards of pottery. A flock of bats live in the cave and fly out in the evening to find food. If climbing up the high cliff, it is possible to find the caves above, such as Tham Thong Chai, Tham Maha Sombat, Tham Pet, and Tham Lom. Nearby, another mountain with beautiful caves is located. The large land in the middle of the valley covers an area of a temple and Lan Sak Witthaya School.

Getting there: take Highway 333 from the city, passing Amphoe Nong Chang. Then, take Highway 3438, Nong Chang – Lan Sak route. About 2 km. before getting to Amphoe Lan Sak, turn left into Lan Sak Witthaya School. Drive on for about 500 metres until arriving at Khao Khong Chai, which is approximately 52.4 km. from the provincial city. Location : Amphoe Lansak
Hup Pa Tat is a large valley with an area of about 48,000 square metres. The mountain range surrounding the valley is a limestone range. Part of it is Khao Huai Sok that connects with Khao Pla Ra, about 1 km. away. The way up to the cave is a margosa forest. Upon reaching the cave mouth you will see a dark cave. After a walk of around 100 metres, you will emerge from darkness and see the way down to the valley. Looking around you will see a limestone mountain surrounded by high cliffs. This enables sunlight to reach the ground only at midday. Therefore, the valley has higher humidity than other parts and this contributes to a wealth of flora. The thick jungle features gigantic shrubs of the genus Excoecaria that are similar to prehistoric trees.

Getting There: Use the same route as Khao Pla Ra. It is 300 metres before the mountain. Location : Amphoe Huai Khot
Pha Rom Yen Waterfall is in Ban Mai Rom Yen. The highlight of the waterfall is its uniqueness of being a limestone waterfall that falls from a cliff. It can be clearly seen from the road nearby. This beautiful waterfall flows from a small stream 4 levels up. It is about 100 metres high. The highest level is a stream that falls down to a pool on the second level. The highest level is the level that can be viewed from the entrance. The beauty of this waterfall lies in the fact that it falls down a high cliff, splashing into mist down below. The nearby area is bright green with moss and ferns. The surrounding nature provides cool shade for visitors.

Getting There: From Amphoe Ban Rai, take Highway No. 3011 (Ban Rai-Phu Bon) to the entrance of Ban Mai Rom Yen, then turn right for around 2 kilometres. Then go on foot for 400 metres from the entrance to the waterfall. Location : Amphoe Huai Khot
It is under the responsibility of the Cyber Ranger Station. It is situated near Cyber Village (Ban Sap Mae Bue), Tambon Khok Khwai, Amphoe Huai Khot, 86 km. from the provincial city. This multi-layered waterfall is formed by water from Huai Loi Choi which flows from a high mountain in Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary. The waterfall at the higher level is called Namtok Loi Choi. In some parts, the water falls over a big rock so it is called Namtok Hin Lat. Below, there is an enormous water basin to receive the water which keeps flowing down continuously. In other part, the water squeezes through rocks to the basin, creating a beautiful high multi-layered waterfall. There will be a lot of water in September until early November. Huai Loi Choi will meet Huai Thap Salao. The waterfall is surrounded by a rattan forest with shady trees and leaves that change their colours in November.

Shelters and facilities: There is one reception house which can hold 20-30 persons. Food service is not provided, so visitors have to prepare it by themselves. It is necessary to have a letter of permission from the managing department of the wildlife sanctuary because it is under the responsibility of Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary. For further information, please call Tel. 0 2561 4292-3 ext. 765.

Getting there: Take Highway 3282, turn left at Km. 30, and drive into an unpaved road for 7 km. Travel on foot for another 900 metres. The entrance is a laterite road with sharp rocks all the way, passing many creeks. In the rainy season (August - October), it is not possible to drive along this road. It is recommended to take a 4 wheel-drive car. Otherwise, take a bus Ban Rai - Khlong Haeng from Ban Rai Market and get off at Ban Thonglang, at Km. 19. Then rent a two-rowed car. Location : Amphoe Huai Khot
It is about 5 km. from the cultural centre. It has a natural fresh and comfortable atmosphere. It takes about an hour to walk around. In the garden, there are useful local plants and various species of plants; such as Sadao Pa whose fruits and leaves can be made into an organic repellent, Ton Sabu whose fruits can be used in bathing, washing hair and clothes, Rang Chuet which has a medical property to sober up. Some plants are poisonous such as hair of Chang Rong which can make people’s skin painfully itch when touching. Ya Nong – upas trees - has a poisonous sap which hunters in the past applied to the end of their darts that used for hunting. Location : Amphoe Huai Khot
This is a small spring that sprouts up to the surface. The hot water from underground converges to form a little stream that flows down to Than Khok Khwai or Huai Khun Kaeo. The water is clear and pungent with the aroma of sulphur. The water is so hot that it can boil an egg in 5 minutes. The Royla Irrigation Department has constructed Huai Khun Kaeo Reservoir, flooding the stream and the spring itself. However, and earth levee has been developed around the spring and some landscaping has been done to create a good rest area for visitors. The spring has an area of 4,000 square metres and consists of 3 springs. A mineral bath is available for tourists and nearby is a 20-metre-high Buddha image sitting high amidst the wonderful scenery of the area.

Getting There: From Amphoe Ban Rai, take Highway No.3282 (Amphoe Ban Rai-Amphoe Huai Khot) to Km. 41, then turn right to Ban Wang Yang Samo Thong for another 24 kilometres. The total distance from the city is 64 kilometres.

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