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Attractions:

Pang Sida National Park

General Information
Covering the area in Amphoe Muang, Amphoe Wattana Nakhon, Amphoe Ta Phraya of Sa Kaeo and Amphoe Na Di of Prachin Buri, the Park occupies an area of 844 square kilometres or 527,500 Rai. It was designated a national park on 22 February 1982 to be the 41st national park of Thailand. The topography of the area consists of complex highlands with various and diversified forests, and an abundant of wild and rare animals.

The area is the origin of many creeks which form the Bang Pakong River. The major attractions in the park are:

Namtok Pang Sida (Pang Sida Waterfall) The waterfall is approximately 800 metres from the park office. With a large pond below the 10 metre waterfall, the surroundings are very shady, with much water during the rainy season.

Namtok Pha Takhian About 3 kilometres from the park office, and about 2.5 kilometres from Namtok Pang Sida, the 10 metre waterfall can be reached by 2 trekking trails which are suitable for nature study.

Tha Krabak Reservoir Built under H.M.the King’s project to improve the irrigation, the reservoir is located in Moo 7 Tambon Tha Yaek, about 32 kilometres from town. It is a dam that is 17.50 metres high, and 720 metres long, surrounded by various kinds of forests. Its spectacular views are most suitable for relaxation.

Tha Krabak Waterfall This waterfall is near the reservoir, with 3 levels which are 400-500 metres apart.

Khwae Makha Waterfall Khwae Makha Waterfall is about 6 kilometres from the 40th kilometre. It is approximately 70 metres high. The trail is suitable for trekking. Nearby, there are various waterfalls located at different distances from Kwae Maka Waterfall. These waterfalls are Rak Sai Yoi Waterfall (500 metres), Lan Hin Yai Waterfall (1.5 kilometres), Suan Man and Suan Thong Waterfalls (3 kilometres), Man Thara Waterfall ( 4 kilometres ). To discover these waterfalls, you might need to spend 2-3 days because they are located deep into the forest.

Tham Khang Khao Waterfall The waterfall can be reached by a walking distance of about 10 kilometres from the 22th kilometre. There are many bats living in this area.

View Point Situated in the huge valley at the 25th and 35th kilometres, sunrise and sunset can be watched here at this view point.

Fresh Water Crocodile From the park office about 5 kilometres, to Moo Ban Khlong Phak Khom- Thung Pho for about 50 kilometres, this source in Huai Nam Yen Forest, has been surveyed since 1991.

Accommodation The National Park has house renting service at 500-600 Baht per night. Tent area is also available at the rate of 5 Baht/person/night. For more details, contact Pang Sida National Park, P.O.Box 55, Tambon Tha Yaek, Amphoe Mueang, Sa Kaeo 27000, Tel: 0 1947 5948 or National Park Div., Dept. of Forestry, Bangkhen, Bangkok at Tel: 0 2561 4292 ext. 724, 725, or 0 2579 5734, 0 2579 7223.

Traveling By Car: From town, heading north by using Highway No.3462 about 27 kilometres, the National Park is on the right. If tourists need to travel by public transportation, they can use mini-cab route Sa Kaeo – Ban Khlong Nam Khiao for about 27 kilometres to the park office. Another route is by train (Bangkok – Aranyaprathet), getting off at Sa Kaeo Station, then use mini-cab as mentioned above.

Topography
The landscape is complex high mountains. It is fertile and composed of many kinds of plants. The forests include moist evergreen forest, dry evergreen forest, dipterocarp forest and grassland which are the important sources of water and streams. Wild animals found in the park, for examples, bull, elephant, red bull, tiger, deer, barking deer, bear, warthog, and hornbill. Tourists can easily see the wild animals living in the nature like Khao Yai National Park. There was also found white-water crocodiles in the year 1991 in the area of Huay Nam Yen Forest, Amphur Muang , Sa Kaeo Province. It was expected to be the biggest and the last living place for crocodiles in Thailand.

Climate
Most of the area is rain forest and in monsoon climate that causes rain regularly so that the temperature is not so hot. The rainy season starts from June to November. The winter is from December to February; approximately temperature is 8 – 15 degrees Celsius. The summer is from March to May.

Flora and Fauna
The forest in Pang Sida National Park is rain forest, semi-evergreen forest, montane forest and deciduous forest. There have valuable plants such as Yang, Krabak (a kind of Dipterocaparceae), Red Hopea, Makhaa mong, Tabak (a kind of Lagerstroemia), Sela (a kind of Lythreceae), Burmese ebony, hog plum, Samor (a kind of Terminalia) black wood and rosewood, each spreading in a forest of its kind, and lower plants such as rattan, fernmoss and many kinds of ground orchid.
Because the forest in this area is productive forest, and the source of many rivers, so that there is a good habitat for wild animals, every big and small size and more than 200 kinds of bird, found and spreading there, such as wild elephant, seladang, banteng, tiger, Asiatic black bear, hill myna and dove, and also rare fresh-water crocodile.

Prasat Khao Noi: This site is situated in Wat Khao Noi Si Chomphu, Tambon Khlong Nam Sai, which is 12 kilometres to the south of the city. This ancient venue is on the 80 metre hill. With the stairs of 254 steps, this site is composed of three towers (prang). However, only the central one has been remained. It has been registered in year 1935 by the Department of Fine Arts as the national ancient site. Some sandstone lintels and statues were found, and they are now displayed at the Prachin Buri National Museum.

Prasat Sadokkokthom: This ancient archeological venue, with three temples, is located at Ban Nong Samet. Facing to the east, with 4-side moat , a group of sandstone towers ( prang ) stand inside the laterite walls. Two Khmer stone inscriptions were found and are now kept in the National Library. Tourists can use the road Aranyaprathet - Ta Phraya, turn right at Ban Nong Mek. It is about 36 kilometers from Aranyaprathet.

Aranyaprathet

Victory Gate

Situated on the Thailand – Cambodia border at Ban Khlong Luek, Tambon Tha Kham, the gate was constructed in 1939. The shape of the gate consists of two octagonal 15 metre towers, with the base used as the guarding area. These towers were destroyed by war. In 1959, the left tower was reconstructed in the same shape to commemorate the dead and injured soldiers. The right tower was altered to a huge marble heart-shaped boundary stone facing Cambodia, with the Garuda (mythical bird-man ) image on top, and the name “Thailand” below.

Phra Siam Dewathiraj

Located in front of Aranyaprathet Police Station, with the height of 1.29 meters, this is the imitation of the real Phra Siam Dewathiraj, built by Phra Uthai Thammathari in 1975. The people of Aranyaprathet constructed a throne with four posts to house the image on December 20, 1985. This sacred image has been worshipped by the people of Aranyaprathet and nearby provinces.

Ban Khlong Luek Border Market

It is also known as Talad (Market) Rong Kluea, which is in Ban Khlong Luek, Tambon Tha Kham on Thailand - Cambodia border, east to Aranyaprathet town about 6 kilometers, on Highway No.33 (Sa Kaeo - Aranyaprathet). This market is a major business center in trading goods from Cambodia such as brassware, ceramics, clothes, Russian electrical appliances, dried fish, etc.

Tha Krabak Reservoir: Built under H.M.the King's project to improve the irrigation, the reservoir is located in Moo 7 Tambon Tha Yaek, about 32 kilometers from town. It is a dam that is 17.50 meters high, and 720 meters long, surrounded by various kinds of forests. Its spectacular views are most suitable for relaxation. A  waterfall is near the reservoir, with 3 levels which are 400-500 meters apart.

Chong Klam Bon Wildlife Sanctuary: Located at Tambon Nong Mak Fai, this site has the area of approximately 430 Rai. The accessibility to this area is by using the same route to Pang Sida National Park, pass Tha Krabak Reservoir for about 500 meters, turn left for about 3 kilometers. Under Wildlife Sanctuary Bureau of Forestry Department, this sanctuary has been established in 1983, initiated by H.M.the Queen Sirikit to conserve rare and wild animals, such as wild birds and mammals. This sanctuary also conducts studies and researches on wild animals, and disseminates information, and knowledge in wildlife.

Khao Chakan: This mountain is about 17 kilometers from the city, on highway no.317 (Sa Kaeo - Chantaburi) between 131st-132nd kilometers. The highest point is about 240 meters. There are 72 interesting caves. On the foot of the mount, is the location of Wat Khao Chakan and a botanical garden. There are stairs to the top which is a good viewpoint

 Phae Mueang Phee 2: Located at Ban Khlong Yang, Tambon Thap Raj, this venue is a large area of about 800 acres with many earth pillars in various shapes like the ones in Phrae Province. They are indeed an amazingly beautiful site of nature wonder. At Ban Khlong Yang, home-stay trip is available.

Wood Products Many furniture and utensils made from various kinds of woods are on sale in Wang Nam Yen.
Mother of Pearl Products There are various styles which are made at Ban Hua Jode, Wattana Nakhon. Samples of the products are tables, frames, clocks, containers, etc.

Khao Lam (sticky rice in bamboo) A popular delicacy of the Wattana Nakhon.
Cantaloupe A most typical fruit of the area and is grown and available in Wattana Nakhon.
Suan Siriporn on Sa Kaeo - Chantaburi highway, in Wang Nam Yen, is reputed for the variety of fruits.

Suan Niran Grand of Wattana Nakhon is the site for many types of tangarines and fruits.
Second-Hand Goods are available in Aranyaprathe and Talad Rong Kluea near Thai-Cambodian border.
Silk and Cotton Products are available at Ban San Sai of Aranyaprathet.
Artificial Flowers, Fruits, Aromatic incense sticks are made at Ban Kaeng, Amphoe Muang.

Festivals and Fairs

Eastern Cultural Fair and Sa Kaeo Red Cross Fair. These fairs are held in the middle of February every year. There are many traditional displays, processions, exhibitions and cultural entertainments.

Sa Kaeo Establishment Commemoration Being held every year in December, this special fair has many delightful events to offer. There are cultural and arts processions, including exhibitions of the local goods of the province.
Cantaloupe Day Held in Aranyaprathet in early April every year, there are many activities in relation to cantaloupes for visitors to the province to experience.