Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Reserve consists of almost every kind of forest found in Thailand, including mountain virgin forest, dry virgin forest and pine forest. It has a total area of about 2,780 square kilometres. The reserve covers the sub-districts (Tambon) of Rabam and Pa O in Amphoe Lan Sak; Khok Khwai and Kaen Makrut in Amphoe Ban Rai; Thong Lang in Amphoe Huai Khot; and Mae Lamung of Amphoe Um Phang in Tak. The reserve also connects with Thung Yai Naresuan in Kanchanaburi. The unspoiled nature of the reserve makes it an ideal home to various rare and endangered animals such as wild buffalo, rhinoceros, wild elephant, red gaur, tapir, leopard, wild bull, etc. In addition, it is the watershed of rivers flowing to Srinakharin Dam. Due to these attributes, Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Reserve was named by UNESCO as a Natural World Heritage Site on 13 December 1991.

Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Reserve has 3 points through which visitors can tour the area:

1. The area around the reserve headquarters is in Amphoe Lan Sak, 34 kilometres from the district. The area has an exhibition building and the Sup Nakhasathian Memorial. The Khao Hin Daeng walking nature trail is about 4 kilometres long. There is also the Pong Thian viewpoint.

2. The area around the Cyber Forest Protection Unit in Amphoe Huai Khot is the site of the Huai Kha Khaeng Nature and wildlife Study Centre to be set up by a private organization of Suep Nakhasathian Foundation under the approval of the Royal Forest Department. The centre consists of a study, a nature trail that has direction and information signs, trailside exhibitions, and viewpoints, among others.

3. The area around Huai Mae Di Noi Forest Protection Unit in Amphoe Ban Rai has a nature study walking trail arranged by the Royal Forest Department for educational purposes.

All 3 points are open to tourists who wish to visit the reserve and study nature. For more information, please contact the Wildlife Conservation Division, Royal Forest Department, Tel: 0 2561 4292-3 twenty days in advance or Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Reserve, P.O. Box 4, Amphoe Lan Sak, Uthai Thani 61160.

Getting There: There are 2 routes to the reserve:
First route is to enter through the reserve headquarters that is around 102 kilometres from the province. Take the Uthai Thani-Nong Chang road (Highway No. 333) past Amphoe Nong Chang to Highway No. 3438 (Nong Chang-Lan Sak) to Km. 53-54, then turn left onto a laterite road for about 14 kilometres.

Prehistoric colour drawings at Khao Pla Ra is another interesting tourist attraction of Uthai Thani. Khao Pla Ra is a mountain range with verdant jungles, no communities and natural water sources. It is also the home of numerous wild animals. It has truly lovely nature in the area around the cave and cliff in the southwestern part of the mountain at around 320 metres avove sea level. Colour cave drawings stretch for around 9 metres. These prehistoric drawings are of humans and animals in red and black.

They show an agrarian society and are artistic expressions of people in ancient times. The drawings give insight into their lifestyle and homesteads. They are certainly invaluable as artistic heritage of the country. A number of earthenware pieces of three-legged pots and stone axes were also found in the area.

Getting There: From the city, take Road No. 333 past Amphoe Nong Chang, then take Road No. 3438 (Amphoe Nong Chang-Amphoe Lan Sak) for around 21.5 kilometres. You will see the Pla Ra Mountain range on the left. Then turn left onto an asphalt road for about 7.5 kilometres and continue on foot around 2 kilometres up the mountain to the peak to see the prehistoric drawings. The total distance from the city is around 51.6 kilometres.

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 kilometre 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.
 

Ban Khok Mo Weaving Village is a small village of Thai-Lao residents whose ancestors migrated here in the Rattanakosin period. Villagers take up weaving when the harvest ends. The fabrics produced in the village are unique. They are made from Sin Tin Chok Silk, Mat Mi silk and traditional-style fabrics with floral patterns.

Getting There: From Amphoe Thap Than, take Highway No. 3013 to Amphoe Sawang Arom for approximately 11 kilometres. A 4-kilometre road leads to Ban Khok Mo. The weaving group is next to Wat Khok Mo.

Wat Thap Than was built in the Rattanakosin period around 1897. The locals have shortened the full name to Wat Thap Than. It is said that this area was where Thai troops caught up with invading forces in the late Ayutthaya period. Hence, the name of Thap Than. The monastery has a shady compund and a small chapel and main hall in the traditional style. The item of interest here is the lovely carved door depicting an angel holding an arrow standing on a serpent and another of an angel tending deer holding a pike on a lion. The convocation hall has a main bronze Buddha image in the Man Wichai posture 1.68 metres wide. The main hall houses a replica of Lord Buddha’s footprint in bronze.

Getting There: Take Highway No. 3221 (Amphoe Mueang-Amphoe Thap Than) for 19 kilometres. The temple is located on the left about 1 kilometre before the Thap Than district office.
 

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 accommodation 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.

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.

Wat Khao Wong 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 accommodation for up to 200 persons).
 

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.

This waterfall is in Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Reserve and tourists are permitted to visit it. The waterfall is situated amidst nature surrounded by the Huai Kha Khaeng forest. The water comes from the western mountain of the reserve, resulting in a medium-sized waterfall that drops down several levels before splashing on the boulders below.

Beneath the waterfall is the Cyber Forest Protection Unit. From here, tourists must walk 5 kilometres to the waterfall.

Getting There: From Uthai Thani, take the Uthai Thani-Nong Chang-Ban Rai road for about 79 kilometres. From Amphoe Ban Rai, take Highway No. 3282 to Cyber village in Tambon Khok Khwai for another 30 kilometres. A sign points to the waterfall, then turn right there for 7 kilometres.

Note: The route into the waterfall is 7 kilometres long and is a rough laterite road. It is unsuitable for low cars and sedans.