Be cuddled in the sea of fog, sightsee the land of cabbage, this journey at Phu Thap Buek
Perhaps, a natural attraction that recognized one of the best climate lands nestled in the mountainous space and misty sea in Thailand. Phu Thap Buek, a famous landmark of Phetchabun province, although it is not widely known among the foreign travelers. Nonetheless, for one who nature calls and seeks for somewhere, you can relax with the beautiful environment and fresh air for your deep breath. So, you must not miss taking a trip to Phu Thap Buek, definitely.
Phu Thap Buek at a Glance
Phu Thap Buek, in fact, is the highest peak in Phetchabun province with up to 1,768 meters in its height above the sea level resulted in the weather here is mild cold all through the year. The location is remarkable with the green color of cabbage farms which occupied most of the land throughout the high area. Unsurprisingly, it named by the locals “home of the cabbage.”
Anyhow, it does not mean you can spot the mountain blanketed by the cabbage farm anytime since it’s seasonal. And the best time to see the cabbage at Phu Thap Buek is twice a year which are from mid of May to July and another period is from October through the middle of December.
Besides, the wintertime that the tourist will be cuddled by the misty sea that blankets all the area of this lovely mountain, in the green season is another exciting moment of the site to witness the sea of fog in someday. However, the location covers with the light mist all day and cool climate, thence for those who come to Phu Thap Buek shall bring some cardigan or light jacket with you or thicker version if you visit here in the cold season.
Apart from the lovely sea of fog and the vast space of the green cabbage plantation here, one of the highlighted activities, while you are in Phu Thap Buek, is camping. Not only chilling night that you can look up to the velvet sky filled with the million stars, with more than 1,400 meters high of the camp ground features the twinkled light from villages below the mountain point, so-called “star on earth,”.
And last but not least, the fantastic spot in Phu Thap Buek that you should not miss to check-in is the road descending from the mountain that is the route Phu Thap Buek to Lom Kao presents hearth shaped path that is so awesome for you to snap and post on your social, indeed.
Background of Phu Thap Buek
Phu Thap Buek is a mountain located in Wang Ban subdistrict, Lom Kao district in Phetchabun with approximately 1,768 meters high from the sea level that is the highest peak of the province. The location is renowned in abundant natural resource with the verdant forest, excellent climate, and fresh air with the thick sea of fog and cloud layered with the green mountain. Moreover, the cabbage farms spread over the hills in descending order along the mountain slope that is the trademark when mentioning to this mountain.
Another critical story of Phu Thap Buek that is not widely known as the location is very crucial venue since it’s a place to receive “Nam Fa Klang Hao” (the holy water from the sky( dated September 9, 1999), at Ban Thab Burk Abbey to include as the consecrated water in the royal ceremony to celebrate in the occasion of HM King Bhumibol’s 6th Cycle Birthday Anniversary on December 5, 1999. The venue recognized the station with the most giant thermometer in Thailand and also the path to connect to another tourist attraction and the historical site which titled “Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park,” too.
Generally, the residents of Phu Thap Buek are Hmong people or Miao that migrated from the north of the country. They relocated here and did opium cultivation over the land, and in the year 1967, the communist terrorist in Thailand persuaded the villagers to against the government with them. Anyhow, after the subjugation of communist, the villagers surrendered, and so the organization of development and aid center for the tribal people established in Phetchabun in 1982. After then, the residents started to live the life with agricultural cultivation focused on terrace farming, as well as conservation of the traditional culture excellently. Annually, the local people organize the conventional New Year Festival and many perfomances. Consequently, Phu Thap Buek became the top in mind tourist destination that has magnet many travelers who prefer the trip to experience the rustic way of life of the local, unique culture, and the pure natural sight. Recently, the location is topmost of the ecotourism site that is very popular widely among the new-gen tourists.
The Highlights of Phu Thap Buek
1. Behold the beautiful sea of fog
Renowned one of the best locations to view the sea of fog in Thailand, Phu Thap Buek features fascinating and marvelous misty sea interspersed in the layers of rolling mountains. Whether at the terrace of your accommodation or the top scenic point where the place serves as the meteorological base is perfect for you to be blessed with this natural beauty. Notably, during the rainy season in June – October that is the best time to spot the misty scene than in the cold season.
2. View the vast cabbage farm
Currently, many cabbage plantations turn to be resorts and guesthouses, resulted in there’s less cabbage farm for the tourist to see as same as the time that Phu Thap Buek first debuted to the travelers. Anyhow, some which are sizeable cultivated property and far from the viewpoint remain to greet the visitors. The peak cabbage season is during July – November annually.
3. Shop the local products of Phu Thap Buek
For anyone who loves to shop fresh fruits and vegetables from the tribal farmers, at the way down from the mountain are many vendor stalls sell fruits and vegetables. In particular, during the green season, you will find those of productivities from the farm are even fresher, plus many items are not familiar for the outsiders that we can get the information from the shop owners that are more than welcome to give you the answer with a lovely smile.
Immerse yourself in the beauty of Phu Thap Buek in the green season
One good thing to travel Phu Thap Buek in the rainy season is definitely the brilliant sea of fog that you can see the thick misty layers together with the fluffy clouds roll by is such a fantastic moment of your life, indeed. Generally, the peak time to see the most beautiful sea of fog here is during July – September, specifically on the day with open sky you would spot the shinning aurora passes through the misty blanket. What a grand scene of panoramic vista.
Notwithstanding, most of the tourist choose to visit Phu Thap Buek in wintertime that is so-called the peak season of tourism. Unsurprisingly, accommodations, restaurants, and cafés are crowded with guests. Dissimilarly, the rainy season which you would be surprised to experience Phu Thap Buek differently since there’s less of tourist; as a result, you don’t have to catch for the accommodation or space for camping or parking. That is to say that, it’s more effortless for you to see the heart-taking perspective of the site, indeed. Also, plenty enough accommodation for you to choose, plus it tends to be cheaper than the high season, perhaps best deal for the budgeting trip.
Regarding the accommodation in Phu Thap Buek, actually, there are many types of housing to serve the tourists that vary in style, price, and environment. Again, as we mentioned previously, an excellent reason to take the tour at Phu Thap Buek in the green season is you would get an astonishing lower price of accommodation, partially the camping site which starts at THB50 only! And many resorts offer the hundred Baht per night with brilliant Baht view!
Accommodation in Phu Thap Buek
For one who prefers to get closer to nature and adventure is something you are looking for, Phu Thap Buek offers you selections of camping style accommodation, including;
The camping ground at the viewpoint and cabbage farms under the administration of Community Enterprise of Phu Tha Burk Village are by following details.
- Tent set for 4 people included bedding is THB650 per night
- Tent set for 2 people included linen is THB350 per night
- Bring along tent set, the site maintenance fee subjected to charge is THB40 / head per night.
*for more inquiries, please contact at call or LINE ID ? ☎+66857339737.
Well, for anyone who brings along your tent facility should be prepared mainly in the rainy season by bringing along the waterproof gears, as well as spare part of anchor since it’s windy on the mountain. Besides, you should study well about the route to go to your camping ground because it’s thick fog when rains that limit visibility and may cause to the accident.
Food and Beverage
For the food, regularly the restaurant operates in the rainy season is lesser than in the high season. And one of the most favorite local food is “Moo Gata” (Hot pan-grilled pork), and in case you need some other meal or snack you can shop at Lom Kao Market or any convenient shops before you head up to Phu Thap Buek. This including the café and coffee shop, too.
How to go to Phu Thap Buek
By Car:
- From Bangkok, uses the highway number 1 (Phaholyothin Road) heads to Saraburi in about 75 km that you arrive at the town of Saraburi. Then, you drive to Lopburi in about 16 km to Phu Thap Buek from Phetchabun on route 21 about 40 km in the estimate. So, when you arrive at Lom Sak Intersection drive along with the road number 203 for more 13 km and you will meet the signs to go to Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park along with the road number 2011 and 2331 about 40 km until you reach the Checking Point of Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park. At the spot, there’s a gangway to go to Thab Burk Village in about 6 km more. Just so you know, the way from Lom Kao to Phu Thap Buek is steep and very curvy resulted in the limit to the bus to enter. And though high-performance car and van are okay with the road condition, the driver should be very careful.
- Another road is from Nakhon Thai District, Phitsanulok which drives pass Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park about 24 km away from the park office. If you drive further the road will meet a route to descending to Lom Kao district.
Actually, in any season, the tourist who travels to Phu Thap Buek should be careful; however, it should highly aware during the rainy season that the route is quite damp and slippery. Hence, we recommend you to travel during the day time before 5.00pm because in case you meet an intense foggy climate, it is probably not right to continue the trip to the destination. Additionally, please study the route before start your journey would be a plus for your safety and pleasant trip.
By Public Transport:
A trip to Phu Thap Buek for any travelers who don’t drive a car, there are bus services from Bangkok operated by
- Transport Company Limited (website: transport.co.th)
- Phetprasert Tour Company Limited (www.phetprasert.com)
The tourist can get a bus to Phetchabun (we recommend to get the night trip that you will arrive at the destination in the morning) and get off at Lom Sak district. Then, you hire the pick-up truck from Lom Kao district or at Thab Burk Intersection. So, you can find the pick-up truck service to go ascending to Phu Thap Buek at Vegetable Wholesale Market, the trip takes about half an hour in the estimate.
Otherwise, you can travel there by bus service route Lom Sak – Thab Burk that you can contact at Thab Burk Tourism Group, Phetchabun Development and Aid Center for the Tribal People at call +6656 810 737. However, the trip is suitable for one who doesn’t mind to add some adventure in the tour since the journey is quite long and you need to be patient and tough enough until you reach the destination.
