THAILAND TRAVEL NEWS: Thailand’s Tourism and Sports Ministry has earmarked Bt14 million (about $US447,000) to turn Kaeng Wang Tao stream in Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat) Province into an eco-tourist destination for trekking, canoeing and rafting.

The stream, situated in Khon Buri district, is about 70 kilometers south of the provincial town and is fed by Wang Tao Waterfall in Thap Lan National Park, which extends to parts of neighboring Prachin Buri Province.

Pornchai Amnuaysap, a local provincial councilor, said the money will be spent on constructing a visitor information centre, public toilets and jetties, in addition to new trekking routes along the stream and a resting area by the Lam Chae reservoir on the outer fringes of the national park.

Mr. Pornchai said construction of the new facilities is expected to take about six months, with Kaeng Wang Tao ready to cater to visitors by early next year.

Already popular as a tourist destination because of it’s unspoiled beauty, visitors to the area who want to enjoy the natural surroundings currently have a choice of 18-home stay facilities at Mabkrad village and numerous raft-houses at Lam Chae reservoir in which to stay.

The new facilities are expected to increase the popularity of the region with local and international tourists alike, as well as see the introduction of a greater range of activities, which the provincial council has committed to ensuring leaves the local environment unspoiled or damaged.

Kaeng Wang Tao stream remains open to those interested in trekking, or just sightseeing, and can be reached by taking Highway 224 from the provincial town to Chok Chai district and then Route 2071 to tambon Khok Krachai in Khon Buri district, where a two-hour boat ride across the Lam Chae reservoir brings visitors to a point where they can trek to Wang Tao Waterfall

By John Le Fevre

Thailand Travel News for September 01, 2010