Phitsanulok, or “Phi-lok,” is a typical smaller city in Northern Thailand. It lies on the edge of the Non River, National Park at Phrom Buri and is a good place to base yourself for visits to attractions in the lower part of the north. You can also get there by air or bus. The weather is similar to that in Chiang Mai. Phitsanulok lies on the main rail line to the north. If you order it, you will see the cook stir fry the vegetables and toss them to the server, who sometimes runs quite a distance to make the spectacle complete. Along the river front are good floating restaurants. Phitsanulok is located about 240 miles north of Bangkok and straddles the Nan River. If you’re lucky enough to find a teaching job here, you’ll find yourself living in a nice town with plenty to do in the outlying areas. A night market where the specialty is phak bung loi faa (“flying morning glory vine”).

• Flight of the Gibbon
• Buddha Image Foundry
• Khao Sok National Park
• Chula Mani Temple
• Doi Luang National Park
• Wat Umong
• Phitsanulok Railway Station
• Kui Buri National Park

Within the city is Wat Phra Si Ratana Mahathat, which contains one of the country’s most venerated Buddha images. There are isolated cases of problems, but generally the worst thing that happens is parents pointing you out to their children and saying “do farang” (look at the foreigner). Most smaller Thai cities do not have the aggressive people who gather at bus stations, but you will probably attract more attention here. About 75 miles from Phitsanulok is Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park, which was the home of the Communist rebels in the 1960s and 1970s. Bungalows are available for those who want to hike the trails through the 120-square-mile mountainous park. Use your common sense: lock your doors and know your neighbors and neighborhood. You can also visit the Folk Museum with its large collection of traditional hand-made farming implements, which are quickly disappearing as Thai farmers start buying factory-made tools. About an hour by bus from Phitsanulok is Old Sukhothai, Thailand’s first capital city and site of many examples of classical Thai religious art and architecture. Wat Si Chum has a 50 foot tall Buddha image.

In some areas along the boundary, significant incursion and agricultural conversion have occurred and the lack of a clear external buffer zone results in competing land uses, bordering directly onto the property boundary. The four National Parks – Ta Phraya, Thap Lan, resorts near La-ngu Pang Sida and Khao Yai – were declared under the National Parks Act B.E 2504 (1961) and the Dong Yai Wildlife Sanctuary was declared under the Wild Animal Reservation and Protection Act B.E. 2535 (1992). The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) currently manages both National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries and the complex is administered by two regional administration offices under the supervision of the World Heritage Committee set up by the DNP. To protect the ecology and meet the management objectives of the property on recreation, research, and public education, while conserving the values, for which the property was inscribed, the management plan for Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex was put in place. The Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex, consisting of four National Parks and one Wildlife Sanctuary, is the property of the Government of Thailand and is covered by strong legislation covering both National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries.

In addition, Protected Areas Committees, comprised of representatives from the management agency, local communities and stakeholders, have been set up to advise on the implementation of the management plan, including issues related to public participation in protected areas management. To maintain long-term conservation of natural resources and keep ecosystems in Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex intact and healthy, the Thai Government has committed to on-going investment in enhancing protection in the property, including the provision of adequate staffing numbers, equipment and annual budgetary allocation. Impacts from increasing tourism, especially during peak visitation periods, often place intense pressure on facilities and management, especially within Khao Yai National Park, which receives considerably higher numbers of visitors than other sections of the complex. Impacts from road use and development, tourism, poaching, and land incursion, conversion and separation are significant threats to long-term conservation of the property. Implementing complex-wide tourism plans, setting limits on the number of people allowed in the park and alternative strategies to bring people into the area are being investigated and developed to deal with the increasing pressures from tourists. Heavy use on existing roads and resulting development present potential threats to the natural values of the complex, separating important areas within the complex and creating barriers to maintaining connectivity. To assist in addressing these issues, the Thai Government and managing agencies are taking positive measures such as creating connectivity corridors, building up community conservation awareness, and enforcing legislation and laws.