Ban Nong Mae Na

Ban Nong Mae Na community is located inside the beautiful Thung Salaeng Luang National Park, in Petchabun province in Northeaster Thailand.Visitors to Nong Mae Na will reach the community via a beautiful highway which passes a landscape of rolling hills and fertile fields where the vilagers plant maize, chilies and vegetables, as well as raising animals.         

Nong Mae Na offers an intriguing mixture of history, culture and wildlife. Between 1968 and 1982, the area was an important base for the military forces of the Thai Communist Party.

In its struggle against the government the communist forces established a base in the forest from where they battled the Royal Thai Army for control of Phitsanulok, Petchabun and Loei provinces.

It is easy to imagine these historic scenes. The landscape of cliffs, hills and forest cover is rugged ideal terrain to counter any attack.  A short walk into the forest leads to the abandoned camp, including a well preserved selection of huts and a parade ground. The communist rice fields are a further vivid reminder of the struggle.Beautiful nature and fine weather also makes Nong Mae Na a perfect spot for eco-tourists. Local guides organise road or river excursions into the national park, or explorations inside the community.

Between March and April, nature enthusiasts make the journey to see one of the world’s rarest species of jellyfish, found in only two places in Asia. These tiny, delicate animals are an indicator of the purity of the water in this area, and pay testament to the success of local conservation efforts.