Five places to be wild at heart

After three months of an oppressively hot summer, the rainy season is almost upon us and will last until October. That means Thailand’s countryside is preparing a welcome mat of colourful wildflowers and the promise of wild swimming.

From June to August, the Siam tulips, or dok krachiao, in pink and ivory will emerge from the ground to carpet two national parks – Pa Hin Ngam and Sai Thong. Later, in October, thrill-seekers can enjoy some rough-and-tumble action on the rapids and wild rivers.

Here are five places to visit in Thailand to enjoy the rainy season in style.

Flower power

Where: Pa Hin Ngam National Park, Chaiyaphum Province

Best time: June – August

The rainy season is approaching and Chaiyaphum province is all set to lay out its welcome mat of colourful wildflowers. Flowering from June to August, the Siam tulips, dok krachiao in Thai, in pink and ivory white will pop up and carpet the green meadows. Pa Hin Ngam National Park, about 300 kilometres from Bangkok, is the best place to see the flowers. The park is popular with weekenders thanks to its endless fields of these pretty petals, trails through the grassland and strange-looking rock formations. The meadows stretch out before visitors like a dreamscape – foggy and silent in the morning. On a bluff above the deepening valley, the green canopy of the rainforest spreads out to the distant ranges. This outlook is known as “sud phaen din” – or the edge of the earth. To stay up to date on flowering times, follow Pa Hin Ngam National Park on Facebook (Thai) at Pa Hin Ngamnationnal park.

Thrills and spills on the Mae Taeng river

Where: Chiang Mai province

Best Time: July-November

The Sob Kai Rapids, where the Mae Taeng River boils and churns its way over 10 kilometres of cascades, offers Chiang Mai’s most thrilling rafting experience through the rainforest. The tricky turns and Class III and IV rapids demand fast action by rafters and thrill-seekers alike. Fast and furious, rafting down Mae Taeng River from Baan Sob Koi to the Elephant Camp, takes about three hours. Baan Anatta Resort offers rustic, riverside cottages on the river and arranges the rafting trips. For more information, call the Tourism Authority of Thailand (Chiang Mai Office) at (053) 248 604-5

Into the wild in Sai Thong

Where: Sai Thong National Park, Chaiyaphum

Best Time: June – August

If Christopher McCandless from “Into the Wild” is your idol and inspiration for turning your back on urban chaos – at least over the weekend – Sai Thong National Park could answer your call.

Far from any community and blessed with natural beauty, the national park offers a great escape for the isolation seeker. Like Pa Hin Ngam National Park – its sister park 50 kilometres away– Sai Thong is noted for fields of Siam tulip in Junes. Yet unlike her popular sister, Sai Thong National Park keeps a low profile and is home to the unique ivory Siam tulip. Less known to casual weekenders, the park offers a strong sense of isolation and a few magnificent waterfalls. If Christopher McCandless could ever pitch his tent here, he would enjoy a walk through the meadows before getting cold feet at the edge. The sheer cliffs of Sai Thong National Park carry odd names, such as “Pha Ham Hod” or Shrunken Balls Cliff. The trail, designed for an easy walk, covers three kilometres through four fields of Siam tulips and other wildflowers. Bring your tent, basic cooking gear and food.

To stay up to date on flowering times, follow Sai Thong National Park on Facebook (Thai) at Saithong Official.

Rafting on the wild Wa

Where: Nan province

Best Time: October-January

When it comes to epic white-water adventures, little can match the wild Wa River in Nan province. Adrenaline junkies and private groups typically take three days to move through the water in the wildest section of the Wa River, with the journey kicking off in the remote rainforest near the Thai-Lao border. Whether you prefer high water that can flip your boat in the blink of an eye or January’s lower levels, rapids with such odd names as Jungle Ghost and Pepsi pose a problem for even the best skippers. Camping along the river is part of the unique experience, which also includes outdoor swimming. The water is crystal clear, and you won’t be sorry to flip again and again. For more information, call the Tourism Authority of Thailand (Nan Office) at +66 54 711 217

PHU WUA WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

Where: Bueng Kan Province

When: June – October

Phu Wua, along with the majestic Chanaen and Tham Phra waterfalls, is one of country’s best places for wild swimming. There are idyllic rocky pools in the large stream plus rapids upstream. However, during the green season, the park is famous for endless grassy trails and fields of wildflowers. You will lose yourself in the romance of wildflower meadows. June and July are the best months for wild swimming while October onwards is the optimum time for the blooms. For more information, call Phu Wua Wildlife Sanctuary at (081) 260 1845 or (042) 429 362.

 By Thai PBS World Feature Desk