Electricity Generating Public Company Limited or EGCO Group’s Thai Conservation of Forest Foundation (TCOF) has completed and officially handed over the "Pha Hua Nak Nature Trail" in Phu Lan Kha National Park, Chaiyaphum Province, to the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation. The 2.66-kilometer trail, equipped with a trailhead, informative signages, and an exhibition pavilion, will now serve as a natural destination and an educational center focused on the ecosystems and geology of Northeast Thailand. Visitors can explore this well-constructed and safe trail while learning about the surrounding natural environment, the geological features of the 125-million-year-old sandstone mountain and becoming advocates for conservation. The handover ceremony took place on 16 December 2024, with Mr. Sombat Traisak, Deputy Governor of Chaiyaphum, serving as the official witness.

Dr. Jiraporn Sirikum, EGCO Group’s President and the Chairwoman of Thai Conservation of Forest Foundation, said, “At EGCO Group, we believe that “a good beginning leads to successful outcomes.” With this in mind, we are committed to responsibly supporting and developing the surrounding communities, society, and the environment from the beginning. As part of this commitment, we established the Thai Conservation of Forest Foundation which has worked for the past 22 years to preserve and restore watershed forests and biodiversity in key watershed forests of Thailand. One of the foundation’s key missions is to create high-quality nature trails that serve as natural classroom, allowing the public and tourists to closely experience and learn about the importance of watershed forests and the natural environment. We hope this will raise public awareness, inspire collective action to address, or at least mitigate, the impact of climate change, and encourage sustainable conservation efforts.” 

The foundation and Phu Lan Kha National Park have agreed that Pha Hua Nak area has significant potential to be developed into a nature trail due to its easy accessibility. Additionally, the area offers a unique opportunity to serve as an educational center for the ecosystem, highlighting the value of natural resources and geological features in Northeast Thailand. Of particular interest is forest on Phalan Hin, a 125-million-year-old rock terrace, which is home to a variety of plant species. 

“In 2024, EGCO Group and the Thai Conservation of Forest Foundation developed the 2.66-kilometer Pha Hua Nak Nature Trail, designed to be accessible and safe for everyone to walk and learn. Our goal is to offer visitors the opportunity to experience, understand, and appreciate the natural environment and diverse geological features. The trail includes informative elements such as the trailhead at the entrance, 14 natural signages along the route, and five boards providing information about local plant species. The “Huan Berng Tawan Pavilion” serves as an exhibition area, detailing the project’s background and trail highlights. It also offers a peaceful spot for visitors to relax and enjoy views of the lush green farms and mountains below. Additionally, the trail incorporates patrol routes and firebreak lines because we believe it should serve both tourism and local fire prevention purposes. Looking ahead, we plan to train local communities and young people to become guides, leading visitors along the trail and engaging them in sustainable resource conservation,” said Dr. Jiraporn.

Mr. Attapol Charoenchansa, Director General of the Department of Natural Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP), stated, “The DNP welcomes and encourages participation from all sectors in managing natural resources and the environment to promote sustainable development. The collaboration between DNP, EGCO Group, and the Thai Conservation of Forest Foundation as a private sector in developing and improving nature trails across national parks to enhance safety and accessibility has been ongoing since 2008, under the 4th MOU (2021-2026). This partnership clearly demonstrates EGCO Group and the Thai Conservation of Forest Foundation’s strong commitment to supporting DNP’s mission and activities related to the conservation, promotion, and rehabilitation of forests, wildlife, and plants.”

Pha Hua Nak Nature Trail is located in Phu Lan Kha National Park, Tha Hin Ngom Subdistrict, Mueang District, Chaiyaphum. It is open daily from 08:00 to 16:00. For more information, please contact the Tourist Information Center at Tel. 093 093 9193. Visitors are also welcome to explore other nearby attractions within Phu Lan Kha National Park, such as “More Hin Khao” (approximately 2.2 kilometers from the nature trail), “Hin Khlong Chang” (1.2 kilometers from the trail), and "Pha Hua Nak Viewpoint" (300 meters from the trail), among others.

About the Improvement and Development of Nature Trails in Watershed Forests by the Thai Conservation of Forest Foundation

The Pha Hua Nak Nature Trail is the 10th trail developed by the Thai Conservation of Forest Foundation and the first in the Northeast, in addition to the previous nine trails jointly developed by the foundation and the Department of Natural Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation. These include four trails in Doi Inthanon National Park, Chiang Mai: Yod Doi Nature Trail (2018), Kew Mae Pan (2019), and Ang Ka (2021), Pha Dok Siew (2023) and Monthathan Nature Trails in Suthep-Pui National Park, Chiang Mai (2015); and four trails in Khao Luang National Park, Nakhon Si Thammarat: Phrommalok Waterfall, Karom Waterfall, Ai Kiaw Waterfall (2017), and Krung Ching Waterfall (2022).

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