Phu Khieo

Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary covers about 1,560 km² (975,000 rai) in Khon San, Kaset Sombun and Nong Bua Daeng districts of Chaiyaphum Province^[1]. It is part of the Western Isaan Forest Complex and borders Nam Nao National Park, and the pair were declared an ASEAN Heritage Park in 2023^[2].

The sanctuary's brochure lists 111 mammal, 419 bird, 110 reptile, 45 amphibian and 76 fish species. Mammals include tiger, leopard, clouded leopard, Asian elephant, gaur, dhole and Asian black bear, birds include sarus crane, white-winged duck and blue pitta, and Indian hog deer have been reintroduced^[3].

Mixed deciduous and dipterocarp forest, with some semi-evergreen forest below 800 m, covers the lower ground, while hill evergreen forest covers about 55% of the sanctuary at higher elevations^[3]. Thung Kamang is a grassland of roughly 8 km² of Arundinaria pusilla on undulating hills with many streams, ringed by hill evergreen forest^[1].

The higher areas, around 900 m above sea level, are a plateau and sandstone mountains surrounded by limestone outcrops^[3].

The rainy season runs from May to October, the cold season from November to February and the dry season in March and April. March to May is the best time for mammals, when water is scarce and animals gather at ponds and streams^[3].

Sources used here describe the sanctuary through its wildlife rather than its human past. A reintroduced group of green peafowl did not survive predators^[3].

The sanctuary was established in 1972 and lies near Dong Yai and Pha Phueng wildlife sanctuaries and several national parks^[1]. Its Thung Kamang grassland became a breeding ground for Indian hog deer, which are nearly extinct in Thailand^[1].

Thung Kamang near headquarters, where hog deer are common, can be visited without a guide. Three ranger-led trails run 2 to 4 km, and a 5 km hike leads to Mon Lake, known for white-winged ducks^[3]. Night safaris with rangers are offered.

There is no public transport and motorbikes are not allowed. From Khon San, route 2055 leads towards Chulabhorn Dam; the main checkpoint is about 40 km from that turnoff and headquarters is another 23.5 km on paved road, with basic sanctuary rooms, a campground and a restaurant for staff and researchers. The sanctuary is open daily from 8 am to 4 pm, and remote areas need written permission^[3].

Sanctuary rules are stricter than national park rules, and remote areas are open mainly to researchers^[3]. Hog deer have been reintroduced to Thung Kamang, and the combined Phu Khieo-Nam Nao area is an ASEAN Heritage Park^[2].