Pha Taem National Park

About this Place

Pha Taem National Park on the Mekong River at Thailand's easternmost point is the country's geographic edge — a towering red sandstone cliff face above the river featuring the largest pre-historic rock art site in Thailand. The cliff paintings, estimated 3,000–4,000 years old, stretch 200 metres along the face depicting fish (ca. 4m long), giant catfish, elephants, and human figures painted in red ochre by the prehistoric Mekong civilisation. The views from the clifftop across the Mekong to Laos are extraordinary — sunrise here is particularly famous. The park also contains Sao Chaliang (a geological formation of oddly eroded sandstone pillars resembling mushrooms), the Sam Phan Bok seasonal rock fields (dry season), and various viewpoints over the Mekong bend. The park is 100km from Ubon city. Accommodation available in the park. Best visited October–February when weather is optimal.