Marvel Overland Holiday

Geographically, it’s smack bang in the centre of the province’s north, with Doi Phukha and Bo Kluea directly east; the border crossing at Huay Kon to the north, Route 1082 taking you over the mountains west to Phayao and an interesting 50 kilometre or so drive south to Nan passing Nong Bua with its ancient temple and the picturesque Tham Pha Tup Forest Park. A day drive from Nan stopping at points of interest on Route 101, an overnight in Pua and a return via the waterfalls of Santisuk district makes for a great two-day trip. Or, equally, Pua is a convenient stop on our suggested three-day Nan motorbike loop. The beauty is, with aforementioned good transport links, most of these neighbouring sites are straightforward by public transport too.

Pua is actually older than Nan city, with Tai Lue migrants from the north founding their original settlement here, though no remains that we could locate exist today. The small but busy town is set in a wide, fertile valley affording splendid views east towards the hills of Doi Phukha. Hardly picturesque, the town is popular with Thai visitors, although foreign ones are rare, and as we mentioned it does have the best tourist infrastructure