Dong Phaya Yen Mountain Pass

The Dong Phaya Yen range divides the Chao Phraya river valley of central Thailand and the Khorat Plateau of the northeast. The mountains are drained to the east by several tributaries to the Chi and the Mun and to the west by tributaries of the Pa Sak River. The Dong Phaya Yen Mountains consist mainly of a range of scattered medium-height hills stretching southwards of the Phetchabun Mountains in an arch until reaching the northern side of the Sankamphaeng Range.

This whole mountainous region was covered by thick forest and was formerly known as Dong Phaya Fai or "jungle of the fire lord". There were no roads, hence it was not possible to use a cart. Travel across the forest had to be on foot or using palanquins. The whole area was reputed to be unhealthy and travelers who dared to pass through the woods exposed themselves to malaria and other illnesses. By the mid-19th century, when the clearing of the area began, Vice King (Uparaja) Pinklao changed the name of the forest from Dong Phaya Fai to Dong Phaya Yen to imply that "the wild forest had been tamed".

These mountains, together with the Sankamphaeng Range at their southern limit, form the Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex, which includes several national parks. [Source: Wikipedia]

The pictures are taken along Road No 3224 and show a part of the mountain range, the ghost shrine and respectively the north and southern access to the pass. The pass is situated between two mountains with an altitude of 240 m and 440m.

Ayutthaya Historical Research