Khao Ngu Stone Park

Limestone hill park, in town!

By Grant Cameron

January 20^th, 2024

Just 10 minutes outside of Ratchaburi town lies a series of small limestone mountains which have come to be known as the Khao Ngu Stone Park (อุทยานหินเขางู).

The name Khao Ngu means hills of snakes, and locals believe that before the site was mined for quicklime the area was home to serpents.

The Thai Department of Mineral Resources estimates that the Khao Ngu hills were formed in the Permian period about 248-290 million years ago.

Between the 6th and the 11th centuries, the area was developed as a site of Buddhist worship. Evidence for this can still be found in some of the local caves which house carved Buddha images on the cave walls, essentially resembling the art of the Dvaravati era.

Khao Ngu was abandoned after the rock mining concession was discontinued almost 20 years ago.

Fortunately for the people of Ratchaburi the provincial office had the good sense to refurbish the site as a tourist attraction, bringing much needed local and foreign tourism to the city.

Despite the aspect of tourism, the park is a great environment for the enjoyment of locals. Luckily I found this happy couple taking photographs to celebrate the graduation of the young woman.

Whilst not a large park, the scenery, though small, is quite spectacular.

GETTING THERE

The park is about 120 kms sightly south west of Bangkok, just 10 minutes outside of Ratchaburi.. The journey takes about 2 hours, depending on traffic and the time of day.