Ban Khiri Wong

Ban Khiri Wong, also spelled Khiri Wong, is a village in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, southern Thailand. Known as the best ozone area in Thailand, this village is located in the Kamlon, Lan Saka district. It spans over 90.42 square kilometers and encompasses five villages. Bordered by Yodpon Mountain to the north, Huay Sang Mountain to the south, Ringo Mountain to the east, and Khao Luang Mountain to the west, this village is approximately 20 kilometers from the provincial capital of Mueang Nakhon Si Thammarat. Due to its location in the central Malay peninsula and being surrounded by mountains, Khiri Wong experiences monsoon rains throughout the year and has a relatively cooler climate compared to lower areas. The average annual rainfall is between 3,500 to 4,000 millimeters, with temperatures ranging from 15–17 °C in December to 28–30 °C in April​. Historically, Khiri Wong has been situated in this area for over 200 years. Formerly known as Bann Khun, it was renamed “Ban Khiriwong” according to the name of the Khiriwong temple, which means “House within the circle of the mountain.” In the past, it was considered a remote area prone to natural disasters like flash flooding and was also a site for the Communist Party of Thailand in the 1970s​. The village economy largely depends on fruit cultivation, with many orchards present. It is advertised to tourists as having the best air in Thailand, offering a variety of activities such as riding a bicycle around the village, tasting local foods and fruits, batik making, and swimming in shady streams and waterfalls​. Ban Khiri Wong is an ancient community that settled at the foot of Khao Luang, near a path that goes up the mountain. The community experienced a disaster on November 21, 1988, when a flash flood swept away around 100 houses. The local monastery and villagers still maintain the damaged convocation hall and houses as monuments to those who perished. The village won the 1998 Thailand Tourism Award in the city and community category and is considered a prototype of eco-tourism management. Residents have developed tourism services through the Eco-tourism Club, offering services like trekking tours, porters, and homestay programs. The most attractive time to visit is when fruits are on sale from July to September. Trekking up Khao Luang must start at Ban Khiri Wong, and the village can be reached by taking a mini-bus from Talat Yao or driving on the Amphoe Mueang-Lan Saka route​​.