If you have your own wheels, there are many scenic routes and natural wonders to take in

Lom Sak (หล่มสัก) is in Phetchabun Province in Lower Northern Thailand. Being close to scenic hills and national parks makes it a good place to stop on a trip through the region.

Understand

Lom Sak lies near a crossroads on the main road east from Phitsanulok to Khon Kaen. This road, Rte 12, offers over 100 km of greenery, waterfalls and scenery and is known as the Green Route.

Another road heads north from the provincial capital, Phetchabun, some 40 km distant. The town itself is about 8 km north of the road junction.

Get in

• 1 Bus Station (At the junction of the main roads amid a small collection of fuel stations, police posts and transit hotels about 8 km S of town). Buses running between the nearby larger cities (Phitsanulok, Khon Kaen, Phetchabun) usually (but not always) stop at Lom Sak's bus station. There are also buses direct from Bangkok's Mo Chit bus station. If you find yourself on a bus heading north to more remote towns, you may pass through central Lom Sak itself after stopping at the bus station. Always check first to make sure! 

The nearest trains stations are in Phitsanulok, on the northern line (Bangkok-Chiang Mai), and Khon Kaen, on the northeastern line (Bangkok-Nong Khai).

Get around

Tuk-tuks are plentiful and reasonably priced both in the town and at the bus station. The 8 km trip to or from the bus station will cost around 80 baht.

See

• 1 Pho Khun Pha Mueang Memorial (อนุสาวรีย์พ่อขุนผาเมือง), intersection of Routes 12 and 21 (5 km southwest of the town core). Commemorates this former ruler or the area, a contemporary of Sukhothai. 

Eat

Close to the "in town" bus stop, near the school, is a street where there are heaps of cheap (50 baht) food stalls, although little English is spoken. The two 7-Elevens across the road will sell (and open) beer (40-50 baht) that you can have with your meal.

In the centre of town is a hectic extravaganza of cheap street stalls that runs wall-to-wall for about 300 m. If you want beer, you'll have to go and buy it while you wait for your food. Great for leisurely people watching.

Sleep

• Nattirat Grand Hotel, 163/10 Kachaseenii Rd (~1km from the centre of town and bus station). Lukewarm shower. Has a swimming pool, karaoke, and snooker. Internet is 50 baht for two hours. 600 baht with breakfast. 

Go next

Pha Lom Sak is not is Lom Sak. It is in Phu Kradueng National Park in neighbouring Loei Province, a couple of hours out of Lom Sak.

• Khao Kho (30–55 km southwest) – mountainous area with unusual Buddhist temples (Wat Phra That Pha Son Kaeo)
• 2 Pha Hong Cliffs (ถ้ำผาหงษ์) (5 km from the main road (Route 12 to Khon Kaen) at km40; 40 km east of Lom Sak). Sunset viewpoint 
• Nam Nao National Park (50 km east of Lom Sak; on Route 12 to Khon Kaen). An immense tract of forest still in perfect condition. With pineries, grasslands and virgin jungles, it is habitat to large number of animals and more than 100 species of birds. Attractions include Tham Pha Hong Caves, formations of stalactites and stalagmites. It is also a point from which to view the scenery at sunset.  
• Phetchabun (55 km south)

• 3 Phu Kum Khao Pinery (สวนภูกุ่มข้าว) (15 km off the main road at km53; 58 km east of Lom Sak). Dense rolls of pine trees cover an area of about 10 square kilometres. 

• Namtok Heo Sai & Namtok Sai Thong (น้ำตกทรายทอง) (1 km & 1.5 km respectively off the main road (Route 12 to Khon Kaen) at km67). Waterfalls. 
• Phitsanulok (130 km west) – a couple of hours away by bus
• Loei (145 km northeast)
• Phu Kradueng National Park (150 km east)
• Khon Kaen (200 km east)