On 1 June 2026, Phu Kradueng National Park closed for tourism. Visitors joined to watch the sunrise on the last morning before returning home, allowing the environment to recover for four months.
At 8:00 a.m. on 1 June 2026, Mr. Phuwanai Moolwang, head of Phu Kradueng National Park in Loei province, described the atmosphere on the final day of overnight stays at the summit in Phu Kradueng district. On 31 May 2026, the park organized a trash collection event to carry waste down from the summit and officially closed the tourism and overnight areas at the peak.
The event attracted great interest from tourists, government agencies, private sector, locals, educational institutions, and students who all participated. Both tourists and participants hiked up to camp and slept under the stars amid cool weather.
The next morning, everyone walked to Pha Nok Aen cliff to watch the first light on the last day of the 2026 tourism and overnight season on Phu Kradueng summit. They were delighted to see the sun rise above the horizon through clouds, with golden light illuminating the mist to create beautiful vivid colors.
Afterward, participants collected trash while descending from the summit to return home. Visitors said they came on the final day to enjoy the natural beauty and the rainy season sea of mist, but most importantly to bid farewell as Phu Kradueng 'goes to sleep' for four months, allowing nature to recover and adapt for the 2027 tourism season.
The next tourism season is scheduled to begin again from 1 October 2026 to 31 May 2027. Phu Kradueng National Park announced the 2026 closure, stating that tourism and overnight stays at the summit are closed from 1 June to 30 September 2026.
Meanwhile, tourism at the Sri Than Visitor Center (at the mountain base), Sam Haek area, Tad Hong Waterfall, and Wang E Muang within the protection unit Phor Thor 3 (Nan Noi) remains open as usual.