Khao No

Khao No has two parts about 300 m apart, split by a village road. Khao Nang Phanthurat, the small hill, is about 60 steps up to a cave mouth with a large reclining Buddha; the inner cave must be opened by temple staff and has no lights, so bring a torch. Khao Phra Phutthabat, the big hill, is about 700 steps and then near-vertical steel ladders to a summit with a Buddha footprint, a shrine hung with many bells and views over rice fields to the Ping River.

King Rama V came by boat down the Ping on his 1906 incognito journey, returning from Kamphaeng Phet; one news source dates his Khao No stop to 27 August 1906, which fits an itinerary of Kamphaeng Phet on 22 August and Wat Khao Din Tai on 28 August. He stayed at a pavilion at Wat Ban Daen and was carried about 3.5 km in a bamboo litter; the pool where he bathed is called Sa Sadet, and his statue stands at Wat Ban Daen. In 1909 Luang Pho Yaem, abbot of Wat Ban Daen, received funeral gifts from the cremation of Prince Urubongs — a tiffin carrier, lantern, kettle set, chest and a brass tray bearing the royal seal. No founding year for Wat Khao No has been found; the current abbot is Phra Khru Niwet Khiri Rak, and the summit chedi is said to be late-Ayutthaya work about 400 years old. Locals believe stealing a Khao No monkey brings misfortune.

The long-tailed macaques are a protected species: a 2018 survey counted about 5,800, 280 were sterilised in 2019–20, and the largest weighed 10.5 kg. In September 2020 a viral 'giant monkey' clip turned out, per the national parks department, to be a large macaque, and in February 2023 police arrested men who darted nine monkeys, two of which died. Every evening around 18:00 bats stream out of the caves for 5–10 minutes; the best viewing spot is near the Ban Daen municipal office, with food stalls and seating.

Entry is free and the site is open about 08:00–18:00. The summit climb takes 30–90 minutes; go early and be down by 10:00, as the steel rails get very hot — bring gloves and water. Don't climb alone, tell the temple first, and skip it if you fear heights. Keep food hidden and bags zipped; monkeys may scratch or damage cars, and locals will cover your car for a tip. Any bite or scratch needs rabies shots. The ladders are slippery in the rain, and no public transport reaches the temple.