Thailand National Park

The secret islands of Southeast Asia

2010-01-12T08:59:00.001-08:00

(Budget Travel) -- Odysseus had his quest, Naomi Lindt had hers: to scout and explore the next great islands of Southeast Asia, from an untouched Cambodian hideaway to a foodie's paradise off the coast of Vietnam.
Ko Kut, Thailand
The eco adventure
It only took a few hours of exploring Ko Kut's west coast on a motorbike -- driving along unmarked, sandy tracks to crescent-shaped beaches -- to pinpoint what made this island so special. Wherever I went, I was utterly alone. Where were all the sunburned tourists, souvenir shops, and bars selling cheap beer?
It's no accident that Ko Kut -- Thailand's fourth-largest island, with a population of 2,000 -- has dodged the country's notorious trend toward overdevelopment. "People are afraid of the environmental destruction they've seen in the region, and they're actively working to prevent it here," said my guide, Jeremy Morin, when I met him for lunch my first day (011-66/87-083-1404, full-day tours from $25 per person). He told me about the island's solar-power plant and noted a few other, smaller, ecological triumphs. When one of the resorts brought in Jet Skis, residents were up in arms and successfully blocked their use. The Koh Kood Beach Resort, where I spent the night, has launched its own initiatives: The owners are installing recycling bins in their eight thatched-roof Balinese-style bungalows and eight Thai-style wooden houses, and their dive shop's instructors teach guests how to collect plastic waste underwater (kohkoodbeachbungalows.com, doubles from $65).
Budget Travel: Check out these photos of a castaway's fantasy
The next morning, Jeremy took me around on his scooter so I could see firsthand what's at stake. We drove along a thrilling, narrow path that hugged the southern coastline and then turned up a rocky road to Ao Yai village, a former pirates' haven. Ten miles away, Jeremy showed me a path into the jungle, and we hiked half a mile to the three-tiered Klong Chao waterfall, which is framed by hanging vines and cascades into a large freshwater pool that's perfect for swimming. The unchecked nature was breathtaking, as worthy a site for preservation as I'd ever seen.
Ko Mak, Thailand
Ko Samui 20 years ago
As he stood on an untouched plot of golden sand looking out over the Gulf of Thailand two years ago, Paul Inman knew he'd found his new home. For two decades, the 45-year-old had fantasized about leaving his job as an investment banker in London and opening a beach resort in Thailand -- somewhere secluded, spectacular, and affordable. After a friend suggested he check out Ko Mak, the wait was over. "You just don't find places like this nowadays," Inman recalls thinking. In October 2008, Inman and his Thai girlfriend, Noodeng, opened the Big Easy restaurant and hotel on that very spot, Ko Mak's Ao Katueng Beach (bigeasykohmak.com, doubles from $36). The hotel's six sea-facing bungalows have redwood decks, 13-foot-high bamboo ceilings, and bathrooms tiled with local black slate; the place fits in nicely with Ko Mak's 21 other hotels, most of which are still owned by the island's original families, not big Bangkok investors.
Budget Travel: Tricks for navigating Southeast Asia's islands
Services on the 10-square-mile island (population 450) are minimal but hit all the key needs: food, entertainment, massage. At Monkey Island Resort's Orang Utan Bar on the main drag, Ko Mak's star musician, the dreadlocked and often bare-chested Mr. T, performs his original ballads about island life nearly every night an essential Ko Mak experience (monkeyislandkohmak.com). Another local favorite is the family-run Peaw Restaurant, whose decorative centerpiece is a large portrait of the Thai king (on the road to Ao Nid Pier, entrées from $1). When I stopped for lunch, the owner sent her eager 12-year-old son over to offer recommendations. On his advice, I ordered a pork curry with piles of fresh, crushed pineapple in a spicy and sweet coconut sauce. It ranked as one of the best curries I've ever had; I even took photos of it, much to the amusement of the people sitting around me.
Ko Yao Noi, Thailand
The final frontier
Jaded island-hoppers often lament the disappearance of the anything-goes, barefoot-friendly islands that made Thailand so famous, but that's just because they haven't been to Ko Yao Noi. At the edge of 155-square-mile Ao Phang-nga National Park, known for its looming limestone karst formations, Ko Yao Noi is the kind of place where pineapple farmers welcome casual strolls through their fields and water buffalo graze peacefully in impossibly green rice paddies. The island owes its tranquility to its rocky shores, caused by the same geological shifts that 10,000 years ago created Ao Phang-nga's dramatic, tree-topped stone towers. As one local told me, "If we had perfect beaches, this place wouldn't be the way it is."
Budget Travel: DIY island hopping
Not surprisingly, most of Ko Yao Noi's restaurants and hotels are set along the eastern edge of the island to capitalize on the views of the karsts. At Lom'Lae Beach Resort, for one, the 10 bungalows have bamboo furniture and king-size beds, and all are set right on the water (lomlae.com, doubles from $60). I signed up for a full-day long-tail boat tour around the island and park with a guide named Dani, who took me to secret caves and sand spits that emerge only at certain hours (011-66/87-292-1102, boat trips from $60). On one of our first stops, we squeezed through a narrow passageway between the rocks to a hidden, emerald-hued lagoon. Ours was the only boat there, and from the center of the lagoon, I couldn't even see how we'd entered -- not that I had any interest in leaving.
Koh Rong Saloem, Cambodia
The castaway fantasy
Storms in this part of the world come out of nowhere, as I discovered on more than one occasion. In minutes, the sky would turn from a perfect blue to a foreboding gray. Unfortunately, I happened to be the sole passenger on a 12-seat converted fishing boat en route to Koh Rong Saloem when I first experienced this phenomenon. One second, I was texting my husband farewell (the island didn't have cell service), and the next, I was gripping the side of the boat, life vest pulled tight, water whipping my face. Judging from the crew's smiles, I overreacted, but still, I was relieved when I spotted the 12 sun-beaten bungalows of Lazy Beach (lazybeachcambodia.com, doubles $25, entrées from $4).
Budget Travel: Going solo in Southeast Asia
Staying at Lazy Beach is like going to a tropical summer camp: The rooms are simple, with mosquito nets, double beds, and cold-water bathrooms, and the activity options consist of swimming, sunbathing, snorkeling, and hiking 20 minutes through thick jungle to the heart-shaped bay on the island's east side. For all practical purposes, Lazy Beach is the only establishment on the entire five-mile-long island. (Richard King, the proprietor, told me that a few families live at a small naval post not too far away, but I never saw any hint of them.) At night, guests congregate in Lazy Beach's open-air restaurant, lounging in papasan chairs, playing Scrabble, and digging into Cambodian dishes like amok, a curried fish wrapped in banana leaves, prepared by Lazy Beach's brother-and-sister chef team, Ken and Lina. The atmosphere is convivial -- I didn't eat a single meal alone -- and the talk revolves around gecko sightings and how to avoid leaving. From a mother-and-son duo to an English couple celebrating their anniversary, everyone I met extended their stay, and many discussed quitting their jobs to join the Lazy Beach staff, something that's happened more than once.
Koh Tonsay, Cambodia
The dreamy day trip
Like most visitors to Koh Tonsay (a.k.a. Rabbit Island), I came over for the day from the century-old colonial resort town of Kep, on the mainland, to take advantage of the immaculate beaches and broad expanses of shallow water. For about $1, I rented a bamboo platform shaded by towering palms and made it my home base for the day. I left it only to take cooling dips and to hike the rugged, two-hour loop around the perimeter of the one-square-mile island. A thatched-roof restaurant hut on the main beach served a delicious plate of grilled fresh prawns with black-pepper dipping sauce and sautéed bok choy, which altogether cost a couple of bucks. As evening approached and the day-trippers piled onto boats for the 30-minute ride back to Kep, I strongly considered canceling my return trip in order to spend the night in one of the six bare-bones cabins rented out by Rabbit Hut Bungalows (011-855/12-692-906, doubles $5, entrées from $3). They don't offer much in the way of comfort -- a pillow, a thin mattress, a mosquito net, a bare lightbulb, and a towel are the rooms' sole furnishings -- but I couldn't imagine a better way to have the beach to myself for the night. Remembering what awaited me back in Kep, I quickly sobered up and stuck to my original plan: a room at Veranda Natural Resort (veranda-resort.com, doubles from $30), where accommodations range from bungalows with ceiling fans and fluffy white linens to higher-end suites with air-conditioning and platform beds. Checking in at the Veranda, I felt as if I was entering a world of luxury, especially after Lazy Beach. I ended the day by walking to the dockside Knai Bang Chatt Sailing Club, a former fisherman's home turned restaurant, where the view of Koh Tonsay lit by a pink sunset was the ideal backdrop for unwinding with a rum-and-passion-fruit cocktail (knaibangchatt.com, drink $4).
Phu Quoc, Vietnam
The foodie's paradise
Vietnam is, in the best possible way, a country of food snobs. There's a non-negotiable way to prepare and consume every dish, from noodle soups to spring rolls; each has to have just the right balance of sweet, hot, sour, and salty elements. So I found myself being schooled on how best to eat the prawns at Bien Hai Quan restaurant on Phu Quoc, a 350-square-mile island about 31 miles off the west coast of Vietnam (Ganh Dau, 011-84/77-384-5423, entrées from $3). My guide, Thang, was eating the shrimp whole, crunching on the shells and legs. "They lose the salty taste if you peel them," he told me, between loud smacks. After eating the first one my way and leaving most of the tamarind coating behind, I followed Thang's lead. The taste was incredible -- an electric blend of flavors -- and the shell was much softer than I'd expected.
Food advice is not to be ignored here. After all, Phu Quoc produces some of the country's best peppercorns (the main ingredient for a dipping sauce I couldn't get enough of), along with Vietnam's finest fish sauce -- the equivalent of saying "Italy's top olive oil." On an all-day tour with Tony Travel, one of the longest-running operators on the island, I visited Buddhist temples and the 120-square-mile Phu Quoc National Park, and added stops at mom-and-pop pepper plantations and fish-sauce factories, where I surveyed gigantic vats of fermenting anchovies (100 Tran Hung Dao St., Duong Dong, 011-84/91-319-7334, tours from $15). The island's hotels cater to culinary tourists, too: At Cassia Cottage, where the 18 cheery rooms are decorated with lotus-printed bedspreads and white curtains, the owners get the ingredients for dishes like cinnamon-sprinkled okra from their own gardens and their vanilla and pepper plantations a few miles away (cassiacottage.com, doubles from $65).
Con Dao Islands, Vietnam
The second act
Talk about a reinvention. Known for decades only as the site of the country's most notorious prison, the 16 Con Dao Islands, clustered off the east coast of Vietnam, are angling to become the next Galápagos Islands. The 49,000-acre Con Dao National Park harbors a wealth of biodiversity. And of the more than 1,000 plant varieties, 1,300 marine species, and 160 different types of animals that flourish here, some, like the black squirrel, are unique to Con Dao.
I made my first stop at the park's headquarters in Con Son, one of the only places on the island where English is spoken. The park's staff set me up with a daylong guided trek through the jungle, which included a stop at a fruit plantation established by the French (where I fed bananas to monkeys), lunch with park rangers in the middle of the forest (after which we all curled up in hammocks for a quick nap), and a visit to a secluded beach. The following morning, I took a boat trip to the surrounding islands, including Bay Canh islet, which I'd heard has some of the best diving and snorkeling in Vietnam. Dolphins, sea turtles, and manatee-like dugongs make frequent appearances among the abundant coral reefs.
In the evenings, before turning in at the newly renovated Saigon Con Dao Resort on Con Son's main promenade (saigoncondao.com, doubles from $38, includes breakfast), I checked out the noodle stalls of Con Son Market and the Thu Ba Restaurant across the street. There, I did one last bit of animal-spotting, choosing my dinner-to-be from a prominently displayed tank: two live crabs, cooked to order (011-84/64-383-0255, entrées from $3).
Article Source : http://www.cnn.com/

Bird Watching ( Thailand national parks)

2009-12-22T06:35:00.001-08:00

Bird Watching
Bird watching is a popular activity of studying nature. visitors can not only enjoy watching beautiful birds, getting fresh air, and doing some exercises which maintain that person to be healthy, but also recognize and understand the relationship between bird and environment in which can lead visitors to be aware of its value, and to take heed in preserving both bird and environment.
Bird Watching Equipment
Bird watching is an easy activity. visitors have only some equipment can go to enjoy watching birds in the nature. The main bird watching equipments are.

Binocular is necessary equipment for watching bird in long distance clearly.

Bird Watching Manual is a book providing illustration and information of each bird in which bird watcher can sort out the type of bird found correctly.

Record Book is a book for collecting details of bird found for studying later.
Preparing
Well preparing will enable visitors to find birds easily. When going out to find birds, visitors should dress in outfit harmonious with nature, not easily observed by birds, and in which visitors can get closer to that bird, such as in brown, gray or brown color outfit. The outfit should be long-sleeves shirt, full-length trouser for protecting visitors from sunlight and prickle. Shoes should be comfort shoes with socks to prevent graze during walking. Moreover, if going bird watching on High Mountain, visitors should bring woolen coat in winter and raincoat in the rains.
Bird Watching Time
Bird watcher should start bird watching in early morning, which birds also start to find something to eat. This time, birds are very active, hardly ever hiding, so visitors can easily find them. When the temperature is hotter, the birds will go to rest in the trees in which visitors hardly find them. Until late afternoon, the birds will go out to find something to eat again. That is a suitable time for bird watching.
How to watch bird
Bird watchers should go in small groups, better about 2-3 persons, that will enable them to easier find birds than in a big group. When finding birds, bird watchers should take particular quiet, not make noise, avoid standing obviously, and watch the birds from hiding places such as behind a tree for example.
When and where to go watch bird
In varied nature of Thailand, each place has different types of bird. Therefore, visitors traveling to different part of Thailand will find different types of bird as well, and, sometimes, new type of bird especially in migrating season. visitors should select the place for bird watching to suit that season, such as, to go watch bird in high mountain when the birds are migrating in winter in Doi Inthanon National Park and Doi Suthep-Pui National Park, or to go watch bird when the birds are migrating in mangrove area in Sam Roi Yot National Park, for examples. And in the rains, visitors should go to local forest for bird watching, such as, in Khao Yai National Park, Kang Khachan National Park, Khao Luang National Park, and Thale Ban National Park for examples.

Namtok Khlong Kaeo National Park(Trat National Park)

2009-08-11T08:55:00.001-07:00

Geography
Most of the area consists of not much complicated mountain range such as Khaokaw Mountain Range, Tabard Mountain, Tachoat Mountain and Kampang Mountain. At the ridge of the mountains, 100-836 meters above sea level, is the border of Thai and Cambodia. The highest peak is Khaotabath Mountain Peak 836 meters above sea levels. The area is the source of canals such as Klong louk, Klong kaew, Klong hinpleang, Klong lue, Klong kajai, Klong malagor etc. Water in all of these canals flows to Klong sator and to the sea.
Climate
The weather in this area is tropical monsoon and influenced by southwestern monsoon in the rains and northeastern monsoon in winter. The area has productive forest that causes heavy continuous rain all the year round. The seasons are as follows.
Summer - starts from February to April
Rains - starts from May to October
Winter - starts from November to January
Flora and Fauna
The area consists of rain forest which is the source of rivers and has many kinds of plants such as small shrubbery and 25-60-meter tree. The valuable trees in this area are Dipterocarpaceae, Marlabar ironwood, Sterculiaceae, Meliaceae, Lagerstromeae etc. And shrubberies found normally are ginger, galangal, rattan, palmae, bamboo, fishtail palm, and areca palm etc.
The surveyed area is naturally productive forest so that makes this area has a number of animals, for example, a great number of leeches in many wet places show that the area still has a great number of wildlife too.
Article Source : http://www.dnp.go.th/

Hat Khanom - Mu Ko Thale Tai Nation Park ( Nakhon Si Thammarat National Park)

2009-07-20T08:53:00.001-07:00

General Information
At present, under the process of appointment as a national park, which shall cover part of the following local: Khlong Thong, Khlong Reng, Khao Ok, Khao Thong Not, Pa Khao Chai Son, Len Khlong Khanom, Khao Fee Hai, Khao Wang, Khao Krot, Chai Kram-Wat Pradu, Khao Hua Chang Forest and 8 islands namely, Ko Mut Tang, Ko Mut Kong, Ko Rap, Ko Hua Ta Khe, Ko Wang Nai, Ko Wang Nak, Ko Noi and Ko Ta Rai, all in Sichon and Khanom District, Nakhon Si Thammarat province, and Ko Samui District, Surat Thani.
Geography
Most of the area is covered with lush primary forest which is the originating point for many creeks, from which water is used by the locals for consumption and agricultural activities. Some of the areas are of limestone mountain and quite healthy mangrove forest.
Climate
Influence from the South-Westerly wind and North-Easterly wind results in rainfall almost all year round. However, there are 2 seasons altogether, which are summer (February – April) and rainy season (May – January).
Flora and Fauna
Forests in the area are:
Primary forests with valuable plants such as Intsia palembanica, Dipterocarpus sp., Ironwood, Sandoricum Koetjape and Indian Oak.
Mangrove forests with valuable plants such as Mangroves, Taboon and Thespesia populneoides.
Limestone Mountain also exists with plants such as Chanpah and Opuntia elatior.
Wildlife
Can be classified as follows:
Mammals – Sus scrofa (wild pig), Monkey, Semno, Squirrel, Menetes berdmorei (Indochinese ground squirred), Naemorhedus sumatraensis, Muntiacus muntjak, Ursus malayanus, Tiger, Barking deer, Gibbon and Malayan sun bear.
Birds – Spilornis cheela (Cnested), Treron curvirostra (Thick-Billed Pigeon), Copsychus saularis (Oreintal), shama, dove, cormorant, Nicobar pigeon, seagull, Egretta sacra (Pacific Reef-Egret) and Ducula aenea (Green Impevial)
Reptiles – consists of tortoise, snakes and chameleon.
Amphibians – different kinds of frogs, Bufo asper.
Other aquatic life – Channa striatus (Sepenthead), crab, shrimp, saltwater fish, brook carp and snakehead
Article Source : http://www.dnp.go.th/

Than Bok Khorani National Park (Krabi National Park)

2009-06-27T22:30:00.001-07:00

General Information
Than Bok Khorani National Park is a rainforest situated in the valley in the midst of the mountains. Streams flow through the area disappearing into the limestone rocks underneath the mountains, on their journey to the sea. The source of the stream is Nam Phut Cave and Ao Mai Dam Mountain (Black Tree Bay Mountain). This was formerly the territory of wild elephants, until people moved in and settled the area. They cleared the forest and took possession of the land for agriculture, until only the stream remained. The park was established on 30th September 1998.
Geography
Geography of Tarn Bok Koranee National Park is the ridge of mountains alternatively laying along north-south direction like a complicated wave and has varieties of deep slope. There is a little bit of plain area, most of them would be found on mountain shoulder and valley. The limestone mountains in this area are covered with the mixed tropical forest and in addition it also consistis of mangrove forest, waterfall stream, sea and beach. Morevever, there are a limestone island and many small islands, about 23 islands.
Climate
The climate of this national park is a monsoon weather, consists of 2 seasons; raining and hot season or so called "eight raining-four sunshine" which means raining for 8 months and hot for 4 months.
Raining Season starts from April till December every year. The heavy rain would be found in September while November would be cold with an average temperature at 26.4 degrees celsius.
Hot Season starts from mid of January till April every year. February is the lowest of raining and very hot but suitable for travel. In April, the average temperature is 29 degrees celsius.
Flora and Fauna
The national park covers an area of 104 sq.km, including a group of 23 islands off the coast of Krabi as Chong Lat Tai Island, Ka Rot Island, Pak Ka Island, Lao Bile Island (Hong Island), etc,. The landscape is dominated by a series of impressive mountains; precipitous, tall, limestone towers, protruding out of the landscape in a typical Karsts topography. Sink holes in the rock lead the way to underground streams, and numerous mountain cave. Than Bok Khorani National Park is the source and watershed for the water of Ao Luek District, flowing from five important streams; Marui, Klang, Nam Tok, Ao Luek and Ka Rot.
The main plant communities are rainforest, mangrove forest, and freshwater swamp forest.
Rain Forest is found on the steep mountain ranges, Hopea spp., Lagerstroemia spp., Dipterocarpus alatus, Intsia palembanica and Terminalia wallichiana being the dominant trees, and the undergrowth is characterised by Salacca sp., rattan and bamboo.
Mangrove Forest is mostly found around Tham Rot Tai Mountain, Nam Bay and Ka Rot Island. The main species are Rhizophora, Kylocarpus, Bruguiera, Sonneratia and Avicennia.
Swamp Forest covers the footslopes of Chong Lom Mountain. Because the forest no longer covers a wide, continuous area, the variety of wildlife is reduced.
Wildlife
Mammals, include Wild boar, Fishing Cats, Mouse Deer, Gibbon, Langurs, Large Indian Civet, Malayan Porqupine, Pangolin, Otters, Squirrels, Javan Mongoose and Flying Lemurs.
Birds, include Brahminy Kite, Common Koel, White breasted waterhen, Hill Myna, Woodpeckers and Grey Wagtail. The rivers are habitat for a wealth of freshwater species, including True Eel and Long Tom.
Reptiles, such as chameleon, bengal monitor, king cobra, cobra, reticulated python, malayan pit viper, bronzeback, etc.
Fish, whilst the sea supports coral reefs, with both hard and soft corals, Parrotfish, Starfish, and Anemones. Interesting Points
Article Source : http://www.dnp.go.th/

Than Bok Khorani National Park (Krabi National Park)

Tags : Thailand National Parks, Thailand Travel, Nature Travel , Thailand Picture, North Thailand

Mu Ko Lanta National Park (Krabi National Park)

2009-05-29T12:37:00.001-07:00

General Information

Establised in 1990, according to the order of Mr. Chaun Leekpai, Prime Minister and Wild Animal and Plant Foundation of Thailand. It includes Ko Rok, Ko Mai Ngam Tai, Ko Ta La Beng, Ko Lanta Yai, Ko Ngai, Ko Tu Kon Lima, Ko Rok Nok, Ko Rok Nai, Ko Hin Dang and nearby islands of Ko Klang district, Ko Lanta Noi district and Ko Lanta Yai sub district, Amphoe Ko Lanta, Krabi province. It is the 62th national park of Thailand which covers area of 134 square kilometers or 83,750 rais.

Geography

Over all geographical feature is the complexity of mountains and rather deep slope. The plain area would be found only in a beach area in the southern part. Most of area here is more than 35 percent slope, except only the middle part of island where a slope is more than 50 percent. The height of this are is range from 100 meters above sea level to a heigth of 488 meters at the peak of mountain.

Climate

Most rainfall is in September which is about 391.4 milimeters and the lowest in January which is about 6.5 milimeters. Number of days of the highest raining is in September which is about 21.6 days and the lowest is in February, about 1.6 days.
In rainy season, the national park will be closed (Rok Nok Island, Rok Nai Island, and Hin Moung - Hin Deang Rock) during 16 May - 15 November every year for visitors safety.

Flora and Fauna

There are a lot of fertile forest resources and varieties of vetgetation which could be classified as follows :

Rainforest covers 19.42 square meters of Lanta Yai island, along the Lanta mountain which covers most of area of the national park. Upper level trees and middle level trees at average height about 15-25 meters are found in this forest. The important plants are L. siamica, Hopea ferrea Heim.,etc. And also the palm tree and cane wood species are the low level trees here, the important species are Fan palm, Calamus erectus Roxb., Calamus caesius Bl., Calamus peregrinus Furt.,etc.
Mangrove Forest could be found in Mai Ngam island, South Mai Ngam island and Ngu island. These islands are not big and most of area is covered with the mangrove forest. Mangrove trees are tall at the same height with averange about 5 meters. Plants could be found here are Avicennia alba, Rhizophora apiculata, Rhizophora mucronata
Beach Forest covers the small area between connecting area of beach and rainforest of Ngai island. The important plants are Bengal Almond, Derris indica, beach moring glory, etc.

Wild Animals
Able to classified into 6 groups as shown below.

Mammal Animals consists of 20 families 30 genuses and 38 species which 2 species had gone from Lanta island. They are wild deers and tigers, and the other species is the sea cow which is the conserved animal. The other two species that being gone are the common barking deer and fishing cat. The rarely finding animal on this island is the the marshall big ear crow bat .
Birds on these islands are totally 58 families, 130 genuses and 185 species. Most easy find in this national park are Brahminy Kite, Birdled Tern, Emerald Dove , etc while the most difficult find are Orange-Breasted Trogon, Siberian Thrush, and Little Spiderhunter, etc.
Reptiles, mostly are Water Monitor, Reticulated Python and Cobra , etc.
Amphibians could be found two species, the first one living in canal is Giant Mountain Frog, Ornate Froglet and the second one living in building and ponds. Others amphibians in forest are Polypedates leucomystax (Gravenhorst)-1829 and Small Toads and the difficult find species is the Dorria frog.
Sea and Fresh Water Fishes which could be found in fresh water ponds of the islands, fresh water fishes that you can find here such as Blue danio. While the sea fishes would be found along the coral reef, rock beach and fresh water canals such as Lizard fish and Porcupine fish, etc.
Animals in the Coral Reef are Staghorn coral, Fungia fungites, Anemone coral, Starflower coral, etc.

Article Source : http://www.dnp.go.th

Ko Lanta - The most beautiful island of Andaman Sea

Just off Thailand’s south western coastal town of Krabi, on the east side of Phang Nga Bay, exists a unique, unspoiled tropical island: Ko Lanta Yai. Ko Lanta Yai preserves its community spirit in both family and business life. With clear, cool waters and superb white sand beaches stretching along a 27 kilometer coastline, its paradisiacal appeal remains unmarred by mass tourism. The island, which reaches a height of almost 500 meters at its extreme end, also boasts a mountain range covered with rain forest.

The Ko Lanta archipelago is made up of over fifty small islands, though only three are inhabited: Lanta Yai , Lanta Noi and Ko Ngai. Lanta Yai is the most attractive to tourists, with its impressive beaches and activities for visitors. Approximately 10,000 of the regions’ 20,000 inhabitants reside on Lanta Yai. Most of Lanta Yai’s residents are practicing Thai Muslims, deriving their income from rubber farming, fishing, palm tree growing, coconut or cashew nut plantations, and the travel industry.

The island itself runs from north to south, with the west coast established as the main tourist area, offering accommodations for all budgets, a variety of activities, and a choice of bars and restaurants. Picture-perfect sunsets can be seen from any of the many beaches, while the colorful local fishing boats known as “long tails” bob lazily in the foreground.

The east coast is far less developed, affording the curious explorer a glimpse of life outside of tourism. Facing toward the mainland, the coastline largely consists of mangroves, with yellow sand beaches towards the southern end. It’s here you will find the ancient Sea Gypsy Village, home to the indigenous settlers on Ko Lanta who live in harmony with the sea.

Article Source : http://www.lantainfo.se/en_index.htm

Tags : Thailand National Parks, Thailand Travel, Nature Travel , Thailand Picture

Khao Phanom Bencha National Park (Krabi National Park)

2009-04-16T05:57:00.001-07:00

Geography

The site is comprised of with Khao Phanom Bencha at 1,397 meter in height above mean sea level, providing watershed area for the surrounding areas of Krabi Province and then flows to Andaman sea. Phanom Bencha mountain range is layed from north to south.

Climate

The weather is warm and humid throughout the year. There are two seasons, Hot season between January to April and Rainy season between May to December, maximum rainfall is in June to October.

Flora and Fauna

As a Moist evergreen forest, fauna in the park consisting of Hopea odorata, Dipterocarpus alatus, lagerstronemia cupida, Malacca teak, Michelia champaca, Parkia speciosa, Baccarea sapida. Ground fauna found are palms, genus Calamus or Daemonothops, greenia wightiana and bamboos. There are a number of animals live in the park which generally can be found are serows, wild pigs, panthers, clouded leopards, black bears, mouse deers, langurs, gibbons, Stump-tailed monkeys, Asiatic wild dog, squirrel, iorises, white-rumped shama, hornbills, pheasants, red jungle fowls.

Hat Noppharat Thara - Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park (Krabi National Park)

2009-01-31T20:59:00.001-08:00

Tourist Attractions

Historical

Wai King Cave In the northeastern part of Phi Phi Le Island, is the location of the Waiking cave where the King Phumiphol Adulyadej had been here and gave the new name as "Phaya Nak Cave" because there is one stone looked like the head of naga which local people who collect the nests of swallow birds pay their respects. In this cave, eastern side and southern side, you would find the historical paints of elephant and many kinds of boats pictures.

Beautiful Nature

Shell Cemetery (Susan Hoi)
This is the miracle of nature which took place on the ancient age, 75 million years ago when many kinds of freshwater shell had been starved as a huge fossil, so called the cemetery of shell or "susan hoi" in Thai language. After carefully measurement and analysis by a new technology, we found that this shell cemetery is actually 40-20 million years of age.

Noppharat Thara Beach Formerly, it's so called " Khlong Hang" because after the water from the northern mountain is gone, it would leave only a long sand beach which end at Ko Khao Pak Khlong. This area is the world biggest house of a "hoi-chak-tin" or "feet-pulling shell"

Nang Bay There is a colorful view diferent from other beach because one side of the beach is a mountain which has a stalactite cave, so called Tham Phra Nang. It's very quiet here, so many tourists love to visit and stay here.

Poda Island Located at the southern part of Phra Nang Bay. From the shore, you can see the white sand beach and many kinds of coral because the sea in this area is very clear. This's very attractive for tourists which they can visit here for almost year long.

Mai Phai Island Located in the northern part of Phi Phi Don island, not far away from Yung island. Northern side and eastern side has a beautiful beach and coral reef which most of them are the staghorn coral, laid along to the southern part of island.

Yung Island Located in the nothern part of Phi Phi Don island, you can find the rock beach on the eastern side here and also a small sand beach located in the alley of mountain. In addition, you would find the varieties of beautiful fertile coral reef here.

Phi Phi Le Island Phi Phi Le covers area about 6.6 sq.km. It is the island of limestone mountains consisting of a steep high cliff vertically with the sea surface. Around this island has a sea area with depth about 20 meters. There are many beautiful gulf areas such as Pi Le Bay, Maya Bay, and Lo Sa Ma Bay.

Phi Phi Don Island Phi Phi Don is located about 28 sq.km. Laem Tong Cape is situated at the north of the island where 15-20 families of the sea gypsies dwell. These sea gypsy migrated from Li Pe Island in Satun Province. The cape is suitable for scuba diving and snorkelling. Lam Hua Ra Ket Cape, Had Yao Beach, and Hin Pae are also very beautiful. Ton sai Bay is the most beautiful scenery of the twin bays. Accomadation can be found at Loa Adam. This beautiful picture was been taken 10 years ago where settlement was absent.

Nature Education

Ngon Nak Mountain Nature Trail

Facilities

Accommodation Bungalows are also available.

Camping site There are the camping area with a parking lot, bathrooms and restrooms for serving tourists at the area of Ko Mai Phai Ranger Station.

Food services Restaurant is available in the Park.

Souvenir shop 5 souvenir shops : Ao Phra Nang area, Ao Railey, Hat Nopphrarat Thara, Susan Hoi and Phi-Phi Don.

Docking , Boat Tie-up , Wharf It has 7 ports for parking boats : Ao Phra Nang port, Ao Railey port, Ko Kwang port, Khlong Yingsuea port, Khlong Son port, Hat Khlong Muang port and Ao Nammao port.

Visitor center The office of National Park can serve you with a multimedia tools. You may see the exhibition at the Susan Hoi Ranger Station, Ko Mai Phai Ranger Station and the Railey Information Service Center. This gives you both natural touch and knowledge.

The Royal forest department had surveyed and established the 75 million-year shell cemetery (Susan Hoi), Hat Noppharat Thara - Mu Ko Phi Phi and near-by islands in Nong Thale sub-district, Ao Nang sub-district, SaiThai sub-district and Pak Nam sub-district of Amphoe Mueang Krabi, 389.96 sq.km, as the 47th National Park of Thailand so called "Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park". There after, it had been expanded to cover the shell cemetery and near-by islands, 0.02 sq.km. After that the area of Nong Thale sub-district, Amphoe Mueang Krabi, Krabi province which is the area of the Royal Thai Navy and the Royal Palace area has been excluded from this national park and left only 387.90 sq.km.

Geographical Features

Consists of the land area on the coast of the island such as Ao Nammao mountain area, Ao Nang-Hang Nak forest and other islands. The geological form of this area is the high mountain laid along the northwest-southeast direction. Coast area is the high mountain while the western side has deeper slope than the eastern side. Geological form of sea coast area and islands in Andaman sea would be affected by the line of earth layer movement so called "Indosenia Teotonic Movement". At the area of mangrove forest of Hang Nak mountain you would find the Klom mountain canal on the coast rim which get the drained water from a big pond, so called "Nong Thale" (Sea Pond) and originates the mangrove forest and low plain area of the Samed forest in the area of national park office namely "Khlong Haeng" (Noppharat Thara Beach).

Weather Condition

"Hat Noppharat Thara - Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park is influenced by tropical monsoon wind. During November-October would has the southeastern-monsoon wind drives through and induces to have two seasons of weather here; the first is raining season starts from May till December and the hot season starts from January till April. Average temperature here is about 17 - 37 degrees celsius. Average rainfall per year is about 2,231 milimeters which would be highest in July and lowest in February.

Varieties of Plants and Wild Animals

Vegetations in the national park area could be classified into 3 groups as follows :
Primary rainforest could be found in the high steep mountain. According to these are the limestone mountains which have a thin layer of soil and are frequently impacted with strong wind, lets the rainforests in this area are not naturally fertile. Most of plants are iron wood, rubber and shorea, and the low level trees such as chanpha, rattans, banyans and many kinds of vines.
Mangrove forest could be found in dry canal and Yan Saba canal. Found plants are red mangroves, samae, peninsular, withe beans, black beans, etc.
Phru forest is the society of dominant plants which found the dense samet trees in the Nhoparatanatara beach. Other found plants are shorea, jambolan plum, cogon grass, etc.
Wildlife
Animals int the Nhoparatanataral-Phi Phi Islands National Park can be classified as follows : mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fishes and other aquatic animals which no spine, such as sea slug. The important one in this group is coral such as a thorn coral, cub surface coral, leaf coral, tree coral, ect.

Location and Journey

Hat Noppharat Thara - Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park
79, Mu 5, Ao Nang , Muang , Krabi 81000, Muang Krabi, Krabi, Thailand 81000
Tel. : 0 7566 1145, 0 7563 7200, 0 7563 7436 Fax : 0 7566 1145
Head's name : Tanapong Apaiso Position : Technical Forest Officer 7

By Car

You can drive from bangkok on the road no. 4th, through Phetchaburi province, Prachuap khirikhan, Chumphon, Ranong, Phang Nga and Krabi which is about 946 kilometers long. The other way, you may drive on road no. 4 to Chumphon province and then change to the road no. 41 through Amphoe Langsuan, Amphoe Chaiya, Amphoe Wiangsa of Surat Thani province, then change to drive on the road no. 4035, through Amphoe Ao Luek and turn to use the road no. 4 again and drive to Krabi province which is about 814 kilometers.

By Airplane

Go by airline, from the Bangkok Airport directly fly to the airport of Krabi province.

By Train

Take a train from Bangkok to the train station of Trang province or the Phun Phin's train station of Surat Thani province or the Thungsong's train station of Nakhon Si Thammarat. After that please take a bus to Krabi province.

By Bus

Take a bus by buying a ticket at the Southern Bus Terminal. There are two bus companies, the first one is the "Transportaion Co., Ltd." and "Lignite Tour Co., Ltd.

Tags : Thailand National Park , Thailand Travel, Nature Travel , Thailand Picture, National Park Camping ,Scuba ,Thailand holidays

Tai Rom Yen National Park ( Surat Thani National Park )

2009-01-25T06:41:00.001-08:00

Tai Rom Yen National Park situated in Surat Thani Province, in the past Khao Chong Chang was an area of communism, and other special events are an area to assassinate of Vibhavadirangsid Prince in helicopter, and to kill Surat Thani's governor assistant, at last can banditry by solder with Tai Rom Yen military operation, next there are announce to national rhinoceros.

Geographical Features

The area consists of complicated mountain range, and is the source of water. Its main rivers are Chawang River, Lamphun River, ์Namtao River and Tan River for examples, and some mountains are limestone so that cause the area has many wonderful caves.

Weather Condition

The weather in the area has two seasons, which are rainy season from May to December, and summer from January to April.

Varieties of Plants and Wild Animals

Location and Journey

Tai Rom Yen National Park
, Ban Na San, Surat Thani, Thailand 84120
Tel. : 0 7791 8611 (VoIP) 08 9893 6455 0 7734 4633 Fax : 0 7734 4633
Head's name : Sukrid Krataichan Position : Technical Forest Officer 7

By Car

From Surat Thani Province along highway 4009 (Surat Thani - Ban Nasan) about 30km to Ban Chiang Phra, then turn left opporite to Khuan Suban School for further 15km to the National Park and Dat Fa Waterfall. Total distance about 45 km.

By Airplane

By Thai Airline Public Co, Ltd. from Bangkok to Surat Thani province, and take a bus to park headquarters

By Train

Use the train everyday from Bangkok to Punpin Train Station, and take a bus to park headquarters.

general Information

Geography

Climate

The weather in the area has two seasons, which are rainy season from May to December, and summer from January to April.

Thailand holidays : Tai Rom Yen National Park ( Surat Thani National Park )

Tags : Thailand National Park , Thailand Travel, Nature Travel , Thailand Picture, National Park Camping ,Scuba ,Thailand holidays

Khlong Phanom National Park ( Surat Thani National Park )

2009-01-20T07:58:00.001-08:00

Geography

The high mountain range of Klong Phanom has many steep bare cliffs, typical of the limestone mountains in this area. Fertile forests drape the mountains and many streams flow beneath the towering greenery. Klong Phanom is a vital water source for surrounding communities and towns. All the streams from Klong Phanom converge creating the Klong Sok river, this in turn flows into the Klong Saeng river which is a tributary of Klong Pam Duang, itself a major tributary of the Da Bee River

Climate

Generally climate is similar to other areas in southern part of Thailand as it’s abundant rain all year round because it’s under influence of northeast monsoon and southwest monsoon and also the area is high mountain ranges covered with thick forest. Climate an be divided into 2 seasons, rainy season starts from May-December, it hardly rain during August-October, summer starts January to April with the highest temperature in first-second week of April.

Flora and Fauna

It’s Moist evergreen forest covered with dense trees. It’s rich of flora which mostly economical valued tree such as Hopea, Dysoxylum thyrsoideum, Harpullia cupanioides, Anisoptera costata, Barringtonia fusiformis, Artocarpus lanceifolius, Mangifera indica, Heritiera sumatrana, Lagerstoremia speciosa, Mesua nervosa Planch&Triana, Sonneratia alba, Toona ciliata, etc. Ground plants are bamboo, fern, genus Calamus or Daemonothops, Taenitis blechnoides, Caryota urens, Salacca rumphii and many species of vines.
The forest is habitat of variety animals consisting of elephants, deers, tapirs, bears, serows, wild pigs, gibbons, monkeys, langurs, squirrels, mouse deers, red jungle fowls, etc. as well as variety of birds and reptiles.
In the survey, Chiang Roun Bamboo is the biggest bamboo in Thailand with 60-80 centimeters in diameter and 30-40 meter long, there is 30 Rais (48,000 squares meters) of the bamboo in Pruching Mountain. Chiang Roun Bamboo does not grow together with other bamboo. Its clump is about 20-30 bamboos.

Article Source : http://www.dnp.go.th/

Khlong Phanom National Park ( Surat Thani National Park )

Tags : Thailand National Park , Thailand Travel, Nature Travel , Thailand Picture, National Park Camping ,Scuba

Khao Sok Nation Park ( Surat Thani National Park )

2009-01-17T23:17:00.001-08:00

Khao Sok Nation Park is one of the most beautiful national parks in Thailand. Due to its majestic scenery and biological diversity the park is nicknamed the ‘Gui – Lin of Thailand’, which refers to a very beautiful place in China. The name ‘Khao Sok’ is derived from the word ‘ Ban Sop”, which means ‘house of dead bodies’, The Royal Forest Department declared Khao Sok as the 22nd national park of Thailand on December 22nd, 1980. The park has a total area of 738.74 square kilometers, which covers parts of the Khlong Yee and Khlong Pra Sang forests as well as portions of the Krai Son and the Khao Pung sub-districts in the district of Ban Ta Khun and the Khlong Sok and Panom sub – districts in the province of Suratthani.

Geography

The park has a general topographic composition of Limestone Mountains and possesses the scattered peaks of Ka Lo Mountain whose form resembles those of towers. The highest peak to reside in the park measures at 961 m above sea level. The area in which the park is located contains highly acidic, sandy soil that is easily eroded during rainstorms.

Climate

The weather is influence by monsoon winds from both the Indian and Pacific Ocean with rain beginning in late April until late December. Heaviest rain is during May to November. The best time to visit the Khao Sok Park is December to April.

Flora and Fauna

Khao Sok National Park is a virgin forest where various types of plant life can be found. This includes a number of very rare and sacred tree species such as the Neobalanocarpus heimil. A few other plants that can be seen in this park include the following: Genus Hoper, Chisocheton and Anisoptera etc., as well as small bushes such as the Rafflesia kerrii, palm, rattan, betel palm, and various types of bamboo.
The park serves as a home for a wide variety of wildlife such as the gaur, banteng, sambar deer, bear, Malayan tapir, macaque, gibbon, serow, mouse deer, porcupine, marbled cat, wild boar, and Asian wild dog. It also acts as the natural habitat for several for several bird species.

Khao Sok Nation Park ( Surat Thani National Park )

Tags : Thailand National Park , Thailand Travel, Nature Travel , Thailand Picture, National Park Camping ,Scuba

Kaeng Krung National Park (Surat Thani National Park)

2009-01-10T21:06:00.001-08:00

Kang Krung National Park, in Thachana District, Chaiya District, Thachang District, and Wipawadi District, Surat Thani Province, consists of forest and complicated mountain range which is the source of rivers for people in Surat Thani Province and Chumpon province, and has many nice places suitable for recreation such as waterfalls, streams, hot-water pond and mountains. The area has beautiful sceneries, and is about 541 squares kilometers or 338,125 Rai. The Royal Forest Department has proclaimed it to be a national park on December 4, 1990.

Geographical Features

The area consists of two-complicated mountain ranges lying north and south. A valley between two mountain ranges is the source of Luangsuan River in the north, and Klongyan Canal in the south. The highest mountain is 849 meters above sea level. Most of the area is soil-mountain which has tin be an important and valuable mineral.

Weather Condition

Most of the area is rain forest so that causes rain all the year round and the temperature is quite cold.

Varieties of Plants and Wild Animals

There are economically valuable plants such as Lumpor (a kind of Leguminosae), champak and many kinds of Yang. The lower plants are, generally, fern and many kinds of climber which make the area is thick forest.
The animals found are wild elephant, tiger, bear, seladang, banteng, tapir, gibbon, monkey, langur, barking deer, deer, wild boar, stump-tailed monkey, banned langur, amphibian, and many kinds of bird such as bulbul, helmeted hornbill, crow-billed drongo, Asian fairy-bluebird.

Location and Journey

Kaeng Krung National Park
Mu 7, Takuk Nuar Sub-district,, King Amphoe Wiphawadi, Surat Thani, Thailand 84000
Tel. : 0 7791 8063 (VoIP), 0 7720 5677
Head's name : Surawut Suttamusik Position : Administrative Forest Officer 6

By Car

Going 700 kilometers from Bangkok to Surat Thani Province, and 120 kilometers from Surath Thani Province to Thachana District, then go on 35 kilometers on tarmac road and 9 kilometers on laterite road to Kang Krung National Park Office.

Accommodations

Booking can be arranged through in this website or telephone booking at +66 2562 0760. Reservation can be made 60 days in advance. Payment at Krung Thai Bank Public Company Limited, needs to be done within 2 days after the reservation is being made.
Foreign clients who perform online accommodation booking from outside Thailand must transfer the accommodation fee (except bank service charge) to Krung Thai Bank Public Company Limited, Thailand, account number 039-6-02816-0.

ags : Thailand National Park , Thailand Travel, Nature Travel , Thailand Picture, National Park Camping ,Scuba

Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park ( Surat Thani National Park )

2008-12-19T17:35:00.001-08:00

Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park is an archipelago in the gulf of Thailand consisting of 42 separate islands, the principle islands being;Phaluai, Wua Ta Lap, Mae Ko, Sam Sao, Hin Dap, Nai Phut and Phai luak. All the islands occur in Ang Thong district, of Amphur Samui, Surat Thani province. The park covers a total area of 102 sq.km of which about only 18 sq.km is land. The National park does not encompass the entire island chain, its jurisdiction covers about 82% of the total area. The park was established on 12th November 1980.

Geographical Features

Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park consists of 42 islands. Its main islands are, for examples, Phaluai Island, Wua Chio Island, Wua Talap Island, Mae Ko Island, Samsao Island, Phai Luak Island, Kha Island, Hindap Island, Phi Island, Wua Kantang Island, Mae Yat Island, Wua Te Island, Naiphut Island, Changsom Island, Hanuman Island, Thaiphlao Island, Huaklong Island, and Kho Ban Island.Most of the islands consists of limestone mountains about 10-400 meters above sea level. Because the limestone can change its structure easily by both chemical condition and weather, so that makes the islands have many, strange-looking caves and cliffs, and some islands are looked like ancient Angkor Wat in Cambodia and Prasart Hin Pimai.

Weather Condition

Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park has been influenced by monsoon that causes big waves and heavy rain, approximately 2,000 mm. of rain all the year round, and the temperature is approximately 23 ^oC. The appropriate time for visiting the islands is between February and April, although the temperature is quite hot but the sea is calm suitable for sailing.
During monsoon (November and December) in the Gulf of Thailand always have big waves and windy. Traveling to Ang Thong National Park, Surat Thani Province is not safe. Thus, National Park office announced for temporary closing during 1 November - 23 December every year.

Varieties of Plants and Wild Animals

The islands of the park are covered in forest of four types;
Dry Evergreen Forest, occurs on the larger islands with significant patches on Wua Ta Lap,Phaluai and Sam Sao. The principle tree species are; Memecylon sp., Barringtonia fusiformis, Semecarpus curtisii, Cinna- momum sp., Caryota spp., Calamus spp. and Paphio- pedilum niveum "Ang Thong" Pfitz.
Beach Forest, occurs in a narrow strip around most of the larger islands, especially in the area above high water mark on beaches. Species occuring include; Terrminalia catappa, Thespesia populnea, Carophyllum inophyllum, Scaevola taccada, Erythrina fusea, Pandanus monotheca and Crinum sp.
Limestone forest, occurs on the exposed cliff faces and in the very shallow soils on top of the limestone hills. Most of the plants found here are small and highly adapted to survive in the severe environment, species recorded include; Dracaena loureiri, Euphorbia antiquorum and Morinda sp.
Mangrove forest, occurs in the very sheltered spots where sandbars and mudflats have developed. This forest type is best represented around Mae Ko island and on the eastern side of Phaluai island. These forest areas are well structured with many trees, both large and small, the dominant species is Rhizophora apiculata.
On the larger islands with areas of undisturbed forest many species of animals are present. Occasionally seen are Spectacled langurs, Hairy-nosed otters, bats, Pacific reef-egret, Brahminy kite, White-bellied seaeagle, Common sandpiper, Edible nest swiflet, Oriental pied hornbill, Southern pied hornbill, Ashy drongo, Collared kingfisher, Monitor lizards, Tortoises, Sea Turtles and Pythons.

The area of the Gulf of Thailand in which the islands are situated is at a maximum 10 meters deep. The islands rise up out of the water and are thus surrounded by water which is relatively shallow. This means that the water is greatly influenced by turbid river water from the mainland, the river water does not encounter deep water which will reduce its velocity and thus allow carried sediment to settle out. The water around the islands is thus fairly turbid all year round. The coral development on the islands is not extensive and is restricted to a narrow band encircling each island close to the shore, especially on the southwestern and northeastern sides. Although the Northwestern side of the islands is the area most influenced by the monsoon, in sheltered spots good corals develop especially; elephants tusk coral, brain coral, stagshorn coral and in deeper water plate corals of the genus Pavona and flower corals of the genus Goniopora. Animals found inhabiting these reefs include; Butterflyfish, Angelfish, Parrotfish, Stingray, Black tip shark, Grouper and Cowrie shells.
In areas where the water is not so clear or is subjected to strong currents the species diversity is poor and is dominated by Seaworms, Crabs and brown seaweeds, of the genus Sargassum and Turbinaria.
In places with steep rocky shorelines or where the water is very turbid coral cannot survive. In these areas sedentary marine life is prevalent including; Sea fans, Oysters, Clams and Mussels, which can be seen covering the exposed rock surfaces.
The water of the gulf of Thailand is very rich and provides a valuable resource upon which a rich diversity of animals and plants are able to thrive. This richness is long established and thus the seas around Ang Thong are plentiful. Species commercially collected are Softcorals, Penshells, Sponges, Seaweeds and Barnacles, important fish species caught include; Mackerel, Anchovy and Squid.

Location and Journey

Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park
145/1, Talat Lang rd, Talat Sub-district,, Muang Surat Thani, Surat Thani, Thailand 84000
Tel. : 0 7728 6025, 0 7728 0222 Fax : 0 7728 6588
Head's name : Satid Tontikittiya Position : Administrative Forest Officer 7

By Car

Use national road number 35 (Thonburi-Paktho) from Bangkok to national road number 4 pass Phetchaburi province, Chumphon province, and Prachuap Khiri Khan province to national road number 41 to Surat Thani province, approximately 644 kilometers. ( Bangkok to Koh Samui air-bus fare = 745 Baht.) Go on to Donsak District and on board a ferry from Donsak District for another 60 kilometers.

By Airplane

By Thai Airline Public Co, Ltd. from Bangkok to Surat Thani province. The airfare is 2,055 Baht.By Bangkok Airway Co, Ltd. from Bangkok to Samui Island. The airfare is 3,180 Baht. There is return flight every day, and about 1:15 hour a trip.

By Ship

Traveler can set off from Samui Island to Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park about 35 kilometers with 1,100 Baht a person by taxi-boat (tour boat).

By Train

Use the train everyday from Bangkok (Hua Lam Phong) to Phunphin Train Station, and take a bus to Surat Thani Province and go further by bus of Surat Thani – Samui Island.

By Bus

Take a bus from Surat Thani to Ko Samui District about 84 kilometers with the air-bus fair = 210 Baht a person. from Ban-Don Seaport, Surat Thani Province, to Samui Island at 05.00 AM. And at 09.00 PM. from Samui Island to Surat Thani Province at 04.00 Am.

Thailand National Park : Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park ( Surat Thani National Park )

Tags : Thailand National Park , Thailand Travel, Nature Travel , Thailand Picture, National Park Camping ,Scuba

Khun Nan National Park ( Nan National Park )

2008-12-19T16:19:00.001-08:00

Khun Nan National Park is within the compound of the Doi Phu Kha and Doi Pha Daeng National Forest Reserves, Phu Fa sub-district, Bo Kluea Tai sub-district and Dong Phaya sub-district, covering important mountain ranges such as Phu Fa, Khun Nam Wa Noi, Nam Wa Klang and Phi Pan Nam mountain ranges. The summit of the Phi Pan Nam mountain in Dong Phaya sub-district is the highest point, with an approximate height of 1,745 metres above sea level. The waterfall is full of water throughout the year.

Interesting Attractions within the National Park are as follows:
Namtok Sapan is at Mu 1, Ban Sapan, Dong Phaya sub-district, 1 kilometre from the Office of the National Park. Take Highway No. 1081 and turn right for 2 kilometres. It is a medium-size waterfall with a height of 3 tiers with a stream throughout the year. It is a shady, beautiful, and abundant forest, 10 kilometres from the Bo Kluea District Office. It is conveniently accessible by car. Continue with a walk for 700-800 metres.
Namtok Huai Ha is at Mu 14, Ban Na Bong, Bo Kluea Tai sub-district. It is a medium-size waterfall. The first, second and third tiers are approximately 8, 12 and 50 metres high, respectively. There is water throughout the year. The third tier (Pha Daeng) consists of various beautiful cascades.

To get there:
By Bus: From Mueang Nan district, take the Nan – Pua bus and continue with the Pua – Bo Kluea bus. Get off at Bo Kluea district and continue with the Bo Kluea – Chaloem Phra Kiat bus. The bus will pass the entrance of the National Park. Continue with a walk for 500 metres.
By Car: From Bo Kluea T-junction, turn left into Highway No.1081 for around 5 kilometres. The park is on the right side. Proceed further for 500 metres. The entrance is a laterite road. The viewpoint spot is 2 kilometres from the park.
The Khun Nan National Park provides accommodation and a camping area for tourists. Contact Dong Phaya Sub-district, Bo Kluea District, Nan 55220, Tel. 08 1960 5507 or www.dnp.go.th or e-mail: reserve@dnp.go.th.

Doi Phu Kha National Park ( Nan National Park )

2008-12-11T07:09:00.001-08:00

Weather Condition

Three main seasons are characteristic in the park. There is they rainy season, May to October, with the peak rainfall in August and September. The cold season (November-February) is the most popular time to visit the park.

Location and Journey

Doi Phu Kha National Park
Phu Kha Sub-district,, Pua, Nan, Thailand 55120
Tel. : 0 5470 1000, 0 5473 1362 Fax : 0 5473 1362
Head's name : Poonsatit Wongsawat Position : Technical Forest Officer 7

By Car

To get to the Doi Phuka National Park, take route Nan-Pau for 60 kilometers. There is park sign mark that will take you up to the Headquarters of the park with 25 kilometers.

Accommodations

Nan Thailand National Park : Doi Phu Kha National Park

Tags : Thailand National Park , Thailand Travel, Nature Travel , Thailand Picture, National Park Camping

Tham Pla - Namtok Pha Suea National Park

2008-12-02T05:15:00.001-08:00

Tham Pla - Pha Sua National Park is situated in an approximate area of 488 square kilometers or 305,000 rai, covering the areas of Tham Pla - Pha Sua Waterfall in the right hand side of Mae-pai National Conserved Forest, Muang District, and Pang Ma-pha Sub-district. The topography of the National Park consist of high mountains extending northwards, which are the sources of streams and rivers. The natural sightseeing spots at the National Park consist of Tham Pla - Pha Sua Waterfall, which are beautiful and very popular for recreational activities.

Geography

The topography of the National Park consist of steep mountains. And Doi Lan is the highest mountaintop of the National Park (1,918 meters above the sea level). The north and the west of the National Park reaches Charn State of the Union of Myanmar; whereas, the south of the National Park reaches Huay Mhak-uen and Huay Peung of Muang District, Mae Hong Son Province; and the east of the National Park reaches the River of Pang Ma-pha Sub-district, Mae Hong Son Province.

Climate

The weather at the National Park is influenced by the tropical seasonal monsoon and can be divided into 3 seasons including the rainy season (May-October), when there are heavy rains (within the 10-year period, it rains 138 days/year); winter (November-January), when the weather is dry and cold; and summer (February-May), when the weather is hot and sultry.

Flora and Fauna

There are various kinds of forests within the areas of the National Park, including tropical evergreen forests, virgin forests, pinery, mixed forests, timber forests, and grasslands. Major plants include Lagerstroemia floribunda (Tabaek-na), timbers, Shorea siamensis (Rang), Sindora siamensis Teijsm. Ex Miq. (Maka-tae), teak, Afzelia xylocarpa Roxb., Leguminosae (Pradoo), Xylia xylocarpa (redwood plants), Lagerstroemia calyculata Kurz. (Tabaek-luerd), Malabar ironwood, two-leaf/three-leaf pines, etc.
Wild animals found in the National Park include goral, gaur, wild buffaloes, bears, Muntiacus Muntjak, wild boars, birds, etc.

Article Source : www.dnp.go.th

Mae Hong Son Thailand National Park : Tham Pla - Namtok Pha Suea National Park

Tags : Thailand National Park , Thailand Travel, Nature Travel , Thailand Picture, National Park Camping

Salween National Park

2008-09-21T09:06:00.001-07:00

Covering a forested area of 721 square kilometers, the Salawin National Park is on the bank of the Salween or Salawin River on the Thai-Myanma border, about 164 kilometres south of Mae Hong Son. The Salawin River originates from Tibet before winding through China, Thailand and Myanmar for a total distance of more than 3,000 kilometres. The river is regarded as the borderline between Myanmar and Thailand for a distance of 120 kilometres.

Visitors wishing to take a boat along the river have tocontact the park headquarters for their safety during the journey. The headquaters also provide accommodation and other facilities. To get to the headquarters, one can take Route 1194 from Mae Sariang district for about 4 kilometres, then turn right and continue along a dirt road for 4 kilometres. The best time for boat trip is from March to April when the water level is low and sandy beaches appear. Sceneries along the riverbanks are captivating with forest and mountains and dotted with small hamlets.

For more information, contact Salawin National Park: P.O. Box 8, Mae Sariang, Mae Hong Son 58110 or www.dnp.go.th

Tags : Thailand National Park , Thailand Travel, Nature Travel , Thailand Picture, National Park Camping

Mae Hong Son National Park : Namtok Mae Surin National Park

2008-09-05T22:17:00.001-07:00

General Information

Located east of the provincial capital of Mae Hong Son this National Park occupies 397.00 square kilometers of rugged terrain. In a step to preserve representative natural features of this mountainous province, the park was established in 1981 as the 37th National Park of Thailand.

Geography

The park contains some of the more dominant peaks of the Thanon Tongchai mountain range with elevations varying between 300m. and 1700m. above sea level. These highlands give birth to numerous streams and small rivers which are important tributaries of the Pai river, the main river of this region.

Climate

The three distinct seasons of Northern Thailand offer varied conditions within Nam Tok Mae Surin National Park throughout the year. With the river valleys often wreathed in mist in the cool early mornings.
Cold Season, The Cold season (October-February) affords beautiful scenery, lush vegetation, and comfortable temperatures for hiking and camping. This season is the favorite among tourists.
Hot Season, The temperatures during the hot season (March-May) can be somewhat oppressive in the lowlands of Mae Hong Son. Exploring the highlands or relaxing on the banks of the Pai River are a great way to beat the heat.
Rainy Season, With the majority of the 1,230 mm of annual rain falling during the months of June through September, the rainy season brings the forest into vibrant life and fills the rivers and their waterfalls to full capacity. While nature is at this time in its grandest state, hiking and travel are at most times trouble some at best. Careful planning should be made prior to visitation during this time of year to ensure safety.

Flora and Fauna

Within the borders of the park is a matrix of highly diverse habitat types ranging from the sparsely vegetated dry dypterocarp forest to lush and dense evergreen forest. Flora of interest are the famed Teak tree, stands of upland pine, and many species of orchid and wildflower, including an indigenous and rare Lady Slipper Orchid. Recent reported.
Sightings of animals of interest include: Malayan sun bear, serow, golden cat, common muntjac, gibbon, wild boar, python and cobra. The preliminary survey of species presence is currently under way, so little is known of the birdlife of the park. A computer generated list of possible species present identifies 386 species possible, and early results of the survey suggest highly diverse and abundant birdlife. Contact the headquarters for an updated bird list and information on good birding sites.

Namtok Mae Surin National Park
P.O.Box 16, Pangmoo Sub-district, Amphur Muang Mae Hong Son Thailand 58000
Tel. 0 5306 1073 (VoIP) Fax 0 5306 1073 (VoIP) E-mail reserve@dnp.go.th

Article Source : www.dnp.co.th

Mae Hong Son National Park : Namtok Mae Surin National Park

Tags : Thailand National Park , Thailand Travel, Nature Travel , Thailand Picture, National Park Camping

Mae Hong Son National Park : Mae Ngao National Park

2008-08-31T04:57:00.001-07:00

Mae-ngao National Park is situated in Mae Hong Son Province, covering an approximate area of 257,650 rai. The National Park is a beautiful natural sightseeing spot and being the source of many rivers flowing into Salaween River.

Geography

The topography of the National Park consist of high mountains, which are the sources of many rivers flowing westwards into Salawin River of Myanmar.The waterway system of the National Park is similar to pattern of the tree diagram, consisting of a large river and its branches. Major rivers and gullies, include:

Mae-ngao River Mae-ngao River is the longest and most important river, passing the areas of the National Park for approximately 42 kilometers long, starting from Ban Sob-khong, flowing northwards to Sob-ngao and meeting Mae-yuam River. Mae-ngao River is the provincial boundary, whereas, the western part of the River is Tha Song-yang District of Tak Province, and the eastern part thereof is Sob-mei District of Mae Hong Son Province. The River is approximately 10-12 meters wide and the water is so clear that it is called Mae-ngao River. In the rainy season, the River, which is used as a water transport route to Sob-mei District by tribesmen, has the very rapid water. Many gullies within the National Park, which flow into Mae-ngao River, include Huai Mae Loh-noi, Huai Mae-bang, Huai Mae Lela-kro, Huai Oloh-gro, Huai Kong-oum, etc.
Mae-yuam River Mae-yuam River flows from Khun-yuam District, passing Mae La-noi District and meeting Mae-ngao River at Ban Sob-ngao, Sub-District Mae-sod of Sob-mei District and meeting Mei District at Ban Sob-yuam, Sub-District Mae Sam-laeb and flowing into Salaween River. The River is approximately 215 kilometers long, and being considered as one of the major rivers of Mae Hong Son Province.The River flows southwards, passing the western area of the National Park for approximately 14 kilometers long.

Rid River The River is situated in the north of the National Park, flowing westwards to Sub-District Kong-koi, Sub-District Mae-suad, and meeting Mae-yuam River in the south of Ban Mae-suad.
Huai Mae-khong The Gully flows from Om-koi District and meets Mae-ngao River at Ban Sob-khong.

Climate

Since the topography of the National Park consist of high mountains and water sources, the weather at the National Park can be divided into 3 seasons including the rainy season (June-October) of which average rainfall is 1,120 mm/year; winter (November-February), when the weather is cold and foggy; and summer (March-May), when the average highest temperature is 35°C.

Flora and Fauna

There are various kinds of forests within the areas of the National Park, including mixed deciduous forests of which major plants include teaks, Xylia xylocarpa (redwood plants), Terminalia arjuna (Rokfa), Black Wood, Dalbergia assamica (Ked-dum), Leguminosae (Pradoo), etc.; evergreen forests of which major plants include Lithocarpus cantleyanus (Kor), Aristolochia indica Linn. (Kra-chao Sida), moss, and lower plants include ferns, Bromheadia finlaysoniana Reichb.f. (ground orchids), ginger, etc.; timber forests, which can be found in the areas of hills, shoulders, foothills, and of which major plants include timbers, Shorea siamensis (Rang), Dipterocarpus tuberculatus (Pluang), Dipterocarpus intricatus (Hiang), Dillenia aurea Smith (Ma-San), Malacca tree, Morinda elliptica (Yor-Pa), and lower plants include grasses.
Wild Animals
Since the topography of the National Park consist of high mountains and virgin forests,wild animals found in the areas of the National Park can be divided into categories, as follows
Mammals
According to the exploration of the National Park, there are different kinds of mammals including wild boars, masked palm civets, Asiatic black bears, Muntiacus muntjak, monkeys, langur, gibbons, goral, flying squirrels, foxes, Asiatic wild dogs, wild rabbits, small bamboo rats, etc.
Birds
Birds found in the areas of the National Park include red jungle fowls, Malayan koel, singing myna, turtle doves, Drongo, blue magpie, coucal, stripe-breasted quail, Ga-hang, Nuthatch, Greater Green-billed Malkoha, barn owls, Kra-wan, Trogon, tailor-bird, black-billed roller, etc.
Reptiles
Reptiles found in the areas of the National Park include cobra, banded krait, constrictors, rat snakes, etc.
Amphibians
Amphibians inhabiting in the areas of the National Park include small green frogs found in Mae-ngao River.
Fish
Fish found in rivers include spiny eels, giant gourami, green fish, gobies, estuarine catfish, crocodile fish, etc.

No. visitors of Mae Ngao National Park : 19,158

Last Update : 12 Jun 2008

Mae Ngao National Park
Mu 8, Ban Mae-Ngao, Mae Suad Sub-district, Amphur Sop Mei Mae Hong Son Thailand 58110 E-mail reserve@dnp.go.th

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Tags : Thailand National Park , Thailand Travel, Nature Travel , Thailand Picture

Lam Poon National Park : Mae Ping National Park

2008-08-26T06:20:00.001-07:00

Mae Ping National Park covers Doi Tao District, Chiang Mai province; Li District, Lam Phun Province; and Sam Ngao District, Tak Province. It is fertile forest, which riches of plants and animals. At 1,003.75 km2, the rugged mountain range and rivers made fantastic scenic, especially the upper part of Bhumipol Dam that suit for recreation.

Geography

General topography is steeply mountain range with average high of 900 meters above sea level. There are many stream headwaters along the hill for example Huai Mae Had, Huai Mae Ko, Huai Pong Ka, Huai Muang, Huai Khun Maen and Huai Krai. All are branches of Mae Ping River.
The lake area covers Doi Tao District, Chiang Mai. Water flow southward to Bhumipol Dam in Amphur Sam Ngao, Tak for 150 kilometers. The widest point, with 6 kilometers is called “Bo Lom” and “Hauy Phra Bat”.

Climate

There are 3 main seasons same as other provinces in northern Thailand. There are rainy, cold and hot seasons but it may different from the area nearby dues to the large territory.

Flora and Fauna

80% of the park total area is shading leaves forest especially on the hill and less than 1,000 meters above sea level high elevation. And another 20% forest is moist evergreen forest. Teak, Shorea obtusa, Shorea siamensis, Dipterocarpus obtusifollus, Afzelia xylocarpa and Pterocarpus macrocarpus are found as dominant trees.
Wild life, which are found here they are; barking deer, wild pig, serow, gallus gallus, goral, fishing cat, asiatic black beer, small indian civet, macaque, langur and gibbon. Including, birds and fishes.

Mae Ping National Park

P.O. Box 18 Amphur Li Lamphun Thailand 51110
Tel. 0 5354 6336 (VoIP), 0 5351 8060 Fax 0 5354 6336 (VoIP) E-mail reserve@dnp.go.th

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Tags : Thailand National Park , Thailand Travel, Nature Travel , Thailand Picture

Lumphun National Park : Doi Khun Tan National Park

2008-08-21T06:18:00.001-07:00

Located in the mountain of the northern Thailand, Doi Khun Tan National Park is home to many interesting species both flora and fauna, as well as many historical spots of interest. Its most renowned feature is Thailand’s longest railroad tunnel, which is 1,352 m. long. Doi Khun Tan National Park straddles the mountains separating Lamphun and Lampang Provinces, covering 255.29 sq.km and ranges in elevations from 325m to 1,373m at the summit. Established in 1975, it was the 10th National Park in Thailand.

Geography

Doi translates to mountain in Northern Thai, while Khun Tan refers to the numerous streams and watershed flowing down from the mountain.

Climate

The three basic seasons are summer, from March to June, rainy, from July to October, and winter, from November to February. The temperature varies from 38 degree celsius during the hot season, to as cold as 5 degree celsuis. Rainfall, which falls mostly during the rainy season, averages about 1,034 mm. per year.

Flora and Fauna

The forests of Doi Khun Tan have changed dramatically in the past century due to human disturbance. The forests can be divided into three types, with distinct elevational ranges.
Lowland elevations (325-850 meter). Originally a teak forest, the lowland elevation is composed of a degraded mixed bamboo deciduous forest as deciduous Dipterocarp- oak forest.
Middle elevations (850-1,000 meter). This is a transitional area where the lowland deciduous forest and upland evergreen- pine forest mix to from the mixed evergreen and deciduous forest. Here are only two species of pine trees in Thailand, a two –needle pine (Pinus merkusii) and three-needle pine (P. kersiya) both of which can be found here.

Upland Elevations (1,000-1,373 meter). The forest here is composed mostly of evergreen hardwood trees and a minority of pine (Pinus merkusii) to from an evergreen- pine forest . Much of the forest and watershed on the west side of the national park have been distrubed; however, pristine conditions are found on the east side
In addition, Doi Khun Tan offers year-round viewing of wild-flowers such as orchids, and gingers. Doi Khun Tan is botanically very diverse, home to over 1,300 different vascular species. Numerous edible and fungi fond in the park.
Some wildlife still exists in Doi Khun Tan, including the Siamese hare, porcupine, wild chicken, wild boar and weasel, as a variety of birds, reptiles, spiders and insects. The effects of hunting, logging, frequent fires and human encroachment have greatly reduced their numbers. In the past, gibbons, tiger, elephants, bears, wild cattle, serow, slow loris, barking deer and many other species were also residents of Doi Khun Tan, but they are all gone.

Doi Khun Tan National Park
Mu 8, Tha Pla Duk Sub-district, Amphur Mae Tha Lamphun Thailand 51140
Tel. 0 5354 6335 (VoIP), 08 1032 6341 (จนท.) E-mail doikhuntan@hotmail.com

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Lumphun National Park : Doi Khun Tan National Park

Tags : Thailand National Park , Thailand Travel, Nature Travel , Thailand Picture

Thailand National Park : Lampang National Park

2008-08-21T05:09:00.001-07:00

Jae Sawn National Park

Jae Sawn National Park is a rich mountainous forest located in the northeast of Lumpang province. It is situated in the districts of Muang Bahn and Jae hom and covers an area of about 592 square km. Read More...

Doi Chong National Park

Doi Chong National Park is situated in the areas of Sop Prap District, Thoen District, and Mae Phrik District of Lampang Province, and Li District of Lamphun Province. The geographical features of the National Park consist of high mountains. Doi Chong is the highest mountaintop of the National Park (1,339 meters above the sea level) with beautiful scenery and various kinds of forests including mixed forests, arid evergreen forests, and pinery, and being the source of streams and rivers. Read More...

Mae Wa National Park

Tham Pha Thai National Park

Lampang National Park : Tham Pha Thai National Park

2008-08-19T08:26:00.001-07:00

Thamphathai National Park covers the areas of Muang District, Jae Hom District, Ngao District of Lampang Province. The topography of the National Park consist of high mountains, abundant timber forests and mixed deciduous forests, as well as teak plantations spreading all over the areas. The National Park is the dwelling place for a large number of wild animals. Most of the areas are water sources. Major tourist attractions include Thamphathai, Lom Phukeaw, Kewlom Reservoir, Tham-okroo, Huay Maepreung. Moreover, there are many small-sized waterfalls all over the National Park, as well as the Young Elephant Training Center, a tourist attraction of the Forest Industry Organization, situated in the approximate area of 1,284.9 square kilometers or 802,436.17 rai.

Geography

The topography of the National Park consist of high mountains, mixed forests, teak plantations and reclaimed areas. Major mountaintops include Doi Kewlom (1,202 meters high), followed by Doi Sanklang (1,022 meters high), Doi Phahuad (975 meters high). Most of the areas are timber forests and mixed forests. Doi Luang (1,100 meters high) is situated in the southern part of the National Park. Major agricultural sites are situated in the eastern part of the National Park, meanwhile, in the western part of the National Park, most of the areas are timber forests. Gullies and streams in the western part of the National Park flow into Wang River, meanwhile, most of the gullies and streams in the eastern part of the National Park flow into Ngao River.

Climate

It is extremely hot in summer (March-May) and the wind blows from the southwest. In the rainy season (May-October), meanwhile, it rains consistently and sometimes there are heavy storms and the wind blows from the southwest. In winter (November-February), it is extremely cold in the nighttime and the area is generally covered with fogs in the morning. The cold wind blows from the northeast.

Flora and Fauna

Since the topography of the National Park consist of high mountains, there are various kinds of forests within the area of the National Park, including dense or leafy forests and arid, evergreen forests. Major plants include Malabar ironwood, rubber trees, Lithocarpus cantleyanus (Kor), Indian mahogany, Cinnamon, Gonocaryum lobbianum, etc. Leafy forests include mixed deciduous forests, timber forests. And major plants found in the forests include Leguminosae (Pradoo), Afzelia xylocarpa Roxb (Maka Mong), Xyliaxylocarpa (redwood plants), Lannea coromandelica (Oay Chang), Dalbergia oliveri Gamble (Ching Chan), different kinds of bamboo, Mitragyna diversi Folia (Toom Gwow), Hymenodictyon excelsum (U-lok), Combretum quadrangulare (Sa-gae), Bermuda grass, etc.
Wild animals found in the National Park include gaur, wild boars, monkeys, porcupines, moles, masked palm civets, bamboo rats, wild rabbits, different kinds of birds, reptiles such as ground lizards, chameleons, wild geckos, different kinds of snakes, and amphibians such as frogs, small green frogs, bullfrogs, toads, and different kinds of fish.

No. visitors of Tham Pha Thai National Park : 20,677

Last Update : 12 Jun 2008

Tham Pha Thai National Park
Mu 3, Ban Huat Sub-district, Amphur Ngao Lampang Thailand 52110
Tel. 08 3203 7330, 0 5422 0364 E-mail reserve@dnp.go.th

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Lampang National Park : Mae Wa National Park

2008-08-17T02:20:00.001-07:00

Mae Wa National Park located in Mae Wa, Thoenburi , Lomrat, Mae Pa , Mae Mok, and Wiangmok sub-districts, Thoen district, Phrabatwangtuang sub-district, Mae Phrik district, Lampang province, and Wanchan sub-district, Samngao district, Maesalit sub-district, Ban Tak district, Tak province. It consists of complicatedly high mountains, productive forest which are the habitat of a great number of animals in many kinds, and wonderful places to visit such as Mae Wa Waterfall which has water flow all the year round and been well known by many people. Having convenient way to visit and locating only 19 km. from Thoen District Administration Office, Mae Wa National Park is about 587 square kilometers and has been declared a national park since November 17, 2000.

Geography

Mae Wa National Park, generally, is complicatedly high mountains. The north part consists of high and erected mountains while the middle and south part consists of mountain range which has vastly plain area on the top. The area has huge pine tree grow everywhere that makes this area is very beautiful. The west part of this area is Limestone Mountains high 300-400 meters above sea level.

Climate

The weather is tropical monsoon influenced by southwestern monsoon in rainy season and northeastern monsoon in winter. Rainy season starts in the middle of May to September which has heavy rain. Winter starts in October to the middle of February. Summer starts in February to the middle of May.

Flora and Fauna

The forest in the surveyed area consists of mixed deciduous forest, rainforest, dry evergreen forest and pine forest, all of which have valuable plants such as Makhaa Mong, ironwood, Burmese ebony, Lagerstroenia, rosewood, wild hog plum, almond-wood, laurel, Careya sphaerica Roxb, Anisoptera, Siamese sal, ingyin, as Pinus merkusii Jungh and Pinus kesiya Royle ex Gordon.

There are a great number of wild animals, such as tiger, seladang, bear, buffalo, dear, barking deer, hare, frog, many kinds of fish, and birds such as hawk, coucal, and owl, because the area has the complicated mountains, productive forest, and food and water supply spreading all over.

Mae Wa National Park
Mu 2, Mae Wa Sub-district, Amphur Thoen Lampang Thailand 52230
Tel. 0 5438 0504 (VoIP), 08 5719 5197, 08 9556 1265 E-mail reserve@dnp.go.th

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Tags : Thailand National Park , Thailand Travel, Nature Travel , Thailand Picture

Lampang National Park : Doi Chong National Park

2008-08-14T06:23:00.001-07:00

Geography

The topography of the National Park consist of small sized and large sized mountains, extending from the north to the southwest of the area. These mountains are the sources of many gullies flowing into Wang River (Wang River is the main river of Lampang Province and also being the water source for many reservoirs such as Maeprap Reservoir, Huai Maepu Reservoir, Mae-yong Reservoir, etc. In general, the topography of the area consist of stony mountains with decorative minerals, zinc, granite, and marble.

Climate

The climate in lower areas at foothills of the National Park is similar to other areas in the Northern Region of which the highest temperature is 43 ^o C and the lowest temperature is 10 ^o C Meanwhile, temperatures on the mountaintops are lower than temperatures on flatlands of the National Park. The lowest temperature is 4 ^o C and the average rainfall is 894 mm/year.

Flora and Fauna

There are various kinds of forests within the areas of the National Park, including timber forests, mixed deciduous forests, arid evergreen forests, and pinery. Wild animals found in the National Park include Asiatic black bears, Muntiacus Muntjak, monkeys, wild boars, tree shrews, squirrels, mongooses, masked palm civets, birds, snakes, etc.

Article Soure : www.dnp.go.th

Tags : Thailand National Park , Thailand Travel, Nature Travel , Thailand Picture