| Cover
story
: 10 Nov
2004
Vol. 21 No. 15 |
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Thailand's
TOP TEN
Terrestrial
National Parks
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Secluded
Scenic Landscapes Unveiled
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By
Ninnart
Photos by courtesy
of TAT and
The Royal Forestry Department |
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Thailand is famous for its crystal clear blue
seas with powdery sand. Most avid divers come
back time after time because of its wonderful
coral reefs and marine lives. Still, there are
other rarely seen land areas in this country,
such as well-preserved dense forests which are
inviting adventurous tourists to visit them. Up
to now, the country possesses 81 terrestrial national
parks covering a total area of 46,453.3 sq km.
They are distributed throughout the country. These
national parks are frequented by large numbers
of visitors throughout the year. In the previous
issue, Thaiways presented to you, five out of
the top ten terrestrial national parks most frequently
visited by foreigners. The other five are as follows.
The complete version of this story can be obtained
from www.thaiwaysmagazine.com
after 10 Nov. 2004.
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| Doi
Suthep
- Doi Pui National Park |
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park is situated in the west of Chiang Mai. With
an annual rainfall of over 2,000 mm, a large number
of plant species have been discovered. Besides,
tourists can find mammals like barking deer, gibbons,
monkeys and lemurs. Some 200 species of birds and
some 500 varieties of butterflies and moths are
well preserved. |
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park's foremost attraction is the Buddhist temple
housing a relic of the Buddha named Wat Phrathat
Doi Suthep on the 1,050-metre hillside. This
is the most important temple of Chiang Mai and is
a must for visitors. Its golden chedi boasts the
remarkably delicate art of the Lanna style. Bhubing
Palace, 4 km further up Doi Suthep mountain.
The palace itself is not open to the public, but
the beautiful garden in the compound is open on
holidays, unless the Royal Family is in residence. |
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A
waterfall in Doi Suthep-Doi Pui National Park |
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| Doi
Pui is the highest point of the mountain. Several
hilltribe villages are located nearby. Huai Kaeo
Waterfall, with its scenic setting, is ideal
for picnicking. Monthathan Waterfall is considered
the most beautiful of the park. Mae Sa Waterfall
is an 8-leap waterfall with water all year round. |
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How
to get there
It is 15 km from Chiang Mai City by Huai Kaeo-Chiang
Mai University-Chiang Mai Zoo Route leading to Wat
Phrathat Doi Suthep. The park office is a little
way above the temple parking space. The entrance
to the office is on the right of the road and recognizable
by a check post. There are minibuses running regularly
between Chiang Mai City and Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep. |
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Wat
Phrathat Doi Suthep |
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| Erawan
National Park |
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park is located in Kanchanaburi province in the
Tenasserim Range dividing Thailand from Burma. The
yearly average temperature is 25°c
with the maximum at about 40°c
in April and the minimum at 10°c
in December or January. The park is a habitat of
tigers, gibbons, deer, barking deer, wild pigs,
Siamese hares, flying squirrels, eagles and pythons.
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Erawan
Waterfall
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The primary attraction of the
park is Erawan Waterfall, one of the most
beautiful waterfalls in Thailand. It consists
of seven levels with a distance of some 2 km from
the lowest to the highest level. Each level is
flanked by luxuriant vegetation and forms a deep
pool of emerald water. This fall looks like the
head of the Erawan, the three-head elephant from
Hindu legend. Two caves are recommended for a
visit -- Phrathat Cave and Wang Badan
Cave. The former is about 200 metres deep
and is situated 12 km to the northwest of the
Tourist Service Centre. The latter's entrance
is narrow but the inside is spacious with several
chambers and a stream flowing through it.
How to get there
The town of Kanchanaburi is 128 km from Bangkok
by car (Highway 323) and 133 km by train. From
the town, follow Highway 3199, cross the Kwai
Yai River to Si Nagarin Market and the park is
3 km away. The distance from Kanchanaburi to the
park is 65 km.
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| Khao
Yai National Park |
| This
is the earliest national park established in Thailand
and is also among the largest. Khao Yai, meaning
the large mountain, is a branch of the Dongrak Range
which forms part of the border between Thailand
and Cambodia. The park comprises parts of four provinces
-- Nakhon Ratchasima, Prachin Buri, Nakhon Nayok
and Saraburi. The highest peak is the 1,351-m Khao
Rom. There are more than 25 species of mammals. |
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A waterfall in Khao Yai National
Park
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Among
over 300 species of birds that have been sighted
in the park, the most uncommon include four hornbill
species. And more than 5,000 species of butterflies
have been recorded.
The
park's attractions include: Heo Narok Waterfall
-- is a large attractive 3-leap waterfall. Its current
is very strong and swift, so it may be dangerous
to go swimming there. Kong Kaeo Waterfall
-- is small but ideal for swimming. Heo Suwat,
Heo Sai and Heo Prathun Falls have
cool waters. |
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| Top |
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Heo Narok Waterfall
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| Pha
Kluaimai Waterfall is naturally decorated with
orchids. Nang Rong and Sarika Waterfalls
are another two famous waterfalls. |
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Most falls' waters are dry in the hot season,
so you are recommended to go there in the rainy
season (May - Sept.). The vantage point at
km 30 is on the main park road overlooking
the panoramic view of the northern part of the
national park.
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There are two observation towers named Nong
Phakchi and Mo Singto ideal for watching
wild animals.
How to get there
There are two ways to get to the park from Bangkok
by car.
1. Go along Phahon Yothin Road, you will pass Rangsit
and Saraburi Town. Then turn right onto Highway
2 (Mittraphap Road). At km 56 before reaching Pak
Chong County, keep left on the flyover. Then go
straight on Highway 2090. At km 23, you will notice
Chaopho Khao Yai Shrine. From
this point, go for a further 15 km, you will arrive
at the park office (Total distance: 200 km)
2. At Rangsit on Phahon Yothin Road, turn right
onto Highway 305 to enter Nakhon Nayok Town. Then
go onto Highway 33 (Suwannason Road). At San Naresuan
Intersection, turn left onto Prachin Buri-Khao Yai
Route leading you to the park office. (Total distance:
190 km) |
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| Khun
Chae National Park |
| It
was named after Khun Chae Waterfall. It is situated
in Wiang Pa Pao county, Chiang Rai province (about
one hour's drive from Chiang Mai). The landscape
of the park is mostly steep river valleys, resulted
from water erosion. Cascades and cataracts are abundant
in the area. There are different kinds of forests
according to the altitude. The fauna in the forest
include loris, serows, gaurs and white-handed gibbons.
Birds found in the park are Crested Serpent-Eagle,
Shikra, Coppersmith Barbet, Grey-headed Flycatcher,
etc. |
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Lao Li Waterfall, Doi Mot
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| As
for interesting attractions, Khun Chae Waterfall
is the highlight. It is 2 kilometres' drive from
the park office plus 1 hour's walk. The next place
you should not miss is Doi Langka, the fifth
highest mountain of Thailand (2,030 metres above
sea level). It allows trekkers to have spectacular
views of Phi Pan Nam Range amidst the sea of mist.
Another attraction is Mae Tho, a seven-leap,
40-metre high waterfall. Along the way to Doi
Mot, there are various flora societies including
moss, lichens and wild orchids. |
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Doi Chang
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Reaching the top of the mount, trekkers will
see the panoramic view of Chiang Mai Town. Mae
Chang Khao Reservoir, with its scenic surroundings,
is popular among fishing lovers and picnickers.
How to get there
Khun Chae National Park Head Office is 56 km from
Chiang Mai Town and situated on Highway 118 (Chiang
Mai-Chiang Rai).
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| Khao
Sok National Park |
 Situated
in Surat Thani province, the forests in the park
are well known for their lushness and pure natural
condition. Khao Sok is a habitat of a rare species
of palm named Kerrio-doxa elegans and a scarce plant
called Rafflesia kerri Neijer. The wildlife in the
park includes 25 species of mammals like bears,
tigers, serows, monkeys, gibbons, etc. In addition,
over 170 bird species are sighted including 5 species
of hornbills and great argus pheasants. |
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| There
are many picturesque waterfalls in the park, such
as Wang Yao, Bang Hua Raet, Wing Hin, Ton Kloi
and Ton Sai. A must for visitors to the park
is Tang Nam in the form of two cliffs facing
each other with the Sok Canal running through them.
Than Sawan Waterfall provides an impressive
rainbow when water falls from a sheer cliff. |
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 Eleven-leap
Waterfall with a pool for swimming, the water
jumps down a cliff, making a perfect view of a set
of 11 steps. Chiao Lan or Ratchaprapha
Reservoir is suitable for cruising to enjoy
scenic views of mountains and islets.
How to get there
From Surat Thani Town, go along Highway 401 (Surat
Thani-Takua Pa Route). Turn right at km 109 and
go a further 1.5 km to reach the park office.
If you are interested to spend your holiday at
any of these national parks, it is very convenient
of contacrt a travel agent. But if you'd like to
go by yourself, you should gather more information
about the routes and accommodation in advance from
the Royal Forestry Department (Tel. 0 2561 4292-3
Ext. 724-725) and get yourself prepared for different
conditions of the forests. For example, in the rainy
season, besides a raincoat, you must bring socks
that can protect you from land leeches. And in the
cool season, thick jackets are necessary. Furthermore,
you are required to always contact the relevant
park office for expert advice. In case of complicated
routes, ask the ranger to guide you. |
| Thailand's
Top Ten Terrestrial National Parks, Part 1 |
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