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 Major
National Parks & Wildlife Sanctuaries
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Doi Inthanon National Park, Chiang Mai
Province
Doi Inthanon National Park covers an area of 482 square kilometres
(301,500 rai) in the districts of Sanpatong, Chomthong, Mae Chaem,
and Mae Wang, and Toi Lo sub-district of Chiang Mai province. It
consists of high mountains, including Doi Inthanon, the highest
point in Thailand and the source of many rivers, such as the Ping
River feeding into the Bhumibol Dam. The Park has beautiful natural
scenery, including Mae Ya Waterfall, one of the most spectacular
in Thailand.
Doi Luang Chiang Dao National Park, Chiang
Mai Province
Doi Luang Chiang Dao is a limestone mountain in the Chiang Dao Wildlife
Reserve area. This massive horseshoe-shaped mountain is 2,225 metres
above sea level, the third highest point in Thailand. The limestone
holds little rainwater, but serves as the perfect habitat for several
types of birds, butterflies and Alpine plants.
Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary, Tak Province
This sanctuary in Umphang district of Tak province occupies one
of the largest zones of unspoilt forest in Southeast Asia. Flora
includes tropical fi g trees and wild strawberries, and moorhens,
rails and lesser whistling ducks thrive. The highlight of the park
is the stunning Thi Lo Su Waterfall, the tallest and one of the
most picturesque in the Kingdom.
Khao Yai National Park |
Phu Luang National Park |
Khao Yai National Park, Nakhon Ratchasima
Province
Khao Yai, Thailand’s oldest national park, was enlisted as
an ASEAN Heritage Site and has been nominated as a World Heritage
Site. There are more than 300 species of birds, 71 species of mammals
and many other animals and plants. The park is home for elephants,
tigers, Malayan sun bears, gibbons, and barking deer.
Thap Lan National Park, Prachinburi Province
Thap Lan National Park was declared Thailand’s 40th national
park in December 1981. It is the country’s second largest,
covering an area of 2,235 square kilometres. The Thap Lan area is
comprised of continuous mountain ranges full of valleys, chasms,
and waterfalls. A total of 149 bird species have been confi rmed
within the Park, including several rare species restricted to lowland
evergreen forests, such as the green imperial pigeon, stork-billed
kingfi sher and scaly-crowned babbler.
Pang Sida National Park, Sa Kaeo and Prachinburi
Provinces
Pang Sida National Park covers the areas of Amphoe Mueang of Sa
Kaeo province, and Wattana Nakhon and Amphoe Na Dee of Prachinburi
province. It is characterized by fertile forests with many wild
animals and birds, including bulls, elephants, red bulls, tigers,
deer, barking deer, bears, warthogs, and hornbills.
Phu Luang Wildlife Sanctuary, Loei Province
Phu Luang Forest was declared a wildlife sanctuary to provide elephants
and other wildlife with a peaceful and pleasant home with plentiful
food and water. Located in Loei province, it is covered with variegated
woodland famous for its mix of wild fl owers, particularly wild
orchids. Over 160 species of these have been found, including the
popular Lady’s Slipper orchids.
Phu Wiang National Park, Khon Kaen Province
Phu Wiang National Park covers an area of 325 square kilometres.
The Park contains a number of important archaeological sites with
evidence from prehistoric rock painting of Isan’s earliest
inhabitants. Fossils of herbivorous and carnivorous dinosaurs are
found here.
Pha Taem National Park
Pha Taem National Park |
Krung Ching Waterfall, Khao Luang
Natonal Park |
Pha Taem National Park, Ubon Ratchathani
Province
Pha Taem National Park is 340 square kilometres in area and covers
Amphoe Khong Chiam, Si Mueang Mai and Pho Sai in Ubon Ratchathani
province. The Park has considerable historical and natural value.
There are prehistoric paintings dating back 3,000-4,000 years, illustrating
the way of life of the people who once lived here. There are magnifi
cent views of the Mekong River, the border between the park and
Lao PDR
Thung Yai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary,
Kanchanaburi Province
Thung Yai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary features a large expanse of
savannah or open grassland dotted with palm trees such as Cycads
and Phoenix palms. This environment has plentiful supplies of food
for wild animals. Evidence has been found of hog deer, tapirs, mountain
goats, and wild water buffalos. It is one of Thailand’s most
beautiful nature reserves and a World Heritage Site, but it is under
threat from lead mining.
Tarutao National Park, Satun Province
The 51 islands of Tarutao National Park lie in the Andaman Sea,
between 20 and 70 kilometres off the extreme southwest coast of
Thailand. It contains relatively few terrestrial vertebrates and
resident birds, but many coral reefs with diverse marine species.
It is estimated that the Park contains about 25% of the world’s
fi sh species, including sharks, rays, grouper, eels, carp, catfi
sh, salmon, fl ying perch, angelfi sh and butterfl y fish.
Khao Luang National Park, Nakhon Si Thammarat
Province
Khao Luang National Park covers an area of 570 square kilometres
encompassing a huge range of mountains, forests, rivers, waterfalls,
and wildlife. The area is mostly fertile tropical rainforest and
is continually subject to rainfall from both the Gulf of Thailand
and the Andaman Sea. Over 300 species of orchids and 327 species
of animals live here.
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