Kaeng Krachan National Park
Contact Location : Kaeng Krachan National Park, Kaeng Krachan sub-district, Kaeng Krachan District, Phetchaburi Province, 76170
Telephone Number : (+66) 9 1050 4461, (+66) 3 277 2311 (Visitor Center), (+66) 3 277 2312 (National Park Headquarter)
Email : k.krachan_np@hotmail.com
Facebook : Kaeng Krachan National Park
Information
The Kaeng Krachan National Park encompasses Nong Ya Plong and Kaeng Krachan District in Phetchaburi Province, and Hua Hin District in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province. It is Thailand's largest national park, and is a fertile forest that serves as the catchment area for the Phetchaburi and Pranburi rivers. It is also home to numerous significant natural features, including lakes, waterfalls, caves, and stunning cliffs and is 1,821,687.84 rai (2,914.70 square kilometers) in size.
Background
When His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej moved from the Klai Kangwon Palace in Hua Hin District, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, to Kaeng Krachan Dam on October 29, 1979, Mr. Thanom Prem-Rassamee, Director-General of the Royal Forest Department, was ordered to take over the park. According to the Royal Declaration, there were concerns about illegal logging, clearing, and farming in the Phetchaburi River's upstream forest, which created the risk of drought. Although some concessions have been granted for logging rangers are tasked with ensuring that no net deforestation occurs.
From the date of the aforementioned royal speech, and the government policy dated January 9, 1979, the forest will be preserved by designating it a national park area.
The National Park Division, Royal Forest Department issued an order No. 452/2523 dated March 6th, 1980 to Mr. Samart Mueang-Maithong, Forest Scholar 4, to conduct a preliminary survey of the area including the catchment area for the Phetchaburi River and the forest area above the Kaeng Krachan Dam in Phetchaburi. According to the survey report, No. Ko So 0708/Cho Cho. 67, dated April 15th, 1980 it is a forest area upstream of the Phetchaburi River and the Pranburi River in complex mountain landscape based forest with beathtaking scenery. It consists of waterfalls, caves, cliffs, lakes, and various precious plants, and is a habitat for wildlife, including serows, banteng, gaur, birds, various fish, and Asian Elephants, which are invaluable animals. It is suitable to be established as a national park to be a source of recreation and knowledge in various fields, as well as to preserve the forest's condition as a permanent national treasure, according to the wishes of His Majesty the King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
The Royal Forest Department has proposed a National Park Board which passed a resolution at the meeting No. 2/2523 on August 8th, 1980, deeming it appropriate to issue a Royal Decree specifying that the land in the area of the Yang Nam Klat Nuea forest and the Yang Nam Klat Tai Forest in the Nam Klat Nuea, Song Phi Nong and Kaeng Krachan Sub-district, Nong Ya Plong Minor District, Khao Yoi and Thayang District, Phetchaburi Province become a National Park. It covers an area of 1,548,750 rai or 2,478 square kilometers and became Thailand’s 28th National Park when details were published in the Government Gazette Vol. 98, No. 92 on June 12th, 1981.
Later, the Faculty of Natural Resources Conservation of Hua Hin District in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, issued a letter dated October 17th, 1982, to Mr. Chuan Leekpai, Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives. Conservation of Huai Rae Huai Krai Forest, Nong Phlap Sub-district, Hua Hin District in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province. The Royal Forest Department assigned Mr. Samart Mueang-Maithong to act as the Head of Kaeng Krachan National Park, and he nominated Mr. Roongrote Angkurathiphakon, Forestry Officer Level 2, to survey the preliminary information and he found that the area in the area was in good condition with beautiful scenery. There is beautiful nature, such as waterfalls, caves, cliffs, rock terraces, and various kinds of wildlife. The territory is adjacent to the Kaeng Krachan National Park in Phetchaburi Province and should be included in the park according to the report on the results of Survey Ko So No. 0713 (Ko Cho) /78 dated May 3rd, 1983.
The Royal Forest Department proposed that a National Park Commission be established and consequently, at meeting No. 1/2527 on January 23rd, 1984, passed a resolution to expand the area of National Parks to cover these areas. Among them was a Royal Decree to expand the area of Pa Yang Nam Klat Nuae National Park and Yang Nam Klat Tai Forest in Kaeng Krachan, Song Phi Nong and Klat Luang Sub-districts, Tha Yang District in Phetchaburi Province, and Nong Pap Sub-district, Hua Hin District in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, covering an area of 273,125 rais or 437.00 square kilometers. It was published in Section 194 of Volume 101 of the Government Gazette on December 27th, 1984, with 1,821,875 rai or 2,915 square kilometers.
Later, the Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters and Phetchaburi requested to revoke an area for the construction of Huai Mae Phiang Reservoir, which covers an area of 28 rai 2 Ngan (0.045 square kilometers), and Huai Pa Daeng Reservoir, which covers an area of 158 rai 2 Ngan, 64 square Wa (0.254 square kilometers). A Royal Decree revoking the Pa Yang Nam Klat Nuea National Park, and the information was published in the Government Gazette, Volume 115, Section 64, on September 24, 2541, so that the current land area of Kaeng Krachan National Park is 1,821,687.84 rai or 2914.70 square kilometers.
Note : After paying the entrance fee to the National Park, please carry the receipt for inspection.
1,821,687.84 rai (2,914.7 square kilometers)
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Nature trails ⇔ Visit Waterfall ⇔ Observe flowers/plants ⇔ Bird/Butterfly ⇔ Stargazing
Welfare shop : (restaurant) is opens daily from 8:00 to 18:00 hrs. on Sunday to Friday, Saturday is open daily from 8.00 to 19.00 hrs.
Mobile phone signal:
- National Park Headquarters: AIS, TRUE
- Visitors Center: AIS, TRUE
- Bangalow area: AIS, TRUE
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The forest area above Kaeng Krachan Reservoir consists of the complex mountain landscape as part of the Tanaosi Mountain range, a mountain range that forms the border between Thailand and Myanmar. The highest summit is Khao Ngan Nik Yuk Tong, which is approximately 1,513 meters above sea level but theaverage height is about 500 meters. There is a mix of granite and limestone mountains. In many places, the area is rich in fluorine and is covered mostly by tropical rain forest. It is also the origin of the Phetchaburi and Pranburi rivers, and many waterways that feed them, including major creeks of the Phetchaburi River are in the Kaeng Krachan National Park. Mae Pradon Creek, Bang Kloi Creek, Mae Saliang Creek, Hin Phoeng Creek, Sarika Creek, Phak Creek, Phai Creek, and Sam Khao Creek for the Phetchaburi River and The major creeks of the Pranburi River in the national park area areKom Krit Creek, Sok Creek, Mae Nam Suat Yai, Pa Daeng Creek, and Pa Lao Creek.
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Due to the fact that the feature is predominantly tropical rain forest, the humidity level is high. It rains a lot, which reduces the annual average temperature in numerical terms even if it does not feel like that in the forest. Annual rainfall ranges from 986 to 1,140 millimeters, so camping at tourist attractions is risky, especially during the rainy season. For the safety of visitors, tourists are not allowed and there is strictly nocamping in Ban Krang and Khao Phanoen Thung from August 1 to October 31 each year. Additionally, this move allows nature time to recover and wildlife to thrive without being disturbed by visitors.
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The primary ecosystems in Kaeng Krachan National Park are forest ecosystems, which cover 85.64 % of the park's land area and are comprised of four major forest species. The most common is the tropical rainforest, which are found throughout the park at an elevation of approximately 400 meters above sea level. They include plants such as Siamese Pom-Pom Tree, Thai Bungor, Lagerstroemia loudonii, Antidesma sootepense, Polyalthia viridis Craib, Swamp Tree, Diospyros variegata Kurz, Hog Plum, Slipper Plant, Water Trumpet, Aphanamixis polystachya (Wall.) R.Parker, Cajuput Tree, Slipper Plante, Cryptocoryne tonkinensis, Amoora culcullata, Melaleuca cajuputi and Syzygium megacarpum. Lower ground plants include lace, and saplings of the larger trees, as well as vines such as Bauhinia scandens L. Dry evergreen forests are scattered throughout the area, particularly along river valleys, hillsides, and inter-mountain lowlands between 400 and 500 meters above sea level. The important plants are Diospyros montana, Canarium album, Siamese Rough Bush, Hydnocarpus ilicifolius King, Indo-Chinese Milla, Connarus semidecandrus Jack, Cleidion spiciflorum (Burm.f.) Merr., Streblus ilicifolius, and Celosia argentea L. Lower ground plants include lace and saplings of large trees, and vines such as Dracaena conferta L., Getonia floribunda Roxb., and Flagellaria indica L. mixed deciduous forests are found in the central and northern parts of the National Park and are home to Vitex pinnata L., Jamba, Garuga pinnata Roxb., Hog Plum, Burma Padauk, Bungor, Wodier tree, Diospyros rhodocalyx Kurz, White Cheesewood, Bombax ceiba, Lvory, and Cratoxylum formosum. Lower ground plants include lace and saplings of upper layer plants such as bamboo, Alang-Alang, Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) P. Beauv., and many vines. Deciduous dipterocarp forests are found in the national park's north and east regions, at elevations ranging from 200 to 400 meters above sea level. They are home to Burma Sal, Dipterocarpus tuberculatus Roxb., White Meranti, Burma Padauk, Bungor, Croton oblongifolius Roxb., and Jamba. On the lower ground there are grasses, laces of the upper trees, and vines, As Kaeng Krachan National Park is located in Tanaosi Mountain range which is connected to Phuket Mountain range in the southern Thailand,. Wild animals from India and Myanmar spread down the country's west coast to this area, as does wildlife from Malaysia . As a result, Kaeng Krachan National Park serves as a focal point for wildlife from both the north and south, and important wildlife species found there include Asian Elephants, Malayan Sun Bear, Asian Wild Dog, Golden Jackal, Leopard, Tiger, Serow, Malayan Tapir, Banteng, Sambar Deer, Fea's Barking Deer, White-Handed Gibbon, Stump-Tailed Macaque, and Asian Woollyneck. There are also birds such as Grey-headed Fish Eagle, White-Fronted Scops Owl, and amphibians and reptiles such as Giant Asian River Frog, White's Tree Frog, Asian Forest Tortoise, and Spotted Forest Skink. Additionally, there are numerous species of freshwater fish in the streams and reservoirs, including Apollo Shark, Blue Danio, Marginatus Barb, Transverse-Bar Barb, Hemibagrus nemurus, Walking Catfish, Black-Spot Long Tom, Striped Tiger Nandid, and Spiny Eel. |
How to get there by car :
There are several ways to reach Kaeng Krachan National Park Headquarters:
Route No. 1: Visitors entering Nong Ya Plong on Highway No.3349 to Ban Tha Takhro. When they reach the route between Tha Yang District and Kaeng Krachan District, they must turn left onto Highway No. 3510 before turning right and continuing until Kaeng Krachan District Office. The Kaeng Krachan Dam area can be reached on paved roads that circles the dam. The dam is approximately 2km from the Kaeng Krachan National Park Headquarters. On this route, portions of the road are still gravel and are currently undergoing road construction.
Route No. 2: Visitors entering the Khao Takrao Intersection (prior to entering Phetchaburi City) must drive along Highway No. 3204 until they reach the Tha Yang - Kaeng Krachan District route. Then they turn right and continue driving until they reach the Kaeng Krachan District Office. They can then proceed to the Kaeng Krachan Dam via the paved road that circles the dam, which is approximately 2 kilometers from the Kaeng Krachan National Park Headquarters.
Route No. 3: From Tha Yang, turn right at Khuen Phet Intersection onto Tha Yang – Kaeng Krachan route. Then proceed reaching Kaeng Krachan District Office, and enter the area of Kaeng Krachan Dam via paved road on the dam’s edge. Drive approximately 2 kilometers from the dam to Kaeng Krachan National Park Headquarters.
Route No. 4: Visitors arriving on van Piya 666 from Bangkok must board the vehicle in front of Century Mall, Soi Rangnam, near the Victory Monument. The car drives up to the Kaeng Krachan Police Station’s front entrance.
Van’s contact number:
- From Bangkok, call 084-4646586
- From Phetchaburi, call 089-2315810
- From Kaeng Krachan, call 086-3080174
- National Park Ranger Station Ko Cho No. 1 (Khao Hin Lat)
- National Park Ranger Station Ko Cho No. 2 (Khao Sam Yot)
- National Park Ranger Station Ko Cho No. 3 (Huai Pa Lao)
- National Park Ranger Station Ko Cho No. 4 (Ban Krang)
- National Park Ranger Station Ko Cho No. 5 (Khao Phu Phlu)
- National Park Ranger Station Ko Cho No. 6 (Khao Ma Raeo)
- National Park Ranger Station Ko Cho No. 7 (Khao Hup Tao)
- National Park Ranger Station Ko Cho No. 8 (Huai Sok)
- National Park Ranger Station Ko Cho No. 9 (Khao Dok Mai)
- National Park Ranger Station Ko Cho No. 10 (Huai Mae Salian)
- National Park Ranger Station Ko Cho No. 11 (Khao Phu Bon)
- National Park Ranger Station Ko Cho No. 12 (Huai Satue)
- National Park Ranger Station Ko Cho No. 13 (Khao Bai Lan)
- National Park Ranger Station Ko Cho No. 14 (Huai Sat Yai)
- National Park Ranger Station Ko Cho No. 15 (Khao Tamo Noi)
- National Park Ranger Station Ko Cho No. 16 (Huai Pa Daeng)
- National Park Ranger Station Ko Cho No. 17 (Prak Takro)
- National Park Ranger Station Ko Cho No. 18 (Huai Rang Pho)
- National Park Ranger Station Ko Cho No. 19 (Khao Phanoen Thung)
- National Park Ranger Station Ko Cho No. 20 (Camp Nok)
Accommodation - Kaeng Krachan 208-215 (Riverside 1-8)
- Kaeng Krachan 203 (Riverside)
- Kaeng Krachan 204 (Chan Pha)