Contact Location : 339 Moo 4, Prang Phle Sub-district, Sangkhla Buri District in Kanchanaburi Province 71240
Telephone Number : (+66) 3 451 0431, (+66) 8 5879 9047 ,(+66) 3 451 0431
Email : khaolaem_np@hotmail.com
Facebook : Khao Laem National Park
Information
Khao Laem National Park encompasses the areas of Sangkhla Bburi Districtand Thong Pha Phum District in Kanchanaburi Province which is a densely forested area that is home to a variety of wild animals. It is a scenic setting that is ideal for tourism and education, and one of five National Parks from the project honoring His Majesty, King Bhumibol Adulyadej. It was opened on the auspicious occasion of His Majesty's 60th birthday on December 5th, 1987, with a total area of 1,497 square kilometers (935,625 rai).
Background
The Ministry of Agricultural and Cooperatives had a proposal to establish a national park in each of the five regions of Thailand to honor His Majesty, King Bhumibol Adulyadej on the auspicious occasion of his 60th Birthday Anniversary on December 5th, 1987. The National Park Division, Royal Forest Department proposed a defined area above the Wachi Ra Long Kon Dam (Khao Laem Dam) in Kanchanaburi Province and the area was designated as a national park in honor of His Majesty, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, at meeting No. 2/2586 on March 18th, 1986.
The National Park Division sent the Royal forest Department the most urgent letter, Ko So No. 0713/4940, dated December 26th, 1986, when the Royal Forest Departmentissued Order No. 2090/2529 to direct Mr. Arkhom Wetsuphasuk, of Forestry Technical Officer Level 5, to investigate and establish the forest area above the Khao Laem Dam in Kanchanaburi on January 26th, 1986. Ban Pong Regional Forest office issued Letter Ko So No. 0714 (Bo Po)/188 dated January 16th, 1987 proposing the establishment as a National Park. Mr. Sorasak Wiriyaekkul, Forestry Officer Level 3, and Mr. Praphan Nilyaporn, Forestry Officer Level 2 of the Ban Pong Regional Forest Office led the survey, and the survey result was reported in the National Park letter number Ko So 0713 (Po Kho)/3 dated January 26th, 1987, and Ko So 0713 (Po Kho)/21 dated April 28th, 1987. The report includes some Khao Phra Ruesi, Khao Bo Rae, and Huai Khayeng National Reserved Forest, Khao Chang Phueak Forest, and the reservoir above Khao Laem Dam. It has stunning scenery that makes it an excellent candidate to become a National Park.
Khao Laem National Park was established and became Thailand’s 67th National Park, with the information published in the Government Gazette on November 8th, 1991, Volume 108, Section 195. The Thong Pha Phum Veterans Vocational Training Center under Veterans Relief Organization had requested to use some areas, so an area of 27 rai 92 square wa (0.045 square kilometers) was revoked in 2002, according to the announcement in the Government Gazette, Volume 119, Section 55 Ko, dated June 11th, 2002.
Later on, the Air Force and the Ministry of National Defense had requested to use some areas for a a radar station as part of the Air Defense Control and Alert System Project, which is used as an air traffic relay station for the Thai Aeronautical Radio Company. As a result, Khao Chang Phueak Forest, Khao Phra Ruesi Forest, Khao Bo Rae Forest, and Huai Khayeng Forest were all revoked by the Royal Decree as announced in the Government Gazette, Supreme Decree, Volume 126, Section 53 Ko, dated August 14, 2009. These areas in the Prang Phle Sub-district, Sangkhla Buri District in Kanchanaburi Province are approximately 14 rai 32 square wa (0.023 square kilometers), while the remaining area is 935,583.69 rai (1,496.93 square kilometers).
Note : After paying the entrance fee to the National Park, please carry the receipt for inspection.
935,583.69 rai (1,496.93 square kilometers).
Pom Pi Viewpoint |
Kroeng Krawia Waterfall |
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Phateak Waterfall |
Nature trails ⇔ Trekking ⇔ Visit Waterfall ⇔ Observe flowers/plants ⇔ Bird/Butterfly ⇔ Camping
Welfare shop : open daily from 9:00 to 6:00 hrs. and sells coffee, drinking water, and snacks.
During the holiday season, it opens from 9:00 to 8:00 hrs.
Mobile phone signal :
National Park Headquarters area: AIS, TRUE
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The Khao Laem National Park is located in the folded complex mountains of the Tanaosi Mountain range. It runs north to south and is between elevations of 100 to 1,800 meters above sea level. This area is predominantly composed of limestone, sandstone, and shale, with the highest summit, Khao Khiao-Khao Yai (Khao San Nok Wua Summit), standing at 1,767 meters above sea level. The combination of a high complex mountain landscape terrain results in the formation of numerous rivers and waterways that flow into Khwae Noi River and Khao Laem Reservoir. These include Ranti River, Pom Pi Nai Creek, Bikhi Yai River, Ong Phra Creek, Kriang Krai Creek, Pilok Creek, Pracham Mai Creek, Luek Creek, Nam Sap Creek, Kaeng Kha Yue Creek, Patong Creek, Song Kalia Creek, Tiphi Creek, Thi Mong Tha Creek, Wang Khayai Creek, Chong Khaep Creek, Tha Maduea Creek, Nam Mut Creek, and Kroeng Krawia Creek. The reservoir above Khao Laem Dam built in 1979 by Thailand's Electricity Generating Authority (EGAT) started retaining water in 1984. The normal water retention level of the reservoir is 155 meters, with a maximum of 160.5 meters above sea level. The water surface area of Khao Laem National Park is approximately 388 square kilometers, or 25.92% of the National Park's total area. |
The climate is tropical, influenced by the southeasterly winds and Andaman Sea breezes. It has three seasons: the rainy season lasts from mid-May to October, with the heaviest rainfall occurring in July and August. Annual rainfall averages between 1,600 and 2,200 millimeters, with the highest totals in the National Park's northernmost section. The winter months (between November and February), the lowest average temperature is 14 degrees Celsius in December. Summer, from March to mid-May, the maximum average temperature is 37 - 38 degrees Celsius in April.
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The forest in Khao Laem National Park is classified as a mixed deciduous forest with many different plant species and thick canopy. In some areas with high humidity, such as around or along the creek, there are especially dense trees and the conditions are similar to tropical rainforests. Most of the forest area is in the east and west of the National Park including plant species such as Lagerstroemia loudonii, Stereospermum fimbriatum, Iron Wood, Beleric myrobalan, Phoebe paniculata, Vitex peduncularis, Croton persimilis, Microcos paniculata, Jambolan Plum, Pakia sumatrana, Upper Wood Grain, Caryota urens, Ixora cibdela, Climbing Wattle, and Aporosa villosa. Along with the mixed deciduous forest, there are degraded forest areas, which include encroached areas that have been converted to agricultural land, most commonly in the east of the National Park around a reservoir and along the National Park's southeastern boundary. The encroached and degraded land was later left abandoned and replaced by grass, forest fruit plants, and bamboo. Plants such as Croton oblongifolius, Java Plum, Hymenodictyon orixense, and Korlan (Nephelium hypoleucum) are discovered. Along with the mixed deciduous forest, there are degraded forest areas, which include encroached areas that have been converted to agricultural land, most commonly in the east of the National Park around a reservoir and along the National Park's southeastern boundary. The encroached and degraded land was later left abandoned and replaced by grass, forest fruit plants, and bamboo. Plants such as Croton oblongifolius, Java Plum, Hymenodictyon orixense, and Korlan (Nephelium hypoleucum) are discovered. There are at least 268 species of wild animals living together in Khao Laem National Park. Commonly found species include Barking Deer, Lar Gibbon, Common Palm Civet, Asian Small-Clawed Otter, Black Giant Squirrel, Callosciurus caniceps, Indochinese ground squirrel , Greater Short-Nosed Fruit Bat, Hill Long-Tongued Fruit Bat, and Dawn Bat. Birds found include Puff-Throated Babbler, White-Crested Laughing Thrush, Gampsorhynchus torquatus, Black-Crested Bulbul, Stripe-Throated Bulbul, Black Bulbul, Greater Flameback, Laced Woodpecker, Heart-Spotted Woodpecker, Collared Falconet, Raffles' Malkoha, Red-Headed Trogon and Red-Throated Barbet. There are also reptiles and amphibians such as the Eutropis macularia, Spotted Forest Skink, Orange-Winged Flying Lizard, Calotes versicolor, Calotes emma, Tokay Gecko, Banded Krait, Red-Necked Keelback, Green Paddy Frog, Dark-Sided Frog, Rice Field Frog, Noisy Chorus Frog, Twin-Spotted Bushfrog, Mottle Bush Frog, Common Asian Toads, Asiatic Burrowing Frog, Dark-sided chorus frog, Inornate Chorus Frog, and Ornate Narrow-Mouthed Frog. Around Khao Laem Dam and streams, there are various freshwater fish such as Grey Featherback, Oxygaster anomalura, Scissor-Tailed Rasbora, Jullian's Mud Carp, Beardless Barb, Black-Spotted Long Tom, Giant Snakehead, Discherodontus halei, Crossocheilus oblongus, Hillstream Loach, Pangio anguillaris, Siamese Rock Catfish, and Bagrid Catfish. |
How to get there by car :
It is approximately 130 kilometers between Bangkok and Kanchanaburi city, which normally takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. Visitors must travel to Nakhon Chai Si via Phetkasem Road or Pinklao-Nakhon Chai Si Road, then through Nakhon Pathom Province - Ban Pong in Ratchaburi Province, then to Mueang District Kanchanaburi Province, before continuing to Thong Pha Phum District on National Highway No. 323. Between the milestone No. 39 and 40, turn right towards Sangkhla Buri District to Khao Laem National Park.
How to get there by train
The State Railway of Thailand has scheduled trains that depart from Bangkok Noi Railway Station twice daily. The first trip departs at 07.45 hrs, while the second departs at 13.45 hrs. This train visits Kanchanaburi Province Railway Station, and then travels onwards to River Khwae Bridge Station, Tha Kilen Station, and Namtok Station (near Sai Yok Noi Waterfall). The fare per person is 39 baht. For more information, call 0 - 2411 - 3102.
To get to the National Park, continue the journey on the Orange Bus.The State railway of Thailand organizes one-day return trips on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays.
Service rate:
How to get there by Bus
The Bangkok - Kanchanaburi route is served by first-class air-conditioned buses (Po O 1) operated by Kanchanaburi Tour Company which depart between 5.00 and 22:30 hrs. from the Bangkok Bus Terminal (Sai Tai Mai) every 15 minutes. The fare is 79 baht per person. Alternatively, second-class air-conditioned buses (Po O 2) depart every 20 minutes and take approximately 2 hours.
For more information, call Bangkok Bus Terminal Office (Sai Tai Mai) at 0 – 2435 – 1199, 0 – 2884 – 6249, or Kanchanaburi Office at 0 – 3451 – 1552.
- National Park Ranger Station Po Kho No. 1 (Kroeng Krawia)
- National Park Ranger Station Po Kho No. 2 (Ranti River)
- National Park Ranger Station Po Kho No. 3 (Potana)
- National Park Ranger Station Po Kho No. 4 (Huai Khayeng)
- National Park Ranger Station Po Kho No. 5 (Li gia)
- National Park Ranger Station Po Kho No. 7 (Huai Ong Phra)
- National Park Ranger Station Po Kho No. 9 (Bo Ong)
- National Park Ranger Station Po Kho No. 11 (Pha Phueng)
- National Park Ranger Station Po Kho No. 12 (Nong Kum)
- National Park Ranger Station Po Kho No. 13 (Khao Hin)
- National Park Ranger Station Po Kho No. 14 (Radar)
Accommodation-Khao Laem 301 (Pom Pi 1)
-Khao Laem 302 (Pom Pi 2)
-Khao Laem 303 (Pom Pi 3)
-Khao Laem 202 (Kroeng Krawia 2)
-Khao Laem 201 (Kroeng Krawia 1)