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| Khao Yai National Park | ||
| province | Prachin Buri Nakhon Ratchasima | |
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| Residents | unknown | |
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The Khao Yai National Park(Thai: อุทยานแห่งชาติ เขา ใหญ่) is a national park in the provinces Prachin Buri, Nakhon Ratchasima. It was the first national park in Thailand and was opened on September 8, 1962. Since July 14, 2005, the forest complex of the "Dong Phaya Yen Mountain Range with the Khao Yai National Park" has been on the List of world cultural and natural heritage of humanity of UNESCO.
background
The number of park visitors has increased in recent years. In 1966 there were around 41,000 visitors, in 1996 there were already over a million. Most of the visitors are day trippers from the surrounding provinces all the way to Bangkokwho can hike through the park on over 50 signposted trails.
history
Boonsong Lekakun (born December 15, 1907 in Songkhla, SouthThailand, † February 9, 1992 in Bangkok), one of the founders of the Wildlife Fund Thailand and at the time the most famous conservationist in the country. When after the Second World War hunters with modern weapons almost wiped out the population of tigers and crocodiles in Thailand and more and more teak trees were cut down in the jungle areas of Thailand without afforestation, Boonsong became active. It took him almost ten years to get his idea of a nature reserve through with the government by writing hundreds of letters, writing articles in magazines, translating scientific journals and even having a regular slot on the radio program. It was only Prime Minister Sarit Thanarat who gave him a hearing after talking to Dr. Boonsong had flown in a helicopter over the Dong Phaya Yen Mountains and saw the destroyed forest areas. In 1962 the National Park Act was passed. Since then there have been a total of 138 correspondingly protected areas (2003).
landscape
The Khao Yai National Park is located with its largest area in the Nakhon Ratchasima Province (Khorat), but parts are also in the neighboring provinces Saraburi, Prachin Buri and Nakhon Nayok. With an area of 1,355,396 Rai (about 2,172 km²), it is the third largest park in the country.
The park shows different types of landscape, such as evergreen dry, rain and cloud forests as well as grasslands with over 2,000 different species of flora. The highest peaks are the Khao Rom with 1,351 meters, Khao Lam with 1,326 meters and the Khao Keaw with 1,292 meters, while most of the park is formed by a sandstone plateau with heights between 600 meters and 1,000 meters. In addition, here is the headwaters of five rivers: the Nakhon Nayok in the south, the Lam Takhong, the Praploeng in the north, the Prachin Buri and the Muak Lek.
Park Administration Address: Pak Chong Amphoe, Nakhon Ratchasima Province 30130
World Heritage Site
The Khao Yai National Park, along with four other protected areas, has been a World Heritage Site since 2005 Dong-Phaya-Yen and Khao-Yai Forest Complex of UNESCO. The total protected area is 6,155 square kilometers (615,500 ha).
- Khao Yai National Park: 216,800 ha
- Thap Lan National Park: 223,600 ha
- Pang Sida National Park: 84,400 ha
- Dong Yai Game Reserve: 31,300 ha
Flora and fauna
flora
The vegetation of the national park is divided into five categories:
- Dry mixed deciduous forests
- These forests are located on the north slope of the park, at an altitude between 400-600 meters. The following tree species can be found there:
- Afzelia xylocarpa
- Pterocarpus macrocarpus also Burmese padouk
- Lagerstroemia calyculata, (ตะแบก)
- Pterocymbium javanicum
- Gmelina arborea
- Large thorn bamboo, Bambusa arundinacea
- Dry forests
- This type of forest is located in the east of the park in the provinces of Nakhon Ratchasima and Prachin Buri, at an altitude of between 100-200 meters. Here you can find z. B .:
- Dipterocarpus alatus
- Tetrameles nudiflora from the Tetramelaceae family
- Vatica cinerea
- Hopea odorata
- Marantaceae phrynium from the arrowroot family
- Numerous soil plants of the ginger family (Zingiberaceae)
- Tropical rainforests
- The tropical rainforest, which is located at an altitude between 400 and 1000 meters, covers the main area of the park. Here you can find, among other things:
- The endangered trees Dipterocarpus dyeri, Dipterocarpus baudii and Dipterocarpus gracilis
- Neolamarckia cadamba or also Anthocephalus cadamba from the red family (Rubiaceae)
- Dendrocalamus longispathus from the genus Dendrocalamus
- Freycinetia sp. from the genus Freycinetia
- Stenochlaena palustris from the family of the rib fern family
- Mountain forests
- From a height of 1000 meters, the vegetation changes noticeably Wing fruit plants (Dipterocarpaceae) decrease a lot here, these get through Naked plants (Gymnospermae), these are e.g. B .:
- Oleander-leaved stone slices (Podocarpus neriifolius)
- Podocarpus imbricatus
- Dacrydium elatum from the genus Harzeiben (Dacrydium)
- Grasslands
fauna
A total of 72 different mammal species occur in Khao Yai. Together with three neighboring national parks, all of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the reserve complex is home to 112 species of mammals. In particular, the park is a refuge for large mammals, such as the Asian elephant and Indochinese tiger, which are already extinct in many parts of Southeast Asia. The park also offers a home to rare wild cattle. Around 150 Gaure and around ten specimens of the rare Bantengs live in the park. Occasionally there are also unconfirmed reports of occurrences of the wild water buffalo | wild water buffalo. The total number of elephants is estimated at around 300 animals. Other large herbivores are the sambar deer and forest goat antelopes. Among the numerous species of predator are the leopard, clouded leopard, marble cat, bengal cat (Prionailurus bengalensis), Asiatic wild dog, binturong, Indian otter, collar bear and sun bear. The monkeys are represented by long-tailed macaques, northern pig monkeys, bear macaques, silver crested langurs and two types of gibbon (white-hand gibbon and the rare cap gibbon). Bird lovers get their money's worth, as over 390 different species can be observed in the four national parks of the world heritage site. 358 of them are found in Khao Yai National Park alone. The rare Siamese crocodile has been rediscovered in the neighboring Pang Sida National Park, which is a World Heritage Site. About a million bats live in a cave on the edge of the park and feed on insects.
climate
As a result of the somewhat higher location, the temperatures change somewhat more over the year than in the rest of Thailand. The average temperature is 23 ° C. The mean annual rainfall is around 3,000 mm.
The climate is tropical-monsoonal with three seasons: the rainy season lasts between May and October and feeds the waterfalls to an amazing size, the cool season lasts from November to February (around 22 ° C day and 10 ° C night temperature) and the hot season from March to April with temperatures up to 35 ° C.
getting there
Fees / permits
Entry:
- Thais: Adults: THB 40.00
- Foreigners: Adults: THB 400.00
Vehicles:
- Cycles: THB 10.00
- Motorcycles: THB 20.00
- Cars: THB 50.00
mobility
Tourist Attractions
The Chao Phor Khor Yai Shrine is located on Thanarat Road km 24 and is a place of worship for the believers.
Of the numerous waterfalls in Khao Yai are to be mentioned:
- Haeo Narok waterfall. In the north of the national park, with a height of 80 m, a spectacular sight, especially in the months of the rainy season (May to October).
- Namtok Sarika waterfall. With a bathing lake at the foot in the Nakhon Nayok province, which is appreciated by Thai tourists.
- Haeo Suwat waterfall. At the end of Thanarat Road, 20 meter high waterfall on the upper reaches of Lam Takhong with lush flora (orchids bloom from March to May), the swimming lake can be dangerous during heavy rain.
- Khong Kaeo Rapids. A smaller waterfall on Lam Takhong, about 100 meters from the park administration on the border of the provinces of Nakhon Nayok and Nakhon ratchasima.
activities
shop
- In the visitor center there is a small souvenir shop with not very clear opening times and with the usual souvenirs of a national park. The most important product, however: the “leech socks” - socks against leeches and other vermin that are attracted to the skin of the lower human extremities.
kitchen
- In Zone 1 there are a number of food stalls and a restaurant. These are open until 6:00 p.m.
- There is a restaurant at the Lam Tha Kong campsite. It closes at 5:30 p.m., and sometimes later on Fridays and Saturdays.
- At the entrance to the Lam Tha Kong campsite, before and after the restaurant is open, a ranger sells instant soups, which he mixes with hot water, biscuits, instant coffee, water and other simple foods. This is not a culinary revelation. But you don't have to starve or die of thirst after the restaurant is closed.
- Nina's (not far from the Greanleaf). Nina's air-conditioned restaurant offers traditional Thai food and Western desserts. The lady speaks English quite well. Not cheap but good food.Price: 200 baht.
accommodation
Many visitors use accommodation in the city Pak Chong, 28 km from the north gate of the national park, or its surroundings as a starting point for your visit. The closest place with accommodation to the northern part of the park is likely to be the village of Kut Khla. From there it is only a good three kilometers to the north gate of the park. Only accommodations in the immediate vicinity of the park are listed here. For accommodations in and around Pak Chong, see There.
Cheap
medium
- Baan Saranya Lodge & Restaurant Khao Yai, 298 Moo 2 Pak Chong, Thanarad Road, km 13.5, Muu Si (In Muu si, the last village before the park entrance, along the Thanarad, the main road to the park). Tel.: 66 (0)44-297597, Email: [email protected]. Relatively new and clean bungalows A / C with warm water and TV. The family business also includes a bar and restaurant.Price: THB 800-1200.
- The Jungle House, Near the entrance to the park. 215 Moo 5 Thanarat Road, km 19.5 Muu Si, Nakhonratchasima 30130 (On the left side of the main road behind the village of Mu Si. the big sign cannot be overlooked). Tel.: 66 (0)44-297183, Email: [email protected].
- Moon River Resort, 3077 Khao Yai Road (Prachin Buri (7km north of the roundabout on Road 3077, about 3km south of the park's south entrance)). Mobile: 66 (0)81-1606332. Bungalows (A / C, fan, TV), pool, restaurant. Facility with a relaxed and nice atmosphere. Pick up service from Prachin Buri.Check-out: 12:00.Price: THB 350-1700.
Upscale
- Greenery Resort. Price: THB 3600-8000.
- Kirimaya Golf Resort Spa. Price: Double room from 4250 THB.
- Muthi Maya Forest Pool Villa Resort. Nobel resort with golf course right on the edge of the national park.Price: Double room from 8000 THB.
- Thames Valley Khao Yai. Price: Double room from 4237 THB.
- Escape Khao Yai. Price: Double room from 3160 THB.
- Sala Khaoyai Resort. Price: Double room from 5300 THB.
camping
The national park has two campsites. As is usual in the national parks, tents of different sizes, documents and many other useful items can be borrowed there if you do not have such luggage with you. A fee is charged. If you don't have to borrow anything, an overnight stay costs THB 25 (as of the end of 2015). There are reasonably well-kept sanitary facilities available. Showers only have cold water.
- The Lam Tha Kong campsite14 ° 25 ′ 24 ″ N.101 ° 23 '14 "E is the campsite that is easier to reach and closer (approx. 3 km away) to the Visitors Center. Here, the nightly visit of sambar deer, who like to graze in the meadows, is almost guaranteed. Often they can also be seen here during the day.
- The Pha Kluai Mai Camping Ground14 ° 25 ′ 51 ″ N.101 ° 24 ′ 3 ″ E is on the road to the Haew Suwat waterfall.
security
The occasional wild elephant sight is a danger that should not be underestimated. One should not come too close to them and do nothing that could disturb the elephants. When elephants show up near the national park roads, rangers are usually on hand soon. Their instructions must be followed. According to official information, there are said to be tigers in the national park, but the last sighting was a long time ago, so they should not pose a relevant danger. Gaurs, the Asian bison, are also found in the park, but are rarely seen. Especially with male specimens, which can weigh a ton, caution and restraint is required.
trips
literature
- Vasa Sutthipibul, et al. (Ed.): National parks in Thailand. National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department, Bangkok 2006, ISBN 974-286087-4
- Chayamarite, K; Puff, Ch .: Plants of Khao Yai National Park. National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department, Bangkok 2006, ISBN 974-463146-5
- : Visiting Bangkok's green neighborhood. In:In Asia, Vol.3 (May / June) (2010), Pp. 28–33 (German). - A visit to Thailand's oldest national park.
