Kaeng Krachan National Park

Kaeng Krachan National Park
IUCN category II (national park)

Map of Thailand
Location	Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan Provinces, Thailand
Nearest city	Phetchaburi
Area	2,914.70 km²
Established	12 Jun 1981

Kaeng Krachan (Thai: แก่งกระจาน) is the largest national park of Thailand. It is on the border with Burma, contiguous with the Tanintharyi Nature Reserve. It is a popular park owing to its location near the tourist town of Hua Hin.

Geography

The park covers parts of the districts Nong Ya Plong, Kaeng Krachan, and Tha Yang of Phetchaburi Province, and of Hua Hin of Prachuap Khiri Khan Province. It consists mainly of rain forest on the eastern slope of the Tenasserim Mountain Range. The highest elevation is 1,200 m. Two main rivers originate within the park area, the Pranburi River and the Phetchaburi River. The Phetchaburi is blocked by the Kaeng Krachan Dam at the eastern border of the park. The dam creates a lake covering an area of 46.5 km². The dam was built in 1966.

History

The park was created on 12 June 1981 as the 28th national park of Thailand. Originally covering an area of 2,478 km², it was enlarged in December 1984 to include the boundary area between Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan Provinces.

The park has been included in the list of ASEAN Heritage Parks. In 2005 it was also submitted to UNESCO for consideration as a future world heritage site.

The killing of wild elephants is a big problem at the park,^[1] with authorities unable to control poachers.^[2] Some park officials are allegedly involved in the trade of elephant parts.^[3]

Despite national park status, there are private plantations within the confines of Kaeng Krachan National Park. Some of these are surrounded by electric fences which, in June 2013, fatally electrocuted an elephant calf.^[4]

Flora and fauna

The forests contain a great biodiversity of tropical vegetation, including tropical and subtropical broad leaf tree species and palms. Fifty-seven species of mammals and more than 400 bird species have been counted in the park.

Martes flavigula, yellow-throated marten
Trachypithecus obscurus, dusky leaf monkey
Arachnothera magna, streaked spiderhunter
Pycnonotus flavescens, flavescent bulbul
Halcyon coromanda, ruddy kingfisher

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kaeng Krachan National Park.

v t e National parks, forest parks and wetlands in Thailand
National parks	Budo–Su-ngai Padi Chae Son Chaloem Rattanakosin Doi Inthanon Doi Khun Tan Doi Luang Doi Pha Hom Pok Doi Phu Kha Doi Phu Nang Doi Suthep–Pui Erawan Hat Khanom–Mu Ko Thale Tai Huai Nam Dang Kaeng Krachan Kaeng Krung Kaeng Tana Khao Khitchakut Khao Kho Khao Laem Khao Lak–Lam Ru Khao Lampi–Hat Thai Mueang Khao Luang Khao Phanom Bencha Khao Phra Wihan Khao Sok Khao Yai Khlong Lan Khao Nam Khang Khlong Phanom Khlong Wang Chao Khuean Srinagarindra Khun Chae Khun Khan Khun Nan Khun Phawo Kui Buri Khwae Noi Lam Nam Kok Lam Nam Nan Lan Sang Mae Charim Mae Ping Mae Wa Mae Wang Mae Wong Mae Yom Nam Nao Nam Phong Namtok Chat Trakan Namtok Chet Sao Noi Namtok Huai Yang Namtok Mae Surin Namtok Phlio Namtok Sam Lan Op Khan Op Luang Pa Hin Ngam Pang Sida Pha Daeng Pha Taem Phu Chong–Na Yoi Phu Hin Rong Kla Phu Kao–Phu Phan Kham Phu Kradueng Phu Laen Kha Phu Pha Man Phu Phan Phu Pha Thoep Phu Pha Yon Phu Ruea Phu Sa Dok Bua Phu Sang Phu Soi Dao Phu Toei Phu Wiang Ramkhamhaeng Sai Thong Sai Yok Salawin Si Lanna Si Nan Si Phang Nga Si Satchanalai Sirinat Ta Phraya Tai Romyen Taksin Maharat Tat Mok Tat Ton Thale Ban Tham Pla–Namtok Pha Suea Than Sadet–Ko Pha-ngan Thap Lan Thong Pha Phum Thung Salaeng Luang Ton Sak Yai Wiang Kosai
Marine national parks	Ao Phang Nga Phang Nga Bay Hat Chao Mai Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Ko Phi Phi Hat Wanakon Khao Laem Ya–Mu Ko Samet Khao Sam Roi Yot Laem Son Mu Ko Ang Thong Mu Ko Chang Mu Ko Lanta Mu Ko Phetra Mu Ko Similan Mu Ko Surin Tarutao
Forest parks	Khao Kradong Phae Mueang Phi Phu Chi Fa Phu Langka Phu Phra Bat Buabok Pran Buri Sa Nang Manora
Wetlands	Bueng Boraphet Don Hoi Lot Krabi River Estuary Kraburi River Estuary Phayao Lake Phru To Daeng Kuan Ki Sian of the Thale Noi Non-hunting Area

v t e ASEAN Heritage Parks
Brunei (1)	Tasek Merimbun Heritage Park
Cambodia (2)	Preah Monivong National Park Virachey National Park
Indonesia (7)	Gunung Leuser National Park Kerinci Seblat National Park Lorentz National Park Way Kambas National Park Kepulauan Seribu National Park Wakatobi National Park Bantimurung – Bulusaraung National Park
Laos (1)	Nam Ha National Protected Area
Malaysia (3)	Gunung Mulu National Park Kinabalu National Park Taman Negara National Park
Myanmar (8)	Alaungdaw Kathapa National Park Htamanthi Wildlife Sanctuary Indawgyi Lake Wildlife Sanctuary Inlay Lake Wetland Sanctuary Khakaborazi National Park Lampi Island Marine National Park Meinmahla Kyun Wildlife Sanctuary Natmataung National Park
Philippines (9)	Mount Apo Natural Park Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary Mounts Iglit–Baco National Park Mount Kitanglad Range Natural Park Mount Makiling Nature Reserve Mount Malindang Range Natural Park Timpoong and Hibok-Hibok Natural Monument Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary
Singapore (2)	Bukit Timah Nature Reserve Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve
Thailand (7)	Ao Phang Nga National Park, Surin Islands and Similan Islands Kaeng Krachan National Park Khao Yai National Park Khao Sok National Park Tarutao National Park Hat Chao Mai National Park and Mu Ko Libong islands Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park
Vietnam (10)	Ba Bể National Park Bái Tử Long National Park Chư Mom Ray National Park Hoàng Liên National Park Kon Ka Kinh National Park U Minh Thượng National Park Bidoup Núi Bà National Park Vu Quang National Park Lò Gò-Xa Mát National Park Ngọc Linh (Kon Tum) Nature Reserve
Association of Southeast Asian Nations Centre for Biodiversity