Khao Khitchakut National Park
| Khao Khitchakut National Park | |
|---|---|
| อุทยานแห่งชาติเขาคิชฌกูฏ | |
 View from above Krathing Falls | |
  Park location in Thailand | |
| Location | Chanthaburi Province, Thailand |
| Nearest city | Chanthaburi |
| Coordinates | 12°50′44″N 102°9′35″E / 12.84556°N 102.15972°E |
| Area | 59 km2 (23 sq mi) |
| Established | May 1977 |
| Governing body | Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation |
Khao Khitchakut National Park (Template:Lang-th) is a national park in Chanthaburi Province, Thailand. Home to waterfalls and forests, the park is also the site of a venerated Buddha footprint.[1]
Geography
Khao Khitchakut National Park is located 28 kilometres (17 mi) northeast of Chanthaburi town in Khao Khitchakut District. The park's area is 59 square kilometres (23 sq mi). The highest point is Khao Phra Bat peak at 1,085 metres (3,560 ft). The park, one of Thailand's smallest national parks, borders the much larger Khao Soi Dao Wildlife Sanctuary.[1][2]
History
On 4 May 1977, Khao Khitchakut was designated Thailand's 14th National Park.[1]
Attractions
The Khao Phra Bat mountaintop is the site of a Buddha footprint and is an important religious place for Thai Buddhists. During the time around the Magha Puja holiday (in February or March) large numbers of visitors make the pilgrimage here. Also on Khao Phra Bat peak there are rock formations to which the shapes of various objects have been attributed: a pagoda, a monk's alms bowl, a turtle and an elephant.[1]
The park's largest waterfall is Krathing, a waterfall of 13 separate levels, intersecting nature trails at various levels. These falls are fed by the Chanthaburi River. Other park waterfalls include Changsay and Klong Piboon.[1][3][4]
Flora and fauna
Animal species include gaur, sambar, barking deer and serow. Herds of wild elephants have also been sighted here.[1][2]
References
- ^ a b c d e f "Khao Khitchakut National Park". Department of National Parks (Thailand). Retrieved 9 June 2013.
- ^ a b "Khao Khitchakut National Park". Lonely Planet. Retrieved 9 June 2013.
- ^ "Khao Khitchakut National Park". Tourism Authority of Thailand. Retrieved 9 June 2013.
- ^ Nam, Suzanne (February 2012). Moon Handbooks Thailand (5th ed.). Avalon Travel. p. 142. ISBN 978-1-59880-969-5.