Sankamphaeng Range
| Sankamphaeng Range | |
|---|---|
| ทิวเขาสันกำแพง | |
 Forests in the Sankambeng Range. Khao Yai National Park | |
| Highest point | |
| Peak | Khao Rom |
| Elevation | 1,351 m (4,432 ft) |
| Dimensions | |
| Length | 180 km (110 mi) E/W |
| Width | 40 km (25 mi) N/S |
| Geography | |
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| |
| Country | Thailand |
| Region | Eastern Thailand |
| Borders on | Dong Phaya Yen Mountains and Dângrêk Mountains |
| Geology | |
| Rock type(s) | Sandstone, conglomerate |
| UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Criteria | Natural: X |
| Reference | 590 |
| Inscription | 2005 (29th Session) |
The Sankamphaeng Range, also Sankambeng Range or Sungumpang Range (Template:Lang-th, RTGS: Thio Khao San Kamphaeng, Thai pronunciation: [tʰiw kʰǎw sǎn kampʰɛːŋ]) is one of the mountain ranges separating Eastern Thailand from the northeast or Isan.[1]
Description
This mountain chain runs in a WNW-ESE direction. The northern part of the Sankamphaeng mountain range merges with the southern end of the Dong Phaya Yen Mountains, which run roughly in a north-south direction at the southwestern boundary of the Korat Plateau.[2] To the east this range connects with the Dângrêk Mountains, a longer system running in a west-east direction that stretches into Laos. The southern mountainsides of the range drain into the Prachinburi River.
The range is divided in two compact massifs where the highest elevations are in the western one. The highest point in the Sankamphaeng Range is the 1351 m high Khao Rom, also known as Khao Khiao. Other peaks are 1326 m high Khao Laem, 1313 m high Khao Chan, 1112 m high Khao Falami, 1142 m high Khao Sam Yot, 1052 m high Khao Inthani, 1071 m high Khao Fa Pha, 1017 m high Khao Kaeo, 821 m high Khao Salat Dai, 805 m high Khao Samo Pun, 787 m high Khao Laem Noi and 824 m high Khao Phaeng Ma, finally 875 m high Kao Kamphaeng and 558 m high Kao Dan Fai Mai are located at the eastern end of the western massif, were there is a valley through which passes Highway 304 (AH 19), between Kabin Buri town and Nakhon Ratchasima.
The eastern massif begins at 992 m high Khao Lamang, 949 m high Phu Sam Ngam and 843 m high Khao Tap Tao. At this point a branch of the massif extends northeastwards with 748 m high Khao Chawae and 723 m high Khao Plai Lam Katuk, connecting with the southern end of the Dong Phaya Yen Range. Further east there are two mountains with the name 'Khao Yai', a 776 m high Khao Yai located north of 761 m high Khao Thuang and a 796 m high Khao Yai located to the south. Further eastwards the average height of the peaks descends to around 400 m and Highway 348 crosses in this lower area from north to south where the range connects with the Dângrêk Mountains.[3]
Several rivers originate in the Sankamphaeng mountains, of which the Mun River flowing eastwards is the largest. Another important river is the Klong Praprong.[4]
Administratively most of the area of the range is under Prachinburi and Sa Kaeo Provinces, with smaller parts in Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Nayok and Saraburi Provinces.
There are sandstone outcrops in the south and north of the range. Shales and schist are also present. In the southern side steep slopes made of granite and conglomerates can be seen. Limestone is present towards the eastern end close to the Dangrek Mountains.
History
Around 1922 a group of people from Ban Tha Dan and Ban Tha Chai villages in Nakhon Nayok Province built a settlement within the forest in the western part of these mountains. Up to 30 households cultivated the newly deforested land. The area was formally recognized by the government and classified as Tambon Khao Yai within Pak Phli District, although the nearest mountain named "Khao Yai" was at the other end of the range.
Owing to its location and distance from the authorities the new subdistrict soon became a refuge for criminals and fugitives. After an attempt by government forces to capture the outlaws in the area, the villagers were relocated into the plains some 30 km away. In 1932 the tambon status of Khao Yai Subdistrict was cancelled.
In 1959 The then Prime Minister of the country, Marshall Sarit Thanarat, coordinated the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of the Interior to create a process where areas of Thailand could be officially set aside as national parks.
Khao Yai National Park was subsequently established on September 18, 1962 and was declared by royal proclamation in the Thai Government Gazette[5] as the first National Park in Thailand. Boonsong Lekakul, one of the 20th century's most famous conservationists in Thailand, played a major role in the establishment of the protected area.
The park was named after the defunct Tambon Khao Yai. In 1982 a road was built that made it easy for Bangkok residents to reach the main protected area of the mountains.[6]
Ecology
The protected areas of the range face problems of encroachment. Homes and residential villas have been built illegally within the limits of officially protected areas of the forest in Khao Yai[7] and in Thap Lan National Park.[8] Illegal logging is also a problem in the area of the park.[9] Among the endangered animal species of the range the Sunda Pangolin deserves mention.
This range, together with the Dong Phaya Yen Mountains further north, forms the Dong Phayayen - Khao Yai Forest Complex, which includes several national parks. This area was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Altogether 6155 km² are protected in the complex.[10]
Protected areas
- Khao Yai National Park, covering an area of 2165.5 km2, is the most famous national park in the Sankamphaeng mountains.
- Phra Phutthachai National Park
- Pang Sida National Park[11]
- Thap Lan National Park[12]
- Ta Phraya National Park,[13] the easternmost natural reserve of the range, in Ta Phraya District.
- Dong Yai Wildlife Sanctuary
See also
References
- ^ "Bulletin - United States National Museum"
- ^ Petchaboon Mountains
- ^ Map of Bangkok and 22 nearby provinces, PN Map
- ^ Nuntana Pontawepitanun, Sugarcane Industry Zoning in Eastern Thailand
- ^ Government Gazette (Book 79, Section 89)
- ^ หนังสือคู่มือชุดท่องอุทยาน: อุทยานแห่งชาติเขาใหญ่. สำนักพิมพ์สารคดี, 2543 (Thai)
- ^ The Nation - Encroachment at Khao Yai National Park
- ^ 2 Large Resorts In Taplan National Park Bulldozed In The Night
- ^ Conservation of Protected Areas in Thailand: The case of Khao Yai National Park
- ^ Dong Phayayen - Khao Yai Forest Complex
- ^ Pang Sida National Park
- ^ Thap Lan National Park
- ^ Ta Phraya National Park
External links
