Tham Pla–Namtok Pha Suea National Park
| Tham Pla–Namtok Pha Suea National Park | |
|---|---|
| อุทยานแห่งชาติถ้ำปลา–น้ำตกผาเสื่อ | |
 Pha Suea Waterfall | |
  Park location in Thailand | |
| Location | Mae Hong Son Province, Thailand |
| Nearest city | Mae Hong Son |
| Coordinates | 19°30′8″N 98°0′23″E / 19.50222°N 98.00639°E |
| Area | 511 km2 (200 sq mi) |
| Governing body | Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation |
Tham Pla–Namtok Pha Suea National Park (Thai: อุทยานแห่งชาติถ้ำปลา–น้ำตกผาเสื่อ) is a national park in Mae Hong Son Province, Thailand. It is home to caves, waterfalls and steep mountain terrain.[1]
Geography
Tham Pla–Namtok Pha Suea National Park is about 18 kilometres (10 mi) northwest of Mae Hong Son in Mueang and Pang Mapha Districts.[2] The park's area is 511 square kilometres (200 sq mi). The highest point is Doi Lan peak at 1,918 metres (6,300 ft) in the Daen Lao Range. The northern and western sides of the park border Burma's Shan and Kayah states respectively.[1]
Attractions
The park's main attraction is Tham Pla ("fish cave"), a water-filled cave hosting hundreds of soro brook carp. The fish are revered by locals and a nearby Hindu statue is said to protect them.[3]
Other caves include Phra-bath Koo featuring stalactites and stalagmites, and Tham Pha Daeng, a limestone cavern around 1 kilometre (0.6 mi) in depth.[1][4]
Waterfalls include the Pha Suea waterfall at 15 metres (50 ft) high and Mae Sa-nga Klang waterfall also 15 metres (50 ft) high. Mae Sa-nga Klang is above the Mae Sa-nga Dam, a hydroelectric dam 37 metres (100 ft) high and 160 metres (500 ft) long.[1][4]
Flora and fauna
The park features forest types including mixed deciduous, deciduous dipterocarp, pine and evergreen. Tree species include Lagerstroemia floribunda, tabaek, Shorea obtusa, Shorea siamensis, Sindora siamensis, makha, Xylia xylocarpa, teak, Pterocarpus macrocarpus, Terminalia pedicelleta, takian, Sumatran pine and Khasi pine.[1][4]
Animal species include gaur, serow, barking deer, palm civet and wild boar.[1][4] Avian life includes hawk, prinia and bulbul.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g Sutthipibul, Vasa; Ampholchantana, Chantanaporn; Dulkull Kapelle, Peeranuch; Charoensiri, Vatid; Lukanawarakul, Ratana, eds. (2006). "Tham Pla - Namtok Pha Suea National Park" (PDF). National Parks in Thailand. (free online from the publisher). National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department. p. 103. ISBN 974-286-087-4. Retrieved 7 April 2014.[dead link]
- ^ "THAM PLA – PHA SUEA NATIONAL PARK". Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). Retrieved 4 October 2016.
- ^ "Tham Pla Forest Park". Lonely Planet. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
- ^ a b c d "Tham Pla - Namtok Pha Suea National Park". Department of National Parks (Thailand). Retrieved 7 April 2014.[dead link]