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
Coordinates	12°45′0″N 99°36′0″E / 12.75000°N 99.60000°E / 12.75000; 99.60000Coordinates: 12°45′0″N 99°36′0″E / 12.75000°N 99.60000°E / 12.75000; 99.60000
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

Kaeng Krachan Reservoir

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. Since 2011, Thailand has been trying to get Unesco to designate Kaeng Krachan Natural Park as a world heritage site. Myanmar claims that about one-third of the land included in Thailand's claim—almost 1,000 km²—is part of Myanmar's Tanintharyi Region and has opposed Thailand's effort.^[1]

The killing of wild elephants is a big problem at the park,^[2] with authorities unable to control poachers.^[3] Some park officials are allegedly involved in the trade of elephant parts.^[4]

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.^[5]

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

↑ "Thailand bid to list Kaeng Krachan back to square one". Bangkok Post. 4 November 2016. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
↑ noname (wild) at Kaeng Krachan National Park Archived May 29, 2014, at the Wayback Machine.
↑ Wongruang, Piyaporn (2013-05-05). "Elephant slaughter: The gangs get bold". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
↑ 5 park officials wanted for poaching elephants - Witness 'saw carcass burnt' at Kaeng Krachan (Thailand)
↑ "Young elephant dies in fatal electrocution". The Nation. 2013-06-13. Retrieved 4 November 2016.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kaeng Krachan National Park.

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 Chet Khwae 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 Khlong Phanom Khlong Wang Chao Khuean Srinagarindra Khun Chae Khun Khan Khun Nan Kui Buri Lam Nam Nan Lan Sang Mae Charim Mae Ping Mae Wa Mae Wong Mae Yom Mukdahan Nam Nao Nam Phong Namtok Chat Trakan Namtok Mae Surin Namtok Phlio Namtok Sam Lan 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 Pha Man Phu Phan 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 Rom Yen 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 Wiang Kosai

Marine national parks	Ao Phang Nga Phang Nga Bay Hat Chao Mai Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Ko Phi Phi 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 Pranburi Sa Nang Manora

Wetlands	Bueng Boraphet Don Hoi Lot Krabi River Estuary Kraburi River Estuary Phayao Lake Kuan Ki Sian of the Thale Noi Non-hunting Area

ASEAN Heritage Parks

Brunei	Tasek Merimbun Heritage Park

Cambodia	Preah Monivong National Park Virachey National Park

Indonesia	Gunung Leuser National Park Kerinci Seblat National Park Lorentz National Park

Laos	Nam Ha National Protected Area

Malaysia	Gunung Mulu National Park Kinabalu National Park Taman Negara National Park

Myanmar	Alaungdaw Kathapa National Park Indawgyi Lake Wildlife Sanctuary Inlay Lake Wetland Sanctuary Khakaborazi National Park Lampi Island Marine National Park Mein-ma-hla Kyun Wildlife Sanctuary Nat Ma Taung National Park

Philippines	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

Singapore	Bukit Timah Nature Reserve Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve

Thailand	Ao Phang Nga National Park Kaeng Krachan National Park Khao Yai National Park Tarutao National Marine Park

Vietnam	Ba Bể National Park Chư Mom Ray National Park Hoàng Liên National Park Kon Ka Kinh National Park U Minh Thượng National Park

Association of Southeast Asian Nations Centre for Biodiversity

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