Kaeng Krachan National Park

History

When the Majesty the King was taking a vacation at Kai Kang Won Palace, Hua Hin district, Pracheobkirikan province, and visited Kaeng Krachan Dam, he make a royal remark to the director general of Forestry Department of Thailand that “ as the forests, which originate Petchaburi River, are rich and highly important nature, all forestry officers in the area are to take responsibility of protecting the forests from logging, plantation, and other forest destructions by humankind because these acts will surely have detrimental effects on the ecology of forests”. With the statement and the governmental policy of protecting forests by establishing them in form of national park in 9th January 1979, the Forestry Department of Thailand directed officers to make a survey over the area in the forests, which originates Petchaburi River to acquire initial data. The result was that the forests are that the forests generating Petchaburi and Panburi Rivers are greatly in abundance occupying beautiful sceneries, waterfalls, caves, lakes, many high economic valuable woods, big home to several types of wild animals, such as mountain goats, bisons, birds, an elephants. The area highly deserved the title of national park and kept as a national treasure. On 8th August 1980, the meeting was conducted and the areas in Yang Nam Kuad Nor Forest and Yang Nam Kuad Tai in Bang Nam Kuad Nor subdistrict, Nong Ya Lard subdistrict, Kao Yoi district, Song Pee Nong subdistrict, Kaeng Krachan subdistrict, Ta Yang district in Petchaburi were considered establishing as a national park. Finally, National Park Section, the Forestry Department of Thailand, officially announced the area as a national park on 20th April 1983.

Later on, the group of nature conservation in Hua Hin district, Pracheobkirikan, proposed to the cabinet council of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperation to conserve Huay Rae Nam Kai forest adjoining with Kaeng Krachan National Park in Nong Pub subdistrict, Hua Hin district, Pracheobkirikan province. After the survey was done by the Forestry Department of Thailand, it showed that the forest environments are fascinating retouched by waterfalls, caves, cliffs, rock grounds, and the diversity of wildlife. Finally, on 23rd January 1984, the consideration of extending Kaeng Krachan National Park area to Huay Rae Nam Kai forest was mutually approved. And on 27th December 1984, The park and the extended area are officially declared as the 28th National Park in Thailand, Kaeng Krachan National Park.

Topography

Mainland and reservoir. More or less 45 square kilometers of the forest area above Kaeng Krachan Reservoir. Complexly arrangement of mountains with the highest summit of 1,200 meters and the average height of 500 meters above the sea level. Moist evergreen forests with mostly granite mountains and some limestone mountains rich in fluorite ore.

Climate

As most of the areas are moist evergreen forests, the park is quite humid and heavy rains often occur. So the weather is really comfortable all year around.

Forests and Wild Animals

As mentioned before, moist evergreen forests dominate the park (80% of the park). The rest percentage is for dry evergreen forests and other minor forests and grasslands. Big wildlife gathers in the park, such as bisons, barking deer, deer, tigers, monkeys, langurs, gibbons, and bears. Also, 4 white elephants were found here and given to the Majesty the King.

Outstanding Attractions

Lake

The lake is as wide as 45 square kilometers. As the water came from the inundation of the dam construction, you will see about 30 to 40 small islands on the lake, but actually they are apexes of hills, which have got inundated. The scenery is fascinating in deed. There are also rented sightseeing boats with the charge at 400 Baht per boat. at the price, you are limited to Kaeng Island, and the lake. Going further or renting a boat for fishing, the charge is at 800, 1000, and 1500 Baht. Each boat has the capacity of about 10 persons.

Pa Nearn Tung Mountain

This mountain offers the highest summit of 1,207 meters located 50 kilometers away from the park headquarter of Kaeng Krachan National Park. The stunning attraction is its landscape. Also, overwhelming mist can be viewed in the interval period between fall and winter. Vehicles are not accessible to the mountain. It requires over half an hour walking, which is about 5-8 kilometers.

Tor Tip Waterfall

Fortunately, the cascade situated about 5 kilometers from Pa Nearn Tung Mountain, is comfortably accessible by cars. This huge 18-tier waterfall is beautifully painted with lovely streams. Other nearby interesting attractions are Panburi Waterfall (Tan Tip Waterfall or Ha Chan Waterfall), Mae Sa Leang Waterfall, and hot spring.

Caves

Many caves are located at the range of Sam Roi Yod mountains. Viman Cave is one of the most spectacular ones in the park offering the glitters of stalactites and stalagmites and the evidence of ancient humans dwelling in the cave.

Nam Fon Cliff

It can be spotted from the bank of Petchaburi River. Anyway, if rafting on the river and getting under the cliff, you will see dropping water all the time from the cliff.

Hou Pa Ngao Waterfalls

Located in the southern area of the park, there are many different sized waterfalls, which can be categorized into 4 groups. Hou Pa Ngao Waterfalls easily accessible is located in Nong Pub subdistrict, Hua Hin district, Pracheobkirikan province.