Phu Ruea National Park
| Phu Ruea National Park | |
|---|---|
| อุทยานแห่งชาติภูเรือ | |
|
IUCN category II (national park) | |
 View from Phu Ruea peak | |
  Park location in Thailand | |
| Location | Thailand |
| Nearest city | Loei |
| Coordinates | 17°30′53″N 101°20′41″E / 17.51472°N 101.34472°ECoordinates: 17°30′53″N 101°20′41″E / 17.51472°N 101.34472°E |
| Area | 121 km2 (47 sq mi) |
| Established | 1979 |
| Governing body | Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation |
Phu Ruea National Park (Thai: อุทยานแห่งชาติภูเรือ) is a national park in Loei Province, Thailand. The park is centred on Phu Ruea mountain, a popular, scenic peak in the Phetchabun Mountains.
Geography
Phu Ruea National Park is 52 kilometres (32 mi) west of Loei town in Nong Bua Sub-district, Phu Ruea District and also Tha Li District.[1][2] The park's area is 121 square kilometres (47 sq mi).[3]
Phu Ruea mountain is 1,365 metres (4,478 ft) high and experiences some of Thailand's coldest temperatures. In December and January temperatures here can fall below freezing. Phu Ruea means "boat mountain", a name inspired by the shape of a cliff at the peak.[3]
Other peaks within the park include Phusun at 1,035 metres (3,396 ft) and Phuku at 1,000 metres (3,300 ft).[4]
Attractions
The park's main attraction is the peak of Phu Ruea mountain offering views of the Mekong and Hueang rivers and into Laos.[1]
The park has numerous waterfalls, the highest of which is the Huai Phai waterfall at 30 metres (100 ft) tall. Pha Sam Thong is a large cliff.[1]
Flora and fauna
Types of forest in the park include mixed deciduous, deciduous dipterocarp, dry evergreen and coniferous. Plant species include orchids such as Phalaenopsis pulcherrima, Rhynchostylis retusa and various Vanda and Dendrobium species.[1]
Animal species include sun bear, northern red muntjac, sambar deer, dhole, black giant squirrel and Siamese hare. Bird life in the park includes red junglefowl, Siamese fireback, yellow-vented bulbul, greater coucal, plain prinia, coppersmith barbet and Asian barred owlet. The endangered big-headed turtle is present in the park.[1]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 "National Parks in Thailand: Phu Ruea National Park" (PDF). Department of National Parks (Thailand). 2015. pp. 150–151. Retrieved 14 June 2017.
- ↑ "Phu Ruea National Park". Tourism Authority of Thailand. Retrieved 14 June 2017.
- 1 2 Williams, China; Beales, Mark; Bewer, Tim (February 2012). Lonely Planet Thailand (14th ed.). Lonely Planet Publications. p. 476. ISBN 978-1-74179-714-5.
- ↑ "Phu Ruea National Park". Department of National Parks (Thailand). Archived from the original on 17 March 2013. Retrieved 10 May 2013.