Thung Salaeng Luang National Park
Thung Salaeng Luang National Park | |
---|---|
IUCN category II (national park) | |
| |
Location within Thailand | |
Location | Phitsanulok and Phetchabun Provinces, Thailand |
Coordinates | 16°49′40″N 100°52′12″E / 16.82778°N 100.87000°ECoordinates: 16°49′40″N 100°52′12″E / 16.82778°N 100.87000°E |
Area | 1,262 km2 |
Established | 1963 |
Visitors | 147,997[1] (in 2015) |
Governing body | Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation |
Thung Salaeng Luang National Park (Thai: อุทยานแห่งชาติทุ่งแสลงหลวง) is a 1,262 km2 national park in Phitsanulok and Phetchabun Provinces of Thailand. It encompasses substantial portions of Wang Thong and Lom Sak Districts.[1]
Topography
The park consists of limestone hills, slate and hardpan at altitudes ranging from 300 to 1,028 meters.[2] Thung Salaeng Luang is inlaid with meadows, especially in the southern portions of the park.[2] The park is the source of numerous streams. [2] There are large salt licks at Pong Sai in the northwest and Pong Thung Phaya in the southwest.[2] the Wang Thong River flows through the park.
Forest
The park's forest is primarily classified as deciduous, with lowland scrub and tropical broadleaved evergreen covering smaller areas.[2]
Climate
The average annual temperature is 25° C, although temperatures often reach 30° C during late spring and early summer.[2] The average annual rainfall is 1.7 meters.[2]
History
Thung Salaeng Luang was proposed for inclusion in the national parks system In 1959. Thung Salaeng Luang was declared a national park in 1972.[2] From the late-1960s to the early-1980s, the park's forest was used as a base for guerrillas of the Communist Party of Thailand.[2]
Places
- Thung Salaeng: Park meadows.
- Thung Nang Phaya: A grassy area of the park known for its combination of meadow and pine trees.[2]
- Thung Non Son: A meadow area near the center of the park on a plateau. In the fall, Thung Non Son is resplendent with large clusters of flowers.[2]
- Kaeng Song Waterfall, (or Namtok Kaeng Sopha): A three-tiered waterfall of the Wang Thong River.[2] Shaped like a stairway, Kaeng Sopha is the largest waterfall in Phitsanulok, and it has been dubbed the Niagara Falls of Thailand. The torrents are very strong in the rainy season. The vapor rising in the area creates a vast rain-like curtain. Kaeng Sopha is the subject of a June 2007 postage stamp in the Thailand Waterfall series.
- Caves: The park has several caves including Wang Daeng and Dao Duan.
- Kaeng Wang Nam Yen Rapids are in the park.
Fauna
Phitsanulok Wildlife |
---|
Endangered |
Vulnerable |
Near threatened |
National Parks |
Kaeng Chet Khwae |
Among the species of animals in the park are:[2]
Flora
Many of the wild meadow flowers bloom in November.[2]
Malaria
Historically, malaria has been a health issue in the park.[2]
Effects of human presence
Communist insurgents as well as hill tribe peoples and other intruders have destroyed some of the park's flora and fauna over the years.[2]
Facilities
There are seven bungalows at the park's headquarters and five bungalows at Nong Mae Na office.[2] There are also four campsites at the park.[2] There are no concessions in the park.
References
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Thung Salaeng Luang National Park. |