Khao Khitchakut National Park

Khao Khitchakut National Park (Thai: อุทยานแห่งชาติเขาคิชฌกูฏ) is a national park in Chanthaburi Province, Thailand. The park is located in the Soi Dao Mountains, the Thai part of the much larger Cardamom Mountains, and is home to waterfalls and forests. The venerated Buddha footprint is also within the park premises.[1]

Khao Khitchakut National Park
อุทยานแห่งชาติเขาคิชฌกูฏ
IUCN category II (national park)
View from above Krathing Falls
Park location in Thailand
LocationChanthaburi Province, Thailand
Nearest cityChanthaburi
Coordinates12°50′44″N 102°9′35″E
Area59 km2 (23 sq mi)
EstablishedMay 1977
Governing bodyDepartment of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation

Geography

Khao Khitchakut National Park is 28 kilometres (17 mi) northeast of Chanthaburi town in Khao Khitchakut District. The park's area is 59 square kilometres (23 sq mi). The highest point is Khao Phra Bat peak at 1,085 metres (3,560 ft). The park, one of Thailand's smallest national parks, borders the much larger Khao Soi Dao Wildlife Sanctuary.[1][2]

History

On 4 May 1977, Khao Khitchakut was designated Thailand's 14th National Park.[1]

Attractions

The Khao Phra Bat mountaintop is the site of a Buddha footprint and is an important religious place for Thai Buddhists. During the time around the Magha Puja holiday (in February or March) large numbers of visitors make the pilgrimage here. Also on Khao Phra Bat peak there are rock formations to which the shapes of various objects have been attributed: a pagoda, a monk's alms bowl, a turtle and an elephant.[1]

The park's largest waterfall is Krathing, a waterfall of 13 separate levels, intersecting nature trails at various levels. These falls are fed by the Chanthaburi River. Other park waterfalls include Changsay and Klong Piboon.[1][3][4]

  • The Buddha Footprint site
  • Camp site near Krathing Falls in Khao Khitchakut National Park

Flora and fauna

Animal species include gaur, sambar, barking deer and serow. Herds of wild elephants have also been sighted here.[1][2]

References
  1. "Khao Khitchakut National Park". Department of National Parks (Thailand). Archived from the original on 22 May 2013. Retrieved 9 June 2013.
  2. "Khao Khitchakut National Park". Lonely Planet. Retrieved 9 June 2013.
  3. "Khao Khitchakut National Park". Tourism Authority of Thailand. Archived from the original on 15 June 2013. Retrieved 9 June 2013.
  4. Nam, Suzanne (February 2012). Moon Handbooks Thailand (5th ed.). Avalon Travel. p. 142. ISBN 978-1-59880-969-5.
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