Kaeng Krachan National Park

national park in Thailand

Kaeng Krachan (Thai: แก่งกระจาน) is the largest national park of Thailand. It is on the border with Myanmar, and joins with Myanmar's Tanintharyi Nature Reserve. It is popular with tourists, and is near the beach resort of Hua Hin.

Kaeng Krachan National Park
IUCN category II (national park)
Map showing the location of Kaeng Krachan National Park
Map showing the location of Kaeng Krachan National Park
Map of Thailand
LocationPhetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan Provinces, Thailand
Nearest cityPhetchaburi
Coordinates12°45′0″N 99°36′0″E / 12.75000°N 99.60000°E / 12.75000; 99.60000
Area2,914.70 km2 (1,125.37 sq mi)
Established12 Jun 1981

The park covers parts of Phetchaburi Province and Prachuap Khiri Khan Province. It contains rainforest on the eastern side of the Tenasserim Mountain Range. The highest elevation is 1,20 m. Two main rivers begin within the park: 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. There are private plantations within the park.[1]

The park was created on 12 June 1981. It was the 28th national park of Thailand. It originally covered an area of 2,478 km2. It was enlarged in December 1984. In 2005 it was shown to UNESCO for consideration as a World Heritage Site.

The forests contain a great variety of plants and animals. The killing of wild elephants is a big problem at the park.[2] It is difficult to stop poachers.[3]

References change

  1. "Young elephant dies in fatal electrocution". The Nation. 14 June 2013. Archived from the original on 2 February 2016. Retrieved 27 January 2016.
  2. "noname (wild) at Kaeng Krachan National Park". Elephant.se. 29 May 2014. Retrieved 27 January 2016.
  3. "Elephant slaughter: The gangs get bold". Bangkok Post. 5 May 2013.

Other websites change

  Media related to Kaeng Krachan National Park at Wikimedia Commons