General Information
Mae-ngao National Park is situated in Mae Hong Son Province, covering an approximate area of 257,650 rai. The National Park is a beautiful natural sightseeing spot and being the source of many rivers flowing into Salaween
River.
The topography of the National Park consist of high mountains, which are the sources of many rivers flowing westwards into Salawin River of Myanmar.The waterway system of the National Park is similar to pattern of the tree diagram, consisting of a large river and its branches. Major rivers and gullies,
include:
Mae-ngao River Mae-ngao River is the longest and most important river, passing the areas of the National Park for approximately 42 kilometers long, starting from Ban Sob-khong, flowing northwards to Sob-ngao and meeting Mae-yuam River. Mae-ngao River is the provincial boundary, whereas, the western part of the River is Tha Song-yang District of Tak Province, and the eastern part thereof is Sob-mei District of Mae Hong Son Province. The River is approximately 10-12 meters wide and the water is so clear that it is called Mae-ngao River. In the rainy season, the River, which is used as a water transport route to Sob-mei District by tribesmen, has the very rapid water. Many gullies within the National Park, which flow into Mae-ngao River, include Huai Mae Loh-noi, Huai Mae-bang, Huai Mae Lela-kro, Huai Oloh-gro, Huai Kong-oum,
etc.
Mae-yuam River Mae-yuam River flows from Khun-yuam District, passing Mae La-noi District and meeting Mae-ngao River at Ban Sob-ngao, Sub-District Mae-sod of Sob-mei District and meeting Mei District at Ban Sob-yuam, Sub-District Mae Sam-laeb and flowing into Salaween River. The River is approximately 215 kilometers long, and being considered as one of the major rivers of Mae Hong Son Province.The River flows southwards, passing the western area of the National Park for approximately 14 kilometers
long.
Rid River The River is situated in the north of the National Park, flowing westwards to Sub-District Kong-koi, Sub-District Mae-suad, and meeting Mae-yuam River in the south of Ban
Mae-suad.
Huai Mae-khong The Gully flows from Om-koi District and meets Mae-ngao River at Ban
Sob-khong.
Climate
Since the topography of the National Park consist of high mountains and water sources, the weather at the National Park can be divided into 3 seasons including the rainy season (June-October) of which average rainfall is 1,120 mm/year; winter (November-February), when the weather is cold and foggy; and summer (March-May), when the average highest temperature is 35?C.
Flora and Fauna
There are various kinds of forests within the areas of the National Park, including mixed deciduous forests of which major plants include teaks, Xylia xylocarpa (redwood plants), Terminalia arjuna (Rokfa), Black Wood, Dalbergia assamica (Ked-dum), Leguminosae (Pradoo), etc.; evergreen forests of which major plants include Lithocarpus cantleyanus (Kor), Aristolochia indica Linn. (Kra-chao Sida), moss, and lower plants include ferns, Bromheadia finlaysoniana Reichb.f. (ground orchids), ginger, etc.; timber forests, which can be found in the areas of hills, shoulders, foothills, and of which major plants include timbers, Shorea siamensis (Rang), Dipterocarpus tuberculatus (Pluang), Dipterocarpus intricatus (Hiang), Dillenia aurea Smith (Ma-San), Malacca tree, Morinda elliptica (Yor-Pa), and lower plants include
grasses.
Wild Animals
Since the topography of the National Park consist of high mountains and virgin forests,wild animals found in the areas of the National Park can be divided into categories, as follows
Mammals
According to the exploration of the National Park, there are different kinds of mammals including wild boars, masked palm civets, Asiatic black bears, Muntiacus muntjak, monkeys, langur, gibbons, goral, flying squirrels, foxes, Asiatic wild dogs, wild rabbits, small bamboo rats,
etc.
Birds
Birds found in the areas of the National Park include red jungle fowls, Malayan koel, singing myna, turtle doves, Drongo, blue magpie, coucal, stripe-breasted quail, Ga-hang, Nuthatch, Greater Green-billed Malkoha, barn owls, Kra-wan, Trogon, tailor-bird, black-billed roller, etc.
Reptiles
Reptiles found in the areas of the National Park include cobra, banded krait, constrictors, rat snakes, etc.
Amphibians
Amphibians inhabiting in the areas of the National Park include small green frogs found in Mae-ngao River.
Fish
Fish found in rivers include spiny eels, giant gourami, green fish, gobies, estuarine catfish, crocodile
fish, etc.
Ngao River
Sai Nam-ngao is a major river within the area of the National Park, in which water is so clear that it is called Mae-ngao River. The River is tortuous along islets and reefs. In the rainy season, the River has the very rapid water. In the dry season, the River is suitable for rafting and sightseeing since there are a lot of trees and flowering plants such as Lagerstroemia speciosa(Inthanin) on both sides of the
River.
Natural Teak Forest
There are a lot of rare, natural teak forests and strange lower plants found in the areas of the National Park, which is suitable for jungle tours and natural
study.
Tham Pla
The topography of Pla caves are similar to those of Tham (cave ) Pla-Pha Sua National Park. Pla caves is situated in the north of Ban Om-loh (near Mae-ngao River). At present, it is the location of Ban Sob Mae-pae. There are a good deal of fish inhabiting in the cave since villagers believe that they are sacred fish and whoever eat the fish will face the
disaster.
Oloh-gro Waterfall
The Waterfall is a large and beautiful waterfall with the flowing water throughout the year, situated in the north of Ban Om-loh (near Mae-ngao River). The Waterfall is about 150 meters high, originating from Oloh-gro Gully. There are virgin forests in the area of the Waterfall but no vehicle route is built to access the Waterfall, except a jungle route, which takes you 2 nights and 3 days for round trip on foot (on the way to the Waterfall, you need to stay overnight at the Karens village, then, travel on foot for approximately 3 hours to the Waterfall; and on the way back home, you need to stay overnight at the Karens village for another
night).
Doi Pui Luang
At present, there is no vehicle route to the mountain ridge of Doi Pui-luang, except a jungle route, which takes you 2 days for round trip on foot. The Sightseeing Spot is located at the altitude of 1,600-1,700 meters above the medium sea level. The mountain ridges extend to the area of Om-koi District. In winter, you can view the beautiful sea of fogs; and the weather is cold and breezy. The Sightseeing Spot is suitable for tourists who enjoy jungle travelling and
camping.
Doi Pui
The Sightseeing Spot is located at the altitude of 1,000 meters above the medium sea level. And you can see a distant view of the areas in Om-koi District. Particularly in winter, you can see the beautiful sea of fogs; and the weather is cold and
breezy.
Mae Wa-luang Waterfall
The Waterfall is a beautiful multi-step waterfall, situated at Ban Mae Wa-luang of Tah Song-yang District, Tak Province. The Waterfall originated from Mae-wa Gully. You may start the travelling by walking from the National Parks office and on the way to the Waterfall, you can view different kinds of wild plants and strange
birds.
Mae-jae Waterfall
The Waterfall is situated at Baan Mae La-kee. And you may travel on foot from the side of Mae-sod Mae Sa-riang Road for approximately 1 kilometer to the site of the Waterfall. The Waterfall originated from Mae La-kee Gully, flowing into
Mae-ngao River.
Mae La-or Waterfall
The Waterfall, originating from Mae La-or Gully, is situated near the route of Mae-sod Mae Sa-riang and flowing into Mae-ngao River. And you may travel on foot for approximately 400
meters.
Tham Mae Om-ki
The Cave is situated near Ban Mae Ob-ki. There are beautiful stalagmites and stalactites inside the Cave. And there are some streams of water flowing out of the Caves
entrance.
Burana-prapa Waterfall
The Waterfall is situated near the route of Mae-sod Mae Sa-riang at Ban Mae-wei Boki. And you may travel on foot for approximately 500 meters.
Contact Address
Mae Ngao National Park
Mu 8, Ban Mae-Ngao, Mae Suad Sub-district, Amphur Sop Mei Mae Hong Son Thailand 58110
How to go?
By Car
From the city of Chiang Mai, you may take Highway No.108 until reaching Mae Sa-riang District, then, take Highway No.105 until reaching Sob-mei District (for approximately 25 kilometers) and go straight on for 15 kilometers until reaching Ban Mae-ngao, then, make a left hand turn to a temporary road, which can be used only in the dry season, for 5 kilometers until reaching the National Parks office. In the rainy season, you may take a motorboat from the National Park to Ban Mae-ngao.