Chaloem Phrakiat Thai Prachan National Park
General Information
The area of Chaloem Phrakiat Thai Prachan National Park is a part of National reserved forest that located on the left bank of Phachi river in Yang Huk sub district, Pak Tho district, Tanaosi sub district and Tha Khoei sub district, Suan Phueng district, Ban Kha sub district and Ban Bueng sub district, Ban Kha district, Ratchaburi
province.
In the past this area was used to be an important strategy zone under the influence of the communist party of Thailand. There were many battles between the government officers and communist terrorists to lead to the lost of life and damaged property. Later the government could control the situation and brought about the serenity into this area. Then the government planed to recover forest and wildlife in deteriorated parts in accordance with the intention of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit and encouraged local people career development for better
living.
The Foundation for the Promotion of Supplementary Occupations in Her Majestys royal patronage in cooperation with the Royal Thai Army, the Royal Forest Department, the Royal Irrigation Department, Land Development Department, Ratchaburi province and the other organizations concerned carry out for setting Chaloem Phrakiat Thai Prachan Park at Thai Prachan village, Yang Huk sub district, Pak Tho district to be a botanical garden including encouragement of local people career development since March 2534.
National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department considered and agreed that the area of Chaloem Phrakiat Thai Prachan Park project in the boundary of the left bank of Pachi River National reserved forest with the area of 384.39 sq.km, still remains a fertile forest and covering many tourism places. Therefore this area is appropriated to declare as a national park. On April 30,2003, an official letter was sent to the Conservation Forest Administration Office 5 requesting expedition of the area in order to establish this area as a national park and then there was an urgent letter dated May 9, 2003 to the mentioned office for a preliminary survey of the hot spring area setting to be a forest
park.
Due to the hot spring area is a part of Chaloem Phrakiat Thai Prachan Park project, therefore the Conservation Forest Administration Office 5 appointed officer, the project leader to do survey of the Chaloem Phrakiat Thai Prachan park project area and the adjacent area to propose as a national park according to the order dated May 26, 2003.
High mountain range carries in the north-south axis on the west of Ratchaburi province until adjoining Myanmar border. Covering an area of 349.59 sq.km. in Pak Tho, Suan Phueng and Ban Kha district, Ratchaburi province. The highest peak of the mountain is Khao Yuet or Khao Phra Lop which stands about 834 m from MSL. The doorsill trait of the area is sedimentary rock, which composed conglomerate, sedimentary rock, limestone, shale and sand stone. Soil condition has high fertile fulfill with organic matter. The type of soil is sandy loam which has high ability to absorb
water.
Mae Prachan mountain ridge is the watershed of many streams such as Huai Phusai, Huai Tha Khoei, Huai Pu Namron of the Mae Prachan river watershed, which flow in to the Phetchaburi river and Pha Chi river watershed which flows in to the Mae Klong
river.
Climate
Rather chilly all year long, because of the influent of southwest monsoon in rainy season and northeast monsoon in the winter. It is able to separate into 3 seasons as a summer runs in late March-June, a rainy season starts in July-October and a winter starts from November to
February.
Flora and Fauna
The general characteristic of plant community in Chaloem Phrakiat Thai Prachan National Park comprises mixed deciduous forest which covers mostly area on the west part of the park. The main species are Pterocarpus macrocarpa, Xylia kerrii and Lagerstroemia spp. etc. The lower plants are many bamboo
species.
Dry evergreen forest covers the area of the west and north part, main species are Dipterocarpus alatus, D. turbinatus, Anisoptera costata etc. Lower plants are bamboo, rattan, palm and fern
etc.
This national park area is still maintain the abundant of biodiversity because it is connected to Kaeng Krachan National Park, Mainam Phachi Wildlife Sanctuary and Myanmar. So, this offers chance for wild animal to migrate regularly. For example, the animals that are often seen are Zambar deer, mouse deer, common muntjac, gaur, wild boar, Asian black bear, langur, monkey, civet, flying lemur, porcupine and siamese hare
etc.
Birds found are brown hornbill, great hornbill, oriental-pied hornbill, wreathed hornbill, black hornbill, dove, hawk, owl, bulbul, coucal, thrush, oriole, francolin, hill myna, drongo, roller, woodpecker, leaf bird, paradise flycatcher, jungle fowl, pond heron and green
malkoha.
Amphibian found are toad, tree frog and bullfrog. Reptile found are turtle, many kinds of snakes, monitor lizard, and butterfly
lizard.
Thai Prachan Waterfall
Thai Prachan Waterfall is settled on a fertile forest with abundant natural resources. It is a moderate waterfall which has 11 tiers with stream all round year. The splendid beauty is the waterfall and hillocks. For waterfall sightseeing, you have to walk from the park headquarters and pass many streams. The first one is called Trok Tio Phai about 1,300 m and you will see a beautiful stream and picturesque hillocks. There is slack water in rainy season appropriate to have a swim and admiring the nature in this area. If you keep going about 900 m, there will be a stream called Trok Lan Hin which is a beautiful spot and full with assort sized of hillock. Moreover, it still has area to pitch tents. There will be three other interesting spots namely Trok Saeo Sawan, Trok Bang Sai and Trok Lila when you walk further 600, 400 and 950 m respectively. Trok Lila has beautiful scenery view point and you can put up
tents.
From Trok Lila, walking about 25 km to the first level of Namtok Thai Prachan with convenient trip while the 10 th level is the highest point of this waterfall which has inconvenient journey due to the high slope. The waterfall has long and high stream with the beautiful small isles, water containing basin, and the cliff along the route. This forest is fulfilled with natural resources and it has a lot of moss on the hillock along the
stream.
Pong Krathing Hotspring
A hot spring is located at Phu Nam Ron village in Ban Bueng sub district, Ban Kha district. There are 3 routes to visit this spring from the central of Mueang district : 1) take route 3206 about 80 km 2) route 3087 via Chom Bueng district about 85 km and 3) route 3208 via Chatpawai about 83
km.
Viewpoint
There are many reservoirs nearby the park area such as Ban Thai Prachan, Ban Takdaet, Ban Wang Pa Chon, Ban Huai Sala and Tha Khoei reservoirs which have beautiful scenery and appropriate for relaxation and water sport.
Contact Address
Chaloem Phrakiat Thai Prachan National Park
110, Mu 5, Ban Thai Prachan, Yang Hak Sub-district, Amphur Pak Tho Ratchaburi Thailand 70140 E-mail
Thaiprachan_np@dnp.go.th
How to go?
By Car
By cars from Bangkok to Ratchaburi on Highway 4 (Phetchakasem road) or Thonburi Pak Tho route about 100 km. By train from Hua Lam Phong station to Ratchaburi station. Then follow Phetchakasem road for 20 km turn right to highway 3206 for 45 km. Turn left to Thai Prachan village for 5 km, you will reach the park headquarters.-