Phu Pha Thoep National Park
| Phu Pha Thoep National Park | |
|---|---|
| อุทยานแห่งชาติภูผาเทิบ | |
|
IUCN category II (national park) | |
  Park location in Thailand | |
| Location | Mukdahan Province, Thailand |
| Nearest city | Mukdahan |
| Coordinates | 16°26′21″N 104°45′24″E / 16.43917°N 104.75667°ECoordinates: 16°26′21″N 104°45′24″E / 16.43917°N 104.75667°E |
| Area | 48.5 km2 (20 sq mi) |
| Governing body | Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation |
Phu Pha Thoep National Park (Thai: อุทยานแห่งชาติภูผาเทิบ), formerly known as Mukdahan National Park (Thai: อุทยานแห่งชาติมุกดาหาร), is a national park in Mukdahan Province, Thailand. This park, one of the country's smallest national parks, is home to unusual rock formations and a cave with ancient hand paintings.[1]
Geography
Phu Pha Thoep National Park is located about 17 kilometres (11 mi) south of Mukdahan in Mueang and Don Tan districts. The park's area is 48.5 square kilometres (20 sq mi). The highest point is Phu Jongsi peak at 420 metres (1,400 ft).[2]
History
Phu Pha Thoep National Park is home to a cave with hand paintings estimated to be 3,000 to 5,000 years old. The cave name, Tham Fa Mue Daeng, means "red hand", referring to the red colour of the paintings.[1][2]
Attractions
Phu Tam Pra Waterfall is a scenic though mainly seasonal waterfall. Above this waterfall is a cave grotto housing a three-foot wide Buddha image along with hundreds of smaller wooden Buddha images and animal models.[1][2]
The park's namesake mountain Phu Pha Thoep hosts a complex of rocks in unusual eroded formations thought to resemble mushrooms, temples, swans etc.[1][2] The viewpoint atop Phu Mano affords views of Mukdahan city, the Mekong river and neighbouring Laos.[2]
Flora and fauna
The park features forest types including mixed and deciduous. Tree species include Malabar ironwood, Burmese ebony, makha, rosewood, heang (a dipterocarp), tiew (in the Guttiferae family), wild champaka, Moulmein cedar, Siamese sal and ingyin.[2]
Animal species include deer and wild boar. The park's many birds include junglefowl, green peafowl and pheasant.[2]
References
- 1 2 3 4 "Introducing Phu Pha Thoep National Park". Lonely Planet. Retrieved 4 April 2014.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Phu Pha Turm National Park". Department of National Parks (Thailand). Retrieved 4 April 2014.