Thung Salaeng Luang National Park

Thung Salaeng Luang National Park
IUCN category II (national park)
Map showing the location of Thung Salaeng Luang National Park

Location within Thailand

Location Phitsanulok and Phetchabun Provinces, Thailand
Coordinates 16°49′40″N 100°52′12″E / 16.82778°N 100.87000°E / 16.82778; 100.87000Coordinates: 16°49′40″N 100°52′12″E / 16.82778°N 100.87000°E / 16.82778; 100.87000
Area 1,262 km2
Established 1972
Visitors 105,930[1] (in 2007)
Sunrise at Thung Salaeng Luang
Poi Waterfall

Thung Salaeng Luang National Park (Thai: อุทยานแห่งชาติทุ่งแสลงหลวง) is a 1,262 km2 national park in Phitsanulok and Phetchabun Provinces of Thailand. It encompasses substantial portions of Amphoe Wang Thong and Amphoe Lom Sak.[2]

Topography

The park consists of limestone hills, slate and hardpan at altitudes ranging from 300 to 1,028 meters.[3] Thung Salaeng Luang is inlaid with meadows, especially in the southern portions of the park.[3] The park is the source of numerous streams. [3] There are large salt licks at Pong Sai in the northwest and Pong Thung Phaya in the southwest.[3] the Wang Thong River flows through the park.

Forest

The park's forest is primarily classified as deciduous, with lowland scrub and tropical broadleaved evergreen covering smaller areas.[3]

Climate

The average annual temperature is 25° C, although temperatures often reach 30° C during late spring and early summer.[3] The average annual rainfall is 1.7 meters.[3]

History

Thung Salaeng Luang was proposed for inclusion in the national parks system In 1959. Thung Salaeng Luang was declared a national park in 1972.[3] From the late 1960s to the early 1980s, the park's forest was used as a base for guerrillas of the Communist Party of Thailand.[3]

Thung Salaeng

Thung Salaeng is a meadow area of the park.

Thung Nang Phaya

Thung Nang Phaya is a meadow area of the park known for its combination of meadow and pine trees.[3]

Thung Non Son

Thung Non Son is a meadow area near the center of the park on a plateau. In the fall, Thung Non Son is resplendent with large clusters of flowers.[3]

Kaeng Sopha Waterfall

Main article: Namtok Kaeng Sopha

Thung Salaeng Luang National Park is home to the Kaeng Song Waterfall, (or Namtok Kaeng Sopha) which is a three-tiered waterfall of the Wang Thong River.[3] Shaped like a stairway, Kaeng Sopha is the largest waterfall in Phitsanulok, and it has been dubbed the Niagara Falls of Thailand. The torrents are very strong in the rainy season. The vapor rising in the area creates a vast rain-like curtain. Kaeng Sopha is the subject of a June 2007 postage stamp in the Thailand Waterfall series.

Animal species

Phitsanulok Wildlife
Endangered

Tiger
Phayom
Hopea ferrea
Dalbergia oliveri

Vulnerable

Asiatic black bear
Hopea odorata
Sumatran pine

Near threatened

Siamese fireback
Oriental darter

National Parks

Kaeng Chet Khwae
Namtok Chat Trakan
Phu Hin Rong Kla
Thung Salaeng Luang

Among the species of animals in the park are:[3]

Plant species

Many of the wild meadow flowers bloom in November.[3]

Malaria

Historically, malaria was a health issue in the park.[3]

Caves

The park has several caves including Wang Daeng and Dao Duan.

Rapids

Kaeng Wang Nam Yen Rapids are located within the park.

Effects of human presence

Communist insurgents as well as hilltribe people and other intruders have destroyed some of the park's flora and fauna over the years.[3]

Facilities

There are seven bungalows at the park's headquarters and five bungalows at Nong Mae Na office.[3] There are also four campsites at the park.[3] There are no concessions in the park.

References

External links

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