Khun Khan National Park

Khun Khan National Park (Thai: อุทยานแห่งชาติขุนขาน) is a national park in Thailand's Chiang Mai Province. This mountainous park is home to forests, waterfalls and cliff-top viewpoints.

Khun Khan National Park
อุทยานแห่งชาติขุนขาน
IUCN category II (national park)
Park location in Thailand
LocationThailand
Nearest cityChiang Mai
Coordinates18°51′14″N 98°37′26″E
Area240 km2 (90 sq mi)
Governing bodyDepartment of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation

Geography

Khun Khan National Park is located about 50 kilometres (30 mi) west of the city of Chiang Mai in the Samoeng and Mae Chaem districts of Chiang Mai Province. The park's area is about 240 square kilometres (90 sq mi). The park is located in the Thanon Thong Chai mountain range. Elevations range from 500 metres (1,600 ft) to the park's highest point: Doi Pung Kia at 1,708 metres (5,600 ft).[1]

Attractions

The park features two significant waterfalls, both year-round: the 7-step Huai Mae Na Poe waterfall and the 2-step Huai Tat waterfall. One of Huai Tat's sections is 30 metres (100 ft) high. Pha Sam Na viewpoint is a three-sided cliff situated at an elevation of 1,253 metres (4,110 ft).[2]

Flora and fauna

Calotropis gigantea

The park features numerous forest types including virgin forest at elevations above 1,000 metres (3,300 ft). Tree species include three-needled pine, Pinus merkusii, Malacca tree, Mammea siamensis, Malabar ironwood, Baccaurea ramiflora, Calotropis gigantea, Shorea siamensis, Dipterocarpus intricatus, Dipterocarpus tuberculatus, Dioscorea alata, Xylia xylocarpa and Gmelina arborea.[1]

Masked palm civet

The park serves as a sanctuary for animal species including tiger, wild boar, barking deer, goral, porcupine, pangolin, masked palm civet and mongoose. Bird life includes red junglefowl and great hornbill.[1]

References

  1. "Khun Khan National Park". Department of National Parks (Thailand). Archived from the original on 18 November 2015. Retrieved 16 Nov 2015.
  2. "National Parks in Thailand: Khun Khan National Park" (PDF). Department of National Parks (Thailand). 2015. pp. 41–42. Retrieved 26 May 2017.
  • Concise Khun Khan National Park information from the Tourism Authority of Thailand
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