Tham Pha Thai National Park

Tham Pha Thai National Park

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Wichit_Songserm]Wichit Songserm

General Information

Thamphathai National Park covers the areas of Muang District, Jae Hom District, Ngao District of Lampang Province. The topography of the National Park consist of high mountains, abundant timber forests and mixed deciduous forests, as well as teak plantations spreading all over the areas. The National Park is the dwelling place for a large number of wild animals. Most of the areas are water sources. Major tourist attractions include Thamphathai, Lom Phukeaw, Kewlom Reservoir, Tham-okroo, Huay Maepreung. Moreover, there are many small-sized waterfalls all over the National Park, as well as the Young Elephant Training Center, a tourist attraction of the Forest Industry Organization, situated in the approximate area of 1,284.9 square kilometers or 802,436.17 rai.

Topography

 The topography of the National Park consist of high mountains, mixed forests, teak plantations and reclaimed areas. Major mountaintops include Doi Kewlom (1,202 meters high), followed by Doi Sanklang (1,022 meters high), Doi Phahuad (975 meters high). Most of the areas are timber forests and mixed forests. Doi Luang (1,100 meters high) is situated in the southern part of the National Park. Major agricultural sites are situated in the eastern part of the National Park, meanwhile, in the western part of the National Park, most of the areas are timber forests. Gullies and streams in the western part of the National Park flow into Wang River, meanwhile, most of the gullies and streams in the eastern part of the National Park flow into Ngao River.

Climate

 It is extremely hot in summer (March-May) and the wind blows from the southwest. In the rainy season (May-October), meanwhile, it rains consistently and sometimes there are heavy storms and the wind blows from the southwest. In winter (November-February), it is extremely cold in the nighttime and the area is generally covered with fogs in the morning. The cold wind blows from the northeast.

Flora and Fauna

 Since the topography of the National Park consist of high mountains, there are various kinds of forests within the area of the National Park, including dense or leafy forests and arid, evergreen forests. Major plants include Malabar ironwood, rubber trees, Lithocarpus cantleyanus (Kor), Indian mahogany, Cinnamon, Gonocaryum lobbianum, etc. Leafy forests include mixed deciduous forests, timber forests. And major plants found in the forests include Leguminosae (Pradoo), Afzelia xylocarpa Roxb (Maka Mong), Xyliaxylocarpa (redwood plants), Lannea coromandelica (Oay Chang), Dalbergia oliveri Gamble (Ching Chan), different kinds of bamboo, Mitragyna diversi Folia (Toom Gwow), Hymenodictyon excelsum (U-lok), Combretum quadrangulare (Sa-gae), Bermuda grass, etc.

Wild animals found in the National Park include gaur, wild boars, monkeys, porcupines, moles, masked palm civets, bamboo rats, wild rabbits, different kinds of birds, reptiles such as ground lizards, chameleons, wild geckos, different kinds of snakes, and amphibians such as frogs, small green frogs, bullfrogs, toads, and different kinds of fish.

Attraction

Huai Tadnoi Waterfall

Huai Tadnoi Waterfall is a small-sized waterfall with the flowing clear water throughout the year, situated in the area of Ban Huai Pong, Jaehom District, Lampang Province. The waterfall can be accessed by car approximately 25 km from Lampang-Jaehom Road.
 Activities : Waterfall Traveling

Keunkewlom Reservoir

 Keunkewlom Reservoir is one of the well-known tourist attractions in Lampang Province. For sightseeing pleasures, tourists may choose rafting or sailing along both sides of the reservoir. There are 2 mooring sites at the reservoir - the first one is at the ridge of Keunkewlom Reservoir, situated approximately 14 km away from a branch road of Highway No. 1 (Phaholyothin Road), whereby, the distance between the city of Lampang and the branch road is approximately 20 km and the second one is the Sampaothong Pier, situated approximately 3 km away from a laterite branch road of Highway No. 1055 (Lampang-Jaehom Road).

Activities : View
Rafting-Canoeing-Kayaking

Lomphukeaw

Lomphukeaw is a hilltop basin situated within an approximate area of 1-2 rai and having its shape like a volcanic vent. The basin has very deep, greenish water and there is a good deal of fish living in there. Forests within the area of Lomphukeaw are arid, evergreen forests, where a good number of wild animals live in. Lomphukeaw is situated approximately 14 km away from the route of Lampang-Phayao (Highway No. 1 or Phaholyothin Road), where there is a laterite branch road to Ban Onn of Ngao District, Lampang Province. From Ban Onn, tourists may travel on foot for approximately 3.5 km to get to Lomphukeaw.

Activities :

Nature trail study Cave/Geological Touring  

Mae Jaefa Waterfall

 Mae Jaefa Waterfall is a 9-step waterfall with clear water, situated approximately 8 km away from Ban Thunghangmoo, Moo 1, Tambol Thung Peung, Jaehom District, Lampang Province, where tourists can access by car.

 Activities :Waterfall Traveling

Maekae Waterfall

Maekae Waterfall is a small-sized waterfall, originated from Maekae Gully, situated in the area of Ban Maekae, Ngao District, Lampang Province, where tourists can access by car for approximately 18 km from Ngao District

Activities : Waterfall Traveling

Maesan Waterfall

 Maesan (Tadmok) Waterfall is a 2-step small-sized waterfall with the flowing clear water throughout the year, situated in the area of Ban Maesan, Maemor District, Lampang Province, where tourists can access on foot for approximately 5 km.

 Activities : Waterfall Traveling

Phathai Cave

Thamphathai originated from a limestone mountain at the depth of 405 meters from the cave entrance. Thamphathai has beautiful stalagmites and stalactites along the walking paths, attracting a lot of Thai and foreign tourists. Thamphathai is located at km 665 of Highway No. 1 (Phaholyothin Road). Tourists may access the cave by taking a laterite branch road for approximately 600 meters.

 Activities: Historical Sight Seeing
Cave/Geological Touring

Thamratchakreu

Originated from a limestone mountain, Thamratchakreu has beautiful stalagmites and stalactites. Thamphathai is located nearby Ban Maekae, Ngao District, Lampang Province. Tourists may access the cave by taking the route from Ngao District to Ban Maekae for approximately 21 km and by walking for approximately 300 meters into the cave.

Activities : Cave/Geological Touring

wichit songserm [http://www.7paradise.net/national-park/tham-pha-thai-national-park] [http://www.7paradise.net]

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Tham-Pha-Thai-National-Park&id=1021488] Tham Pha Thai National 
Park

Tham Pha Thai National Park