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The
most extensive national park of Thailand,
occupying a largely unexplored area of 2,915 square kilometers (1.7 million
rai of land), Kaeng Krachan was declared a national park on 12 June 1981.
The park is located 53.5 kilometers from the city and is 3 kilometers
beyond Khuean Kaeng Krachan (Kaeng Krachan Dam).
The
park covers a reservoir and year
round green jungle in the Tanaosri Ranges, which are the origins of many
rivers, including Maenam Phetchaburi and Maenam
Pranburi. The unexploited, wholesome jungle makes the parkrich in flora
and fauna. In addition, visitors may spot leopards, tigers and elephants.
The 18-level waterfall named Namtok Tho Thip, located approximately 54
kilometers from the Park Office on the Sai Wang Won-Namtok Tho Thip route
is worth a visit. There are viewpoints along the route are not only suitable
for bird and butterfly watching but also provide magnificent views of
misty mountains in the morning.
For trekking
enthusiasts, Khao Panoen Thung (currently being
promoted by the TAT) offers a challenge at a height of 1,207 meters above
sea level. This is a great place to witness the spectacular morning sea
of mist with the best part being when visitors have to walk down to see
the morning mist and then walk back up to the camp. Other popular activities
include bird and butterfly watching and rafting along Maenam Phetchaburi,
which takes approximately 6 hours, passing rapids and several smaller
rivers. The starting point for river rafting is the park area. Please
not that only 4 wheel drive vehicles can take visitors to the starting
trail and that the only facilities provided are a camping area and toilets..
Please contact the park ranger for additional information at 032 459293
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Kaeng Krachan Dam,
which has a height of 58 meters, length of 760 meters,
was completed in 1966. This
dam was constructed because the Phetch Dam cannot store water and when
the water level in the Phetch River is too high it has to be released
uselessly. Therefore, Kaeng Krachan Dam was constructed to store water,
to be delivered to the Phetch Dam for distribution into the irrigated
area. The Dam provides visitors with a stunning scenic viewpoint of the
reservoir and its islands while the most popular activity is a cruising
trip on the reservoir.

Natural Pine Tree
Hill
This place is located 9 kilometers from the park
office along the road on top of the dam. On the hilltop, there are scenic
stopovers, cliffs and rock garden to visit. Getting there : Take Highway
No.4, then make a right turn at kilometer 186-187 markers and continue
for another 30 kilometers. Accommodation & admission Kaeng Krachan National
Park provides accommodations overlooking an extensive landscaped reservoir.
Book your accommodation in advance at 032 459293 . Admission fee is 200
baht / person. The
Kaeng Krachan National Park offers camping area for people who want spent
their nights gazing at the stars. In addition, there are also toilet facilities
provided by the park.
There
are many birds and animals from
several zoogeographic zones residing tog ether
in Thailand. Comparing to our neighborhood countries, Thailand has a unique
outstanding zoogeography. Thailand as situated in the middle of the Oriental
Region, which is geographically called Indo-Chinese Sub-Region, a zone
that supports various kinds of bird species. Thailand support 986 specie
bird or 10% from total specie bird in the world. The best season for birding
is winter. October to February, is the most
suitable time for birdwatching in Thailand, because many of those, which
have their origins in Pale-arctic Region in Northern Asia, usually migrates
to reside and retreat in Thailand. The winter-retreated birds are normally
called Non-breeding Visitors. In this season, both Thai and foreign birdwatchers
are quite excited because the numbers of bird species found in Thailand,
will be double! In rainy or dry season, many kinds of the migrants come
to build their nest and laid there eggs. They are called "Breeding Visitor".
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