Thung Salaeng Luang National Park

Infobox protected_area | name = Thung Salaeng Luang National Park
iucn_category = II

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location = Phitsanulok and Phetchabun Provinces, Thailand
lat_degrees =
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lat_direction = N
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long_direction = W
area = 1262 km²
established = 1972
visitation_num = 105,930 [http://www.dnp.go.th/parkreserve/forprint.asp?npid=20&lg=2 Thung Salaeng Luang National Park at Thai National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department] ]
visitation_year = 2007
governing_body =
world_heritage_site =

Thung Salaeng Luang National Park is a national park located in the Phitsanulok and Phetchabun Provinces of Thailand. It encompasses substantial portions of Amphoe Wang Thong and Amphoe Lom Sak.

Topography

The park consists of limestone hills, slate and hardpan at altitudes ranging from 300 to 1,028 meters. [http://www.trekthailand.net/north53/index.html National parks in northern Thailand] ] Thung Salaeng Luang is inlaid with meadows, especially in the southern portions of the park. [http://www.trekthailand.net/north53/index.html National parks in northern Thailand] ] The park is also the source of numerous streams. [http://www.trekthailand.net/north53/index.html National parks in northern Thailand] ] There are large salt licks at Pong Sai in the north-west and Pong Thung Phaya in the south-west. [http://www.trekthailand.net/north53/index.html National parks in northern Thailand] ] 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. [http://www.trekthailand.net/north53/index.html National parks in northern Thailand] ]

Climate

The average annual temperature is 25°C, although temperatures often reach 30°C during late spring and early summer. [http://www.trekthailand.net/north53/index.html National parks in northern Thailand] ] The average annual rainfall is 1.7 meters. [http://www.trekthailand.net/north53/index.html National parks in northern Thailand] ]

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. [http://www.trekthailand.net/north53/index.html National parks in northern Thailand] ] From the late 1960s to the early 1980s, the park's forest was used as a major base for guerrillas of the Communist Party of Thailand. [http://www.trekthailand.net/north53/index.html National parks in northern Thailand] ]

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 stunning combination of meadow and pine trees. [http://www.trekthailand.net/north53/index.html National parks in northern Thailand] ]

Thung Non Son

Thung Non Son is a meadow area near the center of the park situated on a plateau. In the fall, Thung Non Son is resplendent with large clusters of flowers. [http://www.trekthailand.net/north53/index.html National parks in northern Thailand] ]

Kaeng Sopha Waterfall

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. [http://www.trekthailand.net/north53/index.html National parks in northern Thailand] ] 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 Thailand in the Thailand Waterfall series.

Animal Species

Among the species of animal in the park are: [http://www.trekthailand.net/north53/index.html National parks in northern Thailand] ]
*Elephant
*Yellow-throated marten
*Masked palm civet
*Siamese fire back pheasant
*Heron
*Eagle
*Partridge
*Pheasant
*Pigeon
*Owl
*Swift
*Hornbill
*Barbet
*Woodpecker
*Bulbul
*Babbler
*Warbler
*Flycatcher
*Flowerpecker

Plant Species

Many of the wild meadow flowers bloom in November. [http://www.trekthailand.net/north53/index.html National parks in northern Thailand] ]

Malaria

Historically, malaria was a health issue in the park. [http://www.trekthailand.net/north53/index.html National parks in northern Thailand] ]

Caves

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

Rapids

Kaeng Wang Nam Yen Rapids are located within the park.

Effect 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. [http://www.trekthailand.net/north53/index.html National parks in northern Thailand] ]

Facilities

There are 7 bungalows at the park's headquarters and 5 bungalows at Nong Mae Na office. [http://www.trekthailand.net/north53/index.html National parks in northern Thailand] ] There are also 4 campsites at the park. [http://www.trekthailand.net/north53/index.html National parks in northern Thailand] ] There are no concessions sold in the park.

References