Thung Salaeng Luang National Park

Thung Salaeng Luang National Park (Thai: อุทยานแห่งชาติทุ่งแสลงหลวง, RTGS: Utthayan Haeng Chat Thung Salaeng Luang) is a 1,262 square kilometres (487 sq mi) national park in Phitsanulok and Phetchabun Provinces of Thailand. It encompasses substantial portions of Wang Thong and Lom Sak Districts. Topography The park consists of limestone hills, slate and hardpan at altitudes ranging from 300 to 1,028 metres (984 to 3,373 ft), Khao Khae is the highest point in the park. Thung Salaeng Luang is inlaid with meadows, especially in the southern portions of the park. The park is the source of numerous streams. There are large salt licks at Pong Sai in the northwest and Pong Thung Phaya in the southwest. The Wang Thong River flows through the park. History Thung Salaeng Luang was proposed for inclusion in the national parks system In 1959. Thung Salaeng Luang was declared the 3rd national park in 1963, covering an area of 1,282 square kilometres (495 sq mi). At the request of the Thai Army 20 square kilometres (7.7 sq mi) were withdrawn from the national park. That is why a "new" national park area was created in 1972. Thung Salaeng Luang was "reestablished" as a national park on 27 May 1975, covering an area of 789,000 rai ≈1,262 square kilometres (487 sq mi). 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. Flora The park features numerous forest types, including hill evergreen, conifer, tropical evergreen, dry evergreen, mixed deciduous and dry dipterocarp forest. Plant species have a significant variety: Evergreen species: Dipterocarp species: Deciduous species: Flowering plant species: Carnivorous plant species include: Orchids species include: Fauna The number of sightings in the park are: Mammals, include: Birds, the park has some 170 species, of which some 115 species of passerine from 37 families, represented by one species: and some 55 species of non-passerine from 20 families, represented by one species: Reptiles, include: Amphibians, include: Fishes, include: Butterflies, include: Places Namtok Kaeng Song - a 10 metres (33 ft) high waterfall. Namtok Poi - a waterfall in Khao Krayang Forest park. Namtok Kaeng Sopha - a 3-tiered waterfall of the Wang Thong River. Namtok Phai Si Thong - a recently discovered 9-tiered waterfall. Namtok Kuhlab Daeng - a waterfall Lanphwai Kaeng Wang Nam Yen - a creek with hundreds of islets. Tham Duan and Tham Dao - caves. Tham Phra Rod-Maree - a cave. Tham Phra Wang Daeng - a 13 kilometres (8.1 mi) long cave, habitat for millions of bats. Tham Sai-Ngarm - a cave. Thung Nang Phaya - a savanna, approximately 5 square kilometres (1.9 sq mi). Thung Non Son - a grassland with pinery and forest flowers. Thung Salaeng Luang - a savanna, about 10 square kilometres (3.9 sq mi). Climate The average annual temperature is 25 °C (77 °F), although temperatures often reach 30 °C (86 °F) during late spring and early summer. The average annual rainfall is 1,700 millimetres (67 in). Malaria Historically, malaria has been a health issue in the park. Effects of human presence Communist insurgents as well as hill tribes and other intruders have destroyed some of the park's flora and fauna over the years. Location See also List of national parks in Thailand DNP - Thung Salaeng Luang National Park List of Protected Areas Regional Offices of Thailand References and notes