Khao Soi Dao Wildlife Sanctuary

Khao Soi Dao Wildlife Sanctuary(Thai:เขตรักษาพันธุ์สัตว์ป่าเขาสอยดาว) is awildlife sanctuaryin Thailand'sChanthaburi Province. It covers the area around Khao Soi Dao Tai and Khao Soi Dao Nuea (south and north Soi Dao mountains), the two highest peaks in theChanthaburi MountainsofEastern Thailand, which form part of the much largerCardamom Mountainsextending well into Cambodia.
The mountains are covered in tropical rainforest and theChanthaburi Riveroriginates from the Khao Soi Dao Tai mountain. The wildlife sanctuary neighbours the smallerKhao Khitchakut National Parkto the south andKhao Sip Ha Chan National ParkandKhao Ang Rue Nai Wildlife Sanctuaryto the northwest.
Khao Soi Dao Wildlife Sanctuary was established in 1972 and covers 744.96 square kilometres (287.63 sq mi), most of which is mountainous terrain. In 2007, the sanctuary was also designated as anImportant Bird Area(IBA), thus of global importance for bird conservation.
Khao Soi Dao Wildlife Sanctuary is the only IBA in Thailand supporting the globally endangeredChestnut-headed Partridge(Arborophila cambodiana), but it is home to many more bird species of importance to global conservation. This includesSiamese Fireback(Lophura diardi),Great Hornbill(Buceros bicornis) andMoustached Hawk Cuckoo(Hierococcyx vagans), all of which are near-threatened on a global level.The colourfulBlue-rumped Pittasare here, and this is the only place in Thailand where this species live.
Regarding mammals, the sanctuary is also home to a diverse range of species, with many threatened ones, including Asian Elephants (Elephas maximus indicus), Tiger (Panthera tigris), Asian Golden Cat (Catopuma temminckii) and Gaurs (Bos gaurus) are found here. For monkeys, thePileated Gibbons(Hylobates pileatus) are notable.
The sanctuary is known as a particularly good spot for watching butterflies, but other insects, such as dragonflies are also here in both abundance and diversity.
Close to all (85%) of the forest in Khao Soi Dao Wildlife Sanctuary is monsoon evergreen forest, but patches of deciduous forest and bamboo thickets are also to be found.
Khao Soi Dao Waterfall(Thai:น้ำตกเขาสอยดาวorNamtok Khao Soi Dao) is a popular tourist destination in the wildlife sanctuary. It is 70 km from the town ofChanthaburi.It springs from Khao Soi Dao Nua at 1,556 meters above sea level and has a total of 16 tiers. The waterfall is located about 4 km from the Wildlife Sanctuary visitor center.
The easy way to get to this waterfall, if you have a car is to go ahead from the city onRoute 317throughMakham DistrictandPong Nam Ron District. At km 62 you should turn left and go ahead 3 km.This waterfall is open from 6.00am to 6.00pm. The most popular attraction at the falls is nature trails because there is  a huge tree of 4.77 meters diameter.The waterfall has 16 tiers created by multi-level stone cliffs which gives the impression of a giant stair. At the bottom is a vast pool with shallow water. The popular tier is tier 16 because this tier has a lot of moss on the stone. It feels fresh and is suitable for capturing. This tier is named “Phanangleun”Pha Nang Leun mean “Mrs. Slippery cliff” because the careless traveller can slip on the moss on a stone when he walks through. The source of the waterfall is near the Peak of KhaoSoi Dao Nua Mountain at 1,556 meters above sea level.The area suitable for butterflies watching and the study of plants.
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