Doi Phu Kha National Park, Thailand

The National Park covers the mountainous area of 1,704 square kilometres in Amphoe Pua, Chiang Klang, Thung Chang, Mae Charim, Tha Wang Pha, Santisuk, Bo Kluea and Chaloem Phra Kiat in Nan. It was declared as the Thailand's national park in 1988. The National Park offers endemic and rare plants, scenic view of Doi Phu Kha including lovely waterfalls.

Geography
The National Park features rugged mountain range. The highest peak is Doi Phu Kha, which is 1,939 metres above the sea. Doi Phu Kha is also the major symbol of Nan Province. The terrain is mainly forested land on limestone mountain range and also the source of several streams which flow into Mae Nam Nan. Doi Phu Kha National Park

Climate
Rainy season is from May to October. Winter is from November to February (The weather is quite cool from December to January and average temperature is 5 degrees Celsius.) Summer is from March to April by the temperature average is 30 degrees Celsius

Flora and fauna
Mixed deciduous forest, deciduous dipterocarp forest and grassland blankets the National Park with various kinds of vegetations such as Lithocarpus sp., Dipterocarpus alatus, Hopea odorata, Michelia floribunda, Pterocarpus macrocarpus, Xylia xylocarpus, Tectona grandis, Shorea obtusa , Dipterocarpus obtusifolius, D. tuberculatus, Shorea roxburghii, Calamus ssp. and Thelypteris ssp. The National Park is also home to Elephant, Guar, Sambar Deer, Macaque, Common Muntjak, Common Wild Boar, Southern Serow, Gibbon, Langur, Bear, Palm Civet, Mouse Deer and Otter including various kinds of birds such as Red Junglefowl, Indian Roller, Striped Tit-Babbler, Sooty-headed Bulbul, Lineated Barbet, Red-billed Blue Magpie, Scarlet Minivet, Common Myna, Scally-breasted Munia, Trogon, Greater Coucal, Green-billed Malkoha and Yuhina.

Attractions

• Doi Phu Kha Panorama. The National Park offers spectacular view of Doi Phu Kha particularly Doi Phu Kha peak, which is covered by clouds for every winter and rainy season.
• Attractive waterfalls. A number of scenic waterfalls are offered everywhere in the National Park such as Phu Fa Waterfall, Sila Phet Waterfall, Mae Charim Waterfall, Ton Tong Waterfall, Tat Luang Waterfall, Huai Kon Waterfall.
• Caves. There are lots of large and beautiful caves in the National Park. The most beautiful gigantic cave is Tham Pha Kao located in Amphoe Pua.
• Than Nam Lot. This is a miracle phenomenon, socalled Nam Ok Ru. There is a stream underneath the mountain and the water comes up, then flows out from the cave underneath. This action makes a loud noise like a waterfall's current flowing.
• Phalan Hin and Na Pha. These cliffs approach fantastic scenery on Doi Phu Wae.
• Palm Primitive Forest. This is one of the large palm forests in Thailand. It is located around Doi Phu Wae area only.

Getting there

Drive on the Nan-Amphoe Pua-Amphoe Thung Chang route and continue to the circuit ring between Amphoe Pua Amphoe Thung Chang areas. Total distance is 60 kilometres.