Khlong Lan National Park, Thailand

The park covered parts of Amphoe Khlong Lan and Mueang of Kamphaeng Phet. It is the last lush jungle of the province. Featuring rugged mountain, the park originates many streams and rivers such as Khlong Khlung and Khlong Suan Mak which are tributaries of Ping River. Established in 1982, the country's 44th national park acquires total area of 300 square kilometres.

Geography
Lush forest blanketing its rugged mountain is watershed that fills up streams such as Khlong Suan Mak, Khlong Khlung and Khlong Lan. The highest peak towers at 1,439 metres above sea level.

Climate
The park has average temperature at 23 degrees Celsius and average rainfall 978 millimetres per year. It is quite comfortable to visit during winter.

Flora and fauna
As the last lush forest at lower northern region, the park has many forest types including deciduous dipterocarp forest, mixed deciduous forest, dry evergreen forest and moist evergreen forest. Its major plants include Tectona grandis, Shorea obtusa, S. siamensis, S.roxburghii, Pterocarpus macrocarpus, Lagerstroemia calyculata, Afzelia xylocarpa, Hopea odorata, H. ferrea), Tetrameles nudiflora, Toona ciliata, Terminalia bellirica and T. alata.
Previously, there was a great deal of wildlife. It is pitiful that invasion and deforestation has driven them into vast jungle of Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary of Tak and Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary of Uthai Thani. Nowadays, the remaining wildife include Sambar Deer, Common Muntjak, Common Wild Boar, Macaque, Giant Squirrel, Gibbon and great variety of birds such as Red-headed Trogon, Large Hawk-Cuckoo, Kalij Pheasant, Red Junglefowl, Hoopoe, Black-naped Oriole, Collared Scops-Owl and Large-tail Nightjar.

Attractions

• Khlong Lan Waterfall. Five streams from Khun Khlong Lan have combined into a big single stream in a large and deep pool before falling from a cliff at 100 metres high, 40 metres wide.
• Khlong Nam Lai or Pang Khwai Waterfall. The waterfall cascades through 9 tiers from different height into black glittering rock terrace. Situated on Umphang-Khlong Lan Road, the waterfall is 25 kilometres from the headquarters. It is a very nice place for picnic and swimming.
• Kaeng Ko Roi, The rapids on Khlong Suan Mak Canal features rugged rock terrace surrounding by crystal clear stream. The rapids is on Umphang- Khlong Lan Road.

Getting there

From Bangkok, taking motorist can travel via Asian Highway no. 1 through Nakhon Sawan, turn left at kilometre 346 at Ban Khlong Mae Lai Market and head for Umphang. Continue going for other 46 kilometres, turn right at Khlong Lan Market Intersection, the park is 4 kilometres away.