Hot
Getaway take us to Kaeng Krachan which can be reached in under an
hour from Cha-Am and offers so much to do and see. Because of its
close proximity it's perfect for a day trip or spending several days
soaking up the nature and its beautiful surroundings. Many people are
amazed that all this beauty and solitude is less than an hour away
from Cha-Am. Kaeng krachan has the largest national park in Thailand
covering 2,915 square kilometers but it is not the busiest. If you
meet crowds for example in Khao Yai National park during weekends,
Kaeng Krachan still stays calm, a great opportunity for those who
don't want to be disturbed when enjoying nature. Contained within its
borders are numerous cave, a reservoir, waterfalls, mountains and
stunning scenery.
Mountains
rise to a height of 1,200 meters and are mostly granite, although
some are limestone. Importantly, the park is the source of The
Phetchaburi and Pranburi rivers. In the rainy season from August to
October, some areas are closed to visitors for their safety and to
allow the forest to recover. His Majesty King Bhumipol Adulyadej has
visited the site many times. Most of the park is covered in deep,
steep forest. Over three-quarters of the area has slopes greater than
30%, 85% of the terrain is evergreen rainforest, another 10% is mixed
deciduous forest. The forest is rich and complex, with hanging
lianas, fens and orchids, and an abundance of fruiting trees and
vines. The forest of Kaeng Krachan is unusually diverse because of
its location at the juncture of continental Asia and the Malasian
Peninsula. Continental species such as oaks, chestnuts, and maples
are found here, as are peninsula palms and fruiting tees.
Like
the plant community, the animals of Kaeng Krachan represent both
Asiatic and Malasian species. Over 400 species of birds are known to
occur within the Park's boundaries and 57 mammals. Larger mammals
include elephant, gaur, sambar deer, banteng, serow, and bear,
indo-chinese tiger, leopard, both common and Fea's muntjac, Malayan
tapir, white-handed gibbon, dusky and banded langurs, Asian wild dog,
other, and wild boar. Among the birds recorded in the park are six
species of hornbills, red junglefowl, both Kalij pheasant and grey
peacock-pheasant, woolly-necked stork, black eagle, and many species
of songbirds, woodpeckers and other forest birds. The ratchet-tailed
treepie, first seen here by members of the Bangkok Bird Club (Bird
Conservation Society of Thailand) on an outing in 1991, has not been
recorded anywhere else inThailand.
The
Kaeng Krachan reservoir covers an area of 46.5 square kilometers and
has a capacity of 710 million cubic meters. It was created by the
construction of the earth dam which blocked the Phetchaburi River.
The latgest island im the lake is approximately 0.75 square
kilometers. Many tourists enjoy hiring a boat for sightseeing around
the lake, observing village life from the water, and visiting the
islands.
Kaeng
Krachan is 51 kilometers from Cha-Am. For the more adventurous,
permission can be obtained to trek for a few days up the Khao Panoen
Thung road. Permits must be obtained at headquarters for this and
guided will be necessary for any treking off the road. Note also that
treking will not be possible during the rainy season when the trails
are slippery and dangerous and the road may be impassable. Overall,
Kaeng Krachan is one of the most important ecological areas in
Thailand and a visit here is a must, both for those who want some
exciting and others who want a more relaxing time.
Article
by 'Hot Hua Hin Magazine'
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