General Information
The Park, located on the southern peninsular of Thailand in Nakhon Sri Thammarat province is Khao Luang National Park. It is named after the tallest mountain in the park which is also the tallest in southern Thailand. The park is mountainous with many tall mountains along this
range.
The Park covers an area of 570km encompassing a huge variety of wildlife, including mountains, forests, rivers and waterfalls. Providing a place of beauty for visitors to come and experience. This area also provides an important watershed area for the surrounding villages and
farms.
Park provides a green roof to southern Thailand and its quality earned it an award in 1999 for being a place of outstanding beauty and
nature.
Park was officially designated a National Park on the 18th December 1974, becoming the 9th National Park in Thailand. The Headquarters of the Park is 30km from the town of Nakhon Sri
Thammarat.
mountainous Park is a watershed for the Tapee River. It is located within several districts; Lansaka, Chawang, Phiboon, Plomkiri, Chang Klang and Nop Pi
Dam.
Climate
Due to the Parks location on the peninsular, it receives monsoons from both the east and the west coasts and means that the Park receives a great deal of rain all year and also cold weather. There are two main seasons. Rainy season from May through to January with the heaviest of the rainfall between October and December. Hot season is between February and April. Over the year the Park receives approximately 3,500-4,000mm. of rainfall. The highest temperatures range between 28-30 Celcius and the lowest between 15-17 Celcius in January and
February.
Flora and Fauna
Moist Evergreen Forest, which can be found in the valleys and in damp gulleys and riversides.
Hill Evergreen Forest and Lower Montane Forest,Over 300 species of orchids can be seen within the Park. Khao Luang is the only place in the world where some of these can be found.
There are no less than 327 species of animals living in Khao Luang, some of these include; Malayan Tapir (only seen if you are very lucky), Sumatran Serow, Pigtailed Macaque, Bush-tailed Porcupine, Clouded Leopard, Barking deer, Sambardeer, Binturong, Panther, Tiger, Wild Pig, Banded Languar and Dusky Speckled Languar.
Bird species include, Black Eagle, Red Jungle Fowl, Great Argus Pheasent, Crested Fireback Pheasent, White-crowned Hornbill, Bushy-crested Hornbill, Great Pied Hornbill, Helmeted Hornbill, Redcrowned Barbet and
Sunbirds.
Nam Tok Karom
close to the Headquarters in amphur Lansaka This waterfall has 19 levels but only 7 of these are accessible to
visitors.
Nam Tok Phrom Lok
located in amphur Phrom kiri , follow Highway 4016 for about 18km from Phrom Kiri.Then turn left onto Highway4132 and carry o for a further 4km. to the waterfall. This beautiful waterfall has about 50 levels, 4 of these accessible to
visitors.
Nam Tok Ai Keaw
Ai Keaw or Nai Keaw Waterfall is located on the same route to the Nam Tok Phrom Loke. Its a beautiful waterfall consisting of 100 floors but only 9 floors are opened as a tourism
area.
Nam Tok Krung Ching
located in Amphur Nop Phi Tam 79km. from the town of Nakhon Sri Thammarat. Here there's a Park substation and a 4Km. Nature Trail to the waterfall, which passes through a great diversity of wildife and tree species. There is also a visitor centre and camp ground. The waterfall has many levels but the famous is 'Nan Fon Sen Har' which is featured of the 1000 Baht bank
note.
Nam Tok Tha Phae
this is located 6Km. further along the road from Karom Waterfall and has 10 levels, 3 of which can be easily
viewed.
Nam Tok Suan Ai
is in Amphur Chawang 60Km. from Nakhon Sri Thammarat.
Geao Suragan Cave
this is 3 Km. before the Park Headquarters
Khao Luang Mountain
the tallest mountain in the Park. About 1,835m tall. It is accessible from Khiriwang village. You can walk up to the summit and back on a 3 day (2 nights) trek. It is an enjoyable trip, (although difficult and steep at times) particularly for those with an interest in studying forests and vegetation. Khiriwong village is total 26Km. from Nakhon Sri Thammarat. Follow Highway 4015 for 20Km. before you reach Lansaka take a right turn off the main road, which will take you a further 6Km. to the
village.
Contact Address
Khao Luang Naional Park
Khao Gaew Sub-district, Amphur Lan Saka Nakhon Sri Thammarat Thailand 80230
Tel. 0 7535 4839
How to go?
By Car
The town of Nakhon Sri Thammatat is 800Km. south of Bangkok and can be reached by plane, train bus of car. To get to the Headquarters located near Karom Waterfall. From the town of Nakhon Sri Thammarat take Highway 4015 to Lansaka (about 28Km.) There is a sign on your right hand side indicating the turn off to the Park Headquarters is in 1Km. White 'Song Taew' (Truck with 2 benches in the back) also go from Nakhon Sri Thammarat and past the turn off to the headquarters.
To Get To Krung Ching take Highway 4016 from Nakhon Sri Thammarat taking you past the turning for Phrom Lok, Ai Khieo and Yod Luang Waterfalls. When you reach a T-junction with Highway 4140 turn left and continue till you reach Ban Rong Lek where you turn right onto Highway 4186. Follow this road to Ban Huai Phan where you turn left onto Highway 4188. From here it is a further 8Km. to the visitor centre.