Doi Inthanon National Park

The National Park Doi Inthanon ( Thai: อุทยานแห่งชาติ ดอย อิน ท นนท์ ) is a national park in the province of Chiang Mai in the northern region of Thailand. The park is located at 2,565 meters the highest peak of Thailand, the Doi Inthanon.

  • 6.1 Mae Ya Waterfall
  • 6.2 Siriphum Waterfall
  • 6.3 Vachirathan Waterfall
  • 6.4 Borichinda Cave

History

The National Park was designated in 1954 as one of the first 14 national parks in the country. 1972 and 1974 its area was expanded so that today 482.4 km ² belong to the park.

Location and topography

The Doi Inthanon National Park is located in several districts ( Amphoe ) of Chiang Mai Province: Chom Thong, Mae Chaem, Mae Wang and Doi Lo. It covers an area of ​​about 482 km ².

The Doi Inthanon National Park is situated in a mountainous landscape, is the highest peak of Doi Inthanon with its 2,565 meters, at the same time is the highest peak of Thailand. Another mountain is Doi Hua Mod Luang 2,330 meters.

This spring many rivers, including Maenam Ping, continues to flow in Nakhon Sawan as Chao Phraya River to the Gulf of Thailand. Other rivers are

  • Mae Klang
  • Mae Pakong
  • Mae Pon
  • Mae Hoi
  • Mae Ya
  • Mae Chaem
  • Mae Khan

Climate

Due to the altitude but it is here, rather cooler than the rest of the country, no less humid. In the winter months the temperature can drop below freezing, and even in the summer when it is very hot in Chiang Mai and the surrounding areas, it can be chilly in the mountains.

He is often called the "Roof of Thailand ".

Colonization

It is home to around 4,500 people within the borders of the Doi Inthanon 's, these are predominantly of the tribes of the Karen, Hmong and Tai's. Another approximately 8,000 people live in 14 villages within five kilometers around the park. The residents of the park and those in the immediate vicinity of the park use this to collect plants, firewood and building materials, and to hunt. The central government it poses a problem for the park, because according to this help the locals a large proportion of forest clearing with.

Flora and Fauna

Flora

The forest area of the National Park Doi Inthanon has due to its special position on an unusual for Thailand vegetation. While there are also damp rainforest, but are also oaks and other, rather Headquartered in cool regions of species to see. Pines provide a kind of mixed forest and at higher altitudes are also peat moss to find. Many other plant species complement the high forest, such as orchids and rhododendron grow luxuriantly. There are also ferns, which are found in the higher regions. In Doi Inthanon is the highest cloud forest of Thailand.

Here is an excerpt of US-based plant species:

  • Dipterocarpus tuberculatus
  • Dipterocarpus obtusifolius
  • Shorea siamensis
  • Shorea roxburghii
  • Lagerstroemia balansae
  • Pterocarpus macrocarpus
  • Dillenia ovata
  • Ordinary Brechnuss ( Strychnos nux vomica )
  • Aporosa villosa
  • Castanopsis acuminatissima
  • Saurauia nepaulensis

Fauna

The wildlife was decimated by poaching and severe deforestation and still exists today from the ubiquitous snakes, as well as tigers, deer, gibbons, Asian goats, wild boars, hares and wild chickens. However, the main attraction are the various species of birds, whose number is greater than at any other place in Thailand, for example, the Bändersiva or the Green -tailed Sunbird.

Attractions

There are a few impressive waterfalls, such as the Mae Ya, which is considered one of the most beautiful in Thailand.

Mae Ya Waterfall

The Mae Ya Waterfall ( Thai: น้ำตก แม่ ยะ ) is located in the south of the national park, and pours from a height of 260 meters. He comes from the Mae -Ya Gorge ( Thai: ห้วย แม่ กลาง ) and shows several different types of waterfalls.

Siriphum Waterfall

The Siriphum Waterfall ( น้ำตก สิริ ภูมิ ) was formerly known as Lao Li ( น้ำตก เลา ลี ), according to a chief of a nearby village, the mountain peoples. Chakthong Thongyai, a former agriculture minister allowed to rename the waterfall. Now in remembrance of King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX. ) And Queen Sirikit he called Siribhum waterfall. It is located at km 31 of the road from Chom Thong to Doi Inthanon.

Vachirathan Waterfall

Located in the eastern part of the National Park Waterfall ( น้ำตก วชิร ธาร ) is also called fact - Khong Yong Waterfall ( น้ำตก ตาด ฆ้อง โยง ). It turns out 70 meters from the Mae Klang Gorge ( ห้วย แม่ กลาง ). It is located at km 22 of the road Chom Thong to Doi Inthanon. Near the waterfall several stalactite caves are accessible.

Borichinda Cave

The Borichinda Cave ( ถ้ำ บ ริ จินดา ) is an interesting limestone cave surrounded by a mixed forest with a huge chamber at the entrance. Another large cave in this system is open at the top and comes up with sunlight. It includes very beautiful stalactites. It can be reached after about an hour's hike from the main road to the cave.

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