Dong Phaya Yen Mountains

Dong Phaya Yen ( Thai: ป่าดง พญา เย็น, literally " the Lord of the Jungle cold ") is a mountain range in Central Thailand. The mountains of the Dong Phaya Yen represent the southeastern extension of the Phetchabun mountain range, and disconnect the valley of the Chao Phraya current from the Khorat Plateau in the northeast of the country. Pull down over a length of about 230 kilometers and will be continued to the south of the Sankamphaeng mountain range and to the east of the Dangrek mountains.

The mountains are drained towards the north of the numerous tributaries of the Maenam Mun ( Mun River ), to the south in the Maenam Bang Pakong ( Bang Pakong River - ). The height is between 100 meters and 1351 meters, it is the Khao Rome ( Thai: เขา ร่ม ) with 1351 meters, the highest elevation.

In the mountains there are numerous national parks. The most famous is the Khao Yai National Park, the first national park of Thailand. Other parks are the Ta Phraya National Park on the border to Cambodia, the National Park Thap Lan, Pang Sida National Park, the National Park Phra Phutthachai and the Dong Yai Wildlife Sanctuary (English: " Dong Yai Wildlife Sanctuary "). A total of 6155 km ² land area in national parks are protected.

The original name of the Dong Phaya Yen Dong Phaya Fai was formerly ( "Jungle of the Lord of Fire" ), as most travelers who previously ventured into this vast forest area, there treat injuries sustained malaria. Since the beginning of the 20th century, however, most of the forest has been destroyed, hence the Uparat changed ( "Second King " ) of King Mongkut (Rama IV ) Phra Pinklao the name of " Dong Phaya Fai " in " Dong Phaya Yen " to clarify that the forest can now be traversed safely.

Since 14 July 2005, is " forest complex of the Dong Phaya Yen mountain - chain to the Khao Yai National Park " on the list of World Cultural and Natural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.