Western Forest Complex

The Western Forest Complex is a system of interconnected protected areas in the west of Thailand on the border with Myanmar. The twelve national parks and seven wildlife sanctuaries form with an area of ​​18.730 square kilometers, one of the largest contiguous protected forest areas of Southeast Asia. Two of the protected areas, the Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Reserve and Thung Yai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary have been added to the list of World Natural Heritage by UNESCO in 1991. In addition to large animals such as elephants, tigers and Schabrackentapiren the area is home to 153 species of mammals, over 400 bird species and numerous reptiles, amphibians and fish. The varied landscape includes the lowlands and mountains, the vegetation ranges from tropical rain forests to savannas.

The following protected areas are part of the Western Forest Complex:

  • Wildlife Reserve Salakpra: Near the town of Kanchanaburi, the reserve is home to about 150 wild specimens of the Asian elephant.
  • Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary: Natural World Heritage Site, many large animals, including tigers, tapirs, Gaure, banteng, Asian wild dogs, Asian elephants (150 to 200 copies ) and the only water buffalo herd in Thailand (24 to 40 copies )
  • Thung Yai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary: Natural World Heritage Site comprises two protected areas (east and west); numerous large animal species
  • Wildlife Sanctuary Khao Sanampriang (101 km ²): Relatively small reserve near the Khlong Lan National Park.
  • Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary: Large sanctuary, just north of the nature reserve Thung Yai
  • Erawan National Park (550 km ²)
  • Chaloem Rattanakosin National Park (59 km ²)
  • National Park Sai Yok (500 km ²)
  • National Park Khuean Srinagarindra (Sri Nakharin ) ( 1532 km ²)
  • Mae Wong National Park
  • Phu Toei National Park
  • National Park Khlong Wang Chao
  • Khao Laem National Park ( 1497 km ²)
  • National Park Thong Pha Pum
  • Lam Khlong Ngu National Park

The following protected areas are isolated south from the northern reserve complex in Thailand. However, they are joined by Myanmar on forest areas:

  • Wildlife Reserve Mae Nam Phachi (500)
  • National Park Kaeng Krachan ( 2915 km ²): Largest National Park of Thailand; home to 57 species of mammals
Sai Yok National Park Khlong Wang Chao National Park Kaeng Krachan National Park
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