Erawan National Park


Erawan National Park is a protected area in Western Thailand, in the Tenasserim Hills of Kanchanaburi Province. Founded in 1975, it was the 12th national park of Thailand.

Geography

Erawan National Park is located about 50 kilometers northwest of Kanchanaburi town. The park covers an area of 343,735 rai ~ 550 square kilometers in Sai Yok, Tha Sao and Lum Sum subdistricts in Sai Yok district, Nong Pet and Tha Kradan subdistricts in Si Sawat district and Chong Sadao subdistrict in Mueang Kanchanaburi district and neighboring Sai Yok National Park, Khuean Srinagarindra National Park and Salak Phra Wildlife Sanctuary.
The limestone mountains in the Tenasserim Range rise to 996 meters include: Khao Chong Pun, Khao Kro Krae, Khao Mo Thao, Khao Nong Phuk and Khao Plai Dinsor.
Streams such as: Huai Nong Kop and Huai Sa Dae flows into Srinagarind Dam, Huai Monglai and Huai Amatara flow into Erawan Waterfall, Huai Khao Phang and Huai Tap Sila, which are the sources of Khao Phang Waterfall and Sai Yok Noi Waterfall.

History

The establishment of the national park was declared the 12th national park in the Royal Gazette on 19 June 1975 and came into effect the following day. This park area was further modified in 1995.

Climate

The climate is influenced by southeastern monsoon in rainy season and northeastern monsoon in cold season. This park is in the rain shadow of the hills, resulting in a low average rainfall. Summer is from February to April, rainy season runs from May to October and cold season lasts from November to January.

Flora

There are three types of forest, namely: Mixed deciduous forest is the general forest type with 81%, 14% is Dry evergreen forest and Dry dipterocarp forest is with 2% the smallest forest type.
Flowering plants such as Phlogacanthus pulcerrimus.

Fauna

Mammals

The number of sightings in the park are 14 species of mammals, include:

Birds

The park has some 237 species of birds from 64 families.

Passerine

133 species of passerine from 35 families, represented by one species:

Non-passerine

104 species of non-passerine from 29 families, represented by one species:

Reptiles

The number of sightings in the park are seven species of reptiles, include:

Amphibians

Crustacea

Fishes

Attractions

The major attraction of the park is Erawan Falls, a waterfall named after Erawan, the three-headed white elephant of Hindu mythology. The waterfalls have seven tiers, and the water flows out of three spouts. These spouts resemble the three heads of Erawan. The first through sixth tiers are accessible via a trail that begins at the park visitor center, and visitors are able to swim in the many pools and ponds along the river. Garra rufa are prolific throughout. The distance from the trailhead to the top tier of the waterfall is 1.5km.
There are four caves in the park: Mi, Rua, Wang Badan, and Phra That. Phra That is 12km west of the visitor center, and is accessible via a concrete path that begins at the Ranger's Station. The cave is 544 meters long. Wang Badan, 744 meters long, is on the southeast side of the park and is not accessible to visitors. Rising northeast of the waterfall area there is a breast-shaped hill named Khao Nom Nang.

Further reads

  • Notebook, BeautifulbEq. Notebook: Beautiful Waterfalls in the Erawan National Park in Tha, Journal for Writing, College Ruled Size 6 X 9, 110 Pages. N.p., Independently Published, 2020.
  • Atiyah, Jeremy. Southeast Asia. United Kingdom, Rough Guides, 2002.