Doi Pha Klong

Doi Pha Klong National Park is in Phrae Province, northern Thailand, spanning Long, Mueang Phrae and Sung Men districts. It covers roughly 180-190 km², mostly mixed deciduous forest^[1].

Wildlife includes serow, bears, barking deer, wild boar, civets, junglefowl and many birds; the minivet visits in winter^[1].

Forest is mostly mixed deciduous, with dry dipterocarp forest in places. Plants include Chan Pha (Dracaena), wild banana relatives, ground orchids and local medicinal herbs^[1].

The park is known for a jagged, coral-like limestone mountain formed over millions of years by crustal movement and erosion, and for Suan Hin Maharat, a group of large sandstone boulders^[1].

The rainy season turns the park green, while the dry season shows the rock landscape most clearly; mornings are the most comfortable time to walk^[1].

The Yom River runs through the area, and the Kaeng Luang rapids and Tham Erawan cave lie on it in Ban Pin Subdistrict, Long District^[1].

The park was set up to protect forest, headwaters and the rock landscape; its streams flow into the Yom River^[1].

Suan Hin Maharat is easy to reach among dry dipterocarp forest. A 1,100 m nature trail crosses the coral-like rock mountain, with sharp ground that calls for grippy shoes; a cool draught blows from a cave mouth on the way. Kaeng Luang rapids and Tham Erawan are further along the Yom River^[1].

The park office is on Highway 1023 at km 19-20, about 20 km from Phrae town, and the park is open daily 08:30-16:30. It has two guest houses, nature trails and parking; a private car or hired vehicle is recommended, and Ban Pin railway station is about 7 km away^[1].

The park's main role is protecting forest and the headwaters of streams that feed the Yom River^[1].