Khao Kho National Park

Khao Kho National Park covers 483 km² (301,698 rai) in Phetchabun Province, across the Lom Kao, Lom Sak, Khao Kho and Mueang Phetchabun districts, and adjoins Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park to the north. It was declared on 18 May 2012 as Thailand's 125th national park^[1].

Recorded mammals include Asian elephant, Asian golden cat, Asian palm civet, flying lemur, slow loris and wild boar. About 80 bird species are listed, including Asian fairy-bluebird and vernal hanging parrot, along with Bengal monitor and many butterflies^[1].

The forest is mainly deciduous dipterocarp, described as red rainforest, with trees such as teak, Xylia xylocarpa, Pterocarpus macrocarpus, Dipterocarpus alatus and Hopea odorata, and wild orchids^[1].

The park is mostly mountains and forest in the Phetchabun range, with elevations from 155 m to 1,305 m. It is named for Khao Kho, a mesa 1,143 m high, and feeds the main tributaries of the Pa Sak, Yom and Nan rivers^[1].

The park is generally cool year-round. Annual rainfall is about 1,425 mm over 126 rainy days; the rainy season runs from mid-May to October, winter from November to mid-February and summer from mid-February to mid-May^[1].

From 1968 to 1981 the forest served as a base for Communist Party of Thailand guerrillas. In 1985 a temporary residence of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej was built at Khao Kho^[1].

A survey of several forests in the area began on 16 August 2001. An earlier 14 km² area in Khao Polok Lon National Forest, called Namtok Than Thip Forest Park, was declared a park on 1 May 1995, and the larger Khao Kho National Park followed in 2012^[1].

Waterfalls include Namtok Tat Fa, the largest, Namtok Than Thip (26 m), Namtok Huai Yai (20 m) and the 20-tiered Namtok Khan Bandai. Other sights are Tham Yai Nam Ko cave, the Khao Kho royal palace, Wat Phra That Pha Son Kaeo temple and a wind farm of 24 turbines, each 110 m tall^[1].

Phetchabun city is about 40 km away. The park received 33,609 visitors in 2019 and is a popular cool-climate destination^[1].

The park is an IUCN category II area managed through Region 11 (Phitsanulok). A weather station has recorded temperature, humidity and rainfall since June 1999^[1].