Chaloem Rattanakosin Chaloem Rattanakosin National ParkNational Park

ครู�จั�นทนา คาอน�กู�ล

Chaloem Rattanakosin National Chaloem Rattanakosin National Park is the smallest park in Park is the smallest park in

Kanchanaburi province. Its main Kanchanaburi province. Its main features are fertile forests, steep features are fertile forests, steep

limestone mountains, waterfalls and limestone mountains, waterfalls and mysterious caves. mysterious caves.

The park was designated in The park was designated in February 1980 as Thailand's 17th February 1980 as Thailand's 17th national park covering an area of national park covering an area of

59 square kilometers. The forested, 59 square kilometers. The forested, limestone mountains of the park limestone mountains of the park are the watershed of Mae Klong are the watershed of Mae Klong

river. The highest peak in the park river. The highest peak in the park is Kam Paeng mountain which is Kam Paeng mountain which

reaches 1260 meters. reaches 1260 meters.

The park is mostly covered The park is mostly covered by dry evergreen forest, by dry evergreen forest,

deciduous forest with some areas deciduous forest with some areas of bamboo forest. There are of bamboo forest. There are many kinds of animal in the many kinds of animal in the

park, such as leopard, Banteng, park, such as leopard, Banteng, Gaur, deer, white-handed Gaur, deer, white-handed

gibbons and monkeys. gibbons and monkeys.

Over 60 species of bird have Over 60 species of bird have been recorded in the park. A special been recorded in the park. A special

type of animal is "water dog" or type of animal is "water dog" or barking tree frog (Manam of barking tree frog (Manam of

Kiadwag in Thai), a rare frog with a Kiadwag in Thai), a rare frog with a croak that is remarkably similar to a croak that is remarkably similar to a

dog's bark.dog's bark.

In this National Park, there In this National Park, there are two caves: Tharn Lod Noi Cave are two caves: Tharn Lod Noi Cave

and Tharn Lod Yai Cave. Tharn and Tharn Lod Yai Cave. Tharn Lod Noi Cave The subtle lighting in Lod Noi Cave The subtle lighting in this 300 meters cave illuminates the this 300 meters cave illuminates the

many stalactites. A small stream many stalactites. A small stream inside cools the air in the cave. inside cools the air in the cave.

A 2km trail leads A 2km trail leads from this cave to its from this cave to its sister cave. On this sister cave. On this trail there is a huge trail there is a huge tree covered with tree covered with

bamboo stakes that bamboo stakes that villagers use to climb villagers use to climb

and collect honey from and collect honey from bee nests in the upper bee nests in the upper

branches. branches.

An hour walk would take one An hour walk would take one to the other cave. And Tharn Lod to the other cave. And Tharn Lod Yai cave, a spectacular sinkhole Yai cave, a spectacular sinkhole

with a natural stone arch over the with a natural stone arch over the stream. The cave is an ancient stream. The cave is an ancient

graveyard; and weapons, skeletons graveyard; and weapons, skeletons and charms have been found in the and charms have been found in the

cave.cave.