Kaeng Krachan National Park Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Kaeng Krachan National Park
IUCN Category II (National Park)

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Location	Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan Provinces, Thailand
Nearest city	Phetchaburi
Area	2,914.70 km²
Established	12 Jun 1981

Kaeng Krachan National Park is the biggest national park in Thailand. It is located right on the border with Burma. The park shares a common border with the Tanintharyi Nature Reserve. It is a popular place to visit because it is close to the tourist town of Hua Hin.

Exploring Kaeng Krachan's Geography
The History of Kaeng Krachan Park
Amazing Plants and Animals of Kaeng Krachan
Images for kids
See also

Exploring Kaeng Krachan's Geography

A view of Kaeng Krachan National Park

This amazing park is mostly covered by a thick rainforest. This forest grows on the eastern side of the Tenasserim Mountain Range. The highest point in the park reaches 1,513 meters (about 4,964 feet) into the sky. Another tall mountain peak is Kao Panern Toong, which is 1,207 meters (about 3,960 feet) high.

Two important rivers start their journey inside the park. These are the Pranburi River and the Phetchaburi River. The Phetchaburi River is held back by the Kaeng Krachan Dam. This dam is located at the eastern edge of the park. The dam creates a large lake that covers an area of 46.5 square kilometers (about 18 square miles). The dam was built in 1966.

The History of Kaeng Krachan Park

A beautiful landscape in Kaeng Krachan National Park

A colorful Ruddy kingfisher

Kaeng Krachan was first set aside as a protected area in 1964. Later, on June 12, 1981, it officially became the 28th national park in Thailand. When it was first made a national park, it covered an area of about 2,478 square kilometers (957 square miles). In December 1984, the park was made even larger.

This park has been recognized as an ASEAN Heritage Park. This means it is a very special natural area in Southeast Asia. Since 2011, Thailand has suggested that UNESCO should name Kaeng Krachan National Park a World Heritage Site. This would make it famous around the world for its natural beauty and importance.

Amazing Plants and Animals of Kaeng Krachan

The forests in Kaeng Krachan National Park are full of life. They have a huge variety of different kinds of plants. You can find many types of tropical and subtropical broadleaf trees here. There are also many kinds of palms.

Scientists have counted 91 different kinds of mammals living in the park. There are also an incredible 461 different bird species! This makes the park a fantastic place for nature lovers and birdwatchers. Some of the animals you might see include the Indian elephant and the Ruddy kingfisher.