Khun Phawo National Park () is a national park in the Mae Ramat District, Tak Province, Thailand.

Geography The national park, with an area of 247,957 rai ~ consists of mountains of 350–905 metres elevation. The park is the source of many streams, including Huai Mae La-mao, Huai Mae Charao, Huai Phrawo, Huai Mae Kasa, Huai Mae Kit Luang, Huai Pha-so, Huai Sa-muen Luang, Huai Samae, and Huai Mae Ra-mat, which flow into the agricultural areas of Mae Sot District and Mae Ramat District in Tak Province.

History The park was originally called "Mae Kasa National Park" and was later changed into "Khun Phra Wo National Park" in honour of Phra Wo, a Karen soldier in the Thonburi period. He was appointed as the head of La Mao customs house to defend his nation's independence till his death on the battlefield which was in the area of Khun Phra Wo National Park.

Climate It is cool and breezy throughout the year at an average temperature of 21 °C. The average highest temperature is 20 °C. The lowest temperature is 8 °C. The average rainfall is 1,676 mm per year.

Flora and fauna There are various kinds of forests within the area of the national park, including mixed forests, virgin forests, and dense forests. Major plants include Indian mahogany, teaks, Dipterocarpus tuberculatus (pluang), Lithocarpus cantleyanus (kor), Lagerstroemia (tabaek), Terminalia chebula, Afzelia xylocarpa, ebony, Millettia pendula (ka-jaw), Terminalia arjuna (rokfa), and Xylia xylocarpa (redwood plants).

Wild animals found in the park include Muntiacus Muntjak, wild boars, bears, langur, flying squirrel, gibbons, cobra, king cobra, rabbits, squirrels, tree shrews, red junglefowls, and Asiatic golden cats.

Sights Namtok Khun Phawo (น้ำตกขุนพะวอ) A large waterfall around 100 m high and an origin of Huai Mae Charao (Mae Charao Creek). Huai Mae Lamao (ห้วยแม่ละเมา) This large creek is in an unspoiled forest, offering whitewater rafting on rubber dinghies. Nature Trail (เส้นทางเดินศึกษาธรรมชาติ) The walking path goes up and down the fairly steep hills, and passes along the river upstream and a small waterfall. During the period of change from the rainy to cool season, colourful wild flowers can be seen. The greenery is dotted with strikingly red Krathue (Boesenbergia prainiana) and yellow Mexican sunflowers. Namtok Pha Thewa (น้ำตกผาเทวะ) It is on the nature trail and the most remarkable waterfall of the park. With a height of 150 m, the powerful flow falls against boulders and the pool below. In the woods, there is a pagoda containing cremated bones of a heartbroken woman who hung herself. Tham Mae Usu (ถ้ำแม่อุสุ) This cave is around 12 km from the Tha Song Yang District Office to the north. To the west, there is a gigantic hollow rock. In the afternoon, rays of sunlight illuminate the cave. Namtok Thung Nang Khruan (น้ำตกทุ่งนางครวญ) A medium-size waterfall with small layers of flowing water amid a shady forest. It receives water from a canal beside rice fields.

Location Khun Phawo National Park in overview PARO 14 (Tak)  National park1 Doi Soi Malai2 Khun Phawo3 Lan Sang4 Mae Moei5 Namtok Pha Charoen6 Ramkhamhaeng7 Si Satchanalai8 Taksin Maharat   Wildlife sanctuary  9 Mae Tuen10 Tham Chao Ram11 Thung Yai Naresuan East12 Umphang   Non-hunting area13 Tham Chao Ram  Forest park14 Namtok Pa La Tha15 Phra Tat Huai Luek16 Tham Lom–Tham Wang17 Tham Ta Kho Bi

See also List of national parks of Thailand DNP - Khun Phawo National Park List of Protected Areas Regional Offices of Thailand

References