Thale Ban National Park () is a forested area south of the Banthat Mountains in southern Thailand, in the south of Satun Province bordering Malaysia; it borders Taman Negeri Perlis park. The park was established on 27 October 1980. It covers an area of 122,500 rai ~ of Khuan Don and Mueang Satun districts.
The nearest town to the park is Satun, west of the park and approximately southwest of park headquarters.
Geography The park is located around a valley which formed the historic link between Thailand and Malaysia. According to local lore, 300 years ago an earthquake formed the lake in the valley, probably due to a landslide which created a natural dam. Submerged trees found in the lake seem to confirm this story.
The limestone hills contain several caves. Tham Ton Din is a river cave near park headquarters. The highest elevation within the park is Chin Mountain with an elevation of .
Flora and fauna The park features forest types including tropical rain forest, mixed deciduous forest and coastal mangrove forests. The rain forest is home to species of Dipterocarpus, Hopea, Shorea, Parashorea, Alstonia, Caryota and Calamus. The deciduous forest, unusual in southern Thailand, has species of Caryota, Lagerstroemia, Pterocymbium, Vitex, Schima and Dillenia. The coastal forest is home to mangrove species such as Rhizophora mucronata, R. apiculata, Bruguiera cylindrica and species of Avicennia.
The park is known to contain 64 mammal species, 282 bird species (including 8 hornbill species), 40 reptile species and 20 amphibian species.
Mammals include the endangered Malayan tapir, threatened Sumatran serow and protected marbled cat. Other mammals include tiger, leopard cat and sun bear. Birds in the park include chestnut-bellied malkoha, orange-breasted trogon, Gould's frogmouth, blue-winged pitta, blue-crowned hanging parrot, white-crowned hornbill, oriental pied hornbill, brown boobook, black-and-red broadbill, Asian green broadbill, banded broadbill and hill myna. Reptiles include the common house gecko, large forest gecko, reticulated python, king cobra, soft-shelled turtle and the endangered sunburst turtle.
Location Thale Ban National Park in overview PARO 5 (Nakhon Si Thammarat) National park 1 Ao Phang Nga 2 Hat Chao Mai 3 Hat Khanom–Mu Ko Thale Tai 4 Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Ko Phi Phi 5 Khao Lak–Lam Ru 6 Khao Lampi–Hat Thai Mueang 7 Khao Luang 8 Khao Nan 9 Khao Phanom Bencha 10 Mu Ko Lanta 11 Mu Ko Phetra 12 Mu Ko Similan 13 Mu Ko Surin 14 Namtok Si Khit 15 Namtok Yong 16 Si Phang Nga 17 Sirinat 18 Tarutao 19 Thale Ban 20 Than Bok Khorani Wildlife sanctuary 21 Kathun 22 Khao Pra–Bang Khram 23 Khlong Phraya 24 Namtok Song Phraek Non-hunting area 25 Bo Lo 26 Khao Nam Phrai 27 Khao Phra Thaeo 28 Khao Pra–Bang Khram 29 Khlong Lam Chan 30 Laem Talumpuk 31 Mu Ko Libong 32 Nong Plak Phraya–Khao Raya Bangsa 33 Thung Thale Forest park 34 Bo Namrong Kantang 35 Namtok Phan 36 Namtok Raman 37 Namtok Thara Sawan 38 Sa Nang Manora
See also List of national parks of Thailand DNP - Thale Ban National Park List of Protected Areas Regional Offices of Thailand
References
External links thaibirding.com on Thalebun national park