Doi Khun Tan National Park

Doi Khun Tan National Park
by wichit songserm

General Information Located in the mountain of the northern Thailand, Doi Khun Tan National Park is home to many interesting species both flora and fauna, as well as many historical spots of interest. Its most renowned feature is Thailand’s longest railroad tunnel, which is 1,352 m. long. Doi Khun Tan National Park straddles the mountains separating Lamphun and Lampang Provinces, covering 255.29 sq.km and ranges in elevations from 325m to 1,373m at the summit. Established in 1975, it was the 10th National Park in Thailand.
Topography Doi translates to mountain in Northern Thai, while Khun Tan refers to the numerous streams and watershed flowing down from the mountain. Climate The three basic seasons are summer, from March to June, rainy, from July to October, and winter, from November to February. The temperature varies from 38 degree celsius during the hot season, to as cold as 5 degree celsuis. Rainfall, which falls mostly during the rainy season, averages about 1,034 mm. per year. Flora and Fauna The forests of Doi Khun Tan have changed dramatically in the past century due to human disturbance. The forests can be divided into three types, with distinct elevational ranges.

Lowland elevations (325-850 meter). Originally a teak forest, the lowland elevation is composed of a degraded mixed bamboo deciduous forest as deciduous Dipterocarp- oak forest.

Middle elevations (850-1,000 meter). This is a transitional area where the lowland deciduous forest and upland evergreen- pine forest mix to from the mixed evergreen and deciduous forest. Here are only two species of pine trees in Thailand, a two ��"needle pine (Pinus merkusii) and three-needle pine (P. kersiya) both of which can be found here.

Upland Elevations (1,000-1,373 meter). The forest here is composed mostly of evergreen hardwood trees and a minority of pine (Pinus merkusii) to from an evergreen- pine forest . Much of the forest and watershed on the west side of the national park have been distrubed; however, pristine conditions are found on the east side

In addition, Doi Khun Tan offers year-round viewing of wild-flowers such as orchids, and gingers. Doi Khun Tan is botanically very diverse, home to over 1,300 different vascular species. Numerous edible and fungi fond in the park.

Some wildlife still exists in Doi Khun Tan, including the Siamese hare, porcupine, wild chicken, wild boar and weasel, as a variety of birds, reptiles, spiders and insects. The effects of hunting, logging, frequent fires and human encroachment have greatly reduced their numbers. In the past, gibbons, tiger, elephants, bears, wild cattle, serow, slow loris, barking deer and many other species were also residents of Doi Khun Tan, but they are all gone.

Attraction

High Mountains “Yaw 2″ Yaw 2 (Camp 2) is located 800 metres away from Yaw 1, at Yaw 2 (Camp 2), dense pine trees offer a naturally peaceful atmosphere. Before reaching the summit, there is a guesthouse decorated with various winter plants and including a lychee garden. The house also has the royal seal of approval; His Majesty the King has spent two vacations here. Activities :

Historical Sight Seeing

flowers admiring

Bird Watching

Camping

Nature trail study High Mountains “Yaw 3″Yaw 3 (Camp 3) is located 3,500 metres away from Yaw 2 and is the highest summit in the mountain range (Mon Song Klong) offering magnificent views over Lampang. Before reaching the summit, there are seven missionary houses available for renting. More information can be found by contacting Payup University, Chiang Mai. Activities :

View Historical Sight Seeing flowers admiring Bird Watching Nature trail study High Mountains “Yaw 4″Doi Khuntan also saw activity during World War ll. The Thai millitary used the highest peak of Doi Khuntan, or Yaw 4 as a look out point for military operations. It was at this time the term Yaw or “Yutasat” which translates literaly to “strategic camp”, was introduced for the different retreats. Today, a visit to Yaw 4 provides a beautiful view of the valleys and surrounding mountains of Lamphun and Lampang province. Yaw 4 (Camp 4) is located 1,000 metres away from Yaw 3 Activities :

View Historical Sight Seeing flowers admiring Bird Watching Nature trail study High Mountains “yaw 1″In 1917, the State Railway of Thailand also built a vacation house at Yaw 1 (Camp 1) while building the railroad and tunnel in the valley below. Emil Eisenhofer, the german engineer instrumental in building the tunnel, stated at this house as well as any visiting Thai dignitaries. The house at Yaw 1 is still in execellent condition and open to tourists. Activities :

Historical Sight Seeing flowers admiring Bird Watching Nature trail study View Mae Long WaterfallIf you get off at Mae Tan Noi railway station and walk for 3 kilometres, you won’t miss this beautiful, year-round cascade. The waterfall is located some 10 kilometres from Khuntan railway station and the atmosphere here is perfect for refreshment and reinvigoration. Activities : Waterfall Traveling Tat Moie Waterfall Between Yow 2 and Yow 3, there is a path on the left side down to Tat Moie Waterfall. If you walk down to Mae Yon Wai Valley for 300 meters, you won’t miss it. Activities : Waterfall Traveling Khun Tan Railway Tunnel Construction of the tunnel at Khun Tan, which was cut through the solid granite bedrock, had began in 1907 under the reign of King Rama V, and was completed in 1918. Khun Tan tunnel has another name called cemetery of laborers as it is said that over 1,000 workers died while constructing the tunnel because of the suffocation, accidents, malaria, tigers, and fighting amongst themselves. The workers were mostly from the northeast of Thailand and many of them were opium addition to wages. Emil Eisenhofer, a German railroad engineer was assigned in building the tunnel. A monument in front of the tunnel contains Eisenhofer’s ashes is dedicated to him and all the workers who died while building this tunnel. Activities : Historical Sight Seeing


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