Phu Soi Dao National Park (Thai: อุทยานแห่งชาติภูสอยดาว, RTGS: Utthayan Haeng Chat Phu Soi Dao) named after 2,120 metres (6,960 ft) high Phu Soi Dao mountain, is a protected area at the southern end of the Luang Prabang Range in the Thai/Lao border area, on the Thai side of the range. It is located in Ban Khok and Nam Pat Districts of Uttaradit Province and Chat Trakan District of Phitsanulok Province. The park was established as Thailand's 109th national park in 2008.

Topography

The park is bordered by Laos PDR for a length of about 60 kilometres (37 mi) to the east and is up to 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) wide at its widest point and is abutting Phu Miang-Phu Thong Wildlife Sanctuary to the southwest and neighbouring Nam Pat Wildlife Sanctuary to the west. Landscape is mostly covered by mountains and forests (85%) and some small plains (15%), the height ranges from 500 metres (1,600 ft) to 2,100 metres (6,900 ft). Phu Soi Dao summit is with 2,120 metres (6,960 ft) the fifth highest in Thailand. There are mixed deciduous forest, dry dipterocarp forest, hill evergreen forest and conifer forest. Several rivers have their source within the park, including Pat and Kwae Noi rivers.

Climate

The park is generally cool all year round. Average high temperature is 35.0 °C (95.0 °F), average lowest temperature is 13.0 °C (55.4 °F), average mean temperature is 27.0 °C (80.6 °F). Rainy season is from May to October, average rainfall is 1,334 millimetres (52.5 in)/year. Winter is from November to February and summer is from April to June.

History

A survey was set up in November 1990, with an area of only 32 square kilometres (12 sq mi). In 1992 the area was extended to 78 square kilometres (30 sq mi). In August 1993 Phu Soi Dao National Park was proposed, with the inclusion of Phu Soi Dao waterfall. On May 28, 2008, Phu Soi Dao National Park, including Nam Pat forest and Phu Soi Dao forest, with an area of 212,633 rai ~ 340 square kilometres (130 sq mi) was declared the 109th national park. Since 2002 this national park has been managed by Protected Areas Regional Office 11 (Phitsanulok).

Flora

Plant species include:

Flowering plant species include:

Orchids species include:

Carnivorous plant species include:

Fauna

In the park are the following mammals:

Birds,the park has some 190 species, of which 130 species of passerine from 32 families, represented by one species:

and some 60 species of non-passerine from 14 families, represented by one species:

And also reptiles:

Places

• Namtok Phu Soi Dao - a 5-tiered waterfall.
• Lan Son Phu Soi Dao - a broad plain, 640 hectares (1,600 acres) at 1,630 metres (5,350 ft) elevation, Thailand's largest field of "Crested Naga" flowers.
• Namtok Sai Thip - a 7 tiered waterfall.
• Namtok Pha Chan and Moss - two small waterfalls.
• Yod Phu Soi Dao - the summit, a flat plain, 160 hectares (400 acres) at 2,120 metres (6,960 ft) elevation.

Location

Phu Soi Dao National Park in overview PARO 11 (Phitsanulok)
National park     1 Khao Kho 2 Khwae Noi 3 Lam Nam Nan 4 Nam Nao 5 Namtok Chat Trakan 6 Phu Hin Rong Kla 7 Phu Soi Dao 8 Tat Mok 9 Thung Salaeng Luang 10 Ton Sak Yai               Wildlife sanctuary         11 Mae Charim 12 Nam Pat 13 Phu Khat 14 Phu Miang-Phu Thong 15 Phu Pha Daeng 16 Tabo-Huai Yai

See also

• List of national parks in Thailand
• List of Protected Areas Regional Offices of Thailand