Doi Wiang Pha National Park

Doi Wiang Pha is to be announced as a national park covering the areas of Mae Fang National Conserved Forest in Tambol Sridongyen, Tambol Maetalob, Chaiprakarn District, Tambol Mae Kha, Tambol Mae Kha, Fang District, Chiang Mai Province, and the left side of Mae Lao National Conserved Forest in Tambol Pa Daed, Tambol Srithoi, Tambol Thakor of Chiang Rai Province within an approximate area of 583 square kilometers or 364,375 rai.
Geographical Features

The geographical features of the National Park consist of high mountains, extending northwards, which are regarded as the boundary between Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai provinces. Doi Wiang Pha is the highest mountain of the National Park, at the altitude of 1,834 meters above the medium sea level. Most of the areas are water-source forests for major gullies, particularly Fang River and branches of Lao River such as Mae Fangluang Gully, Mae Fangnoi Gully, Yangmin River, etc.
Weather Condition
The weather at the National Park can be divided into 3 seasons including rainy season (May-October), when it rains heavily in September, winter (November-February), when the weather is cool and ideal for travelling, and summer (March-April), when the weather is rather hot.
Varieties of Plants and Wild Animals


There are a variety of forests covering the whole areas of the National Park, including virgin forests, arid, evergreen forests, pinery, timber forests, and mixed forests, depending on the altitude of the areas. Major plants include teak, rubber trees, Leguminosae (Pradoo), Michelia Alba, Pinus Merkusii Jungh (two-leaf pines), different kinds of Lithocarpus Cantleyanus (Kor), moss, ferns, orchids, etc. Due to its abundance of forests, varieties of plants, and different altitudes of the areas (300-1,834 meters), the National Park has become the source of foods and dwelling places for different kinds of wild animals including Muntiacus Muntjak, wild boars, gorals, porcupines, wild rabbits, monkeys, masked palm civets, squirrels, tree shrews, and different kinds of birds such as White-rumped Shama, turtle doves, hawks, while fowls, etc
Location and Journey
Address
Doi Wiang Pha National ParkP.O. Box 14, Chaiprakarn, Chiang Mai, Thailand 50320Tel. : 0 7186 2118
By Bus
From the city of Chiang Mai, you may take Highway No. 107 to Chaiprakarn District. At Baan Mae Khi (km 125), make a right hand turn and go straight on for approximately 10 kilometers to the National Park’s office.

Doi Suthep-Pui National Park

Doi Suthep-Pui used to be known as Doi Oi Chang. Its new name comes from the name of a hermit, Prarusiwasuthep who lived at Doi Suthep-Pui was a protected forest. In 1973, The Royal Forest Department decided that Doi Suthep and 13 other forest areas in the country should eventually be national parks. The Royal Forest Department sent Mr.Panya Boonsomboon to survey the area. After that, the national park committed decided that only forest in good condition should be included in Doi Suthep-Pui National park and areas occupied by villagers should be excluded. In 1981, as the 24th national park of Thailand which encompasses 161.06 square kilometers. The following year, an additional 100 square kilometers were annexed to the park, bringing the total to 261.06 square kilometers.

Geographical Features

Doi Suthep, Doi Buakha and Doi Pui are the three main peaks in the park. The highest peak, Doi Pui, rises to 1,685 meters above mean sea levels.







Weather Condition

Because of the high altitude, the weather on the upper slopes of the mountains is cool and pleasant all year even in hot season, average temperature is about 20 - 23 degree celsuis. In the cool season, the air is cold and clear. Temperature can drop as low as 6 degree celsuis in February, August and September are the wettest months with rain falling daily.

Varieties of Plants and Wild Animals

There are two basic types of forest on the mountain: Deciduous forest below about 1,000 m elevation and evergreen forest above. The deciduous is further divided into two kinds, deciduous dipterocarp-oak Forest in the driest areas and mixed evergreen deciduous forest along streams and gullies. Common species are trees of the families Dipterocarpaceae, Fagaceae and Magnoliaceae. Wildlife in the park includes common muntjac, wild boar, macaque and other small mammals. More than 300 species of birds can be seen here, including red junglefowl, pheasants, eagles, parrots, bulbuls and minivets. Rare species of amphibian, the crocodile salamander that can be found in only four localities in Thailand, one in Doi Suthep.
Location and Journey
Address
Doi Suthep-Pui National ParkHuai Kaew road, Suthep Sub-district, Muang Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai, Thailand 50200Tel. : 0 5321 0244 Fax : 0 5321 2065
By Car
From Bangkok use highway no.1 and turn to highway no.32 (Asia) you will pass Ayuthaya, Angthong and Nakornsawan. Then use highway no.1 pass Lampang and turn left to Chiang Mai. It takes you about 696 kilometers from Bangkok.
By Airplane
2 Airlines are operate daily flights to Chiang Mai from Bangkok.