Sai Yok National Park

Sai Yok National Park (Thai: อุทยานแห่งชาติไทรโยค) is a national park in Sai Yok district, Kanchanaburi Province, Thailand, near the town Nam Tok Sai Yok Noi. The park, home to mountains, waterfalls and caves, is part of the Western Forest Complex protected area.

Sai Yok National Park
อุทยานแห่งชาติไทรโยค
IUCN category II (national park)
Khwae Noi river in Sai Yok National Park
Park location in Thailand
Location	Kanchanaburi Province, Thailand
Nearest city	Kanchanaburi
Coordinates	14°23′20″N 98°44′50″E
Area	500 km2 (190 sq mi)
Established	October 1980
Visitors	117,401 (in 2019)
Governing body	Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation

Geography

Sai Yok National Park is in the Tenasserim Hills mountain chain, 100 kilometres (62 mi) northwest of Kanchanaburi town. The park's area is 312,500 rai ~ 500 square kilometres (190 sq mi).^[1] The Khwae Noi river ("River Kwai") runs through the park. The park's highest peak is Khao Khwae at 1,327 metres (4,354 ft). The western boundary of the park adjoins Myanmar.^[2]

Climate

Temperatures in the park area have a wide annual range from 8 °C (46 °F) to 45 °C (113 °F). The driest time of the year here is from December to February, while the rainiest time is from May to October.^[3][4]

History

Within the park are remains of a bridge on the Burma Railway and of a camp used by Japanese troops during World War II.^[2][5]

In 1978, the Russian roulette scenes of the film The Deer Hunter were filmed in the park.^[3] On 27 October 1980, Sai Yok became Thailand's 11th national park.^[4]

Attractions

Sai Yok Yai Lek waterfall

The park's major attractions are its waterfalls, including Sai Yok Yai waterfall which flows into the Khwae Noi river. Sai Yok Yai Lek waterfall lies south of Sai Yok Yai along the Khwae Noi.^[2]

The park also contains numerous caves, the largest of which is Tham Lawa with a length of 500 metres (1,600 ft). This cave complex consists of five large caverns, each containing large stalactites and stalagmites.^[3] Another cave system, Tham Daowadueng, is 100 metres (330 ft) long and was discovered in 1972. Tham Daowadung consists of eight chambers of stalactites and stalagmites.^[2]

Sai Yok Noi Waterfall

Sai Yok Noi Waterfall
The falls of Sai Yok Noi
Location	Sai Yok District, Kanchanaburi Province, Thailand
Coordinates	14.2384°N 99.0583°E / 14.2384; 99.0583

Sai Yok Noi, also known as Khao Phang Waterfall, is the most popular attraction of the Sai Yok National Park.^[6] The waterfall consists of the limestone cliffs collapsing and that became the origin of the name "Khao Phang Waterfall”. The upstream falls from the mountain and flows along the limestone cliffs about 15-meter high.^[7] It is popular among domestic and foreign tourists alike, in part because it lies next to the province's trunk road alongside which there is ample parking space.

The Krasae Cave, a small Buddhist shrine next to a section of rail tracks of the Death Railway and the Dawadung Cave, a secluded collection of stalactites, are located near the waterfall. Hellfire Pass Memorial, a museum and tribute to those lost during the construction of the Death Railway's cuttings and trestle bridges, lies about 35 km to the west of Sai Yok Noi falls. A small market geared toward travelers is also nearby. Sai Yok Yai waterfall, some 40 km to the west lies offset from the valley's main road, adjacent to the Sai Yok National Park Headquarters. It comprises a 10-metre (32 ft) picturesque cascade which drops directly into the Kwae Noi River.

Flora and fauna

Sai Yok's forest is primarily teak forest. During the Japanese occupation of Thailand, teak trees were felled for use as railway sleepers on the Burma Railway. The teak forest was replanted in 1954.^[8] Other tree species include Shorea obtusa, Xylia xylocarpa, Bambusa bambos, Walsura robusta and Dialium cochinchinense.^[2]

Animal species include elephants, tiger, barking deer, sambar deer, wild pig, gibbon, Malayan porcupine, slow loris and serow.^[3][4] A species of crab—the Rachinee crab, coloured red, white and blue—was discovered in the park in 1983.^[3][5]

Sai Yok is home to Kitti's hog-nosed bat, a rare bat species considered to be the world's smallest mammal (weighing around 2 grams). The bat was first spotted in 1973 and is found only in some limestone caves of the park (including Tham Kang Kao) and surrounding areas in Kanchanaburi Province and nearby Myanmar.^[3][4][5][9]

Location

Sai Yok National Park in overview PARO 3 (Ban Pong)

8) Sai Yok National Park in overview PARO 3 (Ban Pong)   National park   1 Thai Prachan   2 Chaloem Rattanakosin   3 Erawan   4 Khao Laem   5 Khuean Srinagarindra   6 Lam Khlong Ngu   7 Phu Toei   8 Sai Yok   9 Thong Pha Phum   Wildlife sanctuary  10 Mae Nam Phachi  11 Salak Phra  12 Thung Yai Naresuan West      Forest park  22 Phra Thaen Dong Rang  23 Phu Muang  24 Tham Khao Noi   Non-hunting area  13 Bueng Kroengkawia– Nong Nam Sap  14 Bueng Chawak  15 Khao Pratap Chang  16 Phantai Norasing  17 Somdet Phra Srinagarindra  18 Tham Khang Khao– Khao Chong Phran  19 Tham Lawa– Tham Daowadueng  20 Wat Rat Sattha Kayaram  21 Wat Tham Rakhang– Khao Phra Non

See also

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