Khao Khitchakut National Park


Khao Khitchakut National Park is a national park in Chanthaburi Province, Thailand. The park is located in the Soi Dao Mountains, the Thai part of the much larger Cardamom Mountains, and is home to waterfalls and forests. The venerated Buddha footprint is also within the park premises.

Geography

Khao Khitchakut National Park is northeast of Chanthaburi town in Khao Khitchakut District. The park's area is. The highest point is Khao Phra Bat peak at. The park, one of Thailand's smallest national parks, borders the much larger Khao Soi Dao Wildlife Sanctuary.

History

On 4 May 1977, Khao Khitchakut was designated Thailand's 14th National Park.

Attractions

The Khao Phra Bat mountaintop is the site of a Buddha footprint and is an important religious place for Thai Buddhists. During the time around the Magha Puja holiday large numbers of visitors make the pilgrimage here. Also on Khao Phra Bat peak there are rock formations to which the shapes of various objects have been attributed: a pagoda, a monk's alms bowl, a turtle and an elephant.
The park's largest waterfall is Krathing, a waterfall of 13 separate levels, intersecting nature trails at various levels. These falls are fed by the Chanthaburi River. Other park waterfalls include Changsay and Klong Piboon.

Flora and fauna

Animal species include gaur, sambar, barking deer and serow. Herds of wild elephants have also been sighted here.