Khao Luang National Park is located on the southern peninsula of Thailand. The park boasts enormous mountains and tall peaks that jut into the sky; and the park is actually named after the tallest mountain here.
The park is an impressive 300 miles of lush forests filled with wildlife, flowers, rivers and gushing waterfalls which dot the imposing mountains. In 1999, the park won an award for a place of outstanding beauty and nature and claimed its protected status in 1974 as the ninth National Park in Thailand. The park spans many districts and is a watershed for the Tapee River.
The forests and hills are home to more than 300 different species of orchid and over 327 species of animal. The Malayan Tapir is the most unusual of its inhabitants while the bushy-tailed porcupines and barking deer are much easier to spot. There are also many species of hornbill which thrive in the lush surroundings.
Getting There & Away
Nakhon Si Thammarat is 550 miles south of Bangkok and sees a daily train service which takes about 11 hours. Bangkok is home to the largest international airport, although the nearest airport is located in Surat Thani, a 3 hour drive from the park. Buses also ply the route from Bangkok, although the journey is 21 hours. Once you have arrived in Nakhon Si Thammarat, a songthaew, taxi or local bus will take you to the park in about 30 minutes.