| Doi Pha Hom Pok National Park | |
|---|---|
| อุทยานแห่งชาติดอยผ้าห่มปก | |
 The summit of Doi Pha Hom Pok | |
  Location within Thailand | |
| Location | Chiang Mai province,Thailand |
| Nearest city | Fang,Chiang Mai province |
| Coordinates | 19°59′16″N99°08′47″E / 19.98778°N 99.14639°E /19.98778; 99.14639 |
| Area | 524 km2 (202 sq mi)[1] |
| Established | 4 September 2000[2] |
| Visitors | 70,129 (in 2019)[3] |
| Governing body | Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation |
Doi Pha Hom Pok National Park (Thai:อุทยานแห่งชาติดอยผ้าห่มปก), formerly known asMae Fang National Park[4] andDoi Fa Hom Pok National Park, is the northernmostnational park inThailand. It straddlesFang,Mae Ai, andChai Prakan Districts ofChiang Mai Province. The park covers 327,500rai, about 524 square kilometres (202 sq mi) of the mountain area of theDaen Lao Range, at the border withMyanmar. The tallest peak isDoi Pha Hom Pok at 2,285 metres (7,497 ft), the second highest in Thailand.[5]
Doi Pha Hom Pok National Park is mostly covered with forest, where tree species such asHopea odorata predominate with rare plant species such asImpatiens jurpioides and butterflies such asTeinopalpus imperialis andMeandrusa lachinus. Doi Lang, located within the park, is an excellent area forbirdwatching.[6] There are many hot mineral springs near the park headquarters in an area of 10 rai (16,000 m2). Water temperature ranges from 90 to 130 °C. The largest pond has hot steam rising 40–50 metres above the ground.[7]
Doi Pha Hom Pok National Park was established in 1968 and designated as Thailand's 97th national park, situated in Chiang Mai Province in northern Thailand. The original designation of the park is “Mae Fang National Park,” as it encompasses three districts of Fang Basin National Reserved Forest inChiang Mai Province, namelyMae Ai, Fang, andChaiprakarn District. The park spans approximately 524 square kilometers (202.318 square miles). The summit of Doi Pha Hom Pok mountain attains an elevation of 2,285 meters above sea level, rendering it the second-highest peak in Thailand. Then later, on March 14, 2006, “Mae Fang National Park” changed its name to “Doi Pha Hom Phok” the exact name as a famous tourist attraction of the park. And the name is still the same to this date[8]
The establishment of the national park was declared the 97th national park in theRoyal Gazette on 4 September 2000.
Doi Pha Hom Pok National Park is a prominent biodiversity hotspot in Northern Thailand, notable for housing the country's second-highest peak (Doi Pha Hom Pok, 2,285 m). Its flora and fauna show a significant mix of tropical and Sino-Himalayan influences.[4]
The park's high elevation supports three main forest types:Hill Evergreen Forest (or Cloud Forest) at the summit,Coniferous Forest (pines) on ridges, andMixed Deciduous Forest at lower elevations.[4]
The park is internationally famous for its fauna, especially its avian and invertebrate life.
Doi Pha Hom Pok National Park is located in the northern part of Thailand, situated in Fang, Mae Ai, and Chai Prakan districts of Chiang Mai Province. The park, which covers 524 square kilometers (202 sq mi), lies on the border with Myanmar to the west and north.[4]
The park's topography is dominated by theDaen Lao Range, a high, complex mountain range that runs in a north–south direction. The elevation within the park varies significantly, from 400 meters (1,300 ft) in the lowland valleys to its highest point at 2,285 meters (7,497 ft).[4]
The park's namesake, Doi Pha Hom Pok, is its highest peak. At 2,285 meters, it is the second-highest mountain in all of Thailand, surpassed only by Doi Inthanon.[5] The summit is a granite plain that is often shrouded in fog and experiences cold temperatures year-round. Other significant peaks in the park include Doi Pu Muen and Doi Laem.
This mountainous terrain forms a critical watershed. The park is the source of the Fang River and numerous other streams that flow into it. The high-elevation forests, particularly the hill evergreen forests, play a vital role in capturing moisture and regulating water flow for the surrounding region.[10]
The park has a tropical savanna climate, but its high elevation results in much cooler temperatures than the surrounding lowlands. The average annual temperature is approximately 25.4 °C (77.7 °F).[4]
Doi Pha Hom Pok National Park is a destination for ecotourism, known for its hot springs, high-altitude trekking, and birdwatching. The park headquarters and primary visitor center are located at the Fang Hot Springs.[4]
The park is located in Fang District, approximately 150 kilometers (93 mi) north of Chiang Mai via Highway 107. The main park entrance and headquarters are at the Fang Hot Springs.[4]
Accommodation within the park is provided by the DNP and includes bungalows for rent near the headquarters and two main campsites. The first campsite is near the Fang Hot Springs, and the second, Kiew Lom, is located at a high altitude to serve as the base for the summit trek.[4]
| Doi Pha Hom Pok National Park in overview PARO 16 (Chiang Mai) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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, Announced 4 September 2543 (2000)
, PARO 16, no.140 Doi Pha Hom Pok, 70,129
