With its 59 km2 area, it is the smallest park in Kanchanaburi province. Its main features are fertile forests, steep limestone mountains, waterfalls and mysterious caves. The park was designated in February 1980 as Thailand’s 17th national park. The forested, limestone mountains of the park are the watershed of Mae Klong river. The highest peak in the park is Kam Paeng Mountain which reaches 1260 meters. The park is mostly covered by dry evergreen forest, deciduous forest with some areas of bamboo forest. There are many kinds of animal in the park, such as leopard, deer, white-handed gibbons and other monkeys. Over 60 species of bird have been recorded in the park, including Oriental Pied Hornbills, Francolin, Tickell’s Blue and Red-Flycatchers and Coppersmith Barbets. A special type of animal is the water dog or also called the barking tree frog, a rare frog with a croak that is remarkably similar to a dog’s bark.
Tham Than Lot Cave
The Tham Than Lot Noi and the Tham Than Lot Yai Cave are both inside the Chalerm Rattana Kosin National Park. Which is located about 98 km from Kanchanaburi town north of Bo Phloi. A 5 km long beautiful trekking path brings you from the small cave (Tham Than Lot Noi) up the mountain to the big cave (Tham Than Lot Yai) and even on top of the big cave. While trekking to the big cave you are passing beautiful big trees in a dense jungle. The trekking path leads you along the three-stepped Trai Trueng Waterfall. The waterfall gives you the opportunity to refresh yourself. You can stay over night at Khao Lek Village which is a Karen hilltribe village inside the jungle of the National Park. You stay in an idyllic tree house for about 100 Baht per person. It is a nice feeling in morning hours waking up listening to the sounds of the jungle. It is recommended to go there with a 4-wheel car and an organized tour from a travel agency because it could be a logistic problem to bring there food and beverages. You have to bring and prepare your food by yourself. To go there by car or motorbike follow highway 3086 to Ban Nong Pru and from there turn left to highway 3480 leading to the Chalerm Rattana Kosin National Park.