GeographyThe national park is rugged mountain range with

elevations 100 to 600 metres high above mean sea level.

ClimateEach season is very different from the next. The

park has a very wet rainy season from June to September. Cold and dry winter months from October to February, and a hot summer from March to May.

Flora and FaunaDeciduous dipterocarp forests blanket most the

national park. Thus dwarf trees in strange shapes can easily be found. There are many types of plants such as Shorea siamensis and Dipterocarpus obtusifolius. The forest is carpeted with color from fields of wildflowers such as Drosera indica, Phalaenopsis pucherrima and Eriocaulon henryanum.

Dry evergreen forest grows around creeks and streams. Its major plants include Dipterocarpus alatus, Anisoptera costata, Terminalia alata, Dialium cochinchinense, Xylia xylocarpa. Pinus merkusii and P. kesiya can be found in the mountain.

The forests of the park are home to small animals like Common Palm Civet, Siamese Hare, Northern Red Muntjac, Wild Boar and Black Giant Squirrel.

A variety of birds include Hill Myna, Green Peafowl, Hawks, Green-billed Malkoha, Blue Magpie, Rufescent Prinia, Indian Roller, Olive-backed Sunbird, White Wagtail and Common Kingfisher.

Pha Taem National Park

Prehistorical paintings on the long cliff, which date back some 4,000 years, make the parkûs main point of interest. Furthermore, its stunning nature such as waterfalls, rock formations, caves and picturesque views of the Mekong River that borders Thailand and Laos add charm to this national park. Pha Taem is Thailandûs 74th national park in 1991 and acquires a total area of 340 square kilometres in Khong Chiam, Si Mueang Mai and Pho Sai districts of Ubon Ratchathani province.

130 National Parks in Thailand

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Getting There

❚ Khong Chiam district is 80 kilometres from Ubon Ratchathani.

❚ From Khong Chiam, take the Khong Chiam- Khemmarat Road for 15 kilometres. Then turn right and continue another 5 kilometres to the park headquarters.

During dry season when water in the Mekong River descends, there are some Wild Boar and Southwest China Serow that cross the river into the park.

Attractions◆ Pha Taem. The cliff lining the Mekong River,

houses prehistoricalal paintings, over 300 paintings on 180 metres length. This is probably the largest group of prehistorical paintings found in the world.

◆ Pha Chek-Pha Moei. Like Pha Taem, the cliff houses prehistorical paintings but in a lesser number and different way of painting.

◆ Phu Pha Kham and Sandstone Mountain. The flat-top mountain has prehistorical paintings.

◆ Sao Chaliang. The mushroom shaped pillar is created by erosion of wind, water and sunshine.

◆ Phu Long. A big wooden coffin was found in the valley. It is assumed to be a prehistorical coffin.

◆ Patihan Cave. The sandstone mountain surprisingly has a cave formation. The very long cave has many chambers.

◆ Dong Natham. The pine forest occupies the cliff, with the backdrop of mountain range of Laos.

◆ Soi Sawan Waterfall. 2 streams fall and join to each other in the valley, making it a picturesque place to relax.

◆ Saeng Chan Waterfall or Lot Ru Waterfall.You can enjoy many other waterfalls, cruising and

landscape.

Pha ChekPha Moei

Wild flower field

Saeng Chan

Thung Na Mueang

Soi Sawan

Hin Yok Mahatsachan

Huai PhokPha Chanadai

Sao Chaliang Khu

Lao People’s Democartic Republic

HeadquartersSao Chaliang

Khong Chiam

to Si Mueang Mai

to Si Mueang Mai

to Khong Chiam

Mekong River

to Khemarat

Pha TaemPha Kham

Pha MonPha Mon Noi

Suan Hin Phu Krabo

Phu LongSao Chaliang Yai

Phu Samui

Fa Mue DaengKuang Ton

Hin Tao Chom Chan

Patihan

Pha Nang Khoi

131Northeastern

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