Khao Phra Thaeo Wildlife Park
Phuket
At a glance
The Khao Phra Thaeo National Park is the only significant virgin rain forest left on Phuket. It covers an area of 22.28 square kilometres on the north of the island 20 kilometres from Phuket City and close to Thalang. The park is a conservation development centre.
The park protects a number of wild animals - langurs, slow lorises, barking deer, mouse deer, deer, bear, tusked hairy wild boar, malay sun bear, wild boar, monkeys, gibbons, porcupines, palm civets and many species of birds - which would otherwise be extinct with the fast rate of development of Phuket. It is also the home of the rare White Back Palm (or Governor's Palm).
It is also a centre for study of the environment and the forest vegetation is spectacular. Giant trees supported by huge buttresses are thick with creepers and climbers of every description.
The highest peaks of this reserve are the Khao Prathiu at 384 metres, Khao Bang Pae at 388 metres and Khao Phara at 422 metres.
The park also serves as one of Phuket's most important water sources. Two waterfalls are: Nam Tok Ton Sai waterfall with its trees, watercourses, and pools, near the park headquarters and a small restaurant and Nam Tok Bang Pae waterfall, which, although small, is Phuket's largest waterfall. There is also a small museum and information centre, and a floating restaurant in the mangroves.
Bang Pae is also the home of the Phuket Gibbon Rehabilitation Centre, which adopts captive and abandoned gibbons and tries to return them to the wild and ending the demand for the illegal use of gibbons as tourist attractions and pets.
There are forest trails for hiking that have been mapped out. Feel free to explore or hire a guide to show you the sights! Tours can be booked at the Park Headquarters.
The Khao Phra Thaew Ecological Sustainability Project seeks to promote eco-travel to the park with a focus on sustainability education and local participation. If you'd like to help and volunteer, contact them!
Khao Phra Theaw Ecological Sustainability Project
Bang Pae Waterfall, Paklock, Talang, Phuket 83110
Email: kes@khaophrathaew.org
