|
Protected areas >
Sai Yok National Park
One of the closest jungles to Kanchanaburi,
Sai Yok hosts also the world's smallest mammal -
the Khun Kitty bat - and reminders of the infamous Death Railway built
between Thailand and Burma during the WW II.
History
In the past Sai Yok had been an area which King Rama V used to visit and
take a bath in. Later the Sai Yok waterfall became famous after a
composer composed a song describing its beauty.
The Park was created in October 1980 as the 11th national park of Thailand.
Geography and Climate
Covering 500 square km, the park is mostly limestone mountains. The average
temperature is approximately 15–30 C. The weather is quite
cold with heavy fog in winter and heavy rains in rainy season. It is very dry from December to February.
Flora and Fauna
Beside mixed deciduous and dry evergreen forest with bamboo forest there is
also a teak forest along the Kwae river.
The fauna species include bull, red cow, tiger, wild pig, sambar deer,
barking deer, occasional elephant and birds. The wildlife migrates back and
forth from Thailand to Myanma. The Khun Kitti bat, the world smallest
bat - and mammal - in the world was discovered here in 1973. The Khun Kitti
bat weighs only 2 g, is 2.5 to 3 cm long, has wing-span of 10 cm and
lives only in Sai Yok National Park caves.
What to See
Sai Yok (Yai) Waterfall - the water
of this waterfall, situated at the headquarters of the park, flows to Kwae
Noi river
Sai Yok Noi Waterfall - bigger than Sai Yok Yai, Sai Yok Noi is
easily visited by public bus - it is just off the Kanchanaburi-Sankhlaburi
road
Dao Daung Cave - 100 meters long cave that is divided into eight
chambers. Each chamber is named after the appearance of its main stalagmite
or stalactite - a Comb Raya (Chandelier) Room, Chedi (Pagoda) Room, Jeeb Manfa
(Cloud Curtain) Room etc.
Lawa Cave - stalagmite and stalactite cave 20 km south of the Sai Yok
Yai
Death Railway Bridge
- remains of the bridge can be reached by a 1.5 km path from the park's
visitors center
What to Do
Trekking routes, natural trails at headquarters (1 a 2 km long), rafting, canoeing, kayaking, caving.
Facilities
Headquarters - accommodation, restaurant, visitors center, amphitheatre,
parking
Accommodation
Bungalows with fan sleeping 4 to 7 people are at the visitors center.
Rafthouses on the Kwae Noi river also at the visitors center are another
accommodation option and so is a camping site.
Transport
By car from Kanchanaburi or by a combination of bus and motorbike-taxi (or a 5 km walk)
from the turn-off on the highway. The last bus to Kanchanaburi passes the
turn-off at around 3.30pm.
More information
Department
of National Parks -
Sai Yok page - more detailed information on attractions, accommodation, online
reservations, facilities etc.
Map of Sai
Yok National Park
Map
of Sai
Yok National Park
|
