Doi Suthep–Pui National Park


Doi Suthep–Pui National Park is a national park in Chiang Mai Province in Thailand. It includes Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, a Buddhist temple, and Bhubing Palace, the winter residence of King Bhumibol Adulyadej and family. The park is a protected area for flora, fauna, and habitat.

History

The former name of the area is Doi Aoi Chang. The name Doi Suthep was inspired by a hermit named Prarusiwasuthep who once lived in the local forest. In 1973, the Royal Forest Department proposed that this and 13 other forests be designated national parks. It became the 24th national park of Thailand in 1981. Today it includes about 261 square kilometers of territory.

Geography and ecology

The mountainous landscape is part of the Thanon Thong Chai Range. The three main peaks are Doi Suthep, Doi Buak Ha, and Doi Pui, the latter of which is tallest at. The climate is cool, with an average temperature around. Low winter temperatures can reach. Late summer is the rainy season, with daily precipitation.
The park is forested, with evergreen forest above and deciduous forest below. Mixed deciduous-evergreen forest occurs in gullies and along streams. Common trees include oaks, dipterocarps, and trees of the magnolia family. There are many waterfalls.
Animals in the park include the crocodile salamander. Mammals include the common muntjac and wild boar. More than 300 species of birds have been recorded in the area, including pheasants, eagles, parrots, bulbuls and minivets.
Reptiles in the park include Platysternon megacephalum, Calotes emma alticristata, Pseudocalotes kakhienensis, Pseudocalotes microlepis, Gekko gecko, Ptychozoon kaengkrachanense, Tropidophorus thai, and the recently described gecko species Cyrtodactylus doisuthep.

Recreation

Activities in the park include walking and hiking, cycling, camping, tours of caves, waterfalls, and other features, observation of plants, birds, and butterflies, cultural and historical sightseeing, and stargazing.