Sri Satchanalai National Park

Sri Satchanalai National Park, formerly known as Pa Kha, which means “royal Pa Kha forest,” is located in Ban Pa Kha, Moo 6, Ban Kaeng Subdistrict. This natural park holds significant environmental value and biodiversity. It was established according to the royal initiative of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej to preserve the forest as a headwater area and conserve natural resources. The park spans the districts of Sri Satchanalai, Thung Saliam, and Thoen in Lampang Province, covering a total area of approximately 319 square kilometers. The landscape mainly consists of large grasslands that serve as the source of the Tha Phae River, surrounded by mountainous terrain and a variety of forest types, including mixed deciduous forest, dry dipterocarp forest, and evergreen hill forest.

 

Sri Satchanalai National Park is home to many important wildlife species, including the ferret, leopard cat, civet, binturong, serow, and the Elongated Tortoise. The protection of these species contributes to the park’s ecological balance and the preservation of its diverse ecosystem. The park was officially designated as a national park on May 8, 1981, to safeguard its natural resources and support eco-tourism.

 

Visitors to the park can explore a variety of natural attractions. Tad Duean Waterfall, located approximately 300 meters from the park headquarters, originates from the Mae Tha Phae stream and cascades over a wide rock platform into a natural pool, making it an ideal spot for relaxation. The Bat Cave, situated about 20 kilometers from the park office, is a large cave adorned with stunning stalactites and stalagmites and serves as a habitat for hundreds of thousands of bats, offering a fascinating glimpse into wildlife behavior. Tharawasun Cave, a smaller limestone cave, features wide, tiered chambers. Access requires descending a hillside and passing through a natural tunnel formed by two converging mountains, with rock walls resembling flowing water and marble, and one sandstone formation shaped like a lion’s head.

 

Huai Sai Khao Waterfall, about 3 kilometers from the park headquarters, flows from the Huai Sai Khao stream over a seven-tiered rock face into small pools, surrounded by diverse tree species within the mountainous landscape. Tad Dao Waterfall, a large waterfall of the Mae Tha Phae stream, drops from a 50-meter-high cliff in two streams and is reachable by a 4-kilometer trek from the park office. Visitors can enjoy the breathtaking scenery and the serene natural environment.

 

The park also features two nature trails for those who enjoy hiking and studying the ecosystem. The Sunrise Nature Trail runs along a hillside with moderate slopes and occasional water channels. The trail passes through mixed deciduous forests and offers panoramic views of the park, as well as the opportunity to witness the sunrise. This trail has 14 stations with informative signs along the way and takes approximately 2–3 hours to complete, covering a total distance of 5.5 kilometers round-trip. The Mae Tha Phae Stream Nature Trail is a loop trail where hikers may encounter butterflies, muntjac, wild boars, and squirrels. This trail passes through a mix of dry evergreen and mixed deciduous forests and takes about 1 hour to complete, covering 2 kilometers.

 

Accommodation within the park includes six cottages, each accommodating 4–10 people, with prices ranging from 600 to 2,000 THB per night. Tent rentals are available, and visitors bringing their own tents are charged 30 THB per person per night. For more information, contact Sri Satchanalai National Park at P.O. Box 10, Ban Kaeng Subdistrict, Sri Satchanalai District, Sukhothai Province 64130, Thailand, Tel: 0 5561 9214-5, or the Department of National Parks, Bangkok, Tel: 0 2562 0760.

 

Traveling to the park by car from Sukhothai can be done via two routes. The first route follows Highway 12 (Sukhothai–Tak), bypassing the city for approximately 15 kilometers, then turning right onto Highway 1113, reaching Sarachit Intersection, and turning left onto Highway 1294 to reach the park, totaling about 100 kilometers. The second route uses Highway 101 (Sukhothai–Sri Satchanalai), then turns left near Sri Satchanalai Hospital onto Highway 1035 for approximately 11 kilometers, and finally turns right onto Highway 1249 to the park, totaling about 122 kilometers. Public transportation is also available with a daily shuttle from across the Sri Satchanalai Police Station at noon, taking approximately 50 minutes.

 

Sri Satchanalai National Park offers visitors a comprehensive experience to enjoy natural beauty, including forests, waterfalls, caves, and diverse wildlife. The park provides opportunities for hiking, eco-tourism, and learning about nature, all while preserving the vital headwater ecosystem of the Tha Phae River for sustainable environmental conservation.