Khao Khitchakut National Park

Khao Khitchakut National Park
อุทยานแห่งชาติเขาคิชฌกูฏ
IUCN category II (national park)
284px View from above Krathing Falls
Park location in Thailand
Location	Chanthaburi Province, Thailand
Nearest city	Chanthaburi
Coordinates
Area	59 km2 (23 sq mi)
Established	May 1977
Governing body	Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation

Khao Khitchakut National Park (Thai: อุทยานแห่งชาติเขาคิชฌกูฏ) is a national park in Chanthaburi Province, Thailand. Home to waterfalls and forests, the park is also the site of a venerated Buddha footprint.

Geography

Khao Khitchakut National Park is located 28 kilometres (17 mi) northeast of Chanthaburi town in Khao Khitchakut District. The park's area is 59 square kilometres (23 sq mi). The highest point is Khao Phra Bat peak at 1,085 metres (3,560 ft). The park, one of Thailand's smallest national parks, borders the much larger Khao Soi Dao Wildlife Sanctuary.

History

On 4 May 1977, Khao Khitchakut was designated Thailand's 14th National Park.

Attractions

The Khao Phra Bat mountaintop is the site of a Buddha footprint and is an important religious place for Thai Buddhists. During the time around the Magha Puja holiday (in February or March) large numbers of visitors make the pilgrimage here. Also on Khao Phra Bat peak there are rock formations to which the shapes of various objects have been attributed: a pagoda, a monk's alms bowl, a turtle and an elephant.

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Near Krathing Falls in Khao Khitchakut National Park

The park's largest waterfall is Krathing, a waterfall of 13 separate levels, intersecting nature trails at various levels. These falls are fed by the Chanthaburi River. Other park waterfalls include Changsay and Klong Piboon.

Flora and fauna

Animal species include gaur, sambar, barking deer and serow. Herds of wild elephants have also been sighted here.