Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park (อุทยานแห่งชาติเขาสามร้อยยอด) is a national park in Prachuap Khiri Khan, Thailand. It is home of one of the largest freshwater marshes in the country and is the country's first coastal national park.
Understand
[edit]History
[edit]Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park was designated as a national park in 1966 with an original area of 61 km2 (24 sq mi). It was enlarged by another 37 km2 (14 sq mi) on 1 April 1982.
The name "Sam Roi Yod" translates to three hundred peaks which, according to legend, comes from the 300 people that survived a shipwreck from a Chinese junk and subsequently settled in the area, initially renamed "Ko Sam Roi Yod" or three hundred survivors' islands, however due the drop in sea levels which led to the change in landscape to mountains, the name thus changed to Khao Sam Roi Yod.
Landscape
[edit]The national park features a mixture of coastline and karst topography mountains during the Permian era and coastal lagoons, mangrove swamp forests, freshwater marshes and coastal plains. There are also small islands located near the coast.
Flora and fauna
[edit]The national park is divided into two major regions: the wetlands and land-based. In the wetlands, most of the plants are biennal plants and mangroves, and land-based plants have a mixture of beach-forest and deciduous forest.
The park is home to a variety of bird species and is one of the few places in Thailand where the purple heron nests and breeds. There are also other larger mammals in the region such as serows, barking deers, porcupines and bats, and smaller reptiles such as various species of tortoises, monitor lizards, snakes and amphibians.
Climate
[edit]Like the rest of Thailand, there are three seasons, hot (March - May), wet (June - September), and cool (October - February). The best time to visit is during the cool season when the temperature is relatively lower and there is much less precipitation. During the summer temperatures can be very high up to over 35 degrees celsius.
Get in
[edit]The national park is off Phet Kasem Road. After passing Pranburi, before turning left along Route 1020 and follow signs to the national park.
Fees and permits
[edit]For Thai nationals the entry fee is 20 baht for children and 40 baht for adults. Monks, children under 3 years old, elderly and disabled people enter for free. For foreigners, the entry fee is 100 baht for children and 200 baht for adults.
There is also an extra free for transport as follows: bicycles - free, motorcycles - 20 baht, four-wheeled vehicles - 30 baht, six-wheeled vehicles - 100 baht, and vehicles with more than six wheels but less than 10 wheels - 200 baht.
Get around
[edit]The best way to get around the national park is by car. Unfortunately there is no public transport in the area, but some hotels might be able to assist with transport to and from many of the attractions.
See
[edit]
- 1 Waterlily Natural Trail (ศูนย์ศึกษาธรรมชาติ (บึงบัว) อุทยานแห่งชาติเขาสามร้อยยอด). 8AM - 4:30PM. A large freshwater swamp filled with water lilies. There is a long walking trail that around the swamp where one can observe the fauna and flora in the area, including various types of fish and birds.
- 2 Kissing Mountain Cave (ถ้ำเขาจูบกัน), 5 ตำบลไร่ใหม่ อำเภอสามร้อยยอด ประจวบคีรีขันธ์ 77180, ☏ +6692-514-7461. 7:30AM - 5:00PM. An attraction of two rocks "kissing each other" at the mouth of a cave in the national park, making it a great photo spot. A very beautiful place especially with the sunset. To get here, you must reserve a boat, which can book out really quickly during weekends and long weekends. The boat ride also includes a trip along the swap through the hills. Please note that the line to the Kissing Mountain Cave can be very long and wait times for a photo can take over an hour especially during the afternoons. 400 baht for a four-person boat.
- 3 Laem Sala Beach (หาดแหลมศาลา). 7:30AM - 5:00PM. A nice white sand beach which is the starting point for the ascent to Phraya Nakhon Cave. In order to get there, you need to either hike for 1.5 km up and down a hill or pay 400 baht for a boat ride to bypass the hill (roundtrip), starting at Bang Pu village. Because this is a part of the national park, amenities are slightly limited but there is a restaurant. Because the sand has a mixture of blood, the water is not as clear as that of Hua Hin or Southern Thailand.
- 4 Sam Phraya Beach (หาดสามพระยา), ทางหลวงชนบท ปข. 1020 กุยบุรี อำเภอกุยบุรี ประจวบคีรีขันธ์ 77150. Nice white sand beach located in the area of the national park.
- 5 Mangrove Swamp Nature Trail (เส้นทางศึกษาธรรมชาติป่าชายเลน). A 550 metre board walk through the mangrove forest near the visitor's center, showcasing the national park's ecosystem.
Do
[edit]- 1 Phaya Nakorn Cave (ถ้ำพระยานคร), บ้านบางปู ตำบล สามร้อยยอด อำเภอสามร้อยยอด ประจวบคีรีขันธ์ 77120 (Starting point in Bang Pu beach). 8AM - 3:30PM. Probably the most famous attraction in the national park. The cave is accessible via a short but steep hike through the forest before reaching the cave, around 2 km one way. The first chamber is a sinkhole with a natural bridge on top, and the second chamber has a Royal Pavilion which was built during the reign of King Rama V.
The hike can be substantially shortened by taking a boat (400 baht fee round trip) from Bang Pu beach, which will bypass around 1.5 km, including one hill but there is still around 100 meters of altitude gain in 500 metres. However, it is best to check with the national park beforehand if the boats are running, as they are seasonal.
- 2 Khao Daeng Viewpoint (จุดชมทิวทัศน์เขาแดง), 4XH5+X42 ตำบล เขาแดง อำเภอกุยบุรี ประจวบคีรีขันธ์ 77150. 8AM - 3PM. A very short but steep hike that rewards you with a great view of the national park, the community surrounding the area and the Gulf of Thailand. The entrance is located very close to the park's headquarters. Any visits before 8AM and after 3PM must be pre-arranged with the national park. It is best to go up there as early as possible to beat the heat during the day.
- 3 Kaeo Cave (ถ้ำแก้ว). 8:00AM - 3:30PM. A cave located in the hills. This 500 metre hike takes you up and then into the cave. Parts of the cave can be slippery at times and there are big ledges. Also note to bring closed shoes because of the sharp rocks and a proper light source (there are torches available for rental at the entrance). It can be very humid and hard to breath at certain parts of the cave.
- 4 Boat ride though Khao Daeng Canal (ล่องคลองเขาแดง). 8AM - 4:30PM. A boat ride starting Khao Daeng canal with great views of the karst mountains, coastal forests and mangrove forests. The boat ride takes around one hour and can be arranged at Khao Daeng village.
- 5 Sai Cave (ถ้ำไทร). 9AM - 3:30PM. A cave with a chamber, easier to traverse than Kaeo Cave
Buy
[edit]- Relic stone carvings of Buddha (หินพระธาตุสามร้อยยอด). Locals gather stones from the area and do a carving of Buddha. Local legend has it that a hunter was hunting a barking deer in the area but every time he pulled the trigger, the gun would not fire, so he followed the barking deer to a spring with a unique looking rock which is said to have magical properties. However, please make sure that these relic stone are procured legally and not inside the national park.
Eat
[edit]There are only two places to eat in the national park at Bang Pu Beach (starting point to Phraya Nakhon Cave) and at Laem Sala Beach. However, there are many restaurants located right outside the national park area, mostly serving seafood.
Drink
[edit]There are no bars in the national park as alcohol is banned in Thai national parks. However there are bars around the area outside of the premises.
Sleep
[edit]Lodging
[edit]Although there are no lodgings located right in the national park, there are many hotels and guesthouses located right outside the area.
Camping
[edit]There are only two campsites in the national park at Laem Sala Beach and Sam Phraya Beach. The national parks provides tents and all the other necessary equipment but reservation needs to be done in advance via the national park website.
Backcountry
[edit]Backcountry camping is not permitted in the national park.
Stay safe
[edit]There is virtually no crime in the national park.
During the many hikes in the national park, parts of the trails can be pretty steep and the rocks are pretty sharp, so take care and wear proper clothing to minimize any risks on a typical hike.
The park can get very hot even during the rainy and dry seasons. Be sure to bring a hat and enough water to prevent any risk of dehydration or heatstroke. Fortunately there are shops around the park that sell food and drinks.
Go next
[edit]Kui Buri National Park. Located only an hour away. It is famous for its high concentration of elephants and gaurs.
