Thung Salaeng Luang National Park

     In 1959, the Thailand government along with the Forest Department started including important forests of Phitsanulok Province into the national parks system. One such forest was Thung Salaeng Luang, which at that time was infested with malaria. However, it was only in 1972, that 1,262 square kilometers of Thung Salaeng Luang was declared as national park.

     Thung Salaeng Luang National Park has seen a lot of destruction of flora and fauna owing to the conflict between the communists and government. The conflict raged from the late 1960 until early 1980s when the communists were defeated by the government army.

     However, there is still a lot to see and admire in the park. The park has limestone hills that are at an altitude of 300 meters to 1,028 meters. These hills make the park a source for a number of streams which run through meadows, particularly in the southern part of the park. You can see the park covered with deciduous forest which mingles with tropical broad leaf evergreen forest and lowland scrub.

      The best to visit Thung Salaeng Luang National Park is in the winter season, which is from November through February. This is the time many of the wild flowers bloom in the numerous meadows present in the park, coloring it with a splash of color. The average annual temperature in the park is around 25 degrees Celsius, which rises to 30 degrees in summer.

     It is believed that the park has 17 species of mammals but only elephants, yellow-throated marten and masked palm civet have been confirmed. However, it is believed that Thung Salaeng Luang National Park is also home to tigers, gaur, barking deer, wild dogs, langurs, slow loris and wild pigs.

      More than 190 species of birds call the park their homes and these include herons, eagles, partridges, pheasants, pigeons, owls, swifts, hornbills, barbets, woodpeckers, bulbuls, warblers, flower-pecker and flycatcher.

     The best place to see wildlife in the park is at meadows, and around ponds and salt licks. The park has two large salt licks located in the north-west and south-west.

Bungalows and camping sites are available for those who want to stay at the park and experience nature at close quarters.