Ken Cross in Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.: Kaeng Krachan National Park - a couple of days in the park

Rufous bellied Eagle - with Thick billed Pigeon for prey

Kaeng Krachan was declared as a national park on 12 June 1981. Covering an area of 2914 km² it is the largest national park in Thailand. The park is located in Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan Provinces, bounded by the Tanintharyi Nature Reserve along Myanmar's border to the west. The park is not only part of the rainforest area north and south of the park in Thailand, but also part of the Western Forex Complex that covers 18,730 km² across 19 protected sites between Myanmar and Thailand.

Kaeng Krachan National Park is famous it's diverse wildlife, but also for the dense morning mist covering the park with hill tops sticking above mist cloud around December-March, creating a spectacular view.

Two main rivers, Phetchaburi and Pran Buri Rivers are both originated from Tanaosri Ranges within the park. At the north side of the park, water streams drains to the Phetchaburi River which flows to Kaeng Krachan dam and flows all the way to Gulf of Thailand though Phetchaburi Province. At the south side the water streams drains to the Pranburi River, which too flows into a dam in Pranburi Province and finally to Gulf of Thailand.

Kaeng Krachan National Park covers a reservoir and mainly rain forests with rich flora and fauna. The highest elevation is a peak along the Burmese border at around 1500 meters. The second highest peak is Khao Phanoen Thung at 1,207 meters used to be accessible by an overnight trekking from Phonoen Thung Camp Site but this trail is closed since 2014 (still is as of Feb 2016, there are no plans to open it anytime soon).

Wildlife
Possibly Thailand's top bird- and butterfly-watching location, over 420 species of birds has been observed in the park boundaries which is the highest number of bird species in any national parks in Thailand. There are 57 known species of mammals and around 300 butterfly species.

Wild mammals such as leopards, clouded leopards, bears, stump-tailed macaques, deers, elephants, wild dogs, golden jackal, gaurs, crab-eating mongoose and many others are relatively common in the park. Even though some of these creatures are relatively common, due to their elusive nature actual sightings are not common. Some frequently seen animals are langurs, porcupines, civets, black giant squirrel, martens and gibbons. There are also tigers and bantengs in Kaeng Krachan but they are not common.