Namtok Chat Trakan National Park

Namtok Chat Trakan National Park (อุทยานแห่งชาดิน้ำตกชาติตระการ, ) is a national park located in Chat Trakan and Nakhon Thai Districts of Phitsanulok Province of Thailand, established in 1987. It encompasses Lam Kwae Noi, Daeng and Chat Trakan forests a substantial portion of Chat Trakan District.

Topography
Most of the park is mountains covered with dipterocarp forest. The source of several rivers is within the park, including the Khwae Noi River and its tributary the Phak River. The area of the park is part of the Luang Prabang montane rain forests ecoregion, Phu Khai Hoi is the highest peak in the park with 1,277 m.

Chat Trakan Waterfall
The Chat Trakan Waterfall, a.k.a. Pak Rong Waterfall, is located within the park. The sandy beach near the falls is suitable for swimming. Some of the cliffs near the falls are inscribed with yet unexplained rock carvings. The stream from the waterfall joins the Phak River.

History
A survey called "Khao Ya Puk Forest Park" was set up, in March 1982 the name changed to "Namtok Chat Trakan Forest Park". First they surveyed areas of approximately 1274 km2 for a national park. Later half of the surveyed areas should be designated as a national park. Namtok Chat Trakan, with an area of 339,375 rai ~ 543 km2, was proposed for inclusion in the national parks system in 1985. Namtok Chat Trakan was declared the 55th national park on 2 November 1987. Since 2002 this national park has been managed by Protected Areas Regional Office 11 (Phitsanulok)

Climate
Summer is between March and May, with temperatures around 25-29 C. Rainy season is between June and October. Winter from November till February is very cold at night.

Flora
Plants in the park are: • Afzelia xylocarpa

• Anisoptera costata

• Arecaceae spp.

• Diospyros spp.

• Dipterocarpus alatus

• Dipterocarpus obtusifolius

• Lagerstroemia sp.

• Lithocarpus sp.

• Mangifera indica

• Poaceae spp.

• Pterocarpus macrocarpus

• Calamus rotang

• Shorea obtusa

• Shorea roxburghii

• Shorea siamensis

• Xylia xylocarpa

Fauna
In the park are the following mammals: • Barking deer

• Black giant squirrel

• Chipmunk

• Jungle fowl

• Kanchil

• Northern treeshrew

• Wild boar Birds,the park has some 60 species, of which 44 species of passerine from 19 families, represented by one species: • Ashy woodswallow

• Barn swallow

• Black drongo

• Black-headed bulbul

• Black-naped oriole

• Blue-winged leafbird

• Brown-throated sunbird

• Chestnut-tailed starling

• Dark-necked tailorbird

• Eurasian tree sparrow

• Grey-crowned warbler

• Grey-headed canary-flycatcher

• Grey wagtail

• Indochinese blue flycatcher

• Pin-striped tit-babbler

• Rosy minivet

• Scaly-breasted munia

• Scarlet-backed flowerpecker

• White-bellied erpornis and some 16 species of non-passerine from 9 families, represented by one species: • Asian barred owlet

• Asian openbill

• Asian palm swift

• Chinese pond heron

• Common emerald dove

• Common kingfisher

• Greater coucal

• Green-eared barbet

• Shikra

Places

 * Namtok Chat Trakan - 7 tiers waterfall (total distance 1280 m.
 * Namtok Na Chan - a 7 tiers waterfall.
 * Namtok Pha Khu Kham - a 50 m high waterfall.
 * Tham Pha Kradan Lek - a cave with pre-historic carvings.
 * Khao Chang Luang - a sandstone mountain.