Salawin National Park

The Salawin National Park or Salween National Park(อุทยานแห่งชาติสาละวิน) is located in Mae Sariang and Sop Moei Districts in Mae Hong Son Province, northern Thailand, adjacent to its border with Burma. Much of the Thai part of the Salween River is included in the 721 km2 park.

The terrain includes the mountainous forested area of the Dawna Range and the rocky river. Populated areas within the park include the Karen village of Ta Tar Fan, and the riverside village of Mae Sam Laep.

Topography
Landscape is mostly covered by mountains and forests, the height ranged from 200 m to 1,100 m. Doi Khun Mae Kon is with 1,109 m the highest peak in the park. This part of the Thanon Thong Chai Range is the origin to tributaries of the Salween, Yuam, Kong Kha, Mae Ngae and Han rivers.

Climate
The climate of Salween National park is as follows: Summer is from March to May, Rainy season is from June to October and Winter is from November to February.

History
In 1989 a survey was set up for Mae Yuam forest and Salween forest. The announcement of the establishment of the Salween National park has been approved in 1993. Later in 1994 Salween National Park with an area of 450,950 rai ~ 721 km2 was declared the 78th national park.

Flora
Thailand's second-largest teak tree is located in the park. In 1997, an illegal logging scandal, involving forestry and military officials, was uncovered at the park. Almost a third of its trees, and that of the Salawin Wildlife Sanctuary, were logged between 1996 and 1998.

The park is home to the following forest types: Deciduous forest include: • mai ching chan

• teak Dipterocarp forest include: • Andaman redwood

• Dipterocarpus obtusifolius

• Dipterocarpus tuberculatus

• mai daeng

• makha

• Pterocarpus macrocarpus

• Shorea siamensis

• Siamese sal

• takhian

Fauna
Mammal sorts include: • Barking deer

• Bear

• Black giant squirrel

• Gibbon

• Gaur

• Hare

• Palm civet

• Sambar deer

• Serow

• Tiger

• Treeshrew

• Wild boar Birds, of which species of passerines include: • Brown shrike

• Dark-necked tailorbird

• Sooty-headed bulbul

• White wagtail Species of non-passerines include: • Dollarbird

• Kingfisher Butterflies species include: • Common birdwing

• Common mormon

• Common sailor

• Common sergeant

• Magpie crow

• Orange oakleaf

• Red helen