The Luak ridge in morning fog with the Sonthi valley in front

Rock formations at Pa Hin Ngam National Park

Siam Tulip at Pa Hin Ngam National park

The Phetchabun mountains (Thai เทือกเขาเพชรบูรณ์) are a mountain range in Thailand.

[edit] Geography

Map of Isan

It extends in a roughly north-south direction, and separates the broad Chao Phraya river valley of central Thailand from the Khorat Plateau of northeast Thailand. The mountain range is named after the city of Phetchabun which is located in the mountains.

The highest elevation of the Phetchabun mountains is at 1820 m above sea level at the Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park in the northern part of the mountain range. It consists of two parallel mountain chains, with the valley of the river Pa Sak in the middle. To the south the mountains end in the Khao Yai national park, and are continued to the east by the Dong Phaya Yen, Sankambeng and Phnom-Dongrek mountain chains.

Geologically, the mountains consist of limestone, interfused with slate and sandstone. A few igneous rocks are also found: granite, basalt and porphyry.

Strange rock formations and fields where the Siam Tulip flower (Curcuma alismatifolia), known as Dok Kra Jiao (ดอกกระเจียว) in Thai, grows wild are some of the characteristics of the Phetchabun Mountains.

[edit] History

Until recently the mountains formed a barrier between the two parts of Thailand - only the railroad from Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima and one highway crossed it.

Before the construction of the railroad in the beginning of the 20th century, the separation of the two parts of the country was even more distinct.

During the period between 1968-1982 the area around Khao Kho (เขาค้อ) became an occasional battleground. At that time communist insurgents established their base in hidden mountain locations and fought skirmishes against the Thai Army.^[1]

[edit] Protected areas

Several national parks, forest parks and wildlife reserves are located in these mountains. In 2005 these were accepted by the UNESCO as a possible future addition to the World Heritage list. These sites include:

• Nam Nao National Park
• Pa Hin Ngam National Park, located at the boundary of the Phetchabun mountain range with the Khorat Plateau.
• Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park
• Phu Khiao Wildlife Sanctuary
• Phu Kradung National Park
• Phu Luang Wildlife Sanctuary
• Thung Salaeng Luang National Park

Besides these, some some forest parks are also included.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Thailand's National Parks - Royal Forest Department