Қао Сок ұлттық паркінің табиғаты

National park in Surat Thani, Thailand

Khao Sok National Park (เขาสก, ) is in Surat Thani Province, Thailand. Its area is 461,712 rai ~ , and it includes the Cheow Lan Lake contained by the Ratchaprapha Dam. The park is the largest area of virgin forest in southern Thailand and is a remnant of rain forest which is older and more diverse than the Amazon rain forest.

Sandstone and mudstone rocks rise about above sea level. The park is traversed by a limestone mountain range from north to south with a high point of This mountain range is hit by monsoon rain coming from both the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea, which makes it among Thailand's wettest regions with an annual rain fall of Heavy rainfall and falling leaves led to the erosion of the limestone rocks and created the significant karst formations seen today.

Bamboo holds topsoil very tenaciously, preventing soil erosion on hillsides and riverbanks. With more than 1,500 species, bamboo is the oldest grass in the world, dating back nearly 60 million years. Liana trees grow rapidly wrapping around any vertical or horizontal support base such as takian or "rain trees". Thus, it's dangerous to simply cut a tree in the jungle because it can pull connected liana vines with it creating a cascade of damage. Buttress roots are enlarged root bases mostly of trees that grow above the upper canopy. The theory about these roots is that they either developed in order to be more grounded in storms and rain or that they spread out on the ground in order to get more nutrients. Many kinds of wild fruit can be found around the national park and serve as sustenance for animals. Among those fruits are wild jackfruit, mangosteen, durian, rambutan, jujube, pomelo, and wild bananas. Wild pepper and ginger are not uncommon. Khao Sok National Park is perhaps most famous for the bua phut (Rafflesia kerrii) flower.

The park is estimated to contain over five percent of the world's species. Wild mammals include Malayan tapir, Asian elephant, tiger, sambar deer, bear, gaur, banteng, serow, wild boar, pig tailed macaque, langur, white handed gibbons, squirrel, muntjak, mouse deer, and barking deer. The world's first known amphibious centipede, Scolopendra cataracta, was discovered on a stream bank near the national park in 2001. Khao Sok on the part of the Ratchaprapha Dam also the last natural habitat in Thailand of Asian arowana, endangered living fossil fish.

The so called wet season is between late April–December. The temperature ranges from all year around. Humidity and warm temperature provide the optimal environment for a rich eco system in this tropical rain forest. JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecMax. Day Temp., °C303233333130303030292929Min. Day Temp., °C202021222322222222222121Water Temp., °C272828292929282828282827Daylight, hours121212121313131212121212Rainfall, mm41336214832037337236944733221089

This area is estimated to be over 160 million years old, built through tectonic movements, climate changes, erosions and sediment accumulations. Approximately 300 million years ago, shallow water and warm temperatures in this region led to the creation of a huge coral reef. Estimated to be 5 times as big as the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, it originally stretched from China all the way to Borneo. Due to the collision of the Indian and Eurasian plate 0 66 million years ago, the Himalayas were formed, and what is now Thailand shifted dramatically near the continental divide and the limestone rocks were forced upward creating the dramatic limestone "karsts" for which the region is known today. Finally, melting ice established the river rich landscape as well as dozens of waterfalls around the national park.

The first migrants to Thailand migrated during the Ice Age from Borneo around 37,000 BCE. The first accounts of people living in Khao Sok were found in the 1800s, during the reign of Rama II. In the Burmese Siamese of (1809 1812), the Burmese army invaded the western portion of the area, forcing the inhabitants to flee inland. They found the area to be extremely alluring, in beauty, wildlife abundance, and good soil. As news spread of this discovery, more people immigrated to settle the region. such as trekking, canoeing, bamboo rafting. A boat tour to Cheow Lan lake is also available. Trekking: Due to Khao Sok being a tropical rainforest, there are many wild animals such as “wild elephants, serow, tigers, Malayan sun bears and over 180 bird species to watch”. Those interested in trekking can hire a local guide. Rafflesia Kerrii Meijer can be found in the area. Tourists may stay in the rainforest overnight. Canoeing and Bamboo rafting: Sok River is known for beautiful views along the river. There are local guides for tourists to hire for canoeing and bamboo rafting tours. Boat to Cheow Lan lake: Within the deep forest, there are caves to explore such as Diamond cave, Khang Cow Cave and Nam Talu cave which connect to Cheow Lan lake. Nam Talu cave is about from the headquarters of Khao Sok National Park. Tour guides are available to boat visitors from the waterfall to the lake.