
Rock formations
'Pa Hin Ngam' () is a
National Park in
Chaiyaphum province in
Thailand. The name ''Hin Ngam'' means ''beautiful stone'', where ''Pa'' means ''forest''.
In
1985, the Tep Satit Forestry Department first surveyed the area, long popular with the locals, and recommended its protection. In October
1986, the Pa Hin Ngam Park was created, covering 10
km² around the strange rock formations which gave the park its name. In
1993, the Forestry Department of Thailand conducted a more thorough survey including the surrounding area, and recommended that it become a national park. The national park covering 112 km² was created on
September 19,
1994, but it is not yet officially recorded.
The park is located at the boundary of the
Phetchabun mountain range with the
Khorat Plateau. The steep cliff at the 846 m high ''Sut Phan Din'' viewpoint allows a great view into a valley of the
Sonthi River and the
Sap Langka Wildlife Sanctuary. The name ''Sut Phan Din'' (สุดแผ่นดิน) means ''end of land'', reflecting the steepness of the cliff. This cliff also marks the
watershed between the
Chao Phraya and the
Mekong rivers.
Near the viewpoint is one of the fields of the
Siam Tulip (''Curcuma alismatifolia''), called ''Dok Kra Jiao'' (ดอกกระเจียว) in
Thai. The
dipterocarp forests bloom with the purple flowers at the beginning of the raining season in July.
The park got its name from the strange rock formations in the Hin Ngam Rock Ground, located at the western end of the park.
Erosion has carved several large rocks into striking and unusual shapes.
External links
★
National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department
★
Thaiparks123
★
World Database on Protected Areas