Doi Pha Klong National Park, National park in Ta Pha Mok, Thailand
Doi Pha Klong National Park is a protected area in the Ta Pha Mok district of northern Thailand, covering mountain terrain, forested slopes, rocky outcrops, and streams that feed into the Yom River. Notable sites within the park include the Maharaj Rock Garden, the Erawan Cave with its rock formations, and the rapids at Kaeng Luang.
The park was established as a protected area to safeguard the native plants and wildlife of northern Thailand. It is part of a broader national effort to conserve forest land and manage it under the IUCN Category II framework, which means it is recognized for both conservation and public enjoyment.
The Erawan Cave draws visitors who cross the Mae Yom River on foot and climb a short hill to reach it. Near the cave, villages of Lisu and Akha hilltribe people still live in traditional ways, with handmade crafts and local dress.
The park is reached via Highway 1023, roughly 20 km from the city of Phrae, and buses traveling that route can drop visitors near the entrance. Trails vary in difficulty, with the path to the coral reef mountain being steep and rocky, so sturdy shoes and an early start are strongly recommended.
One formation inside the park, called Hin Pakarang, is a limestone mountain shaped to resemble a coral reef, formed by geological processes over a very long time. The trail that leads to it runs alongside Chunpha plants and is about 1,100 meters long.
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