Lan Sang National Park

Lan Sang National Park is part of the Dawna Mountain Range in Tak Province. Established in 1979 CE, it covers 104 square kilometres. It became the country's 15th national park.

Various types of forests, such as rainforests, coniferous forests, evergreen hill forests, deciduous dipterocarp forests, and mixed deciduous forests, are found in different geographical areas. Wild animals found are the ordinary wild pig, barking deer, Siamese big-headed turtle, serow, civet, Black-crested Bulbul, flying lizard, etc.

Geographically, it features a complex line of mountains. The highest part is in the west. The ground slopes down to the east. Several streams run through the park, such as Lam Huai Lan Sang, Huai Tha Le, Khlong Huai Sai, Huai Umyom, etc.

Steep, rugged mountains covered in fertile natural forests are the park's prominent features. Khao Luang (Luang Mountain) divides the Park into two. Its highest peak, Oomyod, reaches 1.065m ASL.

According to legend, during his second trip to attack Chiang Mai, the King of Krung Thonburi had his army stay at Ban Rahaeng, a district of Tak town. There, many Mon people came to surrender themselves to him. Burmese soldiers, therefore, chased after them. The king went to disperse the Burmese soldiers and was separated from his army. When night fell, the mountainous area made it difficult to trace him. The soldiers decided to take a rest. Suddenly, a ray of light climbed into the sky while a cry of a warhorse was heard. All the soldiers rushed to the point and saw the king sitting on horseback in the middle of the rocky ground. An aura was seen from his body. Burmese soldiers were seen prostrating around him. At that time, it was dawn. The land, therefore, was called “Lan Sang” (literally meaning the ground of dawn). Presently, it is in the area of Lan Sang waterfall; a trace of the king’s horseshoes also appears on the rocky ground. [Source: TAT, Department of National Parks]

Ayutthaya Historical Research