Discover the beauty and travel spots of Thap Lan National Park, Thailand's last Corypha palm forest, and explore its ecological importance, alongside key reasons why Thais are uniting behind the #saveThapLan campaign.
Following the viral hashtag #saveThapLan that has raised Thai awareness for forest conservation, many recognize this forest mainly for land use disputes. Yet, Thap Lan National Park is also one of Thailand’s eco-tourism gems, abundant in natural richness and charm that draws travelers to experience it.
Location of Thap Lan National Park, Thailand's second largest forest area.. According to the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, Thap Lan National Park is Thailand's second largest national park, covering over 1.39 million rai. It stretches from Nadi District in Prachinburi Province to Pak Thong Chai, Wang Nam Khiao, Khong Phrai, and Soeng Sang districts in Nakhon Ratchasima Province, featuring diverse forest types such as dry dipterocarp, mixed deciduous, moist evergreen, and dry evergreen forests.
Information from the Tourism Authority of Thailand and other sources highlights several appealing features of Thap Lan National Park for nature lovers.Here are the key points:.
The park’s most distinctive feature is its "Corypha palm" (Corypha lecomtei), an ancient large palm species. Thap Lan is home to the last extensive natural Corypha forest in Thailand that remains intact, making a walk through these palm groves feel like stepping into a prehistoric world.
Located in Wang Nam Khiao District, Nakhon Ratchasima, this landmark is popular for watching sunrises and sunsets with panoramic views. A highlight is the "slingshot tree-planting" activity, where visitors shoot seed pods into the forest to help restore nature creatively while enjoying their visit.
For camping enthusiasts, the park offers designated camping areas and accommodations. It also features pristine water attractions like Bo Thong, Thap Lan, and Waen Kok waterfalls, with clear streams ideal for nature walks, study, and relaxation.
UNESCO has designated the Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai forest complex, which includes Thap Lan National Park, as a natural World Heritage Site. It is home to highly diverse flora and fauna, including endangered species such as tigers, wild elephants, and gaur. Protecting Thap Lan safeguards an essential wildlife corridor that allows animals to migrate and breed safely.
Thap Lan National Park was established on 23 December 1981 and has been a crucial mechanism for preventing forest encroachment in northeastern and eastern Thailand for over four decades.
The park's rich natural resources, beautiful tourist sites, and role as a habitat for protected wildlife are all connected to the #saveThapLan movement. Conservationists and the public worry that adjustments to park boundaries could result in loss of forest areas.
Protecting Thap Lan means not only preserving a vital wildlife corridor but also maintaining natural capital for future generations. It ensures the continuation of beautiful eco-tourism destinations and preserves a large forest that helps balance the country's climate.
Thap Lan National Park is more than just a green spot on the map—it is a World Heritage natural treasure, a community economic asset, and a home for diverse life. Getting to know and respectfully visiting this area is a powerful way to help carry forward the true conservation spirit behind the #saveThapLan hashtag into sustainable preservation.
Photo: Thap Lan National Park