| Phetchabun Mountains | |
| Range | |
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View over the Phu Hin Rong Kla area
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| Country | Thailand |
|---|---|
| Region | Southeast Asia |
| Highest point | Phu Luang |
| - elevation | 1,571 m (5,154 ft) |
| Length | 190 km (118 mi), N/S |
| Width | 110 km (68 mi), E/S |
| Geology | Sandstone and granite |
The Phetchabun mountains (Thai: ทิวเขาเพชรบูรณ์, Thio Khao Phetchabun, IPA: [tʰiw kʰǎw pʰét.tɕʰa.buːn]) are a mountain massif in Thailand. It consists of two parallel mountain chains, with the valley of the Pa Sak River in the middle.
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The ranges extend in a roughly north-south direction, and separate the broad Chao Phraya river valley of central Thailand from the Khorat Plateau of northeast Thailand. The mountain range is named after the city of Phetchabun which is located in the mountains.
The highest elevation of the Phetchabun mountains is 1820 m Phu Man Khao at the Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park in the northern part of the mountain range. Other important peaks are Phu Kradueng, Phu Luang and Phu Ruea. To the south and southeast lies the Dong Phaya Yen mountain system.
Geologically, the mountains consist of limestone, interfused with slate and sandstone. A few igneous rocks are also found: granite, basalt and porphyry.
Strange rock formations and fields where the Siam Tulip flower (Curcuma alismatifolia), known as dok krachiao (ดอกกระเจียว) in Thai, grows wild are some of the characteristics of the Phetchabun Mountains.
Until recently the mountains formed a barrier between the two parts of Thailand - only the railroad from Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima and one highway crossed the massif.
Before the construction of the railroad in the beginning of the 20th century, the separation of the two parts of the country was even more distinct.
During the period between 1968-1982 the area around Khao Kho (เขาค้อ) became an occasional battleground. At that time communist insurgents established their base in hidden mountain locations and fought skirmishes against the Thai Army.[1]
Several national parks, forest parks and wildlife reserves are located in these mountains. In 2005 these were accepted by the UNESCO as a possible future addition to the World Heritage list. These sites include:
Besides these, some forest parks are also included.