| Than Sadet-Ko Pha-Ngan National Park | |
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IUCN Category II (National Park)
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Than Sadet Beach |
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| Location | Thailand |
| Nearest city | Surat Thani |
| Area | 410.4 km² |
| Established | 1983 |
Than Sadet-Ko Pha-Ngan (Thai: ธารเสด็จ-เกาะพะงัน) is a national park in southern Thailand, protecting 65.93 km² mostly on the island Pha Ngan. The park was established on December 31st 1983, covering an area of 39.12 km²; and was enlarged to its present size on February 10 1999.
The park is named after the royal visit of Rama V, Than Sadet (lit. Royal River) who came to the island to visit the waterfall first in 1888, then returned as many as fourteen times over the next 21 years. Rama V's initials can still be seen carved in a commemorative rock near the estuary of the river where the waterfall empties into the sea at Than Sadet Bay. The river itself forms a series of waterfalls and rock pools along it's 2.5Km length, providing excellent trekking possibilities for the experienced. Several other Thai Monarchs have visited the site including the current King Rama IV.
Khao Ra is both the highest elevation of the park as well as of the whole island Pha Ngan, peaking at 727 above sealevel.
In addition to the forest on Pha Ngan itself, the park also includes several small islands north of Pha Ngan, including Wao and Hin Bai archipelago.
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