Phu Ruea National Park

Phu Ruea National Park
อุทยานแห่งชาติภูเรือ
IUCN category II (national park)

View from Phu Ruea peak
Map showing the location of Phu Ruea National Park

Park location in Thailand

Location Thailand
Nearest city Loei
Coordinates 17°30′53″N 101°20′41″E / 17.51472°N 101.34472°ECoordinates: 17°30′53″N 101°20′41″E / 17.51472°N 101.34472°E
Area 121 km2 (47 sq mi)
Governing body Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation

Phu Ruea National Park (Thai: อุทยานแห่งชาติภูเรือ) is a national park in Loei Province, Thailand. The park is centred on Phu Ruea mountain, a popular, scenic peak in the Phetchabun Mountains.

Geography

Phu Ruea National Park is located 60 kilometres (37 mi) west of Loei town in Phu Ruea district. The park's area is 121 square kilometres (47 sq mi).[1]

Phu Ruea mountain is 1,365 metres (4,478 ft) tall and experiences some of Thailand's coldest temperatures. In December and January temperatures here can fall below freezing. Phu Ruea means 'boat mountain', a name inspired by the shape of a cliff at the peak.[1]

Other peaks within the park include Phusun at 1,035 metres (3,396 ft) and Phuku at 1,000 metres (3,300 ft).[2]

Attractions

South side of Phu Ruea peak

The park's main attraction is the peak of Phu Ruea mountain offering views of the Mekong and Hueang rivers as well as north into Laos's Sainyabuli province.[3][4]

The park has numerous waterfalls, the highest of which is the Huaiphai waterfall at 30 metres (98 ft) tall. Other waterfalls include Hin Sam Chan, nearest the park's parking area, and Huai Tuai.[2]

The park also contains numerous unusual rock formations including at the Phu Ruea peak.[2]

Flora and fauna

The park's forest is pine forest. Other plant species found here include wild orchids (which thrive in the park's cooler climate), roses, ferns and mosses.[2]

Animal species include bear, barking deer and various monkey species.[2]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Williams, China; Beales, Mark; Bewer, Tim (February 2012). Lonely Planet Thailand (14th ed.). Lonely Planet Publications. p. 476. ISBN 978-1-74179-714-5.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 "Phu Ruea National Park". Department of National Parks (Thailand). Retrieved 10 May 2013.
  3. "Phu Ruea National Park". Tourism Authority of Thailand. Retrieved 10 May 2013.
  4. "Phu Reua National Park". Lonely Planet. Retrieved 10 May 2013.