North Thailand National Parks

• The biogeographical region of North Thailand consists of a mountainous region with river valleys which include the highest elevations in Thailand. Accordingly many central Asian species of animals and plants reach their southern distributions in these mountain areas. The surrounding lowlands also provide southern habitat for other species. By biogeography we refer to the distribution of animals and plants and particular geography.
• The major ecosystems in Northern Thailand are Hill Evergreen Forest, Mixed Deciduous Forest, Deciduous Dipterocarp Forest and Pine Forest.
• There are 59 National Parks in North Thailand. North Thailand also can be divided between the Upper North and Lower North areas. The Thailand Government defines North Thailand as consisting of both [ 1 ] the 84,000 square kilometre comprising 8 provinces of Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phayao, Nan, Lampang, Lamphun, Phrae and Mae Hong Son, which area originally comprised the Lan Na principalities detailed in the North Thailand History link [ the Upper North ], and [ 2 ] the 86,000 square kilometres of the Lower North, comprising the provinces of Kamphaeng Phet, Tak, Sukhothai, Uttaradit, Uthai Thani, Nakhon Sawan, Phichit Phitsanulok and Phetchabun, which area originally comprised the Kingdoms of Sukhothai and later the northern parts of the Kingdom of  Ayutthaya, Thon Buri and Bangkok Empires.

• To assist tourists identify and find National Parks near major tourist destinations we have classified National Parks in this site by reference to each Province and hence one can quickly identify with the provincial regional capital city. The major tourist locations in Upper North Thailand are Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lampang, Lamphun, Mae Hong Son and the National Parks close to each are so classified. The major tourist locations in Lower North Thailand are Sukhothai, Si Satchanalai and Khamphaeng Phet. At Sukhothai, Ramkhamhaeng National Park overlooks the ancient ruins of Sukhothai Historical Park, so apart from being good for bird watching, it also provides good access to view ancient Sukhothai.

Deciduous Mountain Forest, Chiang Mai