Mae Ping National Park

Mae Ping National Park
อุทยานแห่งชาติแม่ปิง
IUCN category II (national park)
Location within Thailand
Location	Thailand
Nearest city	Tak
Coordinates	17°34′N 98°48′E
Area	1,003.7 km2 (387.5 sq mi)
Established	8 August 1981
Visitors	39,895 (in 2019)
Governing body	Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation

Mae Ping National Park (Thai: อุทยานแห่งชาติแม่ปิง, RTGS Utthayan Haeng Chat Mae Ping, pronounced [ùt-tá-yaān hàeng châāt mâāe bping]) is the park located on the west of the ping river. With various mountainous and river terrain, the ecosystem is different in each terrain area of the park. The park is abundant in natural resources, resulting in a proposal to transfer from a protection area to a national park, also, it is known for birding due to the high elevation of the park location. The park is undergoing a wildfire problem from the elongated folk wisdom and implemented the solutions.

Geography

Mae Ping National Park is characterized by a mountainous terrain, primarily composed of fold mountains running north to south. The highest peak, known as, "Don Huai Lao," reaches an elevation of 1,334 meters. The western boundary of the park is defined by the Mae Ping River, a significant waterway in the region. Several smaller creeks and streams originate from these mountains, eventually feeding into the Mae Ping River. These waterways contribute to the diverse habitats within the park, ranging from dry dipterocarp forests to lush evergreen forests and grasslands. The presence of limestone formations adds another layer of complexity to the terrain, creating caves and cliffs that provide shelter for various species.

The park located in the northern part of Thailand, Mae Ping National Park experiences a climate typical of the region, with three distinct seasons: rainy, cold, and hot. The presence of the mountains and extensive forest cover influences the local climate, resulting in variations in temperature and rainfall within the park itself. The average temperature in the higher elevations hovers around 25 degrees Celsius, while the lower regions near the Bhumibol Dam are slightly warmer, averaging 27 degrees Celsius. The park receives an average annual rainfall of 1,060-1,184 mm, with September being the most humid month. This seasonal variation in rainfall contributes to the dry deciduous nature of the forests, which are prone to wildfires during the dry season.

Mae Ping National Park in Northern Thailand offers a diverse array of attractions for nature enthusiasts. Thung Kik Kaeng Ko and Ko Luang Waterfall are specifically highlighted as points of interest. The dry dipterocarp forests are particularly renowned for their diverse bird species, attracting both local and international birdwatchers. Visitors can explore the park through activities like trekking, nature trails, and waterfall visits. For those interested in geology, cave exploration opportunities abound, with limestone formations such as Koh Luang Waterfall and Yang Wee Cave, featuring stalactites and stalagmites.

History

The initial push towards the park's creation emerged in 1978 when the Tourism Promotion Board of Lamphun passed a resolution, advocating for the establishment of a forest park within the Mae Hat – Mae Ko National Reserved Forest. This resolution aimed to harness the tourism potential of the area while implementing measures for controlled and organized activities. This marked the beginning of a series of surveys and assessments to determine the area's suitability for protection.

Following the resolution, the Chiang Mai Regional Forest Office commissioned Mr. Chaliao Nimnuan to conduct an initial survey. His findings supported the establishment of a forest park, prompting a report to the Royal Forest Department. Subsequently, in 1979, the National Park Division of the Royal Forest Department tasked Mr. Sampan Midewan, another Forestry Officer, to thoroughly investigate the area. His survey, completed in June 1980, underscored the region's rich biodiversity, scenic beauty, and unique natural formations, concluding that it met the criteria for a national park designation.

The combined efforts of these surveys culminated in a pivotal decision by the National Park Board. On August 8, 1981, they officially designated the area encompassing Mae Hat and Mae Ko Forests as Thailand's 32nd national park. This significant milestone marked the culmination of years of assessments and proposals, recognizing the area's ecological and tourism value. Interestingly, the park initially bore the name "Mae Hat-Mae Ko National Park," reflecting the specific forest areas it encompassed. However, the Royal Forest Department later opted to rename it "Mae Ping National Park," acknowledging the prominent Mae Ping River as a defining characteristic of the park's western boundary and a vital component of its ecosystem. A notable event in the park's history occurred in 1994 when it underwent an expansion to incorporate Provincial Highway No. 1087. This expansion aimed to strengthen conservation efforts by curbing deforestation, preventing illegal hunting, and ensuring the sustainable management of the park's natural resources. The decision to expand the park's boundaries highlights the ongoing commitment to safeguarding the region's biodiversity and ecological integrity.

Birding

Mae Ping National Park is a great place for birdwatching because it provides access to mature dry dipterocarp forest, a habitat that is not common among Thailand's main bird-watching locations. While this type of forest is not visually appealing to non-birders, a large number of birds who are habitat specialists live there, making it attractive to bird watchers who enjoy the diversity of different species

Chinese Francolin	Francolinus pintadeanus
Red Junglefowl	Gallus gallus
Striated Heron	Butorides striata
Little Egret	Egretta garzetta
Eastern Cattle Egret	Bubulcus coromandus
Chinese Pond Heron	Ardeola bacchus
Black Baza	Aviceda leuphotes
Oriental Honey-buzzard	Pernis ptilorhynchus
Crested Serpent Eagle	Spilornis cheela
Crested Goshawk	Accipiter trivirgatus
Shikra	Accipiter badius
Japanese Sparrowhawk	Accipiter gularis
Rufous-winged Buzzard	Butastur liventer
Changeable Hawk Eagle	Nisaetus limnaeetus
White-rumped Falcon	Polihierax insignis
Collared Falconet	Microhierax caerulescens
Feral Pigeon	Columba livia
Red Collared Dove	Streptopelia tranquebarica
Oriental Turtle Dove	Streptopelia orientalis
Spotted Dove	Spilopelia chinensis
Zebra Dove	Geopelia striata
Common Emerald Dove	Chalcophaps indica
Orange-breasted Green Pigeon	Treron bicinctus
Thick-billed Green Pigeon	Treron curvirostra
Yellow-footed Green Pigeon	Treron phoenicopterus
Vernal Hanging Parrot	Loriculus vernalis
Grey-headed Parakeet	Psittacula finschii
Blossom-headed Parakeet	Psittacula roseata
Greater Coucal	Centropus sinensis
Green-billed Malkoha	Phaenicophaeus tristis
Asian Koel	Eudynamys scolopaceus
Asian Emerald Cuckoo	Chrysococcyx maculatus
Banded Bay Cuckoo	Cacomantis sonneratii
Asian Drongo Cuckoo	Surniculus lugubris
Large Hawk Cuckoo	Hierococcyx sparverioides
Mountain Scops Owl	Otus spilocephalus
Collared Scops Owl	Otus lettia
Collared Owlet	Glaucidium brodiei
Asian Barred Owlet	Glaucidium cuculoides
Spotted Owlet	Athene brama
Brown Boobook	Ninox scutulata
Large-tailed Nightjar	Caprimulgus macrurus
Crested Treeswift	Hemiprocne coronata
Himalayan Swiftlet	Aerodramus brevirostris
Brown-backed Needletail	Hirundapus giganteus
Asian Palm Swift	Cypsiurus balasiensis
House Swift	Apus nipalensis
Orange-breasted Trogon	Harpactes oreskios
Indian Roller	Coracias benghalensis
White-throated Kingfisher	Halcyon smyrnensis
Common Kingfisher	Alcedo atthis
Blue-bearded Bee-eater	Nyctyornis athertoni
Green Bee-eater	Merops orientalis
Chestnut-headed Bee-eater	Merops leschenaulti
Eurasian Hoopoe	Upupa epops
Great Barbet	Megalaima virens
Lineated Barbet	Megalaima lineata
Coppersmith Barbet	Megalaima haemacephala
Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker	Dendrocopos canicapillus
White-bellied Woodpecker	Dryocopus javensis
Greater Yellownape	Chrysophlegma flavinucha
Black-headed Woodpecker	Picus erythropygius
Grey-headed Woodpecker	Picus canus
Common Flameback	Dinopium javanense
Greater Flameback	Chrysocolaptes guttacristatus
Lesser Yellownape	Picus chlorolophus
Rufous Woodpecker	Micropternus brachyurus
Great Slaty Woodpecker	Mulleripicus pulverulentus
Silver-breasted Broadbill	Serilophus lunatus
Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike	Hemipus picatus
Large Woodshrike	Tephrodornis virgatus
Common Woodshrike	Tephrodornis pondicerianus
Ashy Woodswallow	Artamus fuscus
Common Iora	Aegithina tiphia
Large Cuckooshrike	Coracina macei
Indochinese Cuckooshrike	Coracina polioptera
Black-winged Cuckooshrike	Coracina melaschistos
Rosy Minivet	Pericrocotus roseus
Ashy Minivet	Pericrocotus divaricatus
Small Minivet	Pericrocotus cinnamomeus
Scarlet Minivet	Pericrocotus speciosus
Brown Shrike	Lanius cristatus
Burmese Shrike	Lanius collurioides
Long-tailed Shrike	Lanius Schach
Slender-billed Oriole	Oriolus tenuirostris
Black-hooded Oriole	Oriolus xanthornus
Black Drongo	Dicrurus macrocercus
Ashy Drongo	Dicrurus leucophaeus
Bronzed Drongo	Dicrurus aeneus
Lesser Racket-tailed Drongo	Dicrurus remifer
Hair-crested (Spangled) Drongo	Dicrurus hottentottus
Greater Racket-tailed Drongo	Dicrurus paradiseus
White-browed Fantail	Rhipidura aureola
Malaysian Pied Fantail	Rhipidura javanica
Black-naped Monarch	Hypothymis azurea
Eurasian Jay	Garrulus glandarius
Red-billed Blue Magpie	Urocissa erythroryncha
Rufous Treepie	Dendrocitta vagabunda
Eastern Jungle Crow	Corvus levaillantii
Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher	Culicicapa ceylonensis
Black-headed Bulbul	Pycnonotus atriceps
Black-crested Bulbul	Pycnonotus flaviventris
Red-whiskered Bulbul	Pycnonotus jocosus
Sooty-headed Bulbul	Pycnonotus aurigaster
Stripe-throated Bulbul	Pycnonotus finlaysoni
Streak-eared Bulbul	Pycnonotus blanfordi
Puff-throated Bulbul	Alophoixus pallidus
Grey-eyed Bulbul	Iole propinqua
Barn Swallow	Hirundo rustica
Asian House Martin	Delichon dasypus
Red-rumped Swallow	Cecropis daurica
Striated Swallow	Cecropis striolata
Yellow-bellied Warbler	Abroscopus superciliaris
Yellow-streaked Warbler	Phylloscopus armandii
Radde's Warbler	Phylloscopus schwarzi
Yellow-browed Leaf Warbler	Phylloscopus inornatus
Two-barred Warbler	Phylloscopus plumbeitarsus
Thick-billed Warbler	Phragamaticola aedon
Rufescent Prinia	Prinia rufescens
Grey-breasted Prinia	Prinia hodgsonii
Common Tailorbird	Orthotomus sutorius
Pin-striped Tit Babbler	Macronus gularis
Puff-throated Babbler	Pellorneum ruficeps
White-crested Laughingthrush	Garrulax leucolophus
Yellow-eyed Babbler	Chrysomma sinense
Plains Nuthatch	Sitta neglecta
Velvet-fronted Nuthatch	Sitta frontalis
Common Hill Myna	Gracula religiosa
Common Myna	Acridotheres tristis
Eyebrowed Thrush	Turdus obscurus
Oriental Magpie Robin	Copsychus saularis
White-rumped Shama	Copsychus malabaricus
Asian Brown Flycatcher	Muscicapa dauurica
Verditer Flycatcher	Eumyias thalassinus
Hill Blue Flycatcher	Cyornis banyumas
Tickell's Blue Flycatcher	Cyornis tickelliae
Siberian Rubythroat	Calliope calliope
Taiga Flycatcher	Ficedula albicilla
Blue Rockthrush	Monticola solitarius
Pied Bushchat	Saxicola caprata
Eastern Stonechat	Saxicola stejnegeri
Blue-winged Leafbird	Chloropsis cochinchinensis
Golden-fronted Leafbird	Chloropsis aurifrons
Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker	Dicaeum cruentatum
Ruby-cheeked Sunbird	Chalcoparia singalensis
Purple Sunbird	Cinnyris asiaticus
Olive-backed Sunbird	Cinnyris jugularis
Little Spiderhunter	Arachnothera longirostra
Eurasian Tree Sparrow	Passer montanus
White-rumped Munia	Lonchura striata
Scaly-breasted Munia	Lonchura Punctulata
Grey Wagtail	Motacilla cinerea
White Wagtail	Motacilla alba
Paddyfield Pipit	Anthus rufulus
Olive-backed Pipit	Anthus hodgsoni

Deciduous Forest

Mae Ping National Park is largely dominated by deciduous forests, which compose approximately 80% of the park's total forested area. These deciduous forests are particularly prominent in mountainous regions with sandy soil and elevations below 1,000 meters above sea level. The remaining 20% of the park's forests comprise evergreen forests.

Notable tree species found within this forest type include:

• Burma Sal
• Burmese Sal
• Dipterocarpus tuberculatus
• Hairy Keruing
• Quercus kerrii Craib
• Phyllanthus emblica
• Lannea coromandelica
• Terminalia alata Heyne
• Canarium subulatum
• Strychnos nux-vomica
• Melientha suavis Pierre

Lower-growing plants in the Deciduous Dipterocarp Forest include:

• Phoenix acaulis
• Cycads
• Pueraria candollei
• Ground Orchids

Mixed Deciduous Forest

Another significant forest type within the park is the Mixed Deciduous Forest, found in plains and along mountain slopes at elevations between 450 and 800 meters. This forest type is characterized by tree species such as:

• Teak
• Iron Wood
• Dalbergia cultrata Graham
• Canarium subulatum
• Millettia brandisiana
• Burma Padauk
• Schleichera oleosa
• Dalbergia dongnaiensis
• Vitex pinnata

The understory of the Mixed Deciduous Forest features plants like:

• Bauhinia saccocalyx Pierre
• Thyrsostachys siamensis Gamble
• Bambusa bambos
• Bambusa nutans
• Phoenix acaulis
• Pueraria candollei
• Myrica esculenta
• Colona flagrocarpa

The park's evergreen forests encompass both Dry Evergreen Forest and Tropical Rain Forest. These forests are primarily located in narrow valleys and along creeks. Some of the plant species found within this forest type are:

• Hopea odorata
• Black Rosewood
• Mangifera caloneura
• Irvingia malayana
• Spondias pinnata
• Beleric myrobalan

Grassland

Mae Ping National Park also features grasslands, notably Thung Kik and Thung Na Ngu. These grasslands are situated on hillsides at an elevation of approximately 550 meters above sea level. The soil in these areas is primarily sandy clay or gravel. Due to their composition, these grasslands are susceptible to wildfires, which occur frequently. Sparsely distributed perennial plants such as Semecarpus cochinchinensis Engl., Terminalia alata Heyne, and Terminalia chebula are found in these grasslands, while the ground cover consists of Phoenix acaulis, Imperata cylindrica, Myrica esculenta Buch, and White Angel.

Fauna

Mae Ping National Park supports a diverse range of animal life.

Mammals

• Burmese Hare
• Indian Muntjac
• Banteng
• Asiatic Black Bear
• Serows
• Chinese Goral
• Fishing Cat
• Red Junglefowl
• Small Indian Civet
• Viverricula indica
• Indo-Chinese Lutung
• Gibbons
• Golden Jackal
• Squirrels
• Crab-Eating Mongoose
• Slow Loris
• Rhesus Macaque
• Lar Gibbon
• Wild Boar
• Malayan Porcupine
• Civet
• Common Palm Civet

Reptiles

• Ground Lizard
• Clouded Monitor Lizard
• Malayan Pit Viper
• Oriental Garden Lizard
• Many-Lined Sun Skink
• Common Water Monitor Lizard
• Giant Asian Pond Turtle
• Soft-Shelled Turtle
• Painted Keelbacks
• Dwarf Snakehead

Amphibians

• Common Asian Toad
• Rana limnocharis
• Spotted Narrow-Mouthed Frog
• Green-Backed Frog
• Horseface Loach

Aquatics

Mae Ping National Park's waterways, particularly the Mae Ping River, are home to a variety of freshwater fish species, including

• Nile Tilapia
• Striped Catfish
• Siluridae
• Cyprinidae
• Goby
• Giant Gourami
• Macronema Catfish
• Hampala Barb

Wildfire

A significant factor contributing to the frequent wildfires in Mae Ping National Park is the local communities' reliance on fire for various activities, often stemming from deeply ingrained beliefs and economic needs. For instance, locals often set fire to the forest floor, believing it enhances mushroom growth, a practice deemed detrimental by experts and unsupported by scientific evidence. Additionally, the common practice of burning fields after harvest to clear weeds and debris further escalates the risk of uncontrolled fires. The use of fire for hunting, intended to flush out animals, also significantly contributes to the occurrence of these wildfires. These practices, while deeply rooted in tradition and essential for local livelihoods, pose considerable challenges to wildfire prevention.

To mitigate these risks, Mae Ping National Park has implemented a multifaceted approach to wildfire prevention. The park utilizes firebreaks as a primary strategy, creating cleared corridors of land to contain the spread of fire. However, the effectiveness of firebreaks depends on their length, strategic placement, and maintenance, which can be limited. Another strategy involves reducing flammable materials, focusing on the abundant dry leaves covering the forest floor. Prescribed burns are also employed under controlled conditions to clear these fuel sources. However, this method requires meticulous planning and execution to prevent them from escalating into uncontrolled wildfires. A more sustainable approach encourages the cultivation of Termitomyces mushrooms. These mushrooms thrive on dead leaves, offering a natural way to reduce fuel while generating income for local communities, thereby lessening their dependence on fire-dependent foraging. The park also emphasizes communication and awareness about fire risks through a dedicated LINE Official Account. This platform shares real-time fire data from reliable sources like NASA FIRMS, CUSense, and Windy, enabling quicker responses to potential fire outbreaks. Complementing this is a Facebook Marketplace, connecting local mushroom sellers with wider markets to promote the economically viable and sustainable cultivation of Termitomyces mushrooms.