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Chaiyaphum Travel Guide :
Tat Ton National Park
| Tat Ton National Park is located in Mueang District of Chaiyaphum Province. The park is part of the Phu Laen Kha Moutain Range and covers an area of approximately 217 square kilometers. The park is also the source of main rivers of Chaiyaphum, primarily Lam Pathao and Chi River. |
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Tat Ton National Park is famous for its beautiful waterfalls like Namtok Tat Ton, Namtok Tat Fa and Namtok Pha Iang. Because of the mountain range, the topography of the park is steep and because of this it is actually located in a dry area, which is subjected to high temperatures. However, this does not affect the forest in general.
The forest is teeming with wildlife like barking deer, wild boars, mongooses, rabbits, chipmunks, squirrels, jungle fowls and many species of birds. The forest is made up of deciduous dipterocarp and dry evergreen forests.
Once you are in Tat Ton National Park, you can visit Namtok Tat Ton, which is a beautiful waterfall located near the office of the park. This waterfall flows the whole year round and is spectacular during the rainy season. It is around 6 meters high and 5 meters wide. The upper reaches of the waterfall flows over a stone terrace that is surrounded by trees, making it an ideal place for swimming and relaxing. In the same area, you can also visit the Chaopho Tat Ton Shrine, also known as Pu Duang Shrine.
The Chaopho Tat Ton Shrine is considered sacred by the people. According to legends, Pu Duang was a Khmer who lived during the same time as Chaopho Phaya Lae. He was an ascetic and lived a life steeped in meditation and following the ways of the dharma. He had knowledge about herbal medicines and was known to have saved many people. After his death, a shrine was built to honor him. Every Wednesday there are ceremonies of Phi Fa, Phi Song and worship dances to honor Pu Duang. In addition, there are major ceremonies held 4 times a year on the 4th day of the waxing moon in the 3rd lunar calendar, the 14th day of the waxing moon in the 5th lunar month, the 2nd day of the waning moon in the 8th lunar month and the 2nd day of the waning moon in the 11th lunar month as per the Buddhist calendar.
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