Khao Pu–Khao Ya National Park

Khao Pu-Khao Ya National Park
อุทยานแห่งชาติเขาปู่-เขาย่า
IUCN category II (national park)
Khao Pu Khao Ya National Park
Location	Thailand
Nearest city	Si Banphot, Phatthalung
Coordinates	7°46′45.9″N 99°45′55.4″E / 7.779417°N 99.765389°E / 7.779417; 99.765389Coordinates: 7°46′45.9″N 99°45′55.4″E / 7.779417°N 99.765389°E / 7.779417; 99.765389
Area	649 km²
Established	May 27, 1982
Governing body	Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation

Khao Pu–Khao Ya National Park (Thai:เขาปู่-เขาย่า) is the 42nd national park of Thailand. It spreads across three southern provinces: Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, and Trang. It was established on May 27, 1982. It is known for its diverse ecosystem and wide range of wildlife; consisting of 162 animal species. It was named by local people "Bha Brommajan" which means "the forest of virginity".

Khao Ya, and especially Khao Pu, are considered to be holy places in Phatthalung Province. People believe that Khao Pu is the place where Ta Pu spirit lives. Ta Pu is half-human, half-Gandharvas (god of music). People often visit to ask him for his blessing. Ta Pu symbolizes goodness and purity. Every year people gather to participate in a ceremony worshipping Ta Pu and their ancestors.

Around April to May people annually participate in "wan wang" which means "free day". Usually held for three days, over this period people cease all kind of activities. This traditional ceremony is very similar to Songkran (Thai New Year). In this ceremony, however, not only laypersons can participate, but monks are also allowed to join. People will gently pour and sprinkle water on statues of Buddha first, then on monks and elders. Nobody is allowed to play before the ablution. Every evening of each day there is local folk storytelling, dancing, and games.

Around September to October annually people participate in "Ching Pretah Day" which is a giving day to ancestor spirits, ghosts, and demons. On this day people will bring desserts such as kanom la, kanom ba, kanom pong, kanom thian, and kanom bae-som (also called joah hu) to the ceremony. They also bring rice, garlic, shrimp paste, chili, coconuts, sugar cane, salt, onions, bananas, candles, and joss-sticks. Then they will set up a table. After the prayer people gather around the table and snatch (it is a tradition, people do it just for fun) food for themselves, believing that it will bring them good luck. Every dessert offered to the spirits represents a particular object. Kanom la is a blanket, kanom ba is a coin, kanom pong is jewelry, kanom bae-som is money, and kanom thian is a pillow.

The park lies in the Nakhon Si Thammarat Range or Banthat mountain range. Hin Tan Hill is the highest peak of the park at 877 meters above sea level. Approximately 60 percent of the park is covered with tropical rain forest and some areas of the park are covered with evergreen forest. Khao Banthat Wildlife Sanctuary is beside Khao Pu Khao Ya National Park. The center of the park is considered to be the demarcation line, separating Trang and Phatthalung Provinces. The dividing line is a brook, the water source for people who live in both provinces. Khao Pu Khao Ya in Phatthalung Province is the water source of the La Mai, Mai Siab, and Cha-Uat canals which unite with the Pak Panang River. On the other side, in Trang province, Khao Pu Khao Ya is the water source of Lamphu Ra and Lamor canals which join the Trang River.