Tai Rom Yen National Park | |
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IUCN category II (national park)
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Location in Thailand
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Location | Surat Thani Province, Thailand |
Nearest city | Surat Thani |
Coordinates | 8°52′N 99°27′E / 8.867°N 99.450°ECoordinates: 8°52′N 99°27′E / 8.867°N 99.450°E |
Area | 425 km2 (164 sq mi) |
Established | 1991 |
Website | Tai Romyen NP |
Tai Rom Yen National Park (Thai: ใต้ร่มเย็น) is in the east of Surat Thani Province in southern Thailand. The park consists of the northern end of the Nakhon Si Thammarat mountain range and is mostly covered with forests. It was established on December 31, 1991 and covers an area of 425 km² in the districts Kanchanadit, Ban Na San and Wiang Sa.
The area, especially around the hill, Khao Chong Chang, was the stronghold of communist rebels in the 1980s. From here they succeeded in killing Princess Vibhavadi Rangsit in 1977 as well as the vice-governor of Surat Thani. When the rebellion ceased in the early 1990s due to an amnesty program called Tai Rom Yen (literally, "cool shade in the south") and it was again safe to visit the area, the national park was established. The park was then named after the amnesty program.
Attractions in the park are the two waterfalls Muang Thuat and Than Thip, as well as the Khamin Cave. Also two former camps of the communist party can be visited, named Camp 180 and Camp 357.