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Ton Pariwat Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Tambon Song Phraek and covers a total area of 100,000 rai of shady flora. It also contains Namtok Ton Pariwat or known among the locals as “Namtok Song Phraek” which is 100 metres from the Sanctuary’s headquarters. The waterfall is not very high with a pond down below where there is still some deposits of ores. In the rainy season, the water gushes down. The Sanctuary provides a 2-kilometres nature trail with Bua Phut – Rafflesia kerrii, a plant species with the world’s largest flower of approximately 80 centimetres in diameter, along the route.
The plant grows as a parasite on the root of a vine known as Yan Kai Tom. Its flower has 5 reddish brown petals. It is rare and to be found only in a fertile forest. It blooms towards the end of the rainy season around October. Along the route, there are traces of old mines, bird-watching spots that indicate the fertility of the forest, Namtok Hin Phoeng which is a watershed, etc. A guide is needed for trekking along the trail, which takes about 1 hour. At present, a package tour is offered by travel agencies to include trekking on an elephant’s back through intact forests along both sides of the stream, and rafting for fun and excitement for adventure lovers, which takes about 45 minutes and available throughout the year.
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