Umphang

Umphang

Introduction

Umphang. a district of Tak province is located on the western border of Thailand. The area is very mountainous, and there is only one route entering and leaving from the Mae Sot District.

Every part of Umphang is a center of Ecotourism; for example, major water sources can be found here. It is also part of a World heritage Site. The way of life of the Karen Hilltribe people. Who keep elephants as a means of transportation, can be seen in Umphang District. These people live chose to nature. Consequently, they have helped in the establishing of the Ecotourism business; for example. Trekking, rafting, elephant riding, nature watching, etc. As such, these activities help to make this area a potential for Ecotourism.

As a center of Ecotourism, it is expected that there will be some impact as these places can be easily destroyed. Therefore, certain measures have been taken to conduct tourism in an appropriate way. In doing so, this will help to preserve the natural beauty of Umphang for the future.

Umphang Background

Umphang, The main district on the route to and from the western border of thailand, was originally inhabited by Karen Hilltribe people. Later, the Thai people migrated from the North to come to settle here permanently. It is also a place where the Burmese have come to sell goods in Thailand.

The border authorities inspect the documents for the Burmese to cross the border. In the past, the people carried the documents in a bamboo container to help protect them from the rain as well as wear and tear while travelling for many months in the forest. When they came to Umphang, the Burmese would then open the container to show the documents for inspection. This document known in Karen language as “Umpha” was later changed to “ Umphang” The people finally came to settle at Ban Kui Klue, Tambon Mae Klong and Ban Kui Leto, Tambon Mae Chan.

Umphang District is divided into 4 parts called Umphang, Mae Klong Mai, Mae Lamung. And Mae Chan, Most of the population is made up of Karen hilltribes. There are some large villages; for example, Ban Pahlatha, Ban Khota, Ban Mae Chan, Ban Tiphochi, and Ban Letongkhu.

Topography

Umphang District is the largest of 8 districts in Tak province that is located on the leftside of the Mae Klong River, in the southwest of the province approximately 249 kilometres from Tak. The total area is approximately 4.325,383 square kilometres or 2,703,365 rai, and it is the widest district in Thailand.

The north connects to Phopphra District, Tak province; the south adjoins Sangkhlaburi and Sri Sawat Districts, Kanchanaburi province; the east connexts to Khlong Lan and khlong Khlung Districts, kamphaeng :het province as well as latyang District, nakhon Sawan province, and Ban Rai District, Uthai Thani province; the west is part of the border with Myanmar.

The whole area of Umphang is made up of undulating mountains. There is dense, thick forest, which is also part of a World Heritage Site; Thungyal Naresuan and Huai Kha Khaeng. There are areas that are flat valleys and river basins. This area is the main source of many rivers and streams; for example, Mac Chan, Huai Umphang. Huai Mac Lamung, Huai Klotho. And especially the Mae Klong River that I found to feed the western part of the country.

Clim ate

There are 3 seasons similar to other parts of the north. The hot season is from March to May. And the maximum temperature is approximately 39 C.

The wet season is during june to October. Umphang District receives a lot of rainfall because of the high mountains and the dense forest. The highest ampunt of measured rainfall is 299,2 millimetres in July. The cool season is from November to February. The munimum temperature would be 2.5 C during Dexember.

The Forest

This part of the country comprises of high mountains; therefore, there is dense forest, which has a total area of approximately 1,914,494 rai, Also of importance in this area of rainforest is the many various species of life. The forest and wildlife in Umphang, which adjoins Thungyai Naresuan and Huai Kha Khaeng forest, can be preserved in accordance with a declaration that it is a very important conservation area.

This forestland area is part of the Western Forest totaling an area of approximately 5.5 million rai, and is the widest area in Southeast Asia. Therefore, the forests of Thungyai Naresuan and Huai Kha Khaeng have been declared as World Heritage Sites. The remaining forestland is a buffer area that contains the source of the Mae klong River.which originates in the Western Forest.

Most of the forest is virgin mountain forest comprising of Evergreen Forest and Deciduous Forest which is interspersed with teak, lron Wood. Queen’s flower, Dipterocarps,etc. Some of the species of plants are well known and can be found throughout the area; for example, bamboo, and teak is found on the banks of the mae Klong. Orchid Tree is found on the 2 sides of the road to Ban pahlatha. Cycas and Phoenix palm are found on the mountaintops. As well as these, there are orchids, wildflowers , and many species of ferns; for example. Vanda coerulea, Dendrobium Spp., Slipper orchid, and Maiden hair fern

Wildlife, Birds, and Aquatic Life

There are many species of wildlife of the Southeast Asia element (Indo-Burma and Indo- china); for example. Monkeys, langurs. Hornbills, tapir, as well as elephants, bears, tigers, seladang, deer, etc. Additionally, there are many endangered birds such as the “White-winged Duck” at Lakato Swamp. The Mae Klong can be considered as a source of many kinds of rare freshwater fish.