Wang Thong River
Encyclopedia
The Wang Thong River is a river
in Thailand
. Its source lies in the Phetchabun Mountains
in the Khao Kho District
, Thailand.
It flows through Thung Salaeng Luang National Park
and forms Namtok Sri Dit
and Namtok Kaeng Sopha
(Kaeng Sopha Waterfall) in the Wang Thong District
of Phitsanulok Province
, and finally flows through into the Bang Krathum District
, passing through Ban Sam Ruen
and on to the border of Phitsanulok
and Phichit where it drains into the Nan River
at 16°31′06"N 100°19′36"E.
The land drained by the Wang Thong River is part of the Nan Basin
and the Chao Phraya Watershed
.
. The two words are cognates of Chinese 客家 (meaning house-guest).
The river derives its modern name Wang Thong from its path through Amphoe Wang Thong
. The first element wang (Thai: วัง) means palace.
The second element thong (Thai: ทอง) means gold
.
This Thai word for gold was borrowed from the Tamil language
of Sri Lanka
.
The name of the river translates to River of the Golden Palace.
The race took place annually in November after the rainy season.
The original boat race was discontinued prior to the 1940s.
In 1982, a plan to reintroduce the Brotherly Villages Boat Race was discussed by senior local officials, the traders of the Wang Thong Market, farmer organizations and the abbot of Wat Bang Saphan to promote the unity of the community.
Rather than having one village compete against the other as in earlier days, the new boat race involves competition between local farmer and village organizations.
The first race in the reborn competition was opened by District Officer Naaj Amphoe.
The present form of the boat race involves less ritual activities than the pre-1940s races.
. Some portions of the Wang Thong River are designated level 5 rafting sites. This level of whitewater is the uppermost limit to rafting, meaning the river is wild, with a rapid current and difficult, steep rapids. The level of difficulty of the current depends on the volume of water flow. In the rainy season, the river becomes swifter. In June, 2005, Phitsanulok Province initiated a campaign entitled "Sip Coffee at Kaeng Song, Paddle Along Nam Khek Rapids," and held the first Khek River Rafting Festival.
The next Khek River Rafting Festival was held from July 7 through the end of October, 2006.
This year the festival is being held from July 1, 2007 through Oct 31, 2007 under the name "Kaeng Song Cafe - Khek river rafting festival."
of Phitsanulok Province
. The swamp was renovated in 1994 by Phitsanulok Provincial Administration Organization, and is now a popular tourist attraction.
, Faculty of Engineering, to consider the practicalities of utilizing the river's 60 ft. drop within the Salaeng Luang National Park to generate hydroelectric power.
, Russia
, the United Kingdom
, Japan
and Thailand
.
Also, it is a natural habitat for rare species of butterflies such as Kaiser, Troides helena
and Euploea
.
The purpose of the inspection was in relation to the King's multi-purpose irrigation projects.
River
A river is a natural watercourse, usually freshwater, flowing towards an ocean, a lake, a sea, or another river. In a few cases, a river simply flows into the ground or dries up completely before reaching another body of water. Small rivers may also be called by several other names, including...
in Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
. Its source lies in the Phetchabun Mountains
Phetchabun Mountains
The Phetchabun mountains are a mountain range in Thailand.-Geography:It extends in a roughly north-south direction, and separates the broad Chao Phraya river valley of central Thailand from the Khorat Plateau of northeast Thailand...
in the Khao Kho District
Amphoe Khao Kho
-Etymology:The name of the district comes from the a kind of palm tree named Kho , that is found a lot in the area, and from the name Khao, mountain. Thus the full name of the district means "Palm tree hills".-History:...
, Thailand.
It flows through Thung Salaeng Luang National Park
Thung Salaeng Luang National Park
Thung Salaeng Luang National Park is a national park located in the Phitsanulok and Phetchabun Provinces of Thailand. It encompasses substantial portions of Amphoe Wang Thong and Amphoe Lom Sak.-Topography:...
and forms Namtok Sri Dit
Namtok Sri Dit
Namtok Sri Dit is a waterfall and tourist attraction in Thailand. This waterfall is situated on the Wang Thong River and it runs throughout the year. At the falls, there is a rice mortar using power generated from the waterfall, built by the Communist Party of Thailand....
and Namtok Kaeng Sopha
Namtok Kaeng Sopha
Namtok Kaeng Sopha is a waterfall and tourist attraction in Wang Thong district of Phitsanulok Province in Thailand. Situated in Thung Salaeng Luang National Park on the Wang Thong River off of Lomsak Road , between kilometers 71 and 72, it is the largest waterfall in Phitsanulok...
(Kaeng Sopha Waterfall) in the Wang Thong District
Amphoe Wang Thong
Wang Thong is a district of Phitsanulok Province, northern Thailand.-History:The district was established in 1895 in the name Nakhon Pa Mak district after the name of the central tambon, with the district office located at Ban Sam Ruen...
of Phitsanulok Province
Phitsanulok Province
Phitsanulok is a provinces of Thailand, located in the north. Neighboring provinces are Loei, Phetchabun, Phichit, Kamphaeng Phet, Sukhothai, Uttaradit. In the north-east it also has a short border with Xaignabouli of Laos....
, and finally flows through into the Bang Krathum District
Amphoe Bang Krathum
-Etymology:The first element bang means village or settlement. The second element krathum means bur-flower tree .-Geography:...
, passing through Ban Sam Ruen
Ban Sam Ruen
Ban Sam Ruen is a village in the Nakhon Pa Mak subdistrict of Amphoe Bang Krathum District of Phitsanulok Province, Thailand.-Etymology:The first element ban means village. The second element sam means three...
and on to the border of Phitsanulok
Phitsanulok Province
Phitsanulok is a provinces of Thailand, located in the north. Neighboring provinces are Loei, Phetchabun, Phichit, Kamphaeng Phet, Sukhothai, Uttaradit. In the north-east it also has a short border with Xaignabouli of Laos....
and Phichit where it drains into the Nan River
Nan River
The Nan River is a river in Thailand. It is one of the most important tributaries of the Chao Phraya River.-Geography:The Nan River originates in Nan Province. The provinces along the river after Nan Province are Uttaradit, Phitsanulok and Phichit. The Yom River joins the Nan River at Chum Saeng...
at 16°31′06"N 100°19′36"E.
The land drained by the Wang Thong River is part of the Nan Basin
Nan River
The Nan River is a river in Thailand. It is one of the most important tributaries of the Chao Phraya River.-Geography:The Nan River originates in Nan Province. The provinces along the river after Nan Province are Uttaradit, Phitsanulok and Phichit. The Yom River joins the Nan River at Chum Saeng...
and the Chao Phraya Watershed
Chao Phraya River
The Chao Phraya is a major river in Thailand, with its low alluvial plain forming the centre of the country. It runs through Bangkok, the capital city, and then empties into the Gulf of Thailand.-Etymology:...
.
Etymology
Of the names Khek and Wang Thong, Khek (Thai: เข็ก) is the older name for the river. The work Khek is another name for the ethnicity more commonly known as HakkaHakka people
The Hakka , sometimes Hakka Han, are Han Chinese who speak the Hakka language and have links to the provincial areas of Guangdong, Jiangxi, Guangxi, Sichuan, Hunan and Fujian in China....
. The two words are cognates of Chinese 客家 (meaning house-guest).
The river derives its modern name Wang Thong from its path through Amphoe Wang Thong
Amphoe Wang Thong
Wang Thong is a district of Phitsanulok Province, northern Thailand.-History:The district was established in 1895 in the name Nakhon Pa Mak district after the name of the central tambon, with the district office located at Ban Sam Ruen...
. The first element wang (Thai: วัง) means palace.
The second element thong (Thai: ทอง) means gold
Gold
Gold is a chemical element with the symbol Au and an atomic number of 79. Gold is a dense, soft, shiny, malleable and ductile metal. Pure gold has a bright yellow color and luster traditionally considered attractive, which it maintains without oxidizing in air or water. Chemically, gold is a...
.
This Thai word for gold was borrowed from the Tamil language
Tamil language
Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore...
of Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
.
The name of the river translates to River of the Golden Palace.
History
The early Ban Wang Thong and Ban Saphan communities relied heavily on the Wang Thong River. Before the construction of highways, most traffic to Phichit and Nakhon Sawan was via boat.Brotherly Villages Boat Race
The Wang Thong river was historically the site for a boat race between the villagers of Ban Wang Thong and Ban Saphan.The race took place annually in November after the rainy season.
The original boat race was discontinued prior to the 1940s.
In 1982, a plan to reintroduce the Brotherly Villages Boat Race was discussed by senior local officials, the traders of the Wang Thong Market, farmer organizations and the abbot of Wat Bang Saphan to promote the unity of the community.
Rather than having one village compete against the other as in earlier days, the new boat race involves competition between local farmer and village organizations.
The first race in the reborn competition was opened by District Officer Naaj Amphoe.
The present form of the boat race involves less ritual activities than the pre-1940s races.
Whitewater Rafting and the Khek River Rafting Festival
Tourists come to the Wang Thong River to see the waterfalls along its path, and to engage in rafting. Rapids along the river include the Wang Nam Yen Rapids within Thung Salaeng Luang National ParkThung Salaeng Luang National Park
Thung Salaeng Luang National Park is a national park located in the Phitsanulok and Phetchabun Provinces of Thailand. It encompasses substantial portions of Amphoe Wang Thong and Amphoe Lom Sak.-Topography:...
. Some portions of the Wang Thong River are designated level 5 rafting sites. This level of whitewater is the uppermost limit to rafting, meaning the river is wild, with a rapid current and difficult, steep rapids. The level of difficulty of the current depends on the volume of water flow. In the rainy season, the river becomes swifter. In June, 2005, Phitsanulok Province initiated a campaign entitled "Sip Coffee at Kaeng Song, Paddle Along Nam Khek Rapids," and held the first Khek River Rafting Festival.
The next Khek River Rafting Festival was held from July 7 through the end of October, 2006.
This year the festival is being held from July 1, 2007 through Oct 31, 2007 under the name "Kaeng Song Cafe - Khek river rafting festival."
Waterfalls
- Kaeng Song WaterfallNamtok Kaeng SongNamtok Kaeng Song is a waterfall and tourist attraction in the Wang Thong district of Phitsanulok Province in Thailand. This waterfall is situated on the Wang Thong River off Lomsak Road at kilometer 45. The falls have small pavilions to accommodate tourists, and concessions are sold on the...
- Kaeng Sopha WaterfallNamtok Kaeng SophaNamtok Kaeng Sopha is a waterfall and tourist attraction in Wang Thong district of Phitsanulok Province in Thailand. Situated in Thung Salaeng Luang National Park on the Wang Thong River off of Lomsak Road , between kilometers 71 and 72, it is the largest waterfall in Phitsanulok...
- Sri Dit WaterfallNamtok Sri DitNamtok Sri Dit is a waterfall and tourist attraction in Thailand. This waterfall is situated on the Wang Thong River and it runs throughout the year. At the falls, there is a rice mortar using power generated from the waterfall, built by the Communist Party of Thailand....
- Wang Nok Aen Waterfall
Bueng Rachanok
Bueng Rachanok (Thai: บึงราชนก) is a swamp along the Wang Thong River within the Wang Thong DistrictAmphoe Wang Thong
Wang Thong is a district of Phitsanulok Province, northern Thailand.-History:The district was established in 1895 in the name Nakhon Pa Mak district after the name of the central tambon, with the district office located at Ban Sam Ruen...
of Phitsanulok Province
Phitsanulok Province
Phitsanulok is a provinces of Thailand, located in the north. Neighboring provinces are Loei, Phetchabun, Phichit, Kamphaeng Phet, Sukhothai, Uttaradit. In the north-east it also has a short border with Xaignabouli of Laos....
. The swamp was renovated in 1994 by Phitsanulok Provincial Administration Organization, and is now a popular tourist attraction.
Resorts
- The Rain Forest Resort provides cottages with verandas overlooking the river.
- The Sappraiwan Grand Hotel and Resort provides bungalows and chalets overlooking the river.
Hydroelectric Power
A study has been recently done at Naresuan UniversityNaresuan University
Naresuan University is a government sponsored university in Phitsanulok, northern Thailand. It was established as a separate university on July 29, 1990, which was the 400th anniversary of the start of the reign of Phitsanulok-born King Naresuan the Great. A courtyard with a statue of King...
, Faculty of Engineering, to consider the practicalities of utilizing the river's 60 ft. drop within the Salaeng Luang National Park to generate hydroelectric power.
Wildlife
Kaeng Bang Rachan at the source of the Wang Thong is a natural habitat for the Freshwater Jellyfish (Crasapedacusta Sowerby) which is presently found in only the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
, the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
and Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
.
Also, it is a natural habitat for rare species of butterflies such as Kaiser, Troides helena
Troides helena
The Common Birdwing, Troides helena , is a beautiful and large butterfly belonging to the Swallowtail . It is often found in the wildlife trade due to its popularity with butterfly collectors...
and Euploea
Euploea
Euploea is a genus of milkweed butterflies. The species are generally dark in coloration, often quite blackish, for which reason they are commonly called crows. As usual for their subfamily, they are poisonous due to feeding on milkweeds and other toxic plants as caterpillars...
.
Recent Incidences of Drowning
Pongsagorn Kaenmanee, age 9 (October 6, 2007), drowned during an unusual swelling of the river which caused significant flooding in the areaRoyal Visit
His Majesty the King Rama 9 of Thailand visited the Wang Thong River to inspect the Khek River Basin Development Project at Lom Sak district of Phetchabun Province on February 24th, 1981.The purpose of the inspection was in relation to the King's multi-purpose irrigation projects.