Thailand is probably the most ecologically diverse places in Southeast Asia. According to Biofin, the country hosts 8% of all known plants on this planet, or about 15,000 species.
Various efforts have been made to guard this helpful biological resource from extinction, for instance through laws and the national parks initiative.
Meanwhile, Bunrak Thanacharoenrot, a Thai landscape designer, has his own modern approach to conservation. He created the primary museum of ancient trees within the country.
Changtong Heritage Park: an ethereal experience
Changthong Heritage Park is situated on the Third Ring Road, roughly 8 kilometers north of Chiang Mai City in San Phi Suea Subdistrict, Mueang District, Chiang Mai Province, northern Thailand.
Upon entering the park, guests are greeted by otherworldly scenery, harking back to scenes straight from fantasy movies.
The 4.8-hectare site was home to many botanical wonders, from the mist-shrouded Blackwood Tunnel with its gnarled roots to tranquil springs of water flowing through moss-covered rocks.
It is greater than only a garden, it’s a living ecosystem with the sounds of birds and the presence of small animals equivalent to squirrels and lizards. There can also be no wall or any physical barrier separating the park from the surface world, which is a departure from the same old museum concept.
The important attraction that makes the park truly magical, nevertheless, is the assortment of rare and bizarre plants from throughout Thailand.
Huge collection of Thai flora
Many species in Changthong Heritage Park are classified as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, equivalent to white meranti, Hopea odorata and Dipterocarpus alatus.
Other plants are distinguished by unique genetic mutations which have resulted in peculiar anatomy. The small lake within the park is surrounded by coconut trees with trunks that wind upwards or branch in several directions from the identical stem.
Some trees are believed to be over 400-500 years old.
These plants are collected from throughout Thailand. For example, Thai wild almonds (Irvingia malayana) commonly come from the provinces of Ubon Ratchathani, Sisaket and Surin within the northeastern region of the country.
Read also: 7 Endemic Southeast Asian Plants That May Change the Way You See Nature
The creator of Changthong Heritage Park, Bunrak Thanacharoenrot, takes into consideration biological and aesthetic values when choosing the species to be exhibited.
The park’s layout goals to advertise harmony between humanity and nature, allowing it to develop sustainably in a natural way in the long run.
The architect behind Changthong Heritage Park
Bunrak Thanacharoenrot or Chang is a nature lover and experienced landscape designer. His family’s agricultural roots led him to develop into the curator of Changthong Heritage Park.
The project began 12 years ago with finding an appropriate place for the park and choosing goal species. The harvest was obtained from donations and purchases from farmers. They were then rigorously wrapped in cloth, transported by skilled employees and replanted within the park.
Over 25 years, Thanacharoenrot has identified and replanted over 2,000 trees and 400 rare plant species; most of that are native flora of northern Thailand.
In an interview with Mongabay, he stated that the priority is to find the origins of rare and unique plants from everywhere in the country.
Thanacharoenrot’s work was appreciated by each local authorities. In February 2025, the Subdistrict Municipality of San Phi Suea partnered with the park to facilitate joint conservation efforts.
Today, Changthong Heritage Park welcomes visitors who want to understand the biodiversity of Thailand’s flora. The park is open every day from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The entrance fee to the park is 150 baht for Thai tourists and 250 baht for foreign tourists.
Sources:
Mongabay. Thailand’s living floral heritage has its roots within the park of rare and ancient trees. Retrieved from https://news.mongabay.com/
https://www.biofin.org/thailand
