9/9/09

Northeast Thailand : Dinosaur's Footprints at Phufak Park

Dinosaur's Footprints at Phufak Park

Phufak Park in Naaku Sub-districts of Kalasin province is a scene of rolling hills. Its teng-rung forest is dominated by trees of varying species including ma khaa mong, Siamese Sal, ingyin and Burmese ebony. Where mammals are concerned, squirrels, Indochinese ground squirrels, palm civets and hare are the animals most common in its wild.




The local people used to socialize and relax there. About 12-years ago its appeal swelled with an increasing number of tourists when two girls accompanied by their parents had a picnic in the forest on a public holiday.



Thereupon, they spotted unusual footprints in the middle of the rock courtyard by Ngao Du Brook on the foot of Phufak Hill around the Phuphan mountain range. Accordingly, the footprints were reported to the geologists. A joint study team of public and private sectors followed and confirmed that seven of them were actually the 140-million-year-old footprints of a carnivorous dinosaur known as Theropod. Today, only four footprints are left.



If you happen to be visiting Kalasin, the land of dinosaurs, and the Sirindhorn Museum, Phufak Park is another interesting tourist site worth visiting. In addition to dinosaur footprints, it is surrounded by trees and brooks which represent the great appeal for nature lovers.