In the past, the area was under Phraya Nu Pradit (Corzimby Na Ranong).  It was a base camp for government officers and prisoners who were assigned to build the road from Trang to Phatthalung--from Khao Phap Pha – Ka Chong Waterfall in Trang province to Tambon Na Wong in Patthalung province.  After the road was completed, the area was handed to the Department of Forestry to establish a forest station in the south.  Later, from 1962 – 1981, the Department of Forestry (maintenance section) launched an initiative to find a suitable site for a botanical garden in the south and assigned Professor Dr. Tem Smitinanda to survey the region and select the site.  Finally, the area between Ton Yai and Ton Noi waterfall was selected and Khao Chong was founded as the second botanical garden in Thailand. 

Prof. Dr. Tem Smitinanda

Chronology
Royal visits of the Chakri Royal Family Kachong Waterfall, Trang Province

The reign of King Rama V

H.R.H. the Crown Prince, acting as a deputy of H.M. King Chulalongkorn Rama V, visited towns in the south of the kingdom from April 8th to May 31st, 1909.  He visited Kachong Waterfall on May 9th, 1909, and stayed overnight in a mansion called 'Prong Haruthai' near the waterfall from May 14th – 16th, 1909.  (Source: Memorial Book of the Funeral of Phraya Udom Ratchaphakdi (Tho Sucharitkul), 1959, from the National Library, Bangkok)

The reign of King Rama VI

H.M. King Vajiravudh, King Rama VI, took a royal tour to the south from June 4th to August 5th, 1915 and stayed overnight in the mansion near the waterfall from June 25th to July 3rd, 1915.  (Source: National Archive, Bangkok)

The reign of King Rama VII

H.M. King Prajadhipok, King Rama VII, took a royal tour to Phuket from January 24th to February 11th, 1928, and visited Kachong Waterfall on Friday, January 25th, 1928.  During the visit, he signed his abbreviated name “ป ป ร” on a stone next to Ton Pliw Waterfall.  (Source: the Committee of Reprinting and Publishing Historical and Archaeological Documents, the Secretariat Office of Prime Minister, 1984, in the National Library, Bangkok)

The reign of King Rama IX, the present king

H.M. King Bhumibhol and H.M. Queen Sirikit visited the citizens of the 14 southern provinces from March 6th – 28th, 1959.  They signed their abbreviated names “ภ ป ร” and “ส ก” on a stone next to Ton Pliw Waterfall. 

H.M. King Rama IX and H.M. Queen visiting Kachong Waterfall

A photograph of H.M. King’s abbreviated name on a stone next to Ton Pliw Waterfall (a part of Kachong Waterfall).

A trail map for trekking to the peak of Khao Phap Pha along which the history of Khao Chong can be studied.