Thailand boasts some of the world’s most remarkable national parks. These areas have been preserved for their stunning natural beauty and historical significance, helping to maintain the land in its original state.
The 156 national parks in America provide visitors with an incredible range of terrain and wildlife to experience. Whether they’re looking for a day trip or an extended holiday, you’re sure to find something here!
Kaeng Krachan National Park
Kaeng Krachan National Park, situated along Thailand’s border with Myanmar and extending across Nong Ya Plong district in Nong Ya Plong province, is its largest and best-known national park. Covering an area of 2,915 square kilometres (1.7 million acres), this protected area features forests, grasslands and rocky outcrops alike.
It boasts an incredible diversity of wildlife, such as tigers, leopards, deer, Malayan tapir, gibbons and elephants. Additionally, one can witness some of India’s rarest bird species here.
Kaeng Krachan offers a wealth of activities to enjoy, such as exploring its trails, watching the sun rise and set, or boating around the lake near its headquarters. But perhaps most popularly is birdwatching.
Kaeng Krachan’s ideal time to visit is during the dry season, which runs from November through March. At these temperatures, visitors can easily spot animals and enjoy peaceful surroundings.
Rainy seasons can be challenging for safari and wildlife spotting, so it is best to go during cooler months like December through February.
In the forest, you’ll often spot a wide array of birds, particularly during dry months. Blue pittas and scaly-breasted partridges can be seen, as well as grey peacock-pheasants.
Other bird species to watch for include ratchet-tailed treepie and white-crested laughing thrushes. For best bird watching opportunities, explore central parts of the park such as Ban Krang or Phanoen Thung campsites.
In the lower portions of the park, there are several small dams where you can set up a hide to watch for birds like blue pittas or scaly-breasted partridges. You may also set up hides in fruit trees along roadsides, in ponds and on different elevations within forest cover.
For further details about the park’s wildlife, be sure to read through our Park Guide.
Khao Phanoen Thung, one of Kaeng Krachan’s most captivating viewpoints, provides an amazing view of surrounding misty forests and deep valleys. It also makes for great viewing of orchids and butterflies.
Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park
Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park, situated in Kui Buri District of Thailand, is its first coastal national park covering an area of 98 square kilometers. This protected area features limestone hills, offshore islands, freshwater marshes and white sand beaches along the Gulf of Thailand.
The most popular attraction here is Phraya Nakhon Cave, which provides visitors with stunning views of the surroundings and an idyllic spot to unwind. However, the park also boasts hundreds of caves that allow visitors to discover the captivating natural splendor of this region.
Another must-see attraction in Thung Sam Roi Yot park is the Thung Sam Roi Yot freshwater marsh. Covering approximately 37% of its area, this wetland provides ample opportunity for nature enthusiasts to observe various bird and amphibian species up close.
Explore the area by taking a walk or riding your scooter. Alternatively, join a tour that takes you on an exciting journey through the national park and its outlying islands.
If you’re seeking something off the beaten path, Khao Sam Roi Yot is an ideal destination. Not only does it boast numerous attractions, but it’s also a convenient day trip from Hua Hin or Prachuap Khiri Khan.
Visiting the park is sure to be an unforgettable experience. Its landscapes and ecosystem are truly remarkable, which is why it attracts so many visitors annually from around the globe.
Experience the beauty of the park by hiking its trails. Here, you can explore dense forests, mysterious caves and an array of animals. Hiking through these trails will give you a true taste for what this amazing place has to offer!
From November to March, visitors can engage in bird watching activities for an up-close view of over 300 rare species. These migratory birds include yellow bitterns, purple swamphens and ruddy-breasted crakes.
Though bird watching is the primary draw, you can also explore other natural attractions like Thung Sam Roi Yot freshwater swamp or outlying islands. As one of the largest wetlands in Thailand, Thung Sam Roi Yot offers ample opportunity for waterbirds, songbirds, and amphibians alike.
Pang Sida National Park
Pang Sida National Park is situated in Sa Kaeo province of Thailand’s eastern region, within Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai forest complex and a World Heritage Site. Here you’ll find various wildlife species like elephants, tigers, gaurs, bantengs and dholes (Asian wild dogs), Indochinese serows and binturongs living together peacefully.
The park is a popular destination for nature-lovers and wildlife watchers alike. Visitors can engage in many activities like hiking, biking, camping and more within its boundaries; plus there are plenty of waterfalls and other attractions to discover.
It is wise to make reservations in advance for visiting this park, as it can become overrun during peak seasons. Additionally, bring a raincoat as weather in this region can be unpredictable.
Pang Sida National Park offers a number of captivating attractions, such as towering cliffs, waterfalls and the butterfly tower. Additionally, visitors can explore the wildlife tower to spot various animals up close.
In the park, visitors can enjoy a range of activities like hiking, cycling and kayaking. Plus there are trails for all abilities–easy, moderate or challenging!
One of the primary attractions in Pang Sida is the Pang Sida waterfall, easily visible from the main entrance. Other waterfalls exist within the park but are more difficult to spot.
One of the highlights in the park is Corypha lecomtei, or Lan Palm Forest. This forest is rare in Thailand and has been listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Pang Sida’s third major draw is the Siamese crocodile, an endangered species with only 2,500 individuals left worldwide. Being so scarce, they can be difficult to spot even during daylight hours.
In addition to crocodiles, visitors to this park will encounter monkeys, birds and insects. You might spot elephants, gaurs or bantengs alongside your crocodile buddies!
The park is home to numerous endangered species, such as the grey heron and purple heron, Ardea cinerea and A. purpurea, plus several plants and trees endemic to this area.
Huai Kha Khaeng National Park
Huai Kha Khaeng National Park is a conservation area that protects an array of wild animals and plants. Situated between Uthai Thani and Tak provinces, its 622,200 hectares form part of the Western Forest Complex managed by Royal Forest Department and Wildlife and Plant Conservation Division.
It lies in one of Thailand’s least-disturbed forests, featuring 18 peaks over 1,000m and numerous valleys, rivers, and small plains. Much of the property is encompassed by two important river systems – upper Kwai Yai and Kha Khaeng – that flow south towards Sri Nakarin dam (Nakahasithien & Stewart-Cox, 1990).
At this sanctuary, there are 120 mammals including tigers and leopards as well as several species of birds and reptiles. Furthermore, there are numerous endangered species like short-clawed otters and smooth-coated otters.
The sanctuary is an excellent spot to watch wildlife, particularly during the dry season when waterfowl and deer can be more easily observed. Because the forests are open with no bushes or large distances between trees, wildlife can easily be observed here.
Tigers and leopards in particular can be easily spotted here due to their tendency for being more visible than other wildlife. In addition to tigers, there are clouded leopards, jungle cats, fishing cats and Asian golden cats to be found throughout the area.
Huai Kha Khaeng is home to several wildlife species, such as Asian elephant Elephas maximus, Sumatran rhinoceros Dicerorhinus sumatraensis and banteng Bos javanicus. You may even get lucky enough to spot Fea’s muntjac Muntiacus fae or Asian tapir Tapirus indicus!
The sanctuary is a popular tourist attraction due to its stunning natural setting and wildlife viewing opportunities. Visitors can also take part in activities like trekking and mountain biking for an exciting outdoor adventure.
In addition to the tiger and leopard, other wildlife species that can be observed in this sanctuary include Sumatran rhinoceros, elephant, banteng and wild water buffalo. Furthermore, there are many endemic species present here which makes this area an important conservation site in Thailand.