Given the abundance of national parks in Thailand, I thought it would be helpful to bring some clarity with a selection of parks worth seeing.
According to the official website of the department managing the national parks (Department of National Park or DNP) the country currently accounts for 156 national parks distributed across all provinces and encompassing both terrestrial and marine parks.
These parks are established according to specific criteria, namely that they contain natural resources of ecological importance or unique beauty, with another important criterion being the presence of particularly notable flora and fauna. That's the official definition. Given the sheer number of them, Thailand readily grants this status to virtually any notable mountain range or archipelago of islands…
The comparison is easy, in France, while the area is equivalent to that of Thailand (counting only the mainland), There are only 10 national parks, although this figure should be put into perspective because in Thailand, the parks are very numerous because they are fragmented and do not generally cover a huge area.
The many national parks in Thailand
Under the guise of protecting wildlife and flora, Thailand is adding a large number of national parks, as most of them charge an entrance fee, even for Thais. Of the 156 national parks, only about twenty are free. Generally, the entrance fee is between 200 and 400 baht per person (for foreigners, not including the vehicle fee).
There is also a controversy mainly concerning marine parks as some private companies manage to deviate from the rules and build resorts etc. on normally protected land (it is the goal of a national park normally to avoid that…). But the goal of this article is not to criticize, it is already good that bits of nature are at least preserved.
Of course, this is just a sample; this ranking is based on those I know or would like to see (out of the 15, I've visited 11 so far). The idea is to create a mix of well-known parks and others that are less so.
So let’s take a detailed look at my selection of national parks to visit in Thailand for nature lovers!
Northern Thailand
1- Doi Inthanon
The park was created in 1972 (then expanded in 1978) and welcomes more than 800,000 visitors per year.
The Doi Inthanon is located southwest of Chiang Mai. It is best known for having the highest peak in Thailand at 2,565 m as well as the two royal chedis on the road shortly before the summit.
It is home to numerous animal and plant species. In particular, it is the park with the highest concentration of bird species in one location in Thailand. There are also still some in these mountains... Karen tribal villages and Hmong. It is on the slopes of this mountain that, for me, the most beautiful rice paddies in the country are found, at Pa Pong Piang.
2- Doi Suthep–Pui National Park
Created in 1981, the park welcomes more than 300,000 visitors per year.
Also located in Chiang Mai province, the Doi suthep It's not necessarily the most beautiful in itself, if I'm honest, but it has the merit of being super easy to access.
In reality, while everyone knows about its perched temple, few truly explore the paid section of the park, which features a series of waterfalls, but the rest of the mountain, including the Doi PuiIncluded in the park, access is free and you have some Hmong villages, coffee plantations, the Royal Winter Palace and another temple to see (Wat Pha Lat) making the visit interesting and able to fill a good day of sightseeing!
Central and Western Thailand
3- Erawan National Park
Established in 1975, it receives approximately 650,000 visitors each year.
Located in the province of Kanchanaburi, generally very popular for its bridge and death railway, but also for its nature and in particular the Erawan Park, famous for his series of 7 stuntsin the middle of the forest with its turquoise green waters. There are also 4 caves.
4- Khuean Srinagarindra National Park
Created 6 years after Erawan in 1981. The site receives fewer visitors with approximately 145,000 curious onlookers every year.
Khuean Srinagarindra is especially popular for the Huay Mae Khamin Falls, a a serious alternative to Erawan Park, still in the same region of Kanchanaburi, which is the province with the most national parks in the country after Chiang Mai.
Apart from these falls, there are some caves like Tham Phra Prang (which served as a refuge for Thai soldiers during conflicts with its Burmese neighbor in the 18th century) and the lake, formed by the Srinagarind dam, which offers beautiful panoramas.
5- Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park
Created in 1966He was one of the forerunners, in this instance, the first coastal national park. It receives approximately 160,000 visitors per year.
It's one of my favorites, if I may say so. Khao Sam Roi Yot is considered a marine park due to its seaside location, 50 km south of the small seaside town of Hua HinThis is the location of the very famous cave with the royal pavilionbuilt here to mark the passage of King Rama V, who also left a signature engraved on the rock.
6- Khao Laem Ya – Mu Ko Samet National Park
The park was created in 1981 and welcomes today 1,600,000 visitors annually.
This national park attracts many people because it encompasses the island of Ko SametLocated off the coast of Rayong (south of Pattaya), the island requires an entry fee if you stay there (there's a ticket booth at the dock upon arrival). While the island can get quite crowded on weekends, it's a beautiful escape close to Bangkok.
Northeast Thailand (Issan)
7- Khao Yai National Park
Established in 1961It was Thailand's very first national park and is also the largest, covering an area of 2,168 km², making it one of the most visited national parks with more 1,500,000 visitors each year.
It is one of the closest national parks to Bangkok, just a 3-hour drive northeast of the capital. It is located, among other places, in the province of Nakhon Ratchasima (as the park straddles three provinces in total).
Khao Yai This park is known for its large herds of wild elephants, dense forests inhabited by numerous monkeys (macaques, gibbons), and waterfalls. This makes it an ideal place for trekking and getting out of Bangkok without going too far.
8- Pha Taem National Park
Established in 1991, there are approximately 180 visitors per year.
I've already talked about it on the blogFollowing our stay in the province of Ubon Ratchathani, where the park is located, Pha Taem is situated on the banks of the Mekong River, facing Laos.
You can admire rock formations like Sao Chaliang, but one of the main attractions remains its cliff at the foot of which are its prehistoric red paintings, not to mention the waterfalls (including those of "Song Chan" flowing through a hole) and the local fauna and flora, Pha Taem is a must-see in the region.
Southern Thailand
9- Ao Phang-nga National Park
The site is declared Designated a national park in 1981, it welcomes an average of 1,000,000 visitors per year..
Sometimes called the Halong Bay of Thailand, Phang Nga Bay It is renowned for its landscapes composed of rocky peaks that emerge from the waves, sheltering caves and mangroves. It owes its fame in particular to one of these islets, which became "James Bond Island", serving as a setting for a film in the saga of the famous English spy.
A must-see if you're staying in the Phuket area.
10- Hat Noppharat Thara – Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park
Established in 1983 (but ratified in 1998) so before the film, The Beach, which made it famous, the site hosts more than 1,000,000 visitors per year.
The island of Ko Phi Phi, which is part of the national park covering the main island of Phi Phi Don and several surrounding islands including Phi Phi Ley. The price is normally included in the boat ticket price when you take a tour of the islands, however a 20 ฿ fee is charged for each arrival at the main pier.
11- Mu Ko Similan National Park
Established in 1982, the marine park welcomes more than 600,000 visitors per year.
A must-have for any diving enthusiast. the Similan archipelagoComposed of nine islands, it's a true little paradise. It's a place I had the opportunity to visit in the best conditions, and it was simply magnificent!
Unfortunately, the site is a victim of its own success. It's becoming difficult to fully enjoy it, despite a daily visitor quota system.
12- Mu Ko Surin National Park
Created in 1981Just before the Similan Islands, this is the place to go for crystal-clear waters and colorful marine life. Further away and more isolated, it receives only 100,000 visitors per year.
Another must-see park I'd love to visit is the Surin Islands, located further north than the Similan Islands (not far from the Burmese islands). Besides these islands and pristine beaches, the park is known for its village inhabited by the Moken, a seafaring people.
13- Khao Sok National Park
It was established in 1980 and welcomes 400 visitors per year.
Also north of Phuket, but this time inland, on the road leading to Surat Thani (the port to the Gulf islands such as Ko Samui and Co.), Khao Sok Park is a series of steep mountains, often very humid.
Chew Larn Lake is its main attraction because you will be ideally surrounded by nature. You can sleep on one of the floating hotels and go on an adventure for a trek, explore caves and encounter the local fauna and flora among which is found here the largest flower in the world, the famous rafflesia (also called rafflesia).
Whether along the river or on the lake, Khao Sok offers a perfect environment to cool off, go rafting, canoeing and swimming in one of the parks considered one of the most beautiful in Thailand. One of my favorites in Thailand, somewhat pompously called the Guilin of Thailand.
14- Tarutao National Park
Created in 1974, it welcomes 125,000 visitors each year.
Located off the coast of Satun in the far south of Thailand, the park is right next to the Malaysian island of LangkawiIt encompasses 51 islands, the most famous of which is Ko Lipe, prized for its idyllic setting. It is also a prime spot for deep-sea diving enthusiasts and fish lovers.
15- Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park
Created in 1980, the park sees some 130,000 visitors pass through each year.
Last on the list and the last marine park that I've yet to visit, despite its proximity to the islands of Ko Samui and Phangan. The park covers a group of 42 islands and islets (representing a little over 80% of the islands in the area, but therefore not all of them).
It's a pleasant setting for kayaking and admiring a typical Southern Thai landscape from its magnificent viewpoint overlooking these islands (which can also be admired from the plane landing in Ko Samui).
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12 Comments
Hello,
Can you confirm that there is tent rental on site at Erawan Park?
We plan to stay there for one night, and we wonder if we can sleep there or if we have to return to Kanchanaburi…
Thank you
Hello,
I confirm, at the camp near the falls (Erawan National Park Campsite) there are tents for 150 Baht per night, for 200 Baht, this also includes a small mattress and a blanket.
Hello Romain,
I am looking for information for Umphang Park to go see the Thi Lo Su Falls in the Mae Sot region.
Can you help me please?
Where can I go to find out if there are bungalows (I know there is camping, but our old bones wouldn't like it lol)
We will be with a 4x4 vehicle, and I read sometimes possible access and sometimes not?
thanks in advance
Annie Donadio
Hello,
As far as I know, there are only tents at the foot of the waterfall, to sleep it is otherwise outside the park… It is accessible by 4×4 but you should know that it is more than 20km of track. It is closed during the rainy season but if you go there in November, no worries.
Can we stay several days in the National Parks? Or is there a limitation?
Hello,
As far as I know, you have to indicate when purchasing tickets that you plan to stay for several days, in which case it seems to me that it is limited to 3 consecutive days.
topic just touched on... I would like to know WHAT animals or plants I will encounter!
Vast subject… it will depend on the parks in question, wild pigs, snakes, deer, elephants, gaurs are examples among those possible to see.
For our part, we had a big crush on the Khao Yai Park which we highly recommend. We stayed in the park for several days and tried several hikes with or without a ranger. A real immersion in nature just a few hours from Bangkok.
I thought a ranger was mandatory for hikes, isn't that the case? I'm still waiting for the day I'll have time to visit this one...
This post demonstrates that Thailand is worth multiple trips.
This isn't really the point of the article, but yes, unless you stay long enough, coming back is definitely an option!