The 15 most beautiful national parks to visit in Thailand

Given the abundance of national parks in Thailand, I thought it would be helpful to bring some clarity with a selection of parks that are worth a look. According to the official website of the department managing national parks (Department of National Park or DNP) the country currently accounts for 148 national parks spread across all provinces and encompassing both land and sea parks. These parks are established according to criteria, namely as an area containing natural resources of ecological importance or "unique" beauty, another important criterion being particularly notable fauna and flora found there.

This is the official definition. Given the large number, Thailand easily attributes this status to almost any notable mountain range or island archipelago… The comparison is easy, in France, while the area is equivalent to Thailand (counting the Metropolis only There are only 10 national parks, even if I have to put it into perspective because in Thailand, the parks are very numerous because they are fragmented and do not generally cover an enormous area.

National Parks in Thailand

Under the guise of protecting wildlife, Thailand also adds a good number of national parks, because here, most of them are paid, even for Thais. Out of the 148, only 21 are free. Generally, the entrance fee is 200 baht per person (For foreigners, not including the vehicle and accommodation, tents for rent and camping sites are generally available in the parks).

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 being based on those I know or those I would like to know (out of the 15, I have visited 11 to date). The idea is to make a mix between fairly well-known parks, and others 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

Doi Inthanon is located southwest of Chiang Mai. It is best known for its highest peak in Thailand at 2 m and the temple on the road before the summit. It is home to many animal and floral species. It is the park with the most different bird species in one place in Thailand. There are also still Karen and Hmong tribe villages in these mountains. The park was created in 565 and welcomes more than 1972 visitors per year.

2- Doi Phu Kha

Located in Nan province, the Doi Phu Kha has the advantage of having its share of waterfalls and rivers allowing you to go rafting. It is the 4th largest national park in Thailand so there is plenty to do! The Doi Phu Kha mountains even extend to Luang Prabang in Laos. Created relatively recently in 1999, the park welcomes around 100 visitors per year.

Central and Western Thailand

3- Erawan National Park

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, known for its series of 7 waterfalls, in the middle of the forest with these turquoise green waters. There are also 4 caves. Created in 1975, there are about 135 visitors each year.

4- Sai Yok National Park

An alternative to Erawan Park, in the same region of Kanchanaburi. Sai Yok also has several waterfalls, some of which have the particularity of flowing directly into the River Kwai. It was in this park that the Kitti pig-nosed bat was discovered in 1973 (Kitti being the first name of the person who discovered it), the smallest mammal in the world with its 3 cm max for a weight of no more than 2 g!

Created 5 years later than Erawan in 1980, the site welcomes fewer visitors with around 80 curious people each year.

5- Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park

My favorite if I may say so, Khao Sam Roi Yot is considered a marine park due to its location on the seafront, 50 km south of the small seaside town of Hua Hin. This is the location of the (normally) very famous cave with the royal pavilion, built here to mark the passage of King Rama V who also left a signature engraved on the rock. Created in 1966, it was one of the precursors, in this case it was the first coastal national park. It receives around 150 visitors per year.

6- Khao Laem Ya – Mu Ko Samet National Park

Ko samet

The park includes the island of Ko Samet, located off the coast of Rayong (south of Pattaya). This means that if you stay on the island, you will have to pay the entrance fee. We had an exception by staying at the very north of the island on the beach near the pier but I don't think this is still the case today.

The park was created in 1981 and today welcomes 130 visitors annually.

Northeast Thailand (Issan)

7- Khao Yai National Park

It is one of the closest national parks to Bangkok, just a 3-hour drive northeast of the capital. Located, among other things, in the province of Nakhon Ratchasima (because the park straddles 3 provinces in total). Khao Yai is a park known for being home to large groups of wild elephants, dense forests inhabited by many monkeys (macaques, gibons), and waterfalls. This makes it an ideal place to do a bit of trekking and get out of Bangkok without going too far.

Established in 1961, it was Thailand's first national park and is also the largest with an area covering 2 km², making it one of the most visited national parks with over 168 visitors each year.

8- Pha Taem National Park

I already talked about it on the blog, following our stay in the province of Ubon Ratchathani, where the park is located. Pha Taem is located 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.

Established in 1991, there are approximately 110 visitors per year.

9- Phu Chong Na Yoi National Park

Phu Chong Na Yoi is another national park located in the Ubon Ratchathani region, itself located next to the Khao Phra Wihan National Park that I had also visited. The latter is not included in this ranking, because it is a bit frustrating not to be able to access the temple of Preah Viharn which makes this hill famous… The latter being in Cambodia. If you follow the blog, you already know this information. But the problem is that the 2 countries have been on bad terms on the subject, the border is closed here… Anyway, I digress and let's return to Phu Chong which is worth it, if only for its fabulous waterfall in the middle of the forest, Huai Luang.

In addition to having a waterfall, it is a favorite place for Thais to cool off, because the body of water at the foot of the waterfall is a real natural swimming pool, not to mention the sand bordering this tropical beach.

Relatively little known, the site, declared a national park in 1987, only welcomes 55 visitors per year.

Southern Thailand

10- Hat Noppharat Thara – Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park

May Bay.

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.

Created in 1983 (well before the film, The Beach, which made it famous), the site would welcome less than 100 visitors which, given the figure, does not include the main island of Phi Phi in my opinion.

11- Mu Ko Similan National Park

A must for any diving enthusiast, the Similans archipelago, made up of nine islands, is a real little paradise. It's a place that I haven't had the opportunity to visit yet but it's definitely on my bucket/to do list. Unfortunately, the site is a bit of a victim of its own success since the massive arrival of Chinese tourists. It's becoming complicated to fully enjoy it. There is normally a quota system for daily visitors

Created in 1982, there are 170 visitors each year.

12- Mu Ko Surin National Park

Another must, another park that I would like to see. The Surin Islands are further north than the Similans (not far from the Burmese Islands), and yet, they would be more visited with these 200 visitors. Created in 000, just before the Similans, it is the place to go for crystal clear waters and colorful aquatic fauna.

13- Khao Sok National Park

Also north of Phuket, but this time inland, on the road to Surat Thani (the port to the Gulf islands of 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 meet the local fauna and flora among which we find 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.

It was established in 1980 and welcomes 140 visitors per year.

14- Tarutao National Park

Located off the coast of Satun in the far south of Thailand, the park is right next to the Malaysian island of Langkawi. It is also a privileged spot for lovers of the depths and fish. Created in 1974, it welcomes 125 visitors each year.

15- Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park

Last on the list and last marine park that I have never taken the time to visit despite its proximity to the islands of Ko Samui and Phangan. The park covers a set of 42 islands and islets (representing a little over 80% of the islands in the area, but not all of them). It is a pleasant setting for kayaking and admiring a typical landscape of Southern Thailand from its magnificent viewpoint over these islands (which can also be admired from the plane landing in Ko Samui).

Created in 1980, the park sees at least 100 visitors every year.

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