Thailand for Nature Lovers: Birdwatching and Wildlife Encounters
The Land of Smiles, Thailand, is famous for its stunning landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and vibrant cities. Thailand’s rich biodiversity and diverse ecosystems make it a paradise for nature lovers, offering opportunities for birdwatching and wildlife encounters throughout the country. Beyond Thailand’s famous bustling markets and pristine beaches lies a realm of unparalleled natural beauty, teeming with exotic wildlife.
In this article to explore Thailand’s wilderness, we welcome you to join us as we embark on a journey to uncover the best wildlife attractions that make Thailand a paradise for nature enthusiasts and wildlife lovers. Elephants, sun bears and big cats, as well as exotic birds and sea life in Thailand’s jungles, mountains, and oceans. Choose ethical travel companies that work with protected national parks and reserves to allow visitors to view wildlife responsibly without harming animals or their habitats. Here is a guide to exploring Thailand’s natural wonders:
Khao Yai National Park: As Thailand’s oldest and most famous national park, Khao Yai is a haven for birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts. Khao Yai National Park has global significance and at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) regional level as a World Heritage Site and ASEAN Heritage Park in the territory of four provinces: Saraburi, Nakhon Ratchasima, Prachinburi, and Nakhon Nayok.
Khao Yai National Park was the first national park in Thailand and has global and regional significance with its distinct landscape of high mountains at the edge of the Northeastern Plateau. These have made the park a crucial watershed and the source of many rivers. In turn, these have generated great biodiversity of both plants and wildlife. Home to over 300 bird species, including hornbills, pittas, and bulbuls, as well as mammals such as elephants, gibbons, and deer, Khao Yai offers excellent hiking trails and observation points for spotting wildlife. The park is both a home and a school for tourists to stay in. Visitors can learn about conservation and the need to protect natural resources, which are a “home” for everyone.
Kaeng Krachan National Park: Kaeng Krachan National Park is located in Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan Provinces, about 60 km from Phetchaburi and 75 km from Hua Hin. Located near the border with Myanmar, Kaeng Krachan is Thailand’s largest national park and a hotspot for birdwatching. The park is part of the Western Forex Complex bounded by the Tanintharyi Nature Reserve along Myanmar’s border to the west.
Kaeng Krachan National Park was declared a national park on 12th June 1981 and listed as a World Heritage Site in July 2021. It is one of the best national parks in the country. Likely no other protected site in the country has such a big variety of animals thus making it very popular for wildlife watching, camping, hiking and its impressive viewpoints of the sea of mist. The park has also a few medium-sized waterfalls and a couple of smaller caves. With over 400 bird species recorded within its borders, including the rare giant ibis and white-winged duck, Kaeng Krachan is a must-visit destination for bird enthusiasts.
The park being popular for wildlife watching does not mean wildlife watching is a cakewalk. While birdwatching is comparatively easy, a bit more effort is needed to see more of the impressive mammals in the park. Wildlife-watching possibilities also vary depending on seasonal conditions in the park.
Being one of the top two birdwatching spots in the country, around 480 species of birds have been recorded from the park. In Thailand, ratchet-tailed treepies can only be found in Kaeng Krachan National Park. All seven broadbill species and seven out of fourteen hornbill species of Thailand have been recorded in the park. Mammal species such as leopards, clouded leopards, bears, stump-tailed macaques, sambar deer, barking deer, elephants, dholes, golden jackals, gaurs, serows, yellow-throated martens, various civet species, crab-eating mongooses and many others can be found in the park.
Doi Inthanon National Park: Doi Inthanon is one of Thailand’s most popular national parks. It is famous for its waterfalls, few trails, remote villages, viewpoints, sunrise/sunset watching, birdwatching and the all-year-round cold weather at higher elevations. The main park entrance is about 70 km southwest of Chiang Mai city centre. It is known as the “Roof of Thailand”.
Doi Inthanon is home to an abundance of birdlife, including the colourful and elusive Himalayan species. Birdwatchers can explore the park’s diverse habitats, from montane forests to alpine meadows, in search of species such as the green-tailed sunbird, chestnut-bellied nuthatch, and white-browed shortwing. With accidental visitors and historically few recorded species counted, there are around 500-510 bird species recorded in the park, which is the highest recorded number in Thailand.
Some of the bird species in the country, recorded from Doi Inthanon are ashy-throated leaf warblers, dark-breasted rosefinches and collared grosbeaks. Many more species can only be found in Doi Inthanon or the nearby parks. The green-tailed sunbird, Sikkim treecreeper, maroon oriole, bar-throated minla, and rufous-winged fulvetta are some of the varieties that are spotted frequently inside the park with the bird migration period of Thailand attracting hordes of people to this unique locale every year.
Khao Sok National Park: With its ancient rainforests, limestone cliffs, and picturesque lakes, Khao Sok National Park is one of Thailand’s most biodiverse areas with a great biodiversity of plants and animals. It is the most popular mainland national park destination in South Thailand. The park is one of few national parks in the country easily accessible by public transportation thus making an obvious stop for many tourists while travelling between Phuket and Ko Samui. The nearest towns are Surat Thani, Krabi, Ao Nang (Railay Beach), Phuket, Khao Lak, Ko Lanta and Koh Samui.
The main attractions of Khao Sok are Cheow Lan Lake, wildlife, iconic limestone hills, waterfalls, raft houses spread over the lake, trails, caves and rivers. Wildlife encounters are common here, with opportunities to spot gibbons, macaques, wild elephants, and even elusive species like the Malayan tapir and clouded leopard.
There are nearly around 400 bird species reported in Khao Sok National Park. Some of the rare bird species recorded in the park are chestnut-necklaced partridges, sooty-capped babblers, chestnut-capped thrushes, rufous-chested flycatchers, black magpie, cinnamon-rumped trogon, Malaysian crested fireback, crested partridge, giant pitta. Earlier Helmeted hornbills used to be quite common in the park, but due to poaching, it is now a very rare sighting. With a bit of effort, great argus can be seen at the Khlong Saeng tributary of Khao Sok Lake.
Khao Sok Elephant Sanctuary: For a responsible and ethical wildlife encounter, one can consider visiting an elephant sanctuary like the one in Khao Sok. Here, elephants can be conserved in their natural habitat, visitors can learn about their behaviour and conservation, and even participate in activities like bathing and feeding them.
Bang Phra Reservoir: Located in Amphoe Si Racha, Chon Buri, the area around Bang Phra Reservoir is surrounded by abundant nature with trees providing shade throughout the way. There is also a Sala tree that will bloom beautifully for us to enjoy. Bang Phra Reservoir is a haven for birdwatchers, particularly during the migratory season from October to April. The reservoir attracts a variety of waterfowl and wading birds, including painted storks, Asian openbills, and black-headed ibises.
Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary: Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary is part of the Western Isaan Forest Complex including three other national parks and four wildlife sanctuaries covering 4,594 km² together. The protected areas within the complex are; Nam Nao National Park, Tat Mok National Park, Phu Pha Man National Park, Phu Kradueng National Park, Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary, Pha Phung Wildlife Sanctuary, Phu Pha Daeng Wildlife Sanctuary and Taboa Huai Yai Wildlife Sanctuary. Situated in Thailand’s northeastern region, Phu Khieo is a vast protected area known for its pristine forests and diverse wildlife. Birdwatchers can spot rare and endemic species here, such as the Siamese fireback, great hornbill, and green peafowl.
Conclusion
Whether one is a seasoned birder or simply appreciates the beauty of nature, Thailand offers a wealth of opportunities for birdwatching and wildlife encounters. From national parks and sanctuaries to reservoirs and remote forests, the kingdom’s natural treasures are waiting to be discovered and appreciated.
With the help of concierge luxury travel, interested travellers can plan their Thialnd trip according to their preference for the national parks. Best Luxury Concierge Thailand can do Travel (Hotels, Villas, Jets, Experiences) reservations in such a way that visitors can enjoy their stay amidst nature in these national parks to the fullest. Such wildlife encounters and birdwatching experiences during their travel in Thailand would surely be one enthralling memory for life.
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