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10 National Parks in Thailand All Nature Lovers Must Explore

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Nov 12, 2024 / 6930 Views

Evan Walker

Thailand has much to offer beyond beaches and is particularly a haven for nature lovers. Besides delicious food and affordable shopping, Thailand is also rife with untouched nature, making it the perfect destination for adventure seekers, hikers, and nature lovers from around the world. From Khao Sok to Khao Sam Roi Yot, these best national parks in Thailand are worth your time.

Offering a glimpse into the country’s stunning natural beauty, these national parks in Thailand showcase a rich tapestry of turquoise coastlines, sandy beaches, verdant rainforests, majestic cliffs, and astounding wildlife. These parks are home to diverse flora and fauna, considered a slice of heaven for birdwatching fans and diving enthusiasts. From scenic waterfalls to floating campsites, and from ethical elephant camps to colourful songbirds, these places are full of unique things to see and experience. If you plan to visit this part of Asia, keep a few days aside to visit the amazing national park wonders of Thailand.

Best national parks in Thailand

Khao Sok

Towering limestone karsts, the oldest evergreen rainforests in the world, the stunning Cheow Larn Lake, and the chance to encounter diverse wildlife make Khao Sok National Park in Thailand a must-visit spot. The park, spread across 1,826,11 acres, is home to over 48 species of maMMAls, 311 avian species, and a host of bats, insects, and reptiles. Safari options within the park are spread over several days and can be undertaken on foot, canoe, or speedboat.

Best time to visit: December to April

Opening hours: 8 am-5 pm

Tickets: THB 40 for Thai adults, THB 20 for Thai kids below 14 years, THB 200 for foreign adults, and THB 100 for foreign kids below 14 years.

Things to do: Enjoy meals on a raft, enjoy traditional dance performances while on a safari, and help the staff prepare and feed the elephants.

Best restaurants: Rafflesia Cafe, Pawn’s Restaurant, and Khao Sok Bistro & Bar

Best hotels: Khao Sok Jungle Huts Resort, The Royal Bamboo Lodges – SHA Certified, and Khao Sok River & Jungle Bungalow

How to reach
By air: Surat Thani Airport is approximately 70 km away.
By train: Khiri Ratthanikhom Railway Station is approximately 72 km away.

Book your stay at Khao Sok Jungle Huts Resort via Booking.com

Book your stay at Khao Sok Jungle Huts Resort via Agoda.com

Khao Yai National

waterfalls — Hua Suwat Waterfalls, Khao Yai National Park, Thailand | Image credit: khaoyainationalpark/Instagram

Covering over 5,451,14 acres, Khao Yai is one of the largest national parks in Thailand. It is a popular place for birdwatchers, with more than 280 species of rare and endangered birds. Covering 11 districts of 4 provinces: Saraburi, Nakhon Ratchasima, Prachinburi, and Nakhon Nayok, the park also covers part of the Dong Phaya Yen mountain range. Apart from birds, visitors can also spot wild elephants, otters, barking deer, and tigers here.

Best time to visit: November to April

Opening hours: 6 am-6 pm

Tickets: THB 40 for Thai adults, THB 20 for Thai kids below 14 years, THB 200 for foreign adults, and THB 100 for foreign kids below 14 years.

Things to do: Pitch a tent at the Lam Takhong Camping Area, choose from one of seven short trekking trails within the park for a walk, and enjoy stargazing at Thung Kwang, Mor Singto Training Center, or Mor Ton Jan.

Best restaurants: The Park Khaoyai Cafe and Restaurant, Krua Khao Yai Restaurant, and Krua Kampan

Best hotels: Chateau de Khaoyai Hotel & Resort, MUTHI MAYA Forest Pool Villa Resort – SHA Plus Certified, and Baan Suan Khun Yaiy

How to reach
By air: Don Muang International Airport is approximately 117 km away.
By train: Prachantakham Railway Station is approximately 27 km away.

Book your stay at Chateau de Khaoyai Hotel & Resort via Booking.com

Book your stay at Chateau de Khaoyai Hotel & Resort via Agoda.com

Erawan National Park

Home to the stunning seven-tiered Erawan Falls, Erawan National Park, covering more than 1,359,08 acres, is a treasure trove of unique geological formations, including breathtakingly beautiful cave systems with stalactites and stalagmites. While Ta Duang Cave features ancient rock paintings, Wang Bah Dan Cave is home to two levels and a stream. Other notable attractions here include the Death Railway Wooden Bridge, Hellfire Pass, and the Hellfire Pass Memorial Museum. It’s a great place to go birdwatching, with a chance to see avian species such as swifts, nightjars, cuckoos, hornbills, owls, kites, hoopoes, fantails, and drongos. Animals that can be spotted here include gibbons, wild boars, geckos, snakes, frogs, and more.

Best time to visit: November to January

Opening hours: 8 am-4:30 pm

Tickets: THB 60 for Thai adults, THB 30 for Thai kids below 14 years, THB 300 for foreign adults, and THB 150 for foreign kids below 14 years.

Things to do: Spend time at Prasat Muang Sing Historical Park, hike up Erawan Falls, and stop at the bridge over the River Kwai for picturesque views.

Best restaurants: Bann Ton Nam, Khunpol Erawan Coffee, and Lakeview Cafe and Restaurant

Best hotels: Z9 Resort, Raya Buri Resort Kanchanaburi, and La Casa del Lago Kanchanaburi

How to reach
By air: Don Muang International Airport is approximately 210 km away.
By train: Nam Tok Railway Station is approximately 50 km away.

Book your stay at Z9 Resort via Booking.com

Book your stay at Z9 Resort via Agoda.com

Mu Ko Ang Thong National Marine Park

Spread across 252,04 acres, the Mu Ko Ang Thong National Marine Park is an archipelago of 42 islands. Characterised by limestone hills, caves, inland marine lakes, and sinkholes, the marine park is home to 16 mammal species, 14 reptile species, five amphibian species, and more than 50 avian species. Panoramic views, vibrant coral reefs, vantage points for spectacular photos, natural lagoons, and palm-fringed white sand beaches make it one of the most picturesque national parks in Thailand.

Intrigued by coral reefs? Here’s our story on top beaches in India for exquisite coral reefs.

Best time to visit: January to August

Opening hours: 8 am-4 pm

Tickets: THB 40 (INR 101) for Thai adults, THB 20 (INR 50) for Thai kids below 14 years, THB 200 (INR 506) for foreign adults, and THB 100 (INR 253) for foreign kids below 14 years.

Things to do: Hike up to the summit of Koh Wua Ta Lab for gorgeous views, go snorkelling to catch a glimpse of the colourful underwater world, and take a boat ride to Ko Mae Koh (Mae Ko Island).

Best restaurants: Khaw Glong Thai, KOH Thai Kitchen & Bar, and Johm Thong Restaurant

Best hotels: Koh Phaluay Eco Resort, Koh Phaluai Beach Bangalow, and Angthong Beach Resort

How to reach
By air: Surat Thani International Airport is approximately 80 km away.
By train: Ban Ko Muk Railway Station is approximately 56 km away.

Book your stay at Koh Phaluay Eco Resort via Booking.com

Book your stay at Koh Phaluay Eco Resort via Agoda.com

Kaeng Krachan

Considered the largest national park in Thailand, Kaeng Krachan covers over 7,20,312 acres and is a stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Phetchaburi River and Pranburi River originate here, apart from the Kaeng Krachan Dam and lake. Home to 91 species of maMMAls, and 461 species of birds, the park is a great place to experience the biodiversity of Thailand. It shares a border with Myanmar and boasts myriad waterfalls, streams, hiking trails, campsites, and agricultural projects.

Best time to visit: November to February

Opening hours: 5 am-7 pm

Tickets: THB 60 for Thai adults, THB 30 (INR 76) for Thai kids below 14 years, THB 300 for foreign adults, and THB 150 for foreign kids below 14 years.

Things to do: Enjoy rubber boat rafting on the Phetchaburi River, hike over to the Pa La-U Waterfall, and enjoy scenic views from the Khao Phanoen Thung Mountain Peak.

Best restaurants: Rim Kaeng Restaurant, Lake Bar, and Kenaray’s Kitchen

Best hotels: Nana Resort Kaeng Krachan, The Tree Riverside, and Elephant View Camp

How to reach
By air: Hua Hin Airport is approximately 66 km away.
By train: Nong Sala Railway Station is approximately 56 km away.

Book your stay at Nana Resort Kaeng Krachan via Booking.com

Book your stay at Nana Resort Kaengkrachan via Agoda.com

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Khao Sam Roi Yot

One of the most popular spots among birders, Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park in Thailand is famous for its iconic Phraya Nakhon Cave and Royal Pavillion. Covering over 242,16 acres, of which 5,189 acres are marine areas, the park is home to beaches, marshes, limestone karsts, mangroves, and a stunning freshwater wetland. It is one of the few places where visitors can spot Irrawaddy dolphins in their natural habitat, besides spotting a variety of marsh Animals including crabs, oysters, and snapping shrimps. One of the biggest attractions of this place is the sprawling Bueng Bua Wood Boardwalk, perfect for taking stunning photos.

Best time to visit: November to February

Opening hours: 8 am-4:30 pm

Tickets: THB 40 for Thai adults, THB 20 for Thai kids below 14 years, THB 200 for foreign adults, and THB 100 for foreign kids below 14 years.

Things to do: Enjoy a walk on Bang Pu Beach, take in gorgeous views from Khao Daeng View Point, and ride a longtail boat to explore the park.

Best restaurants: Black Elephant Restaurant, Six Palms Saloon, and Jim-Dang Restaurant

Best hotels: Oriental Beach Pearl Resort, The Green Beach Resort, and The Beach Village Resort

How to reach
By air: Hua Hin Airport is approximately 49 km away.
By train: Sam Krathai Railway Station is approximately 20 km away.

Book your stay at Oriental Beach Pearl Resort via Booking.com

Book your stay at Oriental Beach Pearl Resort via Agoda.com

Doi Inthanon National Park

Doin Inthanon — Doi Inthanon National Park, Thailand | Image credit: Antoine 49/Flickr

Home to beautiful nature trails, stunning waterfalls, verdant meadows, diverse flora and fauna, and the highest mountain in the country, Doi Inthanon National Park is also known as ‘the roof of Thailand’, and is unsurprisingly one of the best parks in Thailand. Spread across 1,191,05 acres, the park includes inhabited villages within its boundaries, as well as numerous rivers and streams. The evergreen cloud forests and rainforests here are home to a variety of reptiles and amphibians, including geckos, toads, snakes, and more. It is also a spectacular place to visit during the cherry blossom season when parts of the park turn a gorgeous shade of pink.

Best time to visit: November to May

Opening hours: 5:30 am-6:30 pm

Tickets:THB 60 for Thai adults, THB 30 for Thai kids below 14 years, THB 300 for foreign adults, and THB 150 for foreign kids below 14 years.

Things to do: Walk the Ang Ka Nature Trail to view serene forested landscapes, check out The Royal Agricultural Station, and explore the Royal Twin Pagodas.

Best restaurants: Inthanon Restaurant, Doi Inthanon, and Mae Chaem Gate Restaurant

Best hotels: Muangchaem House, The Maewin Coffee & Cottage, and Inthanon Mountain Camp

How to reach
By air: Chiang Mai International Airport is approximately 90 km away.
By train: Lamphun Railway Station is approximately 77 km away.

Book your stay at Muangchaem House via Booking.com

Book your stay at Muangchaem House via Agoda.com

Ao Phang Nga National Park

One of the most scenic national parks in Thailand, Ao Phang Nga is home to several islands and the largest native mangrove forests in the country. Majestic limestone cliffs jutting out of the sea, secluded beaches, hidden lagoons, and caves that you can ride a boat into, make this one of the most interesting spots to visit for nature lovers. Incidentally, this is where the iconic James Bond Island is, where scenes from the 1974 James Bond movie The Man with the Golden Gun were shot. Ao Phang Nga National Park is home to several endangered marine and mammal species, as well as other wildlife.

Best time to visit: November to April

Opening hours: 8:30 am-4:30 pm

Tickets: THB 60for Thai adults, THB 30 for Thai kids below 14 years, THB 300 for foreign adults, and THB 150 for foreign kids below 14 years.

Things to do: Go on a boat ride to explore different islands, snorkel in the shallow waters to spot vibrant schools of fish, and go canoeing to find a lagoon of your own.

Best restaurants: Raruen Cafe & Restaurant, The Loft Bistro Cafe, and Pitak’s Authentic Southern Thai Cuisine

Best hotels: The Lodge, Manora Garden, and Phang Nga Origin Hotel

How to reach
By air: Phuket Airport is approximately 34 km away.
By train: Khiri Ratthanikhom Railway Station is approximately 105 km away.

Book your stay at Phang Nga Origin Hotel via Booking.com

Book your stay at Phang Nga Origin Hotel via Agoda.com

Mu Koh Lanta National Park

One of the best places to visit in Thailand for spotting vibrant coral reefs, Mu Koh Lanta National Park is one of the most popular diving sites in the world for novices as well as experts. Some caves can be explored on kayaks, while several cave systems can be swum into. Visitors can spot several endangered and conserved species here including the elusive sea cow and the Hawksbill Turtle. There are plenty of other attractions here as well, from beaches, hiking trails, and lighthouses to viewpoints, breathtaking sunsets, and trekking trails.

Best time to visit: November to April

Opening hours: 8:30 am-5:30 pm

Tickets: THB 40 for Thai adults, THB 20 for Thai kids below 14 years, THB 200 for foreign adults, and THB 100 for foreign kids below 14 years.

Things to do: Go kayaking across mangrove forests, hike up to the lighthouse to enjoy spectacular views, and enjoy a serene sunset cruise along the coast of Mu Ko Lanta National Park.

Best restaurants: Yawee Restaurant, Joe’s Texas BBQ, and Cozy Restaurant

Best hotels: Luana Villas, Pimalai Resort & Spa, and El Matcha Lanta Resort

How to reach
By air: Krabi International Airport is approximately 39 km away.
By train: Trang Railway Station is approximately 143 km away.

Book your stay at Pimalai Resort & Spa via Booking.com

Book your stay at Pimalai Resort & Spa via Agoda.com

Mu Koh Similan

The Mu Koh Similan National Park comprises 11 islands that offer gorgeous beaches, snorkelling opportunities, and plenty of avian and marine species. One of the best national parks in Thailand, visitors can easily spot whale sharks, black-tipped reef sharks, moray eels, bottle-nosed dolphins, sea turtles, schools of clownfish, barracudas, and more. Spread over 32,000 acres, the park is an important habitat for several endangered species of sea Animals and birds. The park is closed from May 1 to October 15, every year.

Best time to visit: December to April

Opening hours: 8 am-4 pm

Tickets: THB 100 for Thai adults, THB 50 for Thai kids below 14 years, THB 500 for foreign adults, and THB 250 for foreign kids below 14 years.

Things to do: Swim in the shallow pool under the Ton Chong Fa Waterfall, embark on a boat tour to explore the park, and spend time snorkelling to explore the underwater world.

Best restaurants: Coconut Joe’s – Le Meridien Khao Lak Resort & Spa, Outdoor Bar & Grill Khao Lak, and Lek Sparrow Bar

Best hotels: AP Natai Luxury Beachfront Pool Villas, Phangnga Keeree Resort & Gallery, and Phurafa Resort

How to reach
By air: Phuket International Airport is approximately 70 km away.
By train: Surat Thani Railway Station is approximately 178 km away.

Book your stay at AP Natai Luxury Beachfront Pool Villas via Booking.com

Book your stay at AP Natai Luxury Beachfront Pool Villas via Agoda.com

(Feature image credit: Wanjak Atikomchakorn, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

This article first appeared on Lifestyle Asia Singapore.