There are 79 national parks in Thailand alongside a number of wildlife sanctuaries and protected forest areas. Popular with eco-tourists and those looking for adventure, Thailand’s parks cover an area of around 25,000 square kilometres – nearly 15% of the country’s land mass. The parks were formed to protect to preserve Thailand’s natural heritage from exploitation and feature a range of flowers and fauna. The parks are home to a variety of species of animals, from elephants and bears to bats and birds. The parks fit one of two classifications: the ‘forest-based’ parks that comprise jungle and trees, or the ‘marine' parks that often comprise strings of islands and help protect a range of marine life. Given this range, Thailand’s parks offer visitors a rich and diverse range of travel experiences - trekking is very popular in Thailand’s mainland parks, especially in the north of the country, whereas the parks of southern Thailand offer clear water and coral to provide tremendous opportunities for diving and snorkelling. Most of the parks are reasonably accessible, and only a few require your own transportation. There is an entrance fee of 200 Baht per person for foreigners and you can book accommodation in most parks through the Royal Forest Department or any number of private agencies around the country that provide eco-tours through the forests. Some key parks include Tham Pla Phaseau and Huai Nam Dang National Parks in Mae Hong Son, Phu Wiang National Park in Khon Kaen, Kaeng Krachan National Park in Petchburi, Angthong National Marine Park in Samui and Tai Rom Yen National Park in Surat Thani. However, every park in the country is worthy of a visit, no matter how big or small. If you are in Thailand, try to explore at least one these unique places before you go home.
Thailand’s first National Park is also its second largest, and certainly one of its best! Khao Yai National Park spreads to four different provinces with the bulk of its 2,100 square kilometers in ...
Located in the Andaman Sea, 60 kilometres to the west of Phang-Nga and about 100 kilometres to the north of Koh Similan islands, this marine park covers an area of 33,750 acres and is one of Thaila...
Phra Nakhon Kriri Historical Park (Khao Wang) is located on Khao Khiri, a 92-meter-high hill. The hill was made popular by King Mongkut (Rama IV) who loved the area so much he constructed a palace ...
Sukhothai is generally recognised as a place of historical significance. However, it is also home to a very beautiful National Park. Sri Satchanalai National Park is around 300 acres of flowers, gr...
Must see
There are 79 national parks in Thailand alongside a number of wildlife sanctuaries and protected forest areas. Popular with eco-tourists and those looking for adventure, Thailand’s parks cover an area of around 25,000 square kilometres – nearly 15% of the country’s land mass. The parks were formed to protect to preserve Thailand’s natural heritage from exploitation and feature a range of flowers and fauna. The parks are home to a variety of species of animals, from elephants and bears to bats and birds. The parks fit one of two classifications: the ‘forest-based’ parks that comprise jungle and trees, or the ‘marine' parks that often comprise strings of islands and help protect a range of marine life. Given this range, Thailand’s parks offer visitors a rich and diverse range of travel experiences - trekking is very popular in Thailand’s mainland parks, especially in the north of the country, whereas the parks of southern Thailand offer clear water and coral to provide tremendous opportunities for diving and snorkelling. Most of the parks are reasonably accessible, and only a few require your own transportation. There is an entrance fee of 200 Baht per person for foreigners and you can book accommodation in most parks through the Royal Forest Department or any number of private agencies around the country that provide eco-tours through the forests. Some key parks include Tham Pla Phaseau and Huai Nam Dang National Parks in Mae Hong Son, Phu Wiang National Park in Khon Kaen, Kaeng Krachan National Park in Petchburi, Angthong National Marine Park in Samui and Tai Rom Yen National Park in Surat Thani. However, every park in the country is worthy of a visit, no matter how big or small. If you are in Thailand, try to explore at least one these unique places before you go home.
