Thailand is home to numerous breathtaking national parks, each offering unique landscapes, wildlife, and outdoor experiences. Thailand is a nation with a number of amazing national parks. If you visit this diverse and beautiful country, the national parks in Thailand make for a good contrast to the more built-up areas that are close to most hotels and resorts. These parks give you a chance to see some of the country’s unspoiled wilderness and wildlife. The following are some of the most incredible national parks in Thailand.
Here are some of the top national parks in Thailand:
1. Khao Yai National Park
Khao Yai National Park, which is located in central Thailand, was created in 1962 as the first national park in Thailand. This park is in the Sankamphaeng Mountain Range, so it’s a popular destination for hikers and mountain climbers. You will also find other landscapes such as grasslands and tropical forests. The park is also appealing to wildlife lovers. Some of the species you’re likely to see here include gibbons, leopards, monkeys and elephants. Although now rare, it is even possible to spot a tiger. You can also find many waterfalls in the park, the largest being Haew Narok.
2. Doi Inthanon National Park
Doi Inthanon National Park, or as it is popularly called ‘The Roof of Thailand’, can be found in the Chiang Mai province of Thailand. It was named after King Inthawichayanon, one of the last kings of Chiang Mai, and his remains were placed in the park after his death. During his lifetime, he showed great concern for the forests in northern Thailand and wished to preserve them.
3. Erawan National Park
The Erawan National Park lies in Western Thailand in the Tenasserim Hills, a long mountain chain in Southeast Asia. Erawan Falls, a seven-tiered waterfall, is the most popular attraction in the park. But this national park has many beautiful sights, such as emerald green pools, caves, limestone hills, plains, streams, and mixed-deciduous forests. The available activities include nature walks, cave exploring, camping, and playing in the waterfalls. However, there is only one hiking trail in the park, and most will need to have a ranger accompany them. It may not be safe due to the natural wildlife and dense forest in the area.
4. Khao Sok National Park
This national park, located in the Surat Thani Province, consists mainly of rainforest and jungle. It is, in fact, considered the rainiest spot in Thailand, which helps to support a wide diversity of plants and animals. In addition to hundreds of bird species, the park has wildcats, deer, tapirs, elephants and boar. You can also find one of the world’s largest flowers here, the increasingly rare Rafflesia kerrii, which, in Thailand, lives only in Khao Sok. The dry season, between June and October, is the optimal time to visit. Between April and June is monsoon season, when flooding is common and many trails are slippery.
5. Similan Islands National Park
The Similan Islands are an archipelago located off the coast of Phang Nga Province in Southern Thailand. The islands are in the Andaman Sea, and the best way to access them is by boat. However, this is not a park to visit if you prefer seclusion and quiet. Similan Islands National Park is the most overcrowded park in Thailand, with around 5,000 to 6,000 visitors a day during the open season (October to May). But the area is popular for a reason. It features amazingly clear waters, sandy beaches, rich marine life, huge rock formations, and dense tropical forests.
6. Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park
Situated in the Gulf of Thailand near Koh Samui, Mu Ko Ang Thong is an archipelago of 42 islands with towering limestone cliffs, hidden lagoons, and pristine beaches. Visitors can enjoy snorkeling, kayaking, hiking, and camping while admiring the park’s natural beauty.
7. Sai Yok National Park
This National Park is present in the protected area of the Western Forest Complex in Thailand, which is near to its capital Bangkok. It is spread across 500-sq km with Tenasserim Hills (4,354-ft AMSL), and River Kwai flows through this park. The exotic Sai Yok Yai Lek waterfall is present inside this park. It is the best place to see caves, mountains, rivers, and forests in one place. You can find the WWII camping sites and an old railway bridge too. A day trip is enough to see the Sai Yok National Park attractions. It is the best place to explore nature, bird, and animal lovers. If you are lucky, you can see the below-mentioned birds and animals. It is very rare to see Kitti’s hog-nosed bat, which is an extant one and the world’s smallest mammal among the bird species.
