Go Wild: Exploring Thailand’s National Parks

Khao Phra Thaeo National Park

Pronounced: Kow Pra TAY-oh

Tucked away in the northeastern corner of Phuket, Khao Phra Thaeo National Park protects the island’s last virgin rainforest, offering a peaceful escape into nature. Although it’s just less than an hour’s drive from Phuket’s main resorts, Khao Phra Thaeo National Park feels a world away from the island’s bustling beaches.

Hike shady trails beneath towering trees, listening for the hoots of gibbons and the calls of over a hundred bird species. Cool off at one of the park’s waterfalls, Ton Sai or Bang Pae. You might spot barking deer, monitor lizards, macaques and squirrels, not to mention the many vibrant butterflies. Though shy, civets and slow lorises also call this rainforest home. Don’t miss the chance to support the Gibbon Rehabilitation Project, where rescued gibbons are nursed back to health and prepared for life in the wild.

Serene, green and teeming with life, the main trail between the waterfalls is a rewarding four-kilometre hike. Pack comfortable walking shoes, insect repellent, water and a camera to capture the lush greenery and fleeting wildlife. The park’s entry fee is modest, and it’s best to carry cash, as card payments may not be accepted.

Khao Sok National Park

Pronounced: Kow Sock

Famous for its towering limestone karsts, ancient rainforests and the mesmerising Cheow Lan Lake, Khao Sok National Park is like stepping into another world. The drive from Phuket takes about three hours travelling north, or four hours by the public bus, which runs hourly.

Wild and peaceful in equal measure, this rainforest is estimated to be over 160 million years old. It’s home to wild elephants, sun bears, gaurs, leopards, and rare birds like the great argus pheasant and helmeted hornbill. Hiking options range from short walks to challenging full-day hikes, with local guides offering rich insights into the ecosystem. Day trips and tours of Cheow Lan Lake include cave exploration, jungle trekking, kayaking and swimming in secluded coves.

Bring quick-dry clothes, waterproof shoes, insect repellent and sun protection. Keep everything in a dry bag. This is important if you plan to enjoy the beautiful views from a canoe, kayak, raft or boat tour.

Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park

Pronounced: Kow Sahm Roy Yot

Dramatic limestone cliffs, sunlit caves and quiet beaches lapped by the Gulf of Thailand are just a three-hour drive southwest of Bangkok at Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park. Public transport options from Hua Hin stop near the park, and local songthaews can take you to key attractions. Paddle through mangrove forests, spot rare birds like the purple heron or relax on quiet stretches of sand.

While you’re there, hike to the famous Phraya Nakhon Cave, where a hidden royal pavilion sits inside the cavern’s open dome, lit by shafts of sunlight. To reach it, you’ll hike over a hill from Laem Sala Beach, followed by a steep climb into the cave itself.

Elsewhere in the park, you’ll find wetland trails where herons, kingfishers and migratory birds gather. The freshwater marshes are the largest in Thailand and a haven for wildlife. Look out for dusky langurs, crab-eating macaques and, if you’re lucky, the elusive serow (a type of mountain goat).

This is one of the most photogenic of Thailand’s national parks, so bring a camera along with your walking shoes, sun protection, insect repellent and water. A hat and swimwear are also a good idea, while binoculars will help you spot rare birds like the purple heron.

Kui Buri National Park

Pronounced: Koo-ee Boo-ree

Wild elephants roam free in Kui Buri National Park, which can only be explored by guided safari. Just south of Hua Hin, and roughly a four-hour drive from Bangkok, the park’s landscape is a mix of dry evergreen forest and grassy savannah.

Ride through the viewing zones in a 4WD in the late afternoon, when animals are most active, for your best chance to catch sight of an elephant herd making their way to a watering hole. You might also encounter gaurs, golden jackals, macaques and various deer species along the way. In rare cases, you might also spot tigers, leopards, bantengs and dholes.

You’ll want long sleeves and sun protection, insect repellent, binoculars and a camera with good zoom, but the most important thing to bring with you is patience and respect. This is the delicate habitat of protected species, and it is best to travel as quietly and cautiously as possible to minimise disturbance.

Doi Inthanon National Park

Pronounced: Doy In-ta-non

Home to Thailand’s highest peak, Doi Inthanon National Park in Chiang Mai province offers cool mountain air, rich biodiversity, thundering waterfalls and incredible views. A two-hour drive southwest of Chiang Mai city, it’s easily accessible by car, motorbike or a group tour.

Stroll along wooden boardwalks that wind past rare orchids and listen to the sounds of gushing waterfalls like Wachirathan and Siriphum. Birdwatchers can spot species here that you won’t find anywhere else in the country. At the summit, you’ll find a moss-draped cloud forest, often shrouded in mist. Don’t miss the twin King and Queen Pagodas, perched on opposing hillsides with sweeping views over the valleys.

The mountain air can get quite brisk close to the summit, so bring warm layers, as well as walking shoes, sunscreen, insect repellent and water. You might want binoculars to spot some of the incredible birds in this high-elevation ecosystem, like the green-tailed sunbird and ashy-throated warbler.