Dinosaur Park Phu Wiang

Northeast Thailand, also referred to as Isaan is home to 25 national parks. Many of these parks are located in mountainous water catchment areas and shelter vegetation and wildlife. Therefore, they were selected as conservation areas. Unlike the other regions, several of these parks in the Northeast house artifacts of past civilizations. The top five to visit are listed below:

Monkey on the tree

1. Khao Yai National Park
The second largest and first national park in Thailand, Khao Yai is located somewhat close to Bangkok in the Provinces of Nakhon Ratchasima, Saraburi, Prachinburi and Nakhon Nayok. Covering an area of 2,168 square kilometers, there is a wide array of flora/fauna and wildlife. Bears, deers, elephants, tigers, hornbills, monkeys and many more call this park their home. Khao Yai’s size and abundance make it a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

2. Phu Kradueng National Park
Located in the Loei province, this 348.12 sq km park is famous for its 1,316m summit with spectacular views that tens of thousands climb per year. Once at the flat top of the mountain consisting of pine trees and grassland, hikers have the option to trek 60km of trails offering amazing cliffs, waterfalls, and meadows.

3. Phu Wiang National Park
Probably one of the most interesting parks, oddly shaped Phu Wiang is known for its evidence of ancient civilization, not for its beauty. It was here where miners and paleontologists discovered proof of the existence of dinosaurs with fossils and footprints. Phu Wiang National Park wasn’t established until after the discovery to help in the preservation of this rare and astonishing discovery that is now available to the public.

4. Phu Rua National Park
If you can’t make it to neighboring country, Laos, Phu Rua National Park allows you to at least see the beauty of it. Therefore, you should not miss the 1,365 meter climb, which takes around two to two and a half hours. The peak offers a splendid view of Laos’ countryside as well as the Heang and Mekong Rivers. Another great site is the Huai Phai Waterfall dropping 30meters. The park may be scarce with wildlife, but there is an abundance of unusual flora scattered around.

5. Pha Taem National Park
Another park offering special views of the Mekong River and Laos, Pha Taem is important for its collection of prehistoric paintings. These 300 or so works of art aging 3,000 years are stretched along 180 meters of rock. The red and ochre colored subjects include, animals, human hands, human figures, hunting and fish. They can be seen on Taem cliff and Kham cliff, while the park is located in the province of Ubon Ratchathani.

Photos by Willy_G91 and thomaswanhoff

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Erawan Falls

There are thirteen National or Marine parks easily accessible from Bangkok since they reside in the Central region of the country. From mountain reserves to wildlife sanctuaries, each corner of this region has a park to amaze all. Several of the parks in this region belong to the Western Forest Complex, which is one of nine Biodiversity Conservation Landscapes executed by Asian Development Bank. The top five of the thirteen are listed below:

1. Erawan National Park
Located in the Tenasserim Hills of the Kanchanaburi Province, Erawan National Park is one of the most popular of Thailand taking up 550 square kilometers. The main reason for its popularity is its seven-tiered waterfall partially resembling Erawan, the three-headed white elephant of Hindu mythology. The magnificent waterfalls cascade down numerous ledges forming turquoise colored pools, some available to swim in. The 2km trail to the top pool can be quite steep.

2. Khao Sam Roi Yot Marine National Park
The name of Khao Sam Roi Yot signifies ‘mountains with 300 peaks’, which makes sense after seeing this park. Only 98 sq km in size, the park includes a series of spectacular grey limestone mountains rising from the Gulf of Thailand to a maximum height of 605 meters. Also included in the park are many swamps, marsh lands, white sand beaches, open seas, and islands. With so much in compactness, Khao Sam Roi Yot is a tourist attraction. Boat excursions are a great way to get the most of this stunning park.

3. Sai Yok National Park
Not as developed as other parks, Sai Yok National Park is true wilderness in Kanchanaburi. It is famous for its karst pinnacles, soaring cliffs, and astonishing caves. The Daowadueng Cave, which includes a river trip and trek, is one of the most beautiful in Thailand for its white color, size, and interesting lime formations. Other sites not to miss are the Lawa Cave and the Sai Yok Yai Waterfall.

4. Kaeng Krachan National Park
Kaeng Krachan National Park is Thailand’s largest park sizing to 3,000 square kilometers in the Kaeng Krachan, Petchaburi, and Prachuap Khiri Khan Provinces. Most of this area remains untouched. To explore Kaeng Krachan, it is best to have your own transport, but will be worth it considering the magnificent grounds see very few tourists. The stunning Pala U Waterfall should not be missed.

5. Thungyai Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuaries
Although not a National or Marine Park, this Wildlife Sanctuary was declared a World Heritage Site for its unbelievable size and diverse array of animals. Stretching over 500,000 hectares along the Myanmar border in the Tak and Kanchanaburi Provinces, it is the grandest legal protected forest in South East Asia. With a 12,000 square kilometer or more conservation area, species and habitats have the best protection to confirm long life spans. Of these species,  77% are mammals, 50% are birds and 33% are land vertebrates.

Photo by lindz graham

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Phang Nga Bay (Photo by jeffgunn)

Most of the national parks in the south of Thailand have two things in common, water and limestone. They are perfect for divers, swimmers, and lazy beach bums. There are around 37 national and marine parks around the region. Below are five worth visiting:

1. Khao Sok National Park
Located in the Southern province of Surat Thani, this park is one of the most visited for its special gem, a 50 km (diameter) crystal green lake that encompasses the center of the park. Not only is this lake for canoeing, swimming, and boating, but its also for sleeping. Adding to the park experience, travelers have the option to spend the night in little huts atop of the jaded waters.
This 738.74 square kilometer park offers other attractions, such as, trekking on huge limestone mountains or deep valleys, exploring caves, spotting wild animals and discovering rare flowers/plants.

2. Phang Nga Bay National Park
Particularly for limestone island lovers, Phang Nga Bay is a paradise with around 40 islands containing super high and oddly shaped limestone cliffs, some reaching up to 400 meters.

For James Bond fans, Phang Nga Bay has become a popular tourist destination since a movie scene was filmed at Ko Tapu, now known as James Bond Island. The park is located in the Phang Nga Province a short drive away from Phuket.

3. Ang Thong Marine National Park
31 km to the northwest of Koh Samui, easily reached by boat, Ang Thong is an archipelago comprised of over 40 idyllic islands closely knitted together. One fascinating site is Ko Mae Ko (Mother Island), where an emerald lake is surrounded by limestone cliffs. The 40 minute climb to reach the lake is strenuous, but well worth it.

4. Sirinat Marine National Park
This tiny park is only comprised of 8.5 square kilometers of land and 13.5 square kilometers of the Andaman Sea. Resulting from its size, Sirinath remains non-commercialized and a perfect place to escape the crowds. Diving into the owned waters of this park can be astounding with over 200 coral reef species. There are also turtle breeding beaches in the northern end of Mai Khao Beach with three different species.

5. Khao Luang National Park
Khao Luang is the highest mountain in Southern Thailand located in the Nakhon Si Thammarat Province. The 570 square kilometer park is mountainous with beautiful forests, rivers, waterfalls, and fruit orchids. It actually plays an important role for the nearby villages as it provides a watershed.

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Doi Inthanon, Chiang Mai (Photo by onourownpath)

1. Doi Inthanon National Park
Boosting its popularity among visitors, Doi Inthanon National Park homes Thailand’s tallest mountain reaching 2,565 meters high. Climbing this mountain isn’t so common anymore since you can drive up, but the adventurous trip is educational as hikers can experience the lives of the Karen villagers. Not only is this park popular for its peak, but also for its stunning waterfalls, especially the Mae Yah Waterfall. Due to its diversity of altitudes, Doi Inthanon is Thailand’s premier bird watching location. The park is best reached from Chiang Mai, not taking more than an hour and a half.

2. Doi Suthep Pui National Park
Two sister peaks, Doi Suthep and Doi Pui combing to 260 sq km, stand right above the city of Chiang Mai forming Doi Suthep Pui National Park. Doi Pui, being the tallest of the two makes a great climb, while Doi Suthep mountain is considered a sacred symbolic landmark. 300 stairs will bring you to the top of Doi Suthep where Wat Phra That Doi Suthep sits. This holy temple glitters in gold while Buddhists and tourists lurk on its grounds. Both summits offer amazing views of Chiang Mai below.

3. Nam Nao National Park
Running through the Chaiyaphum and Phetchabun provinces, Nam Nao is magnificently beautiful with a domination of tall pine tree spread out among the landscape. The park covers an area of around 960 sq km containing many different forest types, including dipterocarp, deciduous, evergreen, hill evergreen and pine forest. Nam Nao National Park is home to over 200 bird species along with wildlife, caves, and waterfalls.

4. Doi Khun Tan National Park
Being one of Thailand’s least visited National Park, Doi Khun Tan National Park made the list for its distinguished feature of Thailand’s longest railroad tunnel, known as the Khun Tan Tunnel. The Khun Tan Station is also the highest in Thailand standing at an elevation of 758 meters above sea level. The railroad tunnel opened in 1921 after six years of manual labour and extends 1,352 meters in length. It’s a great site for all those train aficionados out there. Among the park, one can find the usual hikes, waterfalls, flora, and viewpoints.

5. Si Satchanalai National Park
Located in the Sukhothai province, reaching the park is only a 50 minute bus ride from the city of Sukhothai. Si Satchanalai National Park contains many historical and cultural sites, such as, Wat Phra Si Mahathat Ratchaworawihan, Wat Nang Phaya, Kaeng Luang and Tao Thuriang. This park offers a hot spring, deep caves, and gorgeous waterfalls, all surrounded by a flank of mountains. These mountains are the source of many streams and some provide vital protection to nearby villages with their steep slopes.

Rice fields (Photo by Moritz Schmaltz)

Check out where to stay when visiting Northern Thailand.

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Ko Chang Marine National Park (Photo by Ian Armstrong)

Eastern Thailand has the least amount of National Parks with only eight, but there is no shortage of beauty. Two of the parks are Marine National Parks with coral ecosystems, while the others have a range of vegetation ecosystems. Eastern Thailand is also home to the Dong Phayayen Khao Yai Forest Complex, which was named a World Heritage Site and contains three of the eight National Parks. While fairly easy to visit all eight, the five below stand out most:

1. Ko Chang Marine National Park

Ko Chang Island (Photo by Ian Armstrong)

A heaven, paradise, and retreat, Ko Chang Marine National Park in the Gulf of Thailand is an archipelago of over 50 islands among 650 sq km with Ko Chang being the largest island. Only 330 km east of Bangkok, the park surprisingly remains untouched and well-preserved with a small part dedicated to tourism. Snorkelers and divers are attracted to visit for the beautiful coral reefs below the crystal clear waters, while all others visit for the serene tranquility.

2.  Khao Laem Ya – Mu Ko Samet National Park
Fairly small, this 131 square kilometer park is comprised of granite formations around the Plet and Laem Ya mountains with 94% of it encompassed by the sea. The popular island of Ko Samet is found here along with 8 or 9 other young sibling islands. The island of  Ko Man Nai is home to the Rayong Turtle Conservation Centre, a breeding place for endangered sea turtles, making an interesting visit.

3. Pang Sida National Park
The dense evergreen forest of Pang Sida National Park is diversely abundant with wildlife, especially mammals. From gibbons to macaques, there are around 112 species of mammals lurking in the park. Located near the city of Sa Kaew, the park sizes over 600 square kilometers. A highlighted spot not to be missed is the Pang Sida waterfall, along with the butterfly conservation depending on the season.

4. Khao Chamao Khao Wong National Park
Located in the provinces of  Chantaburi and Rayong, this tiny 85 sq kilometer park is famous for famous for limestone mountains, high cliffs, caves, dense forest and waterfalls. There are over 80 caves, but not all are visitable. Avoid this park between the months of May to October when rainfall is extreme. With that being said, the 3000 mm of rain per year results in making Khao Chamao Khao Wong a true tropical rain forest.

5. Khao Khitchakut National Park
This small 58 sq kilometer park is great for hiking, swimming in crystal pools, and feeling Buddha’s presence. At the top of the holy Khao Phra Bat mountain, Buddhist mythologies stand strong, including a footlike print from Buddha himself. It is frequently visited by locals to pay their respects to Buddha. The 13 level Krathing waterfall is another inspiring site to see.

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