Whether you want to relax and enjoy the lush greenery or get a little dirty and take a hike, Thailand has plenty of national parks for you to explore.
These parks are great for both families and couples, and they’ll give you a memorable experience you’ll remember for a lifetime.
Doi Suthep-Pui National Park
Located in the Chiang Mai province, Doi Suthep-Pui National Park is an ideal destination for wildlife watchers and nature lovers. This protected area is home to 350 species of birds and other animals.
This park features numerous waterfalls, streams, and evergreen forests. There are many trails in the park, which you can hike. These trails were used by the past village population as hunting routes and trade routes. There are also several hotels, campgrounds, and guesthouses to stay in.
The park has two main camping areas: one at the northern end of Doi Pui Hmong Village and the other at Mon Tha Than Waterfall Campground. Both of these camping areas have restrooms, showers, and a visitor center. You can also rent sleeping bags, mountain bikes, and tents at the campgrounds.
The park has several trails, which are mainly used for hiking. You can choose to hike the Doi Suthep trail or the Buddha’s Footprint Trail. You can also take a tour of the park in a personal vehicle. For longer trails, you may want to hire an English speaking guide.
During your visit to Doi Suthep-Pui, you can also visit Bhubing Palace, a palace built for the Thai Royal family when they visit northern Thailand in the winter. The palace offers great views of Chiang Mai City.
The park is open all year, but May through November has the heaviest rainfall. In the winter, the weather can be cool, with temperatures ranging from 5 to 6 degrees. In the summer months, the average daily temperatures range from 20 to 23 degrees Celsius.
Khao Sok National Park
Whether you’re looking for an idyllic jungle getaway, a unique place to stay, or a chance to view rare plants, Khao Sok National Park has plenty to offer. The area is a unique mix of rainforests, evergreen hills, and limestone outcrops. It’s also home to a number of animals including elephants, leopards, and sambar deer.
You can visit the park on a day tour or stay overnight in one of its many hotels or accommodations. You can also choose to take a night safari. These tours allow you to see the park’s wildlife in the dark.
Khao Sok is also home to many nocturnal animals such as sun bears and marbled cats. You may also be able to see white-handed gibbons. You can also go swimming in the Sok River, or visit one of the raft houses. You can also hire a guide for 700 baht per person for a day or two.
You can get to Khao Sok from Krabi or Phuket by taking a taxi or bus. The main road junction is about 1.8km from the park entrance. Alternatively, you can take a bus or van from the airport.
The park is open from 6am to 6pm daily, but you can enter in the evening with a guide for a night safari. You’ll get a taste of the nocturnal wildlife, as well as a great curry for dinner.
Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park
Located in Phang Nga Province, Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park offers a unique and beautiful environment for visitors. The park contains waterfalls, wildlife, and coastal ecosystems. The park is also home to a variety of rare plants and animals. There are many activities for visitors to enjoy.
The park headquarters are located on Ko Wua Talap. The area is dotted with two white beaches. There are also waterfalls and nature trails. There is also a visitor center and showers. The park is open from April to November. The park is home to many interesting animals, including elephants, gaurs, and bears.
There is a waterfall tour that takes visitors to Bang Hua Rat waterfall. There is also a nature trail that takes visitors to the Ton Chong Fa Waterfall.
The park also offers snorkeling. There are many different species of fish and sharks in the marine park. It is also home to a variety of turtles.
Another activity is tube tubing. Tube tubing is a popular activity in Khao Lak. This is a fun and safe activity. There are workers on hand to support tubers. You must be aware of the safety requirements before you begin.
Another activity is hiking. Khao Lak-Lam Ru National park is a popular destination for hikers. You can also book hiking tours to other national parks.
The park is also home to a number of interesting animals, including the Malayan weasel, crested serpent eagle, and the pit viper of Wagler. There are many wildflowers to see in the park as well.
Similan Islands National Park
Located 70 miles offshore of Phang-Nga province, the Similan Islands are a stunning archipelago that is perfect for diving and snorkeling. They have amazing coral reefs and offer pristine diving and snorkeling experiences for all levels of scuba divers.
The Similan Islands are a group of nine granite islands, which are protected by the Thai government. They were added to the national park in 1998. They are one of the most popular diving and snorkeling sites in South East Asia.
You can take a live-aboard boat to the Similan Islands. This is the most convenient way for divers, as you can maximize your time in the water. They have some of the most beautiful coral reefs and a variety of marine life. You can see a variety of seahorses, ghost pipefish, fairy basslets, and harlequin shrimps.
The Similan Islands have a tropical climate. They are surrounded by clear waters and are protected from the monsoon. They are best for diving from February to April.
You can take a day trip to Similan, but you should plan to arrive early in the morning. This will allow you to visit two or three islands, and spend more time in the water. If you want to stay on Koh Similan, there are hotels, restaurants, and cafes, as well as an outdoor campsite with tents.
There are several hiking trails that lead to beaches, as well as rock formations and Donald Duck Rock. You can climb on boulders to enjoy the view. There are also two visitor information centers and a restaurant on the island.
Namtok Phlio National Park
Whether you’re an avid nature lover or just a tourist, you’ll love exploring Thailand’s national parks. There are 102 of them in the country, and they are all pretty awesome. However, there are just five you really must visit.
Namtok Phlio National Park is one of them. This is one of Thailand’s largest national parks, and it is located in the province of Chanthaburi. It is situated on the Sa Bap mountain range. The park is home to a wide range of animals and plants. It is also home to several historical and religious landmarks.
In addition to the mountains, the park is home to several waterfalls. Some of these include Heo Narok and Heo Suwat. These waterfalls are 80 and 260 feet high, respectively.
The park also features numerous caves. One cave in particular is called Tham Sawan. It features stalagmites, stalactites, and a Buddha image. The temple of Kuha Karuhas is also located here.
The park is home to several wild animals, including elephants and bears. It is also home to a wide range of birds. There are also tigers often found along the Khlong Saeng River.
There are also some great viewpoints in the park. You can see a natural hot well and a waterfall. You can also visit the temple of Kuha Karuhas, which is located inside a cave.
It is possible to take a night tour in the park, which is a great way to see the native nocturnal creatures.
Conclusion
Considering the fact that Thailand has a staggering 198,000 square miles of land to call its own, it is not surprising that the country boasts an array of national parks. While the country does not boast a singular national park, it does boast a bevy of them, each boasting the requisite amenities for the tourist crowd. So, which national park to choose from?
Fortunately for the weary traveler, the likes of the country’s premier tourist destinations are well catered to, with no shortage of hotels and resorts. The likes of Chaing Mai, Phuket and Phu Phanom are three of the many such locations in the country. The aforementioned attractions are complemented by a plethora of activities to keep the mind at ease. Hence, the country is a paradise for adventure seekers.
One of the most popular national parks in the country is Thung Salaeng Luang, a conglomerate of broad savannas and forests. Among other activities, the aforementioned area is a mecca for birdwatchers, nature buffs and hikers. Aside from a plethora of outdoor activities, the park also happens to be home to some of the country’s most scenic locales.
