Kaeng Krachan National Park
Kaeng Krachan is Thailand’s largest national park and on the border of the Tanintharyi Nature Reserve in Burma. The park is mostly rainforest, and is famous for the dense morning mist covering the park with hilltops sticking above mist cloud around December-March, creating a spectacular view.
The park is also well known for its diverse wildlife, especially birds and butterflies. More than 400 species of birds have been identified here, including rare species such as giant pitta, great argus and whooly-necked storks. There are also many mammals, such as leopards, wild dogs, bears and elephants. You can take boat rides on one of the parks two rivers or large lake. Kaeng Krachan National Park is an exciting destination for a variety of activities, including hiking through forests, bird watching, boating or scaling one of the park’s tall peaks.
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 is 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 are 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.
Doi Inthanon National Park
Doi Inthanon is the highest mountain in Thailand and the national park surrounds the mountain range. This large park has everything from mountain trails to rivers to Buddhist temples and is a great place to explore Northern Thailand’s natural beauty. According to the Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department, Doi Inthanon National Park has most diverse bird population of any part of the country (more than 350 species). The park has bungalows and basic accommodations at two different locations.
Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park
Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park is a protected marine area with 42 islands covering 102 km² in the Gulf of Thailand near Koh Samui in Surat Thani Province. Except for the epic viewpoint over the islands from Koh Wua Ta Lap, the hidden lagoon known as the Emerald Lake at Koh Mae Ko attracts many daytrippers from Koh Samui.
Kui Buri National Park
Located near the Burmese border, Kui Buri National Park is recognized as being one of the best destinations in Thailand for wildlife viewing, especially elephants. Herds of elephants can frequently be found bathing at the watering ponds near the Pa Yang substation, which is equipped with wildlife-viewing platforms.
While visitors are permitted to drive their own cars into the park, you must take a guided tour to explore protected areas of the park. Tours are given on pickup trucks or 4×4 vehicles. You can rent tents or bungalows if you want to stay overnight. If you come here between May and November, you should expect lots of rain. The driest months are usually June and July.
Khao Luang National Park
Khao Luang National Park in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province is home to the highest mountain in southern Thailand, Khao Luang at 1,835 meters and boasts some of Thailand’s most stunning mountain scenery outside of the north. On an area of 570 km², the park has a rich wildlife, many forest walks, cool streams, and waterfalls.