From its breathtaking beaches to lush jungles, Thailand prides itself on its variety of natural attractions. To preserve and protect these attractions, Thailand has designated many of its flourishing nature sites as official national parks. In this post, we will be introducing numerous national parks in Thailand that exhibit beautiful landscapes along with the ability to be a vast habitat for wildlife. Whether you are an eager nature lover or whether you are looking to get away from busy city life, these national parks will give you a refreshing perspective of Thailand.
- Khao Yai National Park
- Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park
- Doi Inthanon National Park
- Doi Suthep-Pui National Park
- Ao Phang Nga National Park
- Similan Islands National Park
- Ang Thong National Park
- Surin Islands National Park
- Erawan National Park
1. Khao Yai National Park
- 8G6J+95 Bu Fai, Prachantakham District, Prachin Buri, Thailand (Google Maps)
Located just 2.5 hours from Bangkok, Khao Yai National Park is Thailand’s first national park and a UNESCO World Heritage site, recognized for its vital role in protecting globally threatened and endangered species.
This expansive park encompasses rainforests, evergreen forests, and grasslands, and is teeming with wildlife, including a large population of mammals, birds, and reptiles. It’s particularly popular among visitors for its approximately 200 wild elephants, offering countless opportunities to witness these majestic creatures in their natural habitat. A highlight of the park is the 80-meter Heo Narok Waterfall, famously featured in the movie The Beach starring Leonardo DiCaprio.
2. Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park
- 4XH3+CFX, Khao Daeng, Kui Buri District, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Thailand (Google Maps)
Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park, Thailand’s first coastal national park, is renowned for its expansive freshwater marsh, which covers about 37% of the park and is the largest wetland in the country.
The park’s main attraction is the Phraya Nakhon Cave, a vast cavern with a natural skylight that allows sunlight to illuminate the Khuha Kharuehat Pavilion—a monument built to commemorate King Rama V’s visit. At certain times of the day, the sunlight perfectly spotlights the pavilion, creating a magical scene. The park also features two beautiful white-sand beaches and is a haven for bird watchers, particularly in January and February when migratory birds stop by during their journey between Asia and Australia.
3. Doi Inthanon National Park
- GGPC+7R Ban Luang, Chom Thong District, Chiang Mai, Thailand (Google Maps)
Doi Inthanon National Park, known as the “Roof of Thailand,” is home to the country’s highest peak, Doi Inthanon, which stands at 2,565 meters above sea level. Thanks to its elevation, the park enjoys cool weather year-round, a rare treat in Thailand.
From December to February, early morning temperatures at the summit can even drop to zero, making it a perfect escape from the heat and offering the rare sight of frost in Thailand. In addition to its lush natural beauty, the park is also famous for the royal twin chedis, which were built to commemorate the 60th birthdays of King Bhumibol and Queen Sirikit. The stunning gardens surrounding the chedis provide a picturesque setting for a leisurely stroll.
4. Doi Suthep-Pui National Park
- RW48+RC4, Sriwichai Alley, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand (Google Maps)
Doi Suthep-Pui National Park is a stunning mountainous area featuring three main peaks: Doi Suthep, Doi Buak Ha, and Doi Pui, the highest at 1,685 meters above sea level. The park is home to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, one of Thailand’s most sacred Buddhist temples. It boasts lush evergreen forests at higher elevations and deciduous forests below, with nearly 2,000 species of ferns and flowers. The park also features several waterfalls that offer refreshing views, making it a popular destination for hiking, cycling, and camping enthusiasts year-round.
- Doi Suthep-Pui National Park Half Day Private Tour in Chiang Mai (+ Lunch) (+ Hotel Transfer)
- Chiang Mai Doi Suthep + Wat Pha Lat Monk’s Trail Hiking Tour (Join-in/Private)
- Wat Phra That Doi Suthep & Meo Hilltribe Village Tour in Chiang Mai (Half Day) (Join-in/Private)
5. Ao Phang Nga National Park (Phang Nga Bay/James Bond Island)
- 80 Ko Panyi, Mueang Phang-nga District, Phang Nga 82000, Thailand (Goolge Maps)
Ao Phang Nga National Park, nestled in the Andaman Sea, is a top tourist destination renowned for its pristine white-sand beaches and crystal-clear waters, ideal for a day of snorkeling. Beyond the breathtaking beachfront, the park’s limestone cliffs, caves, and mangrove forests add to its natural beauty. This thriving ecosystem is also a haven for wildlife, including the globally threatened Malaysian plover and Asiatic dowitcher.
One of the park’s most famous islands, Khao Phing Kan, is better known as James Bond Island. It gained international fame after being featured in the James Bond movie The Man with the Golden Gun, starring Roger Moore, making it a must-visit spot for travelers.
- James Bond Island (Phang Nga Bay) 1 Day Tour by Speedboat/Big Boat (+ Lunch/Canoeing) – from Phuket
- James Bond Island + Khai Island 1 Day Tour by Speedboat (+ Lunch/Snorkeling) – From Phuket (+ Hotel Transfer)
- James Bond Island (Phang Nga Bay) Tour by Speedboat (+ Lunch) – from Krabi
- Phuket 3 Island 1 Day Kayak Tour by Big Boat (+ Lunch) (+ Hotel Transfer)
6. Similan Islands National Park
- Lam Kaen, Phang Nga, Thailand (Google Maps)
The Similan Islands, an archipelago of eleven islands in the Andaman Sea, are renowned for their crystal-clear waters and vibrant coral reefs, making them a premier diving destination. Among these, Similan Island is the largest and most famous, while Huyong Island boasts the biggest beach. However, due to a turtle-hatching protection program, Huyong Island is off-limits to tourists.
Additionally, the entire park closes during the monsoon season (May to October) to allow the environment to recover from the effects of tourism. Since 2018, the Thai government has also implemented a cap on the daily number of visitors to help preserve the park’s natural beauty.
7. Ang Thong National Park
- Ko Samui District, Surat Thani 84280, Thailand (Google Maps)
Ang Thong National Park, located in the Gulf of Thailand, is a stunning archipelago of 42 islands. The name ‘Ang Thong’ translates to ‘bowl of gold’ in Thai. The largest and most populated of these islands is Phaluai Island, which also features the highest peak at 396 meters above sea level. The islands, including Phaluai, are characterized by limestone hills, caves, and inland marine lakes. With many of the islands situated close to one another, the views while sailing through the park are simply breathtaking.
- Ang Thong Marine Park Tour by Speedboat (+ Snorkeling/Kayaking) – from Koh Samui (+ Hotel Transfer)
- Ang Thong National Marine Park Semi-Private Yacht Tour (+ Snorkeling/ Kayaking) – from Koh Samui (+ Hotel Transfer)
8. Surin Islands National Park
- Ko Phra Thong, Khura Buri District, Phang Nga, Thailand (Google Maps)
Similar to the Similan Islands, the Surin Islands National Park is also an archipelago, comprising five islands, with Surin Nuea and Surin Tai being the most famous. One of the park’s most renowned attractions is Richelieu Rock, a horseshoe-shaped reef teeming with diverse marine life. Divers flock to this site to catch glimpses of manta rays, white sharks, and more, making Richelieu Rock one of Thailand’s most iconic diving destinations. Like many other parks in the region, Surin Islands National Park closes during the monsoon season (May to October) to allow for environmental restoration.
9. Erawan National Park
- 94GV+5HW, Tha Kradan, Si Sawat District, Kanchanaburi 71250, Thailand (Google Maps)
Erawan National Park, located in Kanchanaburi, is one of Thailand’s most famous national parks, renowned for the stunning Erawan Falls. This seven-tiered waterfall cascades into emerald green ponds, with the top tier resembling the three-headed mythological elephant, Erawan, after which it is named. The first two tiers are easily accessible and make perfect spots for picnics.
The park’s many small ponds are ideal for a refreshing swim. Erawan National Park is a mix of deciduous and evergreen forests, along with limestone hills. However, due to the limited number of trails, wildlife sightings are relatively rare.
We hope this post has given you a clear idea of what each park has to offer and why these beautiful national parks in Thailand are worth a visit. For more ideas on your next trip to Thailand, make sure to visit Trazy.com, Your Travel Shop for Asia!
Photo credit
- Amazing Thailand Facebook Page