Thai National Parks

National parks and other protected sites

The lists below is far from being a complete list of all parks in Thailand. We are only listing the ones we have written about. We are rapidly adding more parks as we visit them. Watch this space!

National parks

• Ang Thong National Marine Park

  Ko Samu (~30 km), Surat Thani, Don Sak Pier (~25 km)

  An archipelago of 42 islands in the Gulf of Thailand. Ideal for boat tours, hiking and snorkeling,

• Ao Phang-Nga National Park

  Phuket (~35 km), Krabi (~50-65 km), Khao Lak (~70 km)

  Best known for being home to the iconic James Bond Island and the best canoeing destination in the country.

• Chae Son National Park

  Lampang (~75 km), Chiang Mai (~85 km), Chiang Rai (~180km)

  Popular for it's hot springs, waterfalls, viewpoints, seasonal blossoms and a 1.5 km long cave

• Chet Sao Noi Waterfall National Park

  Bangkok (~160 km), Ayutthaya (~130 km), Saraburi (~50 km)

  Home to one of the most popular waterfalls in the country according locals, it is overlooked by foreign tourists.

• Doi Inthanon National Park

  Chiang Mai (~100 km), Chiang Rai (~280 km), Pai (~220 km)

  One of the most popular parks in the country, home to the highest mountain in the country.

• Doi Phu Kha National Park

  Nan (~85 km), Phrae (~200 km), Phayao (~225 km)

  Located in Nan Province in North Thailand, the park has impressive caves, trails and some nice viewpoints.

• Doi Suthep - Pui National Park

  Chiang Mai (~10 km), Lampang (~125 km), Pai (~140 km)

  One of the best national parks in the country for hikers, also popular for it's temples, waterfalls and viewpoints.

• Erawan National Park

  Kanchanaburi (~70 km), Bangkok (~200 km), Ayutthaya (~220 km)

  Located in Kanchanaburi Province, home to one of most popular falls in the country; the Erawan Falls.

• Huai Yang Waterfall National Park

  Hua Hin (~125 km), Prachuap Khiri Khan (~35 km)

  Located in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province in Southwest Thailand, it is a popular destination for it's waterfalls.

• Kaeng Krachan National Park

  Hua Hin (~85 km), Bangkok (~200 km), Kanchanaburi (~195 km)

  The largest national parks in the country with a diverse wildlife, home to many impressive species.

• Khao Chamao - Khao Wong National Park

  Pattaya (~150 km), Rayong (~65 km), Bangkok (~200 km)

  One of the most popular national parks in Southeast, known for its trails, waterfalls and a popular cave.

• Khao Khitchakut National Park

  Chanthaburi (~33 km), Ko Chang (~100 km) Pattaya (~115 km)

  Popular for annual pilgrimage to Buddha Footprint at Khao Phra Bat, it’s waterfalls and hiking.

• Khao Kho National Park

  Phetchabun (~50 km), Phitsanulok (~120 km), Bangkok (~400 km)

  A popular forested montane area with beautiful views of surrounding valleys.

• Khao Lak - Lam Ru National Park

  Phuket (~80 km), Khao Lak (~10 km), Krabi (~105 km)

  A small coastal national park, home to several waterfalls and couple of small beaches.

• Khao Luang National Park

  Krabi (~130 km), Koh Lanta (~200 km), Surat Thani (~150 km)

  One of best national park in south thailand, famous for its easily accessible waterfalls spread out all over the park.

• Khao Phanom Bencha National Park

  Krabi (~27 km), Phuket (~160 km), Surat Thani (~160 km)

  A popular national park north of Krabi City with nice waterfalls, caves and number of challenging trails.

• Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park

  Hua Hin (~60 km), Bangkok (~255 km), Kanchanaburi (~255 km)

  Known for it's beautiful beaches, limestone karsts, Phraya Nakhon Cave and a freshwater march.

• Khao Sok National Park

  Phuket (~160 km), Krabi (~150 km), Ko Samui (~220 km)

  The best park South Thailand, known for its floating bungalows in Cheow Lan Lake and it's rich wildlife.

• Khao Yai National Park

  Bangkok (~180 km), Ayutthaya (~120 km), Kanchanaburi (~265 km)

  The best park in the country for the regular tourists. It has many trails, waterfalls, impressive wildlife and viewpoints.

• Ko Chang National Park

  Chantaburi (~90 km), Pattaya (~250 km), Bangkok (~300 km)

  A marine national park known for its waterfalls, long trails, viewpoints, white sandy beaches and coral reefs.

• Ko Lanta National Park

  Krabi (~90 km)

  A marine national park consists of several islands with tropical forests, beaches and caves.

• Kui Buri National Park

  Hua Hin (~85 km), Bangkok (~280 km), Kanchanaburi (~280 km)

  The best place to see wild elephants in Thailand with nearly 95% chance to see elephants any given day.

• Mae Wang National Park

  Chiang Mai (~45 km), Chiang Rai (~235 km), Pai (~175 km)

  Popular for one single attraction in the park; Pha Chor Cliffs, aka "the Gran Canyon of Thailand"

• Mae Wong National Park

  Kamphaeng Phet (~70 km), Bangkok (~370 km)

  It is a great destination for birders and trekkers, one of the few places in Thailand where tigers still exists in wild.

• Nam Nao National Park

  Phetchabun (~110 km), Khon Kaen (~150 km), Phitsanulok (~145 km)

  The park is popular for camping, hiking, waterfalls, wildlife watching and bird-watching.

• Pang Sida National Park

  Bangkok (~230 km), Pattaya (~230 km)

  Home to a smaller population of tigers, the park has an impressive wildlife record.

• Phi Phi Islands

  Krabi (~35km), Phuket (~40 km), Ko Lanta (~30 km)

  Having one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, it is one of the most popular parks in Thailand.

• Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park

  Phetchabun (~120 km), Phitsanulok (~125 km)

  Famous for it's spectacular viewpoints, misty forests, cool weather, historical sites and a big campsite.

• Phu Kradueng National Park

  Loei (~80 km), Khon Khen (~140 km), Phetchabun (~185 km)

  Accessible by a challenging long hike, the park is popular for it's trails, waterfalls, viewpoints and cool weather.

• Phu Pha Thoep National Park

  Mukdahan (~22 km), Khon Kaen (~250 km)

  Home to some weird rock formations, a waterfall and a cave with ancient wall paintings.

• Phu Suan Sai National Park

  Phitsanulok (~100 km), Loei (~125 km), Uttaradit (~140 km)

  Popular among birders and hikers. The park has a 8 km long trail to a campsite at 1,408 meters asl.

• Sai Yok National Park

  Kanchanaburi (~85 km), Bangkok (~240 km), Ayutthaya (~245 km)

  A popular park known for it's waterfalls, caves, historical sites and raft houses. Tigers still found in this park.

• Similan Islands

  Khao Lak (~65 km), Phuket (~100 km)

  One of the best diving destinations in South East Asia with crystal clear waters and hard/soft coral reefs.

• Sirinat National Park

  Phuket Town (~30 km), Phang-nga (~64 km), Khao Lak (~80 km)

  A very commercialized park, popular for its beaches and watching of aircraft flying low over a beach for landing.

• Sri Nakarin Dam National Park

  Kanchanaburi (~110 km), Bangkok (~240 km)

  Famous for mainly multi tiered Huai Mae Khamin Falls that stretches nearly 2.3 km with many clear ponds.

• Surin Islands

  Khao Lak (~90 km)

  One of the best diving destinations in the country with crystal clear waters and hard/soft coral reefs.

• Tarutao National Marine Park

  Satun (~60 km), Trang (~100 km), Krabi (~230 km)

  Covering an area of 1490 km² at the southernmost Thailand, consists of 51 islands on three archipelagos.

• Tat Mok National Park

  Phetchabun (~15 km), Bangkok (~370 km)

  A small national park known for it's single waterfall and wildlife watching possibilities.

• Thung Salaeng Luang National Park

  Phetchabun (~50 km), Phitsanulok (~140 km), Phichit (~150 km)

  One of few national parks in Thailand with vast grassland savanna, popular of it's viewpoints and waterfalls.

• Yong Waterfall National Park

  Nakhon Si Thammarat (~60 km), Trang (~80 km), Krabi (~120 km)

  The park has several waterfalls, few trails and a nice boardwalk at around 1,000 meters asl.

Wildlife sanctuaries

• Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary

  Bangkok (~320 km), Nakhon Sawan (~110 km), Ayutthaya (~240 km)

  Together with the adjacent protected areas around, it is home to the largest tiger population in the country.

• Khao Phra - Bang Khram Wildlife Sanctuary

  Krabi (~56 km), Ko Lanta (~55 km), Trang (~104 km)

  One of the last remaining lowland forests in Thailand, known for it's natural beauties of Emerald and Blue Ponds.

• Khao Phra Thaeo Wildlife Sanctuary

  Phuket (~20 km), Phang-nga (~70 km), Khao Lak (~90 km)

  A wildlife sanctuary with couple of small waterfalls, trails and home to a Gibbon Rehabilitation Centre.

• Phu Khiao Wildlife Sanctuary

  Khon Kaen (~160 km), Phetchabun (~205 km), Bangkok (~510 km)

  The best wildlife spot in Central/North Thailand, home to many impressive mammal species.

Non-hunting areas

• Khao Paeng Ma Non-Hunting Area

  Bangkok (~240 km), Ayutthaya (~195 km), Khao Yai (~68 km)

  The best gaur viewing site in Thailand, it is a montane reforestation area adjacent to Khao Yai National Park.

• Tham Pha Tha Phon Non-Hunting Area

  Phichit (~44 km), Phitsanulok (~84 km), Phetchabun (~100 km)

  A small, yet very interesting forest park popular for its caves, watching bat emerging and Assam macaques.

Forest parks

• Khao Nang Phanthurat Forest Park

  Cha-Am (~9 km), Phetchaburi (~33 km), Hua Hin (~35 km)

  A small forest park with iconic limestone hills west of Cha-Am, not too far north from Hua Hin.

• Pran Buri Forest Park

  Hua Hin (~25 km), Phetchaburi (~90 km), Prachuap Khiri Khan (~85 km)

  A mangrove forest park with a nice boardwalk, a beach and possibility for boat tour.