Khao Luang National Park, Nakhon Si Thammarat
Covering an area of 570 sq km, Khao Luang National Park is comprised of complex range of mountains
and has the highest peak called Khao Luang in the southern region at 1,835 metres above sea level.
It is the watershed of more than 15 streams and rivers and encompasses a wide variety of flora and fauna.
The types of forest found in the Park are Moist Evergreen Forest, gulleys and riversides,
Hill Evergreen Forest and Lower Montane Forest. There are more than 300 species of animals including Barking deer,
Bush-tailed porcupines, Clouded leopards, Dusky Speckled languars, Malayan tapirs, Sumatran serows,
Pigtailed macaques, Sambar deer, panthers, tigers and wild pigs. Birds found include Black eagles,
Bushy-crested hornbills, Great Pied hornbills, Helmeted hornbills, Crested Fireback pheasants,
Great Argus pheasants, Red-crowned barbeta and Sunbirds.
Within the Park, there are many waterfalls located across the north to the south such as Ai Khiao Waterfall,
Karom Waterfall, Krung Ching Waterfall, Nuea Fa Waterfall, Phrom Lok Waterfall, Tha Phae Waterfall and more.
Trekking trails are routed leading to the waterfalls. The peak of the mountain, Khao Luang can be accessed
from Khiriwong Village. The trip to go up and down takes 3 days 2 nights. The park also provides
accommodation located in the Park.
Address: M.4, Ban Ron, Khao Kaeo, Lan Saka, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80230; Tel. 075 391 218, 075 391 240
How to get there: Nakhon Si Thammarat is 800 km from Bangkok and can be reached by car,
plane, train and bus. To get to the Park Office near Karom Waterfall, take Highway No.4015 from the town centre
for 28 km to Lansaka. There is a big sign indicating Khao Luang National Park on the right, continue for 1 km to the Park Office.
To get to the Protection Unit of Krung Ching, take Highway No.4016 from the town centre, pass the entrances
to Phrom Lok Waterfall, Ai Khiao Waterfall, Yod Lueang Waterfall until the junction with Highway No.4140,
turn left and continue to Ban Rong Lek, turn right into Highway No.4186. Follow the road to Ban Huai Phan
where you have to turn left into Highway No.4188 and continue for 8 km.
Khao Phanom Bencha Natioanl Park, Krabi
Lying from north to south in Krabi, Phanom Bencha National Park is comprised of abundant and complex mountain range
covering an area of 50.12 sq km. The Park boasts several beautiful waterfalls, cliffs, caves and nature trails leading
to waterfalls located throughout. The peak of Phanom Bencha is at 1,397 metres above sea level. It is also watershed
for Krabi residents and it has many valuable plants and animals such as Asiatic wild dogs, black bears, clouded leopards,
hornbills, gibbons, mouse deer, panthers, pheasants, serows, Stump-tailed monkeys, white-rumped shama,
wild pigs and many more. The abundance of nature allows interesting activities such as trekking,
waterfall visiting and bird watching.
Address: 170 M.4, Tubprik, Mueang, Krabi 81000; Tel. 075 660 716, 075 660 717
How to get there: From Talat Kao junction in Krabi, follow Si Trang Rd. and turn left along Talat Kao – Ban Huay To Rd. for 20 km.
Khao Sok National Park, Surat Thani
One of the most beautiful park in Thailand, Khao Sok is comprised of series of limestone mountains on land
and in the water. It has a large biological diversity. The park covers an area of 739 sq km including Chio Lan Reservoir
by Ratchaprapha Dam which is often referred to Gui Lin of Thailand (A natural place with beautiful rock formation in China).
Khao Sok is a virgin forest where is a home to many rare and indigenous species such as Bua Phut
or Rafflesia kerrii and many animals including Asian wild dogs, bantengs, bears, gaurs, gibbons, langurs,
Malayan tapirs, macaques, marbled cats, porcupines, sambar deer, serows and wild boars.
Other attractions include waterfalls, caves, nature trails which allows a number of fun and adventurous activities
such as white water rafting, canoeing, trekking and many more.
Address: M.6, Khlong Sok, Phanom, Surat Thani 84250; Tel. 077 395 154-5, 077 395 139
How to get there: Take Highway No. 4 (Petchakasem Rd.) from Bangkok and then to Highway
No.401 (Surat Thani – Takua Pa Rd.), turn right at km 109 marker and continue for 2 km to the Park Office.
To get to Ratchaprapha Dam, after the km 109 marker, turn right into a road at the km 57 – 58 marker for 10 km to the dam.
Mu Koh Chumphon National Park, Chumphon
One of the best dive sites in Thailand, Mu Koh Chumphon National Park situated in the Gulf
of Thailand is comprised of limestone islands which are a home to gorgeous beaches, waterfalls,
caves and stunning underwater world.
The Park covers the area of 317 sq km and consists of 40 smaller islands including Chorakhae Island,
Erat Island, Kula Island, Lak Ngam Island, Mattra Island, Ngam Noi Island, Ngam Yai Island, Rangka Chio Island,
Taru Island and Thing Land Island. Most area is covered with beach forest, limestone forest and mangrove.
There is a nature trail where visitors can observe lives in the mangrove closely.
Wild animals found are many types of sea bird, reptiles such as Indian or Bengal monitors,
Water monitors, reticulated pythons, Siamese hawksbill turtles, Green turtles.
The corals in this area are mostly hard corals. It is an area where there is a highest population
of black corals, Corallimorph, Zoanthid and sea anemone in Thailand. Whale sharks are also spotted here.
Address: 1/4 M.5, Ban Phong Phang, Hat Sairi, Muang, Chumphon 86120; Tel. 077 558 144
How to get there: Take the Highway No.4 (Phetkasem Rd.) towards Chumphon, turn left at Pathomphon Intersection
and continue for 8 km to Chumphon town centre. Then follow Highway No.4001 (Chumphon – Pak Nam Chumphon) for 13 km,
befor reaching Pak Nam Chumphon, turn right at the intersection to Had Sai Ri for 20 m, turn right again
and go along Sai Ban Matsi – Had Sai Ri for 9 km and turn right at the sign to the National Park
and continue for 1 km to the National Park Office.
Mu Koh Similan National Park
Situated in the Andaman Sea, Mu Koh Similan is comprised of a group of islands, steep mountains
including fine beaches and diverse rock formations. The rugged shores are formed by the waves
which also forms fine white sand. The forests found are beach forest which is cover with trees
of the height not over 15 metres; scrub and primary forest which is a habitation for perennials.
They are the habitat of many species of birds. The marine life is considerably rife with hard corals,
soft corals, Gorgonian sea fans, several species of crabs, spiny painted lobsters, squids, sponges,
sea cucumbers, giant clams, sharks, Manta Rays, bottlenosed dolphins and other bigger pelagic fish.
Other attractions include Koh Bangu, Koh Bon, Koh Ha, Koh Hin Pousar, Koh Huyong, Koh Meang,
Koh Paying, Koh Payu, Koh Similan, Koh Tachai and Lan Ka Luang viewpoint. Undeniably,
the top activities here include snorkeling and scuba diving. Others include rock climbing, hiking and camping.
The park is closed during rainy season which is from 1 May to 31 October of every year.
Address: 93, M. 5, Ban Thaplamu, Phetkasem Rd., Lamkaen, Thai Muang,
Phangnga 82210; Tel. 0 7645 3272
How to get there: From Bangkok, take Highway No.4 towards Takua Pa.
There is a junction to Ban Lam Gaen, turn right and continue for 5 km to Thab Lamu pier.
The national Park office is located 50 metres before the pier.
San Kala Khiri National Park, Songkhla
Located in Sabayoy in Songkhla, San Kala Khiri National Park covers an area of 214 sq km in Songkhla.
It consists of complex mountain ranges bordering Thailand and Malaysia.
The forest is teemed with valuable plants, small and medium sized mammals as well as some rare animals
such as saladangs, mountain goats, red head elephants, roulrouls, wreathed hornbills, Oriental pied hornbills and more.
The natural attractions within the Park include Bang Thepa, the sedimentary sand that was flown by the streams,
Puang Cave, Kradook Cave, Tarod Cave, Thepa River and nature trail.
Address: M.2, Bahoi, Saba Yoi, Songkhla; Tel. 074 311 020
How to get there: Take Highway No.43 (Songlkhla – Pattani, turn into Highway No.4085,
pass Amphoe Thepha to Amphoe SabaYoy, follow Highway No.4095, pass Ban Khao Daeng to Tham Talod,
turn left for 10 km to the National Park Office.
Si Phang Nga National Park, Phang Nga
Apart from James Bond Island, Phang Nga is also known for pristine national park called Si Phang Nga covering an area of 246.08.
The complex mountain range lies parallel to the coast of Andaman Sea. It boasts stunning waterfalls and fertility for wildlife.
This Moist Evergreen Forest is a breeding ground for valuable plants, herbs, bulb plants, mosses, ferns, bamboos and rattans.
Wildlife is also rife. Those found are barking deer, bantengs, elephants, gibbons, lesser mouse deer, macaques,
Malaya tapirs, serows, wild boars and many more.
The forest, a home to cascading flows of white water on the different surfaces of the rocks is not only spectacular
to see but also inviting to swim including Suan Mai Waterfall, Tamnang Waterfall, Ton Hin Ra Waterfall,
Ton Kig Haeng Waterfall, Ton Taeng Waterfall, Ton – U Waterfall, Ton Tonsai Waterfall and more.
Nature trails are leading toward waterfalls.
Address: P.O.Box 22, P.O.Takua Pa, Takua Pa, Phang Nga 82110; Tel. 086 952 5246
How to get there: Take Highway No.4 via Old Bangkok – Phuket Rd. from Bangkok,
pass Khao Nom Sao. At km 756 marker, turn off the Highway No.4 to an asphalt road
at the entrance to Ban Tamnang, proceed 6 km to Tamnang waterfall.
Sirinat National Park, Phuket
Covering an area of 90 sq km which includes 68 sq km of marine and 22 sq km terrestrial
boundary in the Andaman Sea, Sirinat National Park has 2 types of forests; beach forest and mangrove.
The beach forest is covered with Casuarina pines and it is a habitat of some bird species including magpie robin,
common myna, Blacknaped oriole, Greater racket-tailed drongo, several types of Bulbul.
Mangrove covers an area of 1 sq km. Despite the small area, the mangrove in Sirinat National Park is abundant
and unspoilt. The marine is rife. The coral reefs are found 700 – 1,000 metres from the shore at 4 – 7 metres deep.
The attractions in the Park include Mai khao Beach, Nai Thon Beach, Sai Kaeo Beach,
Kata Island and Veal Island.
Address: 89/1, M.1, Ban Nai Yang, Sakhu, Thalang, Phuket 83110; Tel. 076 328 226, 076 327 152
How to get there: From Phang Nga, cross Sarasin Bridge (Thep Ka Sat Tri Bridge), turn left
and continue for 3 km to Tha Chat Chai Protection Unit of the National Park then follow the Highway No.402
until you see the entrance to the airport, turn right and continue for 3 km to the National Park Office.
Tarutao National Park, Satun
Lying off the most southwest on the west coast in the Andaman Sea, Tarutao was a penalty colony of Thailand in 1939.
The island is 26.5 km long and 11 km wide and consists of mountains, a few broad plains and valleys.
60% of the island is semi evergreen rainforest and mangrove. Swamps are found in some areas.
Long sand beaches stretch along the western and southern coast. The National Park covers 51 big and smaller islands.
Animals found in the Park include dusky languars, crab-eating macaques, mouse deer, wild pigs,
more than 13 insular subspecies, slow loris, otters, civets, flying lemurs, fishing cats, soft-shelled turtles,
monitor lizards and over 100 species of birds.
Marine life is rife here with coral reefs, 25% of the world’s fish species including shark, ray, groupers, dugong,
common dolphin, the Irrawadddy dolphin, sperm whale, minke whale, turtles and many more.
Address: Paknam, Langu, Satun 91110; Tel. 074 783 485
How to get there: Travel to Had Yai by plane, bus or car then take minibus to Kaset Market and take a minivan to Pak Bara pier to go to the island.
Than Bok Khorani National Park
Than Bok Khorani National Park is rainforest located in a valley lying from north to south along the Andaman Sea.
It is comprised of mangrove area, freshwater swamp, beaches, a limestone mountain and other small islands.
The Park covers an area of 104 sq km including a group of 23 islands which are home to beautiful beaches,
Hong Island which is walls of limestone mountains encompassing a beach area and the blue sea which makes
it look like a room with only one entrance. There are also Lot Cave, Than Bok Khorani Waterfall and pre-historic paintings
on the walls of Phi Hua To Cave, Fai Mai Cape, Tham Chao Le Cape, and Thai Raet Cape. A host of activities
can be enjoyed such as snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, hiking or just relaxing on the beach.
Address: 2/2, M.2, Ao Luk-Laem Sak Rd., Ao Luk Tai, Ao Luk, Krabi 81110; Tel. 075 681 071, 075 682 058
How to get there: Take Highway No.4 (Petchkasem Rd.) to Ao Luk intersection
and turn into the Highway No.4039 for 2 km to the National Park Office.
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