If you thought a trip to Thailand was all about bygone kingdoms, temples and lazing upon golden beaches, think again. Spanning an impressive 1,650 kilometres from north to south and encompassing miles of rainforest, woodland and coastline, Thailand is incredibly diverse. Take a look at our guide to Thailand’s wildlife and exactly where to find it.
Khao Yai National Park
Sitting less than three hours east of Bangkok, Khao Yai is the third largest national park in Thailand and remains one of the most expansive monsoon forests in South East Asia. It is among the top spots to see Asiatic elephant in Thailand, which roam through the trees alongside sambar and barking deer, as well as golden jackals, who emerge in the soft light of dusk. Cast your eyes skywards to spy endangered white-handed gibbons, pig-tailed macaques and giant squirrels in the branches, as well as hundreds of butterflies and birds. From kingfishers and finches to woodpeckers and real rarities like the colourful ground-cuckoo, there is always something to see. Khao Yai is also speckled with caves in which colonies of bats rest before taking to the skies each evening.
Khao Sok National Park
Khao Sok is a surreal scene where green-hatted karsts rise from the turquoise lagoons and acres of rainforest (one of the oldest on Earth) hide a wealth of animals. As you explore the forest on foot, look out for Malayan Tapir, herds of gaur, and barking deer as they graze on the outskirts. You can also spot long-tailed macaques and gibbons as they clamber through the trees, the nocturnal Sunda slow loris, and the extremely rare sun bear. In the evening, watch hundreds of flying foxes take to the air on a mission to find food. And then there’s the birdlife. It’s prolific to say the least and you’ll be in with the chance of spotting multiple species of hornbill, kingfisher, woodpecker, swift, sunbird and eagle.
Kaeng Krachan National Park
The largest of Thailand’s national parks, Kaeng Krachan is watered by rushing rivers and tranquil lakes. The park is home to an astonishing amount of wildlife including the Asian black bear, clouded leopard, golden jackal and Sunda pangolin, among dozens of other mammals and dozens more reptiles. As for birds, there are over 450 spectacular species of every size and colour, from Old World flycatchers to eagle-owls.
The North
There are a number of elephant sanctuaries in northern Thailand, specifically around Chiang Mai. After years of mistreatment, elephants are now cared for in these havens, treated to feasts of fruit, nuts and vegetation and left to roam at ease, bathing in the rivers and exploring the forest. Visit one and spend time with these amazing pachyderms, watching them go about their lives, undisturbed and free.
The Coast
The waters off Thailand hold some of the most beautiful and well-preserved coral reefs in South East Asia. Whether you’re an avid diver or prefer a snorkel and fins, delve below the surface to discover a different world of wildlife. Protected by 22 marine national parks, the waters are home to gentle whale sharks, leopard, zebra and tiger sharks, snowflake and moray eels, giant manta and eagle rays, and four species of sea turtle. Take an even closer look and you’ll see the tentacles of a curious octopus, the rare harlequin shrimp and neon nudibranches moving across the coral.
