Known for being one of Thailand’s most prominent national parks, the Khao Yai National Park is a designated UNESCO World Heritage site home to a range of animals, plants and habitats. It is also a sight to behold for nature lovers and never disappoints with its various thrilling encounters and experiences.

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About Khao Yai

Khao Yai was the first national park in Thailand, established in 1962. It expands to a total area of 2168 square kilometres making it the third largest national park in the country. It features all manner of natural environments including rainforests, evergreen forests, grasslands, and a 1351-metre-tall mountain. The park is part of the Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Those enjoying their stays in Khaoyai hotel rooms at a nearby hotel like Lacol Khaoyai will have the easiest opportunity to access the national park.

Mammals

Mammal watching is one of the best experiences to enjoy at the park. Visitors will have the chance to observe various species including barking deer, gibbons, pig-tailed macaques, Asian black bears, otters, jackals and more.

Birds

Khao Yai is also a bird watcher’s paradise with around 440 species of birds. It is home to a large population of hornbills among which you’ll find the Oriental-pied hornbill and the great hornbill. Several other species that are rarely spotted elsewhere in Thailand include Rufus-tailed robins, white-browned fantails, Japanese thrushes, northern goshawks and more.

Reptiles

The park is also home to more than 85 species of reptiles several of which are various species of snakes. In addition to the three different types of pit vipers, there are several other rare snake species including Gibson’s wolf snakes, Joynson’s kukri snakes and Nganson bronzebacks.