Thailand's national parks provide a variety of experiences and sights for the visitor. More than 50 areas of the kingdom have been designated as national parks. Most have some sort of accomodation for visitors. Camping sites and guides are frequently available. Trekking is the most popular activity in the national parks, and they all offer extensive trails of varying difficulty. Only Khao Yai and Phu Kradung National Parks have marked trails, so for most parks, trekkers are advised to hire a guide. One way to see the national parks, particularly those in the north, is on the back of an elephant. Elephant rides in the jungle for a few hours or full day are available at some national parks. Rafting in canoe-like bamboo rafts is another activity offered in some national parks, particularly in the north in the Ping and Pai Rivers.

Khao Yai National Park
This a favourite place for birdwatchers, containing some 318 different species that have been identified as either migrating or native. There are also about 25 different native animals in the national park, including elephants, gibbons and mouse deer. This is a world Natural Heritage site, and spreads over parts of Nakhon, Ratchasima, Nakhon Nayok, Prachin Buri and Saraburi provinces.

Khao Sak National Park

Located in Surat Thani province, the reserve includes waterfalls, caves and a reservoir containing over 100 islands.

Doi Inthanon National Park
Located in Chiang Mai, the park includes Thailand's highest mountain, for which it is named. More than 383 species of birds have been identified, especially between the February-April breeding season. The park has extensive hiking trails throughout.

Phu Kradung
Located in the northeast, in Loei province, the park is a popular camping area. The park is a tableland 1,200-1,500 metres high, with a 60 square kilometre plateau where a wide variety of plants grow. There are many native animals and birds also to be seen.

Kaeng Krachen
Thailand's largest national park (2,920 sq km), in Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan provinces, is home to about 40 different species of mammal, including the Malayan sun bear (below) and clouded leopard. Among the many bird species to be seen are great hornbills and grey peacocks.

Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary
This area was added to the list of World Heritage sites in 1991, and is located in Uthai Thani and Tak provinces.

It is home to more than 95 species of mammal and nearly 400 kinds of birds.

Acknowledge this source in your bibliography like this:
A Trip toThailand (2001). [Online], Available: www.kidcyber.com.au

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updated March 2001