National Parks in Thailand

Thailand not only offers dreamy beaches but also breathtaking national parks that you must not miss on your trip! From Marine National Parks to elephant paradises - today I present my top 10 most beautiful national parks in Thailand.

For those seeking natural beauty in Thailand, you will find it almost everywhere, whether you venture to the mystical north or the tropical south. But which national parks in Thailand are the absolute highlights and which are real insider tips? In our top 10 list, we will reveal it to you!

1. Doi Inthanon

2. Pha Taem National Park

3. Kaeng Krachan National Park

4. Kui Buri National Park

5. Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park

6. Mu Ko Chumphon National Park

7. Surin National Park

8. Khao Sok National Park

9. Khao Yai National Park

10. Tarutao National Park

Just a glance at the pictures of Doi Inthanon National Park in northern Thailand is enough to be enchanted. Green mountains rising from dense fog, rushing waterfalls, gibbons jumping through the thick tree canopies, and mysterious chedis with golden peaks seem to throne over the entire scene - the Doi Inthanon National Park in Thailand is rightly one of the most visited and also one of the most beautiful.

The mountain of the same name, located in the middle of the national park, is even the highest in all of Thailand. Those who take the approximately 50-kilometer journey to the summit will be rewarded not only with breathtaking views over Chiang Mai, but also with the sight of the magnificent chedis built for the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej and his Queen Sirikit. But be sure to bring a jacket, as cold temperatures of 10-15 degrees Celsius are normal up here. Guided tours to the national park, including travel and lunch, can be booked for about $40 directly in Chiang Mai.

From the north, we move on to northeastern Thailand. Here, at the border with Laos, lies the Pha Taem National Park.

A visit during the rainy season in summer is most worthwhile. Then the numerous waterfalls in the park carry a lot of water and appear even more impressive.

The northeastern part of the country is called Isaan, and you will also encounter a separate language and other regional peculiarities here, which is why I highly recommend a visit. Here you will get to know a completely different side of Thailand.

The main attraction of Pha Taem National Park is the rock paintings, which researchers date to be up to 4,000 years old. The remarkably well-preserved drawings are worth a visit on their own, and the lush, untouched vegetation and powerful waterfalls that await you here are equally impressive. Also, the fact that this Thai national park is not overcrowded makes it a real insider tip for me. Sooner or later, you will surely agree with me when you enjoy the view over the Mekong at sunrise or sunset from one of the viewpoints!

The largest national park in Thailand is located about 200 kilometers from the capital Bangkok, at the border with Myanmar. The Kaeng Krachan National Park is home to a variety of animals, including endangered species such as leopards, tigers, tapirs, and elephants. Various species of monkeys and birds, deer, butterflies, bears, and crocodiles also hide in the dense forests and numerous waters of the national park.

It is best to let a local guide show you which spots offer the greatest chances of observing the animals. Hiking through the lush jungle, from which various animal sounds can be heard, followed by a refreshing dip in one of the small waterfalls will spark your sense of adventure. If you wish, you can even camp directly in the park. Many tourists you will encounter in Kaeng Krachan National Park, by the way, despite the richness of species, will not be many, as the park is still a real insider tip!

The Kui Buri National Park, adjacent to Kaeng Krachan, is the perfect place if you dream of seeing Asian elephants in the wild. In addition to the over 300 elephants that call the park their home, the vast green landscapes are also inhabited by gaur, the giant Asian cattle.

The chances of seeing elephants here are particularly good.

If you would like to visit Kui Buri National Park, you can either rent a car or book a tour including transfer from Hua Hin. In the park itself, you can then rent a jeep to drive through the national park. It is not unusual to encounter large groups of elephants peacefully basking in the sun in front of the lush green hills or taking a (mud) bath in the ponds and rivers of the national park. A sight that you don't see every day - not even in Thailand!

Only about 50 kilometers away is the next park that made it into my top 10 most beautiful national parks in Thailand. Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park lies on the coast of the Gulf of Thailand and is characterized by enormous limestone cliffs that spectacularly rise from the sea, giving the park the name 'Mountain with 300 Peaks.' Besides leopards, lorises, water birds, and dolphins, which can be observed here with a bit of luck, the park also attracts visitors with another highlight, the Phraya Nakhon Cave. In one of the mystical, rugged caves, all of which can be visited, there is a small pavilion that creates a magical image, especially in the morning light as it enters.

A mystical temple in the midst of a mysterious cave...

Another unique feature of this national park is the mangrove swamp, where you can observe a variety of birds. The unusual waters for Thailand can best be explored by chartering a long-tail boat that takes you through the mangroves. Especially at sunset, this is an experience you will never forget. The approximately one-kilometer-long wooden walkway that runs through the swamp is currently closed to visitors.

Are you a passionate underwater enthusiast? Then the next national park in Thailand is definitely worth a visit! The Mu Ko Chumphon National Park, consisting of several islands in Chumphon Province, is among the most well-known natural parks in the country and is popular with divers and snorkelers for its beautiful beaches and intact reefs. Among the underwater residents you can see in Mu Ko Chumphon National Park are barracudas, green turtles, and colorful parrotfish living among the corals. Maybe you'll even be lucky enough to spot a whale shark during your dives. These peaceful giants are often sighted in the Gulf of Thailand.

Alternatively, you can simply take a boat to the finest beaches of the small islands and enjoy the tranquility.

Now, let's move to a park in the Andaman Sea, the Koh Surin National Park, which is considered by connoisseurs to be one of the most beautiful diving areas not only in Thailand but in the whole world. Regular ferries do not service this remote archipelago, and you will also search in vain for large luxury hotels here. Instead, you can expect dreamy underwater worlds, wild nature, and deserted beaches that are unparalleled.

Only two of the five islands in the Koh Surin archipelago are inhabited; if you want to stay overnight in this beautiful archipelago, several camping sites are available.

In Surat Thani Province, about 70 kilometers from the resort town of Khao Lak, lies one of the most famous national parks in Thailand, Khao Sok National Park, which offers several highlights. Firstly, besides Kui Buri National Park, there is hardly a better place to observe wild elephants; secondly, after the hikes, you can look forward to fantastic swimming spots created by waterfalls in the region in the midst of the jungle. If you have always wanted to bathe under a giant waterfall, Khao Sok National Park is the right place for you!

Excursions to fascinating limestone caves like the Khang Khao Cave, as well as boat rides on a long-tail boat or canoeing on the vast Chiew Lan Reservoir, complete the national park's offerings.

Package trip to Khao Lak

A very special experience when visiting Khao Sok National Park is an overnight stay at the 500 Rai Floating Resort in the midst of untouched nature. From the starting point near the Ratchaprapha Dam, it takes a boat about 50 minutes out to the mirror-smooth lake. The way leads along impressive rock formations and dense forests to the extraordinary floating hotel. Here you will stay in small villas with your own dock and kayaks. The hotel serves delicious local specialties from the region, and if you wish, you can relax at the hotel's floating pool in the lake or explore the surroundings with a guide. A visit here is a must for anyone who wants to enjoy the tranquility of nature and experience a unique accommodation with impressively friendly staff. In the video I brought with me, you can learn more:

Thailand's oldest protected area, Khao Yai National Park, was established in the 1960s and was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2005. You reach the national park after about a two-hour drive that takes you from the bustling capital to the natural paradise.

Learn more

I have dedicated an article in my travel magazine to the Khao Yai National Park. Here you can get more information.

Over 70 different species call the national park their home, including elephants, tigers, water buffalo, bears, monkeys, and deer. A hike along the more than 50 well-marked trails is the best way to explore the rich biodiversity that characterizes the park. But be sure to bring plenty of water and, depending on your destination, a light jacket. It can get cold in the higher elevations of the national park. A must-see destination is the Haew Narok Waterfall, which, with a height of 80 meters, is simply impressive. If you visit during the rainy season, you can admire this and other waterfalls in their full glory.

That the Tarutao National Park is the last on my list of the ten most beautiful national parks in Thailand has nothing to do with a lack of beauty - quite the opposite: this marine national park, bordered by the Andaman Sea on one side and the Strait of Malacca on the other, is one of the most popular excursion destinations in southern Thailand with its snow-white, palm-fringed beaches.

On the more than 50 small islands, dense jungle meets crystal-clear sea, sea eagles circle overhead, langurs curiously peer from the trees, and from time to time turtles and dolphins appear close to the shore. Make yourself comfortable on one of the beaches framed by massive limestone cliffs and let this scenario sink in a bit before you grab your diving mask and go on a discovery tour.

Whether underwater, in the mountains, or in the dense jungle - the national parks in Thailand are simply beautiful and blessed with great biodiversity. I can only recommend that during your Thailand vacation, you visit at least one of the featured parks; Thailand has so much more to offer than just beautiful beaches and delicious food. Have you ever been to one of the national parks? Which is your favorite?