Central Thailand Photography Sites

Kaeng Krachan National Park- Nestled on the western brink of the country four-hours  drive from Bangkok is a  wilderness unparalleled for its rich diversity of birds, large mammals and flora. Kaeng  Krachan is Thailand's largest national park (2,914 sq km) and part of a continuous forest  complex covering 30,000 sq km of land spanning the border with Myanmar.  The park lies at the junction of biogeographic zones so biodiversity in the area is a mix of  Indo-Burmese and Malaysian forms.
Hooded Pitta
At middle and higher elevations in the forest, two major watersheds fed by the  Petchaburi and Pranburi Rivers support wildlife. In the lowlands beyond the forest, they  sustain agricultural activities. The waterways turn from trickles at their sources to  raging water columns in mid-course, to gentle meandering wide streams in the lowlands.  Along these waterways lie mineral licks and wallows fed by smaller forest streams where  a plethora of fauna including Fea's barking deer, Tapir, Asian elephant come to feed.  Tiger, Asiatic leopard, and wild dog lurk along trails leading to the mineral licks waiting  for these prey species to emerge in the dead of night. Endangered Siamese crocodile  nest along the banks of the Petchburi River. The Banded leaf monkey is also commonly  seenSpanning altitudes ranging from 300 to 1,513m, Kaeng Krachan hosts a diversity of vegetation and is home to a rich bird fauna. Over 400 species are recorded, including the rare Ratchet-tailed treepie, found nowhere else in Thailand. Yellow-vented and White-bellied Pigeons, Grey Peacock Pheasant, six species of hornbill and seven kinds  of broadbill are also present.
Khao Yai National Park-Khao Yai National Park is Thailand's second largest, covering 2,168 sq km,  encompassing  11 districts and 4 provinces; Nakhon Ratchasima, Prachin Buri, Sara  Buri, and Nakhon  Nayok. It was Thailand's first National Park, and was established on  September 18, 1962.  It was originally known as 'The National Park Heritage of Asian  Group Countries'. Khao Yai  National Park has within its boundaries many thick,  flourishing forests, and a plentiful  supply of wildlife, such as families of Gaurs,  Elephants, Tigers, Gibbons, Deer, and wild  pigs, etc. This park is the source of five  important waterways: the Prachin Buri, Nakhon  Nayok, Lamtaplung, Lamtacong, and  Hui Muak Lek Rivers.
Khao Yai is located 400 m and higher above sea level, making it cooler and more  pleasant than the hot, humid lowlands in Central Thailand. The dry season that lasts  from November to February, when most people tend to visit, has temperatures that  can fall as low as 4-6 degrees Celsius. The cool weather and clear skies make this the  favorite season for hiking and bird watching. But we are recommended you to take  some warm clothing with you when you go. The hot season in Khao Yai is between  March and April, followed by the May to October rainy season. The park is open during  the rainy season, but traveling on foot is rather difficult, and you should take heavy  raingear and leech medicine.
Red-headed Trogon
With over 300 species of resident and migratory  birds,  including: Great and Wreathed hornbills,  Barbets,  Scarlet Minivet, Trogons, Broadbills, Pitas, Pigeons, Mountain scops-Owl, Great Slaty Woodpecker, Collared Owlet, Blue-winged leaf bird,  Asian Fairy bluebird, Greater Racket-tailed Drongo, Green Magpie, 3 species  of laughing thrush and many  types of Bulbuls. In Khao  Yai also have many Silver Pheasants, Scaly breasted  Partridges, Red Junglefowl and Siamese Fierback. Near  the rivers and ponds we  may find White-throated Kingfisher, Prinia, Zitting cisticola and many more.


E-mail: aoyja.thailandbirdphotography@gmail.com