Thailand has at least 48 national parks. Five of these parks are located in the small province of Prachuap Khiri Khan which is located in south central Thailand.
Prachuap Khiri Khan
The province is bordered by the Gulf of Thailand to the East and Myanmar to the West. Adjoining provinces are Phetchaburi to the North and Chumphon to the South.
National Parks in Prachuap Khiri Khan
The national parks located in the province receive few visitors yet have a wealth of wildlife viewing opportunities to offer. They are diverse in nature and most are easily accessible although private rather than public transport is a must. Kuiburi and Khao Sam Roi Yot/Yod are two national parks that are quite close together being located either side of Highway 4 to the South of coastal resort of Hua Hin.
Kuiburi National Park
The park runs from Pranburi in the north to Dan Singkhon in the South, it is some 969 square kilometres. There are wild Elephants, Tiger, Leopard and Gaur along with a host of other mammals, myriad bird life, including several species of Hornbill and reptiles. Entrance to the park cost 200 Baht for foreigners. There is a small charge for Thais and the vehicle.
GPS Co-ordinates:
Park HQ: 12.053305 + 99.624166
Elephant viewing area: 12.114573 + 99.634466
Khao Sam Roi Yot/Yod National Park
The literal translation of the parks name is “the mountain with 300 peaks.” It is located between Highway 4 and the Gulf of Thailand and runs North/South between Sam Roi Yot and Kuiburi.
The park area is actually made up of numerous limestone hills and crags including several notable cave systems. Salt and fresh water marshes are also present and provide a home for lots of wading birds including migratory ones from as far afield as Europe and Siberia.
Khao Sam Roi Yod/Yot is also home to large troop of the rare Spectacled Langur, as well as Crab Eating Macaques, it is also a conservation area for the even rarer Thai Fishing Cat. Entry to the park, is 200 Baht for foreigners with Thais paying 60Baht and the car costs 40 Baht.
GPS Co-ordinates
Park HQ(Langurs/Macaques here): 12.128843 + 99.955623
Opinion:
If you are after a wilderness area then Kuiburi is the better area to visit although animals are more difficult to spot. Avoid the park HQ unless you want to rent a bungalow since this is some way from the area you are likely to spot elephant and other wildlife including Hornbills.
On the other hand by calling at the park HQ in Sam Roi Yot you are almost guaranteed to see Spectacled Langur and Crab Eating Macaque. Bird watchers will find plenty of large wetland areas located not far from the main access road.
It is quite feasible to visit both parks in one day given their locations either side of Highway 4. If you do this then I would recommend a morning in Khao Sam Roi Yot and the late afternoon at the Kuiburi elephant observation area. Rangers are on hand here to act as guides and wildlife spotters.
Related posts:
Pingback: Nam Tok Huai Yang National Park
Pingback: Hat Wanakon National Park
Pingback: Wat Chaloemrat Prachuap Khiri Khan | Wat Thai Temple
Pingback: Wat Tan Jet Yot Prachuap Khiri Khan | Wat Thai Temple