Once travelers step away from Bangkok, it becomes clear how many more awesome places there are to visit in Thailand. The Southeast Asian nation is incredibly diverse; the islands of the south are nothing like the destinations in the northern mountains. Khao Yai is a fantastic place to see animals in Thailand, as its forests and grasslands are home to all sorts of wildlife, including birds, elephants, and bears. Among the most interesting places to visit in Thailand are the country’s national parks. Khao Yai, located in Nakhon Ratchasima Province, was the first official national park in Thailand. Thailand’s more than 140 national parks cover almost 20 percent of the kingdom’s territory. This World Heritage-listed national park near Bangkok also delights with its majestic waterfalls, one of which was where the waterfall jump scene in the movie The Beach was filmed. To help you plan your trip, we have handpicked the best national parks in Thailand so that you can experience the landscapes, wildlife, and nature of Thailand in all its glory.

Head to Kaeng Krachan National Park if you want to see Thailand’s diverse wildlife. Touring around Kaeng Krachan, you can see leopards, elephants, gibbons, monitor lizards, porcupines, and plenty of birds. Sitting along the border with Myanmar, Kaeng Krachan National Park is Thailand’s largest national park and is home to possibly the broadest range of wildlife in Thailand. The landscape of Kaeng Krachan is interesting as well, and it’s common to see patches of rainforest poking through clouds of mist. Erawan National Park, home to one of Thailand’s best waterfalls, should be on every backpackers’ bucket list. But there’s much more to this national park near the Myanmar border in Kanchanaburi Province. In addition to the seven-tiered Erawan Falls, the park’s most popular attraction, be sure to explore the park’s four caves and the walking trails through its pretty forests. Kui Buri National Park, which is also situated along the border with Myanmar in the Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, is most famous for wild elephant spotting.

1. Pha Chor Canyon
2. Thai Bird Garden
3. Shrine Of King Naresuan
4. Hat Chao Mai National Park
5. Public Park
6. Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park
7. Wat Ratcha Burada Temple
8. Queen Sirikit Botanical Garden

Travel through the protected parts of the park is done with tours in pickup trucks and 4×4 vehicles, and there are special viewing platforms for watching the wild elephants from afar. Hiking is the most popular activity in Khao Luang National Park, as it allows visitors to see all of the park’s picturesque waterfalls, streams, and mountain viewpoints. Khao Luang is also known for its biodiversity; the park is home to creatures like panthers and leopards as well as rare plants, including a local orchid. Travelers seeking somewhere to immerse themselves in pristine nature in all its glory should head for Khao Luang National Park. Thailand is famous for its beaches and islands, resorts near Kabin Buri (More Tips) and areas of its coastline like Hat Chao Mai National Park are protected areas. Found down in the Nakhon Si Thammarat Province of southern Thailand, the park offers the south’s tallest mountain and vibrant, diverse forests. Those wanting ethical animal experiences in Thailand will be pleased by this park’s setup.

Resorts Near Bang Saphan

This particular coastal park covers the islands of Ko Muk, Ko Kradan, and Ko Cheuk in the country’s southern Trang Province. The islands are home to formidable cliffs, stunning beaches, romantic lagoons, and epic caves, making it a real treat for visitors. There’s even the hidden Koh Panak Cave, which is only accessible from the water. Of all of Thailand’s islands, the most popular and most photographed has to be the iconic James Bond Island in Ao Phang Nga National Park in the south of the country. Known as “The Roof of Thailand,” Doi Inthanon National Park is one of Thailand’s best national parks, thanks to all the different attractions and activities available to visitors. Exploring Hat Chao Mai National Park by boat allows visitors to see all kinds of rare and endangered land and sea creatures, including dugongs, sea otters, and pangolins. While this towering karst island is indeed impressive, it’s just one of forty-two karst islands within this marine park.