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Cover story: 25 Dec. 06 / Vol. 23 No.18
Welcome to Paradise on Earth at
Six Most Popular
National Parks of Thailand
  By Dararai

Following the campaign "Thailand Grand Invitation 2006", Thaiways would like to invite you to visit the six most popular national parks with foreigners. The statistics (from 1Oct 05 to 30 Sep 05) shown here are provided by the National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department. The parks are presented according to their order of popularity in the statistics.

From the statistics, this is the most popular national park of Thailand. Doi Pui, rising to 1,685 meters above sea level, is the highest peak in the park. The weather is cool all year round. Forests here are deciduous. Wildlife in the park are small mammals. About 300 species of birds including pheasants, eagles and minivets are found here.


Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep

Attractions in the park are such as Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, housing a relic of the Buddha and commanding a panoramic view of Chiang Mai town an the surrounding plain, and Bhubing Palace whose photogenic garden is open to the public on weekends when the Royal Family is not in residence. You are recommended to pay homage to the memorial statue of Kruba Sriwichai, a most revered monk of Chiang Mai. Other attractions are: the magnificent Huai Kaeo and Monthathan waterfalls. Mae Sa and Tat Mok waterfalls are quiet and verdant. Besides, you can visit the nearby Doi Pui Mount, which is home to several hilltribes and then drop by at Chiang Mai Zoo to say hello to the two cuddly pandas here.


Two lovely pandas at Chiang Mai Zoo

How to get there: It is 5 km from Chiang Mai Town by Huai Kaeo-Chiang Mai University-Chiang Mai Zoo Route leading to Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep. Minibuses run regularly between Chiang Mai City and Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep.

Straddling areas in three counties of Phang-nga Province, and consisting of more than 40 islets, the park features picturesque landscapes. It became more famous after the James Bond adventure, The Man with the Golden Gun, was partly filmed here.


Khao Tapu

Among its numerous limestone islands, the followings are famous attractions: Khao Tapu, a tiny islet standing alone in the sea, got its name from its nail-like appearance.


Khao Phingkan

Khao Phingkan or James Bond Island literally means "the leaning hills". Ko Panyi is a small island inhabited by Muslim fishermen. Tham Lot, a renowned cave which a small boat can sail through, has wonderful stalagmites and stalactites inside. Rock paintings around Khao Khian were of prehistoric time. Many more interesting points include Khao Ma Chu, Tham Kaeo, Ko Hong, Tham Nak and Ko Phanak.


Ko Panyi

How to get there: From Phang-nga Muang County, drive along Highway 4, heading to Khok Kloi Sub-county. Drive pass Phang-nga Provincial Administration for about 8 km, turn left onto Highway 4144. Go ahead for a further 2 km to reach the park office.



Newly opened, the park covers an area of 732.98 sq km and consists of mountains and valleys with some flat areas. Doi Chang peak is the highest mount having a height of 1,720 metres above sea level. The Kok River, a main northern river, has its water source in Myanmar and flows from west to east.


Khun Kon Waterfall

Attractions are: Khun Kon Waterfall stands majestically with a height of more than 70 m. An array of verdant vegetation surrounds the waterfall. Other waterfalls are: Pong Phra Bat boasting its white-foaming clean water, Pang Sa and Huai Mae Sai waterfalls with biological diversity. Huai Mak Liam Hot Spring has water that can cook eggs.


The Kok River
You will enjoy taking a warm bath here. Besides, nature lovers will love rafting along the Kok River because of its natural beauty along the 80 km navigable river course.
 How to get there: From Chiang Rai Town, drive along Chiang Rai-Ban Den Ha Intersection Route. Go past Meng Rai Camp, heading to Doi Hang Sub-county and Ban Phasoet Village for a distance of 19 km. Then go for a further 1.5 km to reach the park office.



Situated 200 km southeast of Bangkok in Rayong Province, this park comprises the well-known Samet Island, other smaller islands nearby and a headland on the mainland named Laem Ya, where the park office is located.


Activities on Ko Samet
(Photos by courtesy of TAT)

The main attractions of the island are beaches, especially Hat Sai Kaeo and Ao (bay) Wong Duean (crescent moon) on the long curved eastern coast. There are several other beaches and bays which, though smaller, are no less lovely. Khao Laem Ya is a small hill which commands a wide view of the sea and surroundings. Hat Mae Ramphueng, a 12-km beach to the west of the park office, is also famous for its white sand and clear sea water. Coral is another important asset of the park. Around Ko Samet, Kudi Island and Thalu Island, particularly in the vicinity of Khanna Rock and Ao Phai Rock, fertile coral reefs and numerous sea anemones are thriving.

How to get there:
- By car: The park is 20 km to the east of Rayong town. From Rayong, follow the signposts to Ban Phe. Then take a boat to Ko Samet which will take about 40 minutes.
- By bus: There is a bus from Ekkamai Bus Station leaving Bangkok for Ban Phe every hour. It takes about three hours to reach there. Boat services at Ban Phe are available from 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.



Consisting of 52 islets, this archipelago is on the southwest of Ngop Headland, Trat Province. The main island, Ko Chang (429 sq km), is the second largest island in Thailand after Phuket (543 sq km).


Ko Chang

Since this islet group is not influenced by mainland rivers, the water around it is crystal clear without sediment. This results in rich marine life including various kinds of corals. Divers can observe them at many locations such as Chang Noi Island, Yuak Island, Man Nok Island and Lao Ya Island.

Main attractions are as follows: The three-leap Than Mayom Waterfall is a place where Chakri kings and royalty visited. Khlong Phlu, Khlong Nonsi, Khiri Phet and Khlong Nueng falls are interesting to drop by. Khlong Phrao Beach, the beaches around Chaiyachet Headland and Kai Bae Beach allow you to enjoy swimming. Coral formations around Lao Ya Island which is situated in the south of Chang Island, are fantastic. Wai Island has a beautiful beach and perfect coral reefs. Rang Islet is home to Edible Nest Swiftlets. Bangbao Fishermen Village Here the fishermen's houses are built on stilts and connected to each other with bridges similar to those of the Maldives. Another point deserving a mention here is Salak Phet Bay, a wonderful place to view the sunrise.

How to get there: In Laem Ngop County, there are three ferry piers, viz. "Ferry Ko Chang", "Ko Chang Ferry" and "Center Point Ferry", where ferries leave for Ko Chang at one hour interval all with spaces on the lower deck for vehicles. The trip takes about 45 minutes. Please call TAT on tel.+66 (0) 3959 7259-60 for more information.



Situated in Ang Thong Sub-county, Samui County, Surat Thani Province, this park consists of 42 islets, ranging from north to south. On the northwestern side of the group, many coral species develop in sheltered spots, especially elephant tusk coral, brain coral and staghorn coral.

Attractions: Wua Ta Lap Island is the biggest among the group. Panoramic views of all the islands can be obtained from the nearby viewpoint about 222 metres above sea level. The limestone caves here have strange features with the most popular one in the shape of a lotus flower.


The Lagoon on Mae Ko Island

The Lagoon on Mae Ko Island reveals an unrivalled beautiful landscape which is well worth a visit. It takes about 15 minutes by boat from the park office. To see one of the most scenic views in Thailand, just climb up to the viewpoint which looks down into the lagoon. Sam Sao, Thai Phlao and Wua Kan Tang Islands have fantastic coral reefs and powdery beaches excellent for diving and camping.

How to get there: At Bo Phut or Na Thon Pier on Samui Island, there are boats leaving for Mu Ko Ang Thong every day at 8:00 a.m. The boats will arrive at Mu Ko Ang Thong at 10:30 a.m. and return to Bo Phut or Na Thon on Samui Island at 5:00 p.m.

If you are interested to spend your holiday at any of these national parks, there are many travel agencies in Thailand that you can contact to arrange a tour programme for you. However, it is important to gather more information in advance from the National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department [tel. +66 (0) 2562 0760, fax: +66 (0) 2579 5269] and get yourself prepared for diving, snorkelling, sunbathing or trekking. Furthermore, you are required to always contact the relevant park office for expert advice.
For the correct pronunciation of romanized Thai words, see
Romanization System of the Thai Language .





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