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Description
Khao Yai National Park is one of Thailand's premier locations for birdwatching, with over 300 resident and migratory species recorded. The park's diverse habitats, from dry evergreen to montane forests, offer excellent opportunities to spot both common and elusive species. Khao Yai is particularly famous for its four species of hornbills, which are relatively easy to spot. The biggest one is the Great Hornbill, a large, striking bird with a huge yellow and black casque, often seen flying in pairs or small groups. Oriental Pied-Hornbill: The most common hornbill in the park, featuring a black body with white accents on its wings and tail. Wreathed Hornbill: Smaller than the Great Hornbill, the male has a distinctive yellow throat pouch, while the female's is blue. Brown Hornbill: The rarest of the four, with a yellow-brown beak and a piercing "waew-waew" call.
Other notable and sought-after species include Siamese Fireback and Silver Pheasant. These ground-dwelling pheasants that are often spotted along the roadside and trails in the early morning. The park is also a reliable site fo Eared Pitta and Blue Pitta, though they are shy forest dwellers. Another species to look for are the broadbills. Green Broadbill, Long-tailed Broadbill, Banded Broadbill and Dusky Broadbill can all be spotted. Red-headed Trogon and Orange-breasted Trogon are present in the forest canopy. Also many species of woodpeckers and kingfishers can be found.
From November to February, the park welcomes visitors from further north, including Forest Wagtail, Siberian Blue Robin, and various warbler and flycatcher species.
Details
Access
Khao Yai National Park is located about 100 km northeast of Bangkok. The most common access point is the northern entrance near the town of Pak Chong. Press P on the map for directions to this entrance point. Khao Yai National Park is open daily from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Entrance fee is about 400 THB ≈ € 10.40
From Bangkok, you can take a bus or train to Pak Chong, then hire a songthaew (shared taxi) or a private car/motorbike to enter and travel within the park. Public transportation is not available inside the park, so a private vehicle or a guided tour is the most convenient way to explore the various attractions due to the large distances.
Top birding locations inside Khao Yai National Park:
Pha Kluai Mai Campsite (1): A great location to sit and observe birds coming to nearby fruiting trees. Look for barbets (Blue-eared, Green-eared), Scarlet Minivet, and Green Magpie.
Nong Phak Chi Wildlife Watching Tower (2): Offers excellent views over grassland and surrounding treetops, good for raptors, cisticolas, and needletail swifts.
Kilometre 33 area (3): Birding along the road here can be productive for hornbills and broadbills, especially around fruiting fig trees. A nearby trail (often requires a permit) is known for partridges and pittas.
Headquarters Area/TAT Pond (4): The visitor center area and nearby pond are good for common species like Blue Rock Thrush, Red-breasted Parakeet, and various swifts.
Hiring an experienced, English-speaking guide is highly recommended, especially for longer trails, as it significantly enhances wildlife spotting opportunities and ensures safety in the dense jungle.