| Thailand encompasses an array of national parks | | | | in the pools as well as walk up the trail which |
| and wonderful landscapes that go from the | | | | skirts the falls. The rest of the park has good |
| mountainous north right down to the myriad | | | | walking and a collection of caves, including |
| islands in the Thai Gulf and Andaman region. There | | | | Phrathat Cave. This park gets really busy during |
| are 79 national parks in all, covering all areas of | | | | holidays. |
| the country and although fees for foreigners are | | | | 6. Erawan National Park |
| steep, most people are blown away by the | | | | Kanchanaburi's most famous park features the |
| beauty. | | | | stunning Erawan Falls, a huge cascade of water |
| 1. Khao Yai National Park | | | | over seven tiers down 1,500m. Visitors can swim |
| One of Thailand's very best, Khao Yai National | | | | in the pools as well as walk up the trail which |
| Park is massive and resides to the northeast of | | | | skirts the falls. The rest of the park has good |
| Bangkok. It is the country's oldest national park | | | | walking and a collection of caves, including |
| and comes with 500kms of hiking trails, huge | | | | Phrathat Cave. This park gets really busy during |
| waterfalls, pristine forest and around 300 species | | | | holidays. |
| of birds alone. Elephants and tigers are among the | | | | 7. Doi Inthanon National Park |
| big animals here. | | | | Thailand's highest national park reaches a point of |
| 2. Khao Sok National Park | | | | over 2,560m above sea level. The mountain itself |
| Khao Sok National Park is one of Thailand's most | | | | is fairly unremarkable on its peak, however, as |
| visited. Despite its remote nature it is wholly | | | | you can only go so far due to the research |
| accessible by bus on the slow road between | | | | station there. On the drive up the mountain are |
| Surat Thani and Phuket. Khao Sok has a whacking | | | | the King and Queen's stupas, while on the flanks |
| great lake in the middle, stretching for over | | | | are huge waterfalls and a degree of |
| 50kms across, which supports vast numbers of | | | | accommodation. |
| fish and ecosystems. There are deep caves | | | | Lesser Visited Thai National Parks |
| connected to the lake that are viewable outside | | | | 8. Mu Koh Surin |
| of the wet season. | | | | Often referred to as simply Surin National Park, |
| Elsewhere in the park is some good trekking from | | | | this northern park straddles the Thai/Burma |
| the headquarters and a pretty gorge to swim in. | | | | border down on the Andaman Sea. Most of the |
| Keep an eye out for wildlife if you go for an | | | | park's territory covers the sea where there are |
| extended trek. You are unlikely going to see | | | | five main islands, including North Island, South |
| tigers, yet there are all sorts of wonderful | | | | Island and three smaller ones. The snorkeling here |
| creatures to spot. A number of well done | | | | is superb. |
| guesthouse operations are at the park entrance. | | | | 9. Tarutao |
| 3. Phang Nga Bay National Park | | | | This largely unseen area of Thailand resides right |
| Phang Nga Bay National Park is one of the most | | | | down in the south and up against Malay territory. |
| beautiful places in the world for lovers of water | | | | It encompasses dozens of islands in Satun |
| and islands. It has a stark karst land and | | | | province and includes the busiest island, Koh Lipe. |
| seascape, which features hue pillars poking up out | | | | You can also stay on Koh Tarutao and Koh |
| of the ground and water. There are caves, | | | | Adang. The snorkeling, amazing sunsets and |
| traditional villages and lush foliage galore here and | | | | quietness are the big deal here. |
| it is only 100kms from Phuket Town. The | | | | 10. Ko Samet |
| kayaking in Phang Nga Bay National Park is | | | | Although Koh Samet is a high profile place that |
| particularly good. | | | | sees a huge number of tourists, most come here |
| 4. Ang Thong National Marine Park | | | | for the beaches and not for its marine park |
| Ang Thong is a dreamy archipelago between Koh | | | | status. It sits down in Rayong province, not far |
| Samui and Surat Thani. It is rarely visited on the | | | | south of rowdy Pattaya, and is accessible by |
| order of Thailand's main parks due to the general | | | | ferry only. Koh Samet is only a few kilometers |
| inaccessibility. Tours from Samui are popular and | | | | long but is pretty rugged. It sports amazing coral |
| often incorporate kayaking around the many | | | | and beaches that are incredibly white and the |
| bays. You can trek to the top of some of the | | | | driest climate in the country. |
| islands and also camp out near the park | | | | Park Fees |
| headquarters. | | | | Most parks charge fees to enter and sometimes |
| 5. Erawan National Park | | | | as much as 400 baht for the higher profile ones. |
| Kanchanaburi's most famous park features the | | | | It may not sound much, but considering most |
| stunning Erawan Falls, a huge cascade of water | | | | Thais only earn 200 baht a day and also only |
| over seven tiers down 1,500m. Visitors can swim | | | | have to pay 20 baht to get in, it is. |