Thailand's national parks and wildlife sanctuaries are some
of the best and most extensive in Southeast Asia, and although
abundant wildlife is found everywhere in the kingdom, they
are the best places to see rare and protected species.
Almost all parks have on-site accommodation and food, trails
of varying levels of difficulty, and many organise trips,
recreational and educational activities.
Huai Kha Khaeng and Thung Yai Naresuan wildlife sanctuaries
in Uthai Thani
and Kanchanaburi provinces
respectively are two of the best places to start. They contain
such magnificent creatures as bears, leopards, tigers, elephants,
tapirs, deers, gibbons, monkeys, macaque, guars, shy forest
ox, and banteng, or wild red cattle.
Khao
Yai National Park, three hours from Bangkok,
is another excellent nature study site, with many research
projects currently underway on creatures such as gibbons,
tigers and hornbills.
Khao Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary in Chon
Buri Province has an open zoo which makes its : wildlife
particularly accessible. Species include guar, dusky languar,
barking deer and browantlered deer. In one of the largest
aviaries in the world, it also has the sarus crane and black-necked
stork, which it is hoped will one day be reintroduced to
the wild.
In
Kaeng Krachan National Park, the country's largest pristine
forest, there are superb walking trails around a 36-kilometre
road, and treks of up to two weeks can be organised. Be
prepared for some truly inspiring trees, 70 metres tall
and more. Where the forest is open, it is like being inside
a living cathedral.
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