birding tour bangkok

• Virginia Beach
• History & facts
• Famous people
• Famous landmarks
• AI interviews
• Science & Nature
• Tech & Business

Discover something new everyday

• Famous places
• Food & Drinks
• Tech & Business

Bangkok , Travel

The Best Places for Birding in Bangkok

Image by somchai@2008 sourced from wikimedia commons

Read Next →

Paris - Food & restaurants

Top 20 non-touristy restaurants in Montmartre

Barcelona - Activities & Things to do

20 Best Thrift Stores of Barcelona (with map)

Paris - By month

10 Best Techno Clubs in Paris

Image by Lenny Worthington sourced from wikimedia commons

1. Suan Rot Fai (Train Park)

Image sourced from creativecommons.org

Image by Rushen from creativecommons.org

Location: Chatuchak, Bangkok (BTS Mor Chit/Mrt Chatuchak)

2. king rama ix park (suan luang rama ix) .

Image by NuCastiel sourced rom wikimedia commons

Image by NuCastiel sourced from wikimedia commons

Bangkok Bird Walks

Image by Rushen sourced from creativecommons.org

Image by somchai@2008 sourced from creativecommons.org

Birding Tours in Bangkok and Thailand

Contact:  [email protected].

Planning a trip to Paris ? Get ready !

These are  Amazon’s best-selling  travel products that you may need for coming to Paris.

• The best travel book : Rick Steves – Paris 2023 –  Learn more here
• Fodor’s Paris 2024 –  Learn more here

Travel Gear

• Venture Pal Lightweight Backpack –  Learn more here
• Samsonite Winfield 2 28″ Luggage –  Learn more here
• Swig Savvy’s Stainless Steel Insulated Water Bottle –  Learn more here

Check Amazon’s best-seller list for the most popular travel accessories. We sometimes read this list just to find out what new travel products people are buying.

Mark Philip is a writer and lifestyle enthusiast from the Midlands in the U.K.

With a background in martial arts and fitness, Mark upped sticks and headed out to Bangkok to delve a bit deeper into the art of Thai Boxing way back in the 2000s, starting to write initially to fund his daily training.

Since then Mark has authored e-books, articles, and blogs across a wide range of topics for commercial, educational, factual, health & fitness and leisure-based purposes.

Hello & Welcome

Popular Articles

Top 20 Streets to See in Paris

Paris in two days

Top 15 Things to do Around the Eiffel Tower

The Best Way to Visit Paris Museums

Top 15 Fashion Stores in Le Marais

Visit europe with discover walks.

• Paris walking tours
• Montmartre walking tour
• Lisbon walking tours
• Prague walking tours
• Barcelona walking tours
• Private tours in Europe
• Privacy policy

© 2024 Charing Cross Corporation

• Head Office: 77/86 Sukhaphibaan 5 Or-Ngern, Saimai, Bangkok 10220
• Testimonials

Travel to Thailand

We offer quality, privately guided birding adventure to explore breathtaking destinations throughout Thailand, the world premier birding area with over 1,000 species and excellent for birding all year round.

• Central of Thailand Tours

The Central region of Thailand, there are many famous places for bird watching activities. These are Kaeng Krachan, Som Roi Yot National Park, Pak Thale Salt pan and Leam Pak Bia Sandspit the area you can find Spoon-billed Sandpiper, Nordmann's Green Shank, Asian Dowitcher, Malaysian Plover, White-faced Plover, Chinese Egret and many other birds..

• Northern of Thailand Tours

The Northern region of Thailand, it is nice for all bird watchers to see the various birds in the northern region of Thailand because this region is highest area of Thailand. The well-know birding areas are Doi Inthanon National Park, Doi Suthep National Park, Doi Lang or Doi Pha Hom Pok National Park in Chiang Mai province, Nong Bong Kai or Chiang Sean Lake in Chiang Rai provine, Mae Wong in Kam Pheang Phet province.

• Southern of Thailand Tours

Southern of Thailand and Peninsular, there are many interesting places for birding and bird photography such as,in National Parks, beaches, lakes, lowland forest, and mangrove forest. The best season for birding and bird photography is during December-May,and during March-May. Around this time, the birds will be breeding, calling and feeding. It is easy to find birds for taking photograph and watching.

• Nationwide Thailand Tours

Thailand is the well-know country for all birding and bird photography activities. All four regions of this country are full of various species of birds.

About Thailand Birdwatching

We are the country’s leading birdwatching tour company, proudly offer quality birding adventure privately guided by passionate and experienced professional bird leaders. We provide meticulously crafted bespoke itineraries cater to birdwatchers from the beginner to the advanced. We offer the tours cover all regions in the country start from 7 days minimum to 45 days maximum. If your available time is shorter than 7 days, please consult with us about your plan. If your time not match the number of days we provided, please discuss with us to adjust to a slightly longer or shorter tour. However, If you are looking for total flexibility and the option to customize your own birding vacation, the tailor-made tour can be arranged specialty for you. Every year, we have arranged several tours for our clients who booked directly with us and also tour agencies in other counties that requested our services to handle all the trip arrangement, logistics, accommodations and meals. Join us to discover the extraordinary of Thai birds and their spectacular habitats. Thailand Birdwatching, e-mail: [email protected] Or via WhatsApp: +66 96 8796595 . We are prompt to response your message. We are also offer a high quality Bird Photography Tour, please click the link below. www.thailandbirdphotography.com

• All Packages
• One Day Tours
• Multi-Day Tours
• Special Packages
• Family Holidays Packages

Mangrove Krabi Day Trip

Ao Phang-Nga & Sri Phang-Nga Day Trip

Sri Phang Nga Day Trip

Doi Angkhang Days Trip

Doi Inthanon Day Trip

Kaeng Krachan Day Trip

Khao Yai Day Trip

Doi Angkhang 3 Days Tour

Doi Inthanon 3 Days Tour

Doi Lang 7 Days Tour

North Thailand 7 Days Tour

Kaeng Krachan 3 Days Tour

Khao Yai 3 Days Tour

Khok Kham & Pak Thale 3 Days Tour

Central Thailand Bird Watching 7 Days Tour

Central + Northern 14 days

Central + Northern 15 days

Mae Wong 3 Days Tour

Sri Phang Nga - Khao Sok 5 Days Tour

Khao Luang 3 Days Tour

Khok Nor Chu Chi 3 Days Tour

Khao Sok by Canoeing 3 Days Tour

South Thailand 9 Days Tour

Classic Thailand 25 Days Tour

Ultimate Thailand 35 Days Tour

Bird & Wildlife Photography Tours

Pittas, Kingfishers, Flycatchers and Woodpeckers Tours

Package 1 - Sri Phang Nga and Khao Sok

Package 2 - Phang Nga and Krabi

Package 1 - Doi Inthanon

Package 2 - Doi Ang Khang and Doi Lang

Package 1 - Kaeng Krachan

• Family Holiday Tour

Birdwatching seasons in Thailand, must read before planning your trip

Thailand is excellent for birding all year round. Thailand has elongated shape that stretches quite long from the northernmost to the southernmost. There are high variety of geographical landscapes include very mountainous in the north, lower floodplain in the central, a plateau land in the northeast and extensive narrow peninsular in the south. Southern region has distinctive climate influenced by 2 oceans encompass both lengthy shorelines. This causes the upper part and the lower part of the country have a big different in their seasons cycle, which make Thailand is so special for birdwatching. Based on common knowledge, a high season for birding in Thailand is between November to April. It is a dry season (much fewer birds in a rainy season) and the peak birding period is in a late February to mid April, which is a breeding season of resident birds while almost of migratory species still around. However, this fact is not entirely true. Because of it is only applied to the northern, the northeastern, the western, the eastern and the central Thailand, but not for the southern. There is a special place, Kaeng Krachan National Park, it is the lone exceptional case. Since, its location is a conjunction point between the upper and the lower part of the country. The good birding period in this park extends a bit longer than other parks in Thailand which starts from November to June.

Basically, a rainy season of the upper part of the country (northern, northeastern, western, eastern and central) is between June to mid October. However, it is different pattern in the south and more complicated, because it is not the same across the southern peninsula. The west coast has a rainy season from April to October, while the east coast sees their rainy season from September through December. Thereby, a good birding period of the west coast of the south is quite similar to the upper part of the country from November to April. But when migratory species left Thailand, a precious time in the south starts, the breeding season of resident species (rare, uncommon and elusive birds will be very active and easier to see). It shifts slightly later than the other regions, which is between May to October. Even though this period we will only connect with resident species, but almost of them are completely different from the other regions. From May to July, Sri Phang-nga NP, Khao Nor Chu Chi, Cheow Lan Lake, Krung Ching Waterfall and Thale Ban NP are recommended. There is a really special place at the southernmost of the country right on the border of Thailand and Malaysia, Hala-Bala Wildlife Sanctuary, it holds a longer breeding season starts from June to September. At least 3 days in Hala-Bala will be very productive for many rare and uncommon residents. But a one-week trip can be arranged by also visiting few more reserved forests and national parks nearby. A longer trip such as 14 days would be a great idea by starting from Sri Phang-nga NP, Krung Ching Waterfall, down to Thale Ban NP and finish up at Hala-Bala. In conclusion, Thailand is excellent for birding all year round depends on where you have planned to go. Your birding adventure in Thailand can happen at any time of the year. Discuss with us if you keen to explore the south of Thailand. You can also incorporate Kaeng Krachan National Park in the southern parks itinerary (Sri Pang-nga NP, Cheow Lan Lake, and Krung Ching Waterfall). These high seasons of birding at different parts of the country can exactly applied to a bird photography tour too.

What Our Customer Say?

Back in the office today after 12 days working away in Asia. Totally blown away by China. Shanghai is an amazing city, love that place... thanks to John, Jen and Sarah for their great company and some memorable nights out!...

Mark Hawkes

Our Customer

Group tours

We couldn't have asked for a better guide and team. Truly, you and your team have a true love for Birdwatching. And you, an eye of an eagle. It was a complete experience. Can't wait for the next trip with P' Tony Ka. We're hooked! on October 10/20165

Joy Chaisua

I have engaged the service of Tony 3 times now as a private guide. We have visited various locations in Central and Northern Thailand including Doi Inthanon and Kaeng Krachan and I am looking forward to exploring more of Thailand...

Colin Clark

I just wanted to let you know that the birding trip to Koh Yao Noi today was great and that Tom was fantastic and the kind of guide I needed: knowledgeable, persistent, and always attentive to my needs. It was a wonderful day and...

Peter and Vivienne Chadwick. Sadly we are leaving today. This is our forth day and we have had a wonderful time. We have been very comfortable and the resort is very friendly. In fact, we have been thoroughly spoilt. We have also...

He is a truly excellent guide and worked very hard to make sure I saw a lot of Doi Inthanon's birds.

John Maytham

Thank you very much for organising and guiding my birding trips to Doi Inthanon and Khao Nor Churchi and for arranging the mangrove boating trip with Mr. Diew, I enjoyed them greatly and I saw far more birds than if I had travelled alone...

Nature and Bird Site Exploration Co., Ltd.

Thailand Bird Watching Tour Specialists in Central, Northern and Southern Region of Thailand with extensive experience and local knowledge, speaking English, German and Thai. You can observe some of the world's most rare species of birds, explore the countryside as well as experience the local culture. Fully Outbound License: 11/08251 The Viriyah Insurance Policy No. 05915-16181/POL/000009-557 Tax No. 3030750426

Request a quick quote

• +66855395236
• [email protected]
• Wild Bird Eco
• Our Partners
• Free Limo Transfer
• Birding Tour
• Our Service
• Photography Tour
• Destinations
• Half & Full Day
• Tailor-Made
• Booking Form
• Client Report
• Photo Gallery

Filter and Search

• Keyword [?] -->
• Tags 1/2DAY&1DAY 1/2 & 1 DAY 1/2&1 DAY Kaeng Krachan North East Bangkok Doi Inthanon CHIANG MAI Doi Chiang Dao East Side Bangkok KHAO YAI 1/2 &1 DAY SPOONBILLED SANDPIPER @ KHOK KHAM 1/2 &1 DAY SPOONBILLED SANDPIPER @ Ban Pak Thale 1/2 & 1 DAY EAST SIDE BANGKOK 1/2 DAY & 1 DAY WEST SIDE BANGKOK 1/2 & 1 DAY NORTH EAST SIDE BANGKOK

Must see Countries

• Central of Thailand Tours (5)
• Northern of Thailand Tours (5)
• Southern of Thailand Tours (6)
• Half Day & Full Day Tours (11)
• Multi-Day & Region Tours (0)
• Vietnam (6)
• Myanmar (3)
• Cambodia (2)

1/2 & 1 DAY TOUR BIRDING IN BANGKOK PARKS

What's included.

• Download Itinerary

Bird Highlights

• Coppersmith Barbet
• Yellow-rumped Flycather
• Indian Roller
• Greater Coucal
• Collared Scope Owl
• Blue-tailed Bee-eater
• Black-caped Kingfisher

Birding guide pick you up

 by company vehicle at the Hotel in Bangkok ….....OR

Meet birding guide at

Meet birding guide at the VACHIRABENJATAS PARK (SUAN ROT FAI) gate at meeting point

End of tour at the Queen Sirikit gate, Kamphaeng Phet 4 road

guide will send you at the MRT or BTS station. You can walk to travel at Chatuchak Weekend Market  (open on Wednesday and Thursday, sells only various plants from all over Thailand, Saturday and Sunday, sells many different kinds of goods)For full day tour

Departure to Bangkok

Drop you at the hotel.

Additional Info

• DESTINATIONS: 3 PARKS IN BANGKOK
• HABITAT: Garden, Pond, Open filed.
• STARTS/ ENDS IN: Bangkok
• TRANSPORT: 2 Options 1. Meet a guide at the park 2. Service Vehicle
• DAY: Half Day & Full Day
• EXPECT TO SEE: 40 - 70 species

Similar tours

Write a review.

Make sure you enter all the required information, indicated by an asterisk (*). HTML code is not allowed.

90 Chock Chai 4 Road, Soi 49, Ladprao, Bangkok, Thailand, 10230 Mobile Tel: (+668)1921-0097,(+668)5539-5236 (Mr. Par) E-mail:  [email protected] Web: www.wildbirdeco.net Wild Bird Eco © Copyright 2003 - 2013 All rights reserved. TAT License no. 14/02378 Privacy Policy

• São Tomé and Príncipe
• South Africa
• Contact us: (+44)1768 603 715

Phone Number

Your message (optional)

Central Thailand Birding Tour

This captivating birding tour through Central Thailand, has be designed to see sought-after target species in two of Thailand’s key national parks, Khao Yai and Kaeng Krachan. 

Khao Yai, Thailand’s inaugural national park, boasts excellent facilities and accessibility, along with having exceptional avifauna,  makes it a prime destination for birding and Kaeng Krachan, the country’s largest park, recognised by UNESCO, offers rugged beauty and staggering avifauna and biodiversity.    

Visiting a range of stunning habitats, from the alluvial plain of the Chao Phraya River to limestone mountains, saltpans, and rice fields, this tour allows you to get a huge count, in a relatively short period of time.

Join us on this extraordinary birding tour, highlighting the best of Central Thailand’s birdlife.  

  *This tour can be organised as an extension to our 9 Day Southern Thailand Birding Tour or our 7 Day Northern Thailand Birding Tour.   

Day 1: Bangkok to Khao Yai National Park

We kick off this tour with an early morning pickup from your hotel in Bangkok at 5:30 am and head straight to to Khao Yai National Park with birding along the way.

On arrival, we’ll start to explore this incredible national park, visiting various birding hotspots. We’ll spend the whole afternoon birding along various trails, where we hope to see target species such as the Oriental Pied Hornbill, Great Hornbill, Wreathed Hornbill, Austen’s Brown Hornbill, Red Junglefowl, Green-billed Malkoha, Black-crested Bulbul, Puff-throated Bulbul, Grey-eyed Bulbul, Black-headed Bulbul, Green-eared Barbet, Blue-throated Barbet, Blue-eared Barbet, Coppersmith Barbet, Chestnut-headed Bee-eater, Hair-crested Drongo, Greater Racket-tailed Drongo, Ashy Drongo, Black-winged Cuckoo-shrike, Scarlet Minivet, Ashy Minivet, Red-wattled Lapwing, Ashy Wood-swallow, Indochinese Roller, Crested Serpent Eagle, Golden-fronted Leafbird, Blue-winged Leafbird, White-rumped Shama, Verditer Flycatcher, Taiga Flycatcher, Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher, Sulphur-breasted Warbler, Pin-striped Tit Babbler, Olive-backed Sunbird, Yellow-vented Flowerpecker, Cambodian Flowerpecker, Black-naped Oriole, Greater Flameback, Asian Fairy Bluebird, Paddyfield Pipit, Olive-backed Pipit, Grey Wagtail, Blue Rock Thrush, Brown Shrike, Spotted Dove, Zebra Dove, and many more.

Where you will be staying: Fortune Hotel

Day 2: Khao Yai National Park

In the morning, we’ll head back into Khao Yai, where we’ll be walking up to the top of the park to search for the highly sought-after Silver Pheasant and the Siamese Fireback – Thailand’s national bird.

As we get to the peak, there is a boardwalk which offers an ideal location to see species we may have missed on the previous day. We’ll spend the whole day looking for target species such as the Red-headed Trogon, Orange-breasted Trogon, Banded Kingfisher, Common Green Magpie, Blue-bearded Bee-eater, Long-tailed Broadbill, Silver-breasted Broadbill, Black Eagle, Hill Blue Flycatcher, Mountain Bulbul, Ashy Bulbul, Vernal Hanging-parrot, Red-breasted Parakeet, Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike, Common Iora, Sultan Tit, White-browed Scimitar-babbler, White-crested Laughingthrush, Black-throated Laughingthrush, Heart-spotted Woodpecker, Blue Whistling-thrush, Orange-headed Thrush, Thick-billed Green Pigeon, Mountain Imperial Pigeon, Brown-backed Needletail, to name a few.

Day 3: Limestone Mountain in Saraburi Province / Phetchaburi Province

This morning, we’ll leave our hotel and head for the limestone mountain in Saraburi Province in search of the country’s endemic species, the Rufous Limestone Babbler. Other birds that can be found here include the White-rumped Shama, Coppersmith Barbet, Ashy Drongo, Black Drongo, Taiga Flycatcher, Asian Brown Flycatcher, and more.

Around midday, we’ll embark on a approximately 4-hour drive to Phetchaburi province. Once there, we’ll venture into the rice fields, dedicating 2 hours to this rich habitat. Here, we’ll have the opportunity to spot the critically endangered Yellow-breasted Bunting, along with other notable species such as Baya Weaver, Asian Golden Weaver, Amur Stonechat, Grey Wagtail, Pied Fantail, Greater Coucal, Asian Koel, Oriental Reed Warbler, Freckle-breasted Woodpecker, Asian Pied Starling, Black-collared Starling, White-breasted Kingfisher, Little Green Bee-eater, Zebra Dove, Spotted Dove, Red-turtle Dove, Asian Palm Swift, Germain’s Swiftlet, Black Drongo, Brown Shrike, Plain Prinia, Yellow-bellied Prinia, Streak-eared Bulbul, Scaly-breasted Munia, White-rumped Munia, and Plain-backed Sparrow.

Where you will be staying: Sun Hotel

Day 4: Pak Thale Saltpans

After enjoying breakfast at the hotel, we will set out for the Pak Thale saltpans, renowned as the country’s best and most well-known habitat for shorebirds. This morning holds great potential for observing numerous shorebirds and waterbirds, including the Spoon-billed Sandpiper, Nordmann’s Greenshank, Asian Dowitcher, Eurasian Curlew, Eurasian Whimbrel, Bar-tailed Godwit, Black-tailed Godwit, Great Knot, Red Knot, Curlew Sandpiper, Broad-billed Sandpiper, Terek Sandpiper, Marsh Sandpiper, Greater Sand Plover, Lesser Sand Plover, Red-necked Stint, Common Greenshank, Common Redshank, Spotted Redshank, Black-winged Stilt, Grey Plover, Pacific Golden Plover, Ruddy Turnstone, Brown-headed Gull, Caspian Tern, Whiskered Tern, Common Tern, Little Tern, Little Cormorant, Indian Cormorant, Painted Stork, Grey Heron, Great Egret, Intermediate Egret, Little Egret, and more.  

Following lunch, we’ll embark on a boat journey through mangroves to Laem Phak Bia sand spit, where we’ll seek out special shorebirds, notably the increasingly scarce Malaysian Plover and the recently elevated White-faced Plover. Other species in the mangroves and on the sand split include Collared Kingfisher, Black-capped Kingfisher, Brahminy Kite, Chinese Egret (a rare waterbird), Javan Pond Heron, Striated Heron, Sanderling, and Lesser Crested Tern. Other species we may see include Wood Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Long-toed Stint, Pied Avocet, Asian Openbill, Spotted Dove, Zebra Dove, Red Turtle Dove, Little Green Bee-eater, Blue-tailed Bee-eater, Black Drongo, and Oriental Magpie Robin.  

Where you will be staying: Baan Maka Nature Lodge.  

Day 5: Kaeng Krachan National Park

The following morning, our anticipation drives us to set off early, determined to reach one of Thailand’s premier birding sites. Utilizing our 4×4 vehicle, we’ll navigate to the summit of the park and head to Panoenthung Campground. The star attraction of this region is the Ratchet-tailed Treepie, an exclusive local endemic found solely on this peak, making it an unparalleled sighting unavailable elsewhere in Thailand.  

In addition to the Ratchet-tailed Treepie, this area offers a diverse array of bird species, including the impressive Great Hornbill, Collared Babbler, White-browed Scimitar-babbler, Great Barbet, Blue-throated Barbet, Greater Green Leafbird, Banded Kingfisher, Lesser Racket-tailed Drongo, Hair-crested Drongo, Grey Treepie, Red-headed Trogon, Flavescent Bulbul, Black-crested Bulbul, Mountain Bulbul, White-browed Shrike-babbler, Verditer Flycatcher, Dark-sided Flycatcher, Rufous-browed Flycatcher, Black-winged Cuckoo-shrike, Long-tailed Broadbill, Orange-bellied Flowerpecker, Streaked Spiderhunter, Rufous-fronted Babbler, Yellow-bellied Babbler, White-rumped Shama, and many more.  

Day 6: Kaeng Krachan National Park (Lowland Section & Bird Hide)

Following a light breakfast at the lodge, we will return to the park, dedicating today to the lowland section. Birding along the roadside and forest edge, it will allow us to see targets such as Oriental Pied Hornbill, Great Hornbill, Tickell’s Brown Hornbill, Crested Serpent Eagle, Black-thighed Falconet, Greater Flameback, Greater Yellownape, Great Slaty Woodpecker, Greater Racket-tailed Drongo, Bronzed Drongo, Ashy Drongo, Asian Barred Owlet, Dollarbird, Indochinese Roller, Sultan Tit, Black-and-Red Broadbill, Black-and-Yellow Broadbill, Banded Broadbill, Silver-breasted Broadbill, Orange-headed Trogon, Golden-crested Myna, Hill Myna, Black-crested Bulbul, Black-headed Bulbul, Stripe-throated Bulbul, Ochraceous Bulbul, Vernal Hanging-parrot, Blue-winged Leafbird, Great Iora, Blue-eared Barbet, Green-eared Barbet, Coppersmith Barbet, Blue-bearded Bee-eater, Chestnut-headed Bee-eater, Asian Fairy Bluebird, Common Flameback, Crimson Sunbird, Ruby-cheeked Sunbird, and many more.  

After a satisfying lunch, we’ll spent the afternoon in a fantastic bird hide found just outside the park. The hide will allow us to see sought-after but otherwise trickier to spot species such as the Green-legged Partridge, Bar-backed Partridge, Ferruginous Partridge, Grey Peacock-pheasant, Blue Pitta, White-crested Laughingthrush, Lesser Necklaced Laughingthrush, Greater Necklaced Laughingthrush, Emerald Dove, Racket-tailed Treepie, Siberian Blue Robin, Puff-throated Babbler, Brown-cheeked Fulvetta, Black-naped Monarch, Hill Blue Flycatcher, Indochinese Blue Flycatcher, Black-crested Bulbul, Black-headed Bulbul, Stripe-throated Bulbul, and many more.    

Day 7: Kaeng Krachan National Park & Departure

On the final morning of the tour, we will revisit the lower section of the park to seek out any other species that eluded us on the previo us day . Then, a fter a rewarding birding session, we’ll head back to the lodge for lunch before driving back to Bangkok, where we’ll say our goodbyes, whilst going over our extensive checklist!  

Tour pace: Medium

Tour difficulty: Easy to moderate – undemanding walking on the forest trails . Most species provide good visuals in open conditions.  

Cost: Above price based on a group of 6. Please enquire if you’d like us to make this into a tailor-made tour.

Best time of year to visit: The best time for a birding tour in Central Thailand, particularly in Saraburi and Phetchaburi provinces, is during the cool and dry season, which typically occurs from November to February. This period is ideal as it coincides with the migratory season for many bird species. During these months, you can expect comfortable temperatures, reduced rainfall, and increased bird activity, making it easier to spot and see various species.  

Sustainability: At Sustainable Birding, our goal is to ensure that every birding holiday we create contributes positively to bird conservation efforts and local communities. Our determination to promote sustainable travel led us to become founding members of Tourism Declares Climate Emergency. As part of this commitment, we have established the world’s pioneering carbon scoring and offsetting framework for tailor-made holidays. Feel free to request us to carbon score your individual trip!  

Tour Leader: Hailing from Krabi Province, Tony’s early encounters with local birds and their songs were rooted in childhood explorations of nearby forests, armed with a slingshot. Schooling instilled in him the significance of conserving local flora and fauna, shaping his determination to become a guide.

The subsequent decade saw Tony honing his skills as a guide for English and German-speaking visitors, particularly those seeking canoeing holidays in Thailand. Despite skepticism from friends who viewed his intense dedication to familiarising himself with rare bird species and their intricate details—Latin and English names included—as eccentric, Tony persevered. By 1999, his commitment paid off, enabling him to establish his own business and acquire a nationally recognised guide license.

Leveraging well-established contacts, Tony is adept at facilitating bird-watching trips across Thailand, showcasing his specialised knowledge of not only the southern region, but the entire country. From coordinating essential transportation, including kayaks, to arranging accommodations, Tony ensures a seamless and immersive birding experience.

Tony’s devotion to bird watching and bird photography is unwavering. His comprehensive knowledge extends beyond bird names to encompass their calls, songs, habitats, characteristics, and behavioural patterns. Tony’s unique journey from childhood bird enthusiast to a seasoned guide reflects his deep connection to Thailand’s avian wonders and his commitment to sharing this passion with enthusiasts from around the world.

A Few Highlighted Bird Species

• Oriental Pied Hornbill  
• Great Hornbill  
• Wreathed Hornbill  
• Tickell’s Brown Hornbill  
• Austen’s Brown Hornbill  
• Siamese Fireback  
• Silver Pheasant  
• Rufous Limestone Babbler  
• Red-headed Trogon  
• Orange-headed Trogon  
• Banded Kingfisher  
• Long-tailed Broadbill  
• Silver-breasted Broadbill  
• Black-and-Red Broadbill  
• Black-and-Yellow Broadbill  
• Banded Broadbill  
• Dusky Broadbill  
• Greater Flameback  
• Greater Yellownape  
• Great Slaty Woodpecker  
• Greater Racket-tailed Drongo  
• Crimson Sunbird  
• Kalij Pheasant  
• Grey Peacock-pheasant  
• Collared Babbler  
• White-browed Scimitar-babbler  
• Green-legged Partridge  
• Bar-backed Partridge  
• Ferruginous Partridge  
• Blue Pitta  
• Ratchet-tailed Treepie  
• Great Necklaced Laughingthrush  
• Lesser Necklaced Laughingthrush  
• White-crowned Laughingthrush  
• Asian Barred Owlet  
• Spoon-billed Sandpiper  
• Nordmann’s Greenshank  
• Asian Dowitcher  
• Malaysian Plover  
• White-faced Plover  
• Chinese Egret  
• Yellow-breasted Bunting
• Departure Bangkok
• Included Professional English-speaking bird guide/driver 4WD Park entrance fees All accommodation mentioned in the itinerary Full-board basis (breakfast, lunch & dinner). Bottled drinking water, fruits, and soft drinks Refreshments
• Not Included International flights Optional activities unless specified as included Excessive baggage charges Soft drinks & alcoholic beverages Visas

The Sustainable Birding Company is a subsidiary of Far and Wild Travel, a tailor-made tour company based in Cumbria, UK. Far and Wild Travel offer sustainable, luxury, tailor-made tour itineraries throughout Africa and around the world.

[email protected]

UK: +44 1768 603 715

Thailand - Highlights 2024 - ()

Thailand - highlights.

• Dates, Leaders and Pricing
• Trip Reports
• Tour Enquiry

Our Thailand Highlights tour is designed around the very best birding sites in Northern and Central Thailand, offering a superb selection of spectacular and sought-after Southeast Asian specials, along with a huge array of migrants from the north, which spend the frigid winters in these warmer climates. Time will be spent exploring the wetlands near Bangkok where we stand excellent chances of finding the critically endangered Spoon-billed Sandpiper, Nordmann’s Greenshank and Chinese Egret. Major reserves visited include Kaeng Krachan, Khao Yai and Doi Lang where targets include the stunning Green Peafowl, Siamese Fireback, Silver Pheasant, gorgeous Silver-breasted Broadbill, Coral-billed Ground Cuckoo, Blue Pitta, White-rumped Falcon, Ratchet-tailed Treepie, Green Cochoa – and much more! In addition, culturally Thailand has few equals, and you will have opportunities to visit some of the many spectacular pagodas and shrines that adorn this friendly, varied and spectacular land.

This is a short yet comprehensive alternative to our longer Northern & Central: Asian Birding at its Best tour ,  and is suitable for both birders and non-birding spouses alike.

Spoon-billed Sandpiper; Green Peafowl; Silver Pheasant; Siamese Fireback; Great & Tickell’s Brown Hornbills; Banded Kingfisher; Silver-breasted & Dusky Broadbills; Coral-billed Ground Cuckoo; Blue & Eared Pittas; Great Slaty Woodpecker; Ratchet-tailed Treepie; Grey Peacock-Pheasant; Green Cochoa; Nordmann’s Greenshank; Asian Dowitcher; Chinese Egret; Malaysian Plover; Black-backed Forktail; Slaty-bellied Tesia; Red-bearded Bee-eater; Asian Stubtail; Dark-sided Thrush.

Top Mammals

Lar & Pileated Gibbons; Giant Squirrel; Asian Elephant; Yellow-throated Marten; Northern Red Muntjac; Northern Pig-tailed Macaque; Dusky Langur.

Habitats Covered

lowland and montane rainforests, mangroves, wetlands, coastal mudflats

Expected Climate

cool but generally comfortable in the higher areas, warmer and more humid lower down. Rain and mist is possible

Max Group Size

10 with 1 Rockjumper leader & local birding leader

Tour Pace & Walking

moderate pace, undemanding walking on forest trails and along forest roads, mostly in national parks

Accommodation

comfortable hotels and resorts

Ease of Birding

moderate with a few challenging rainforest species

Number of Species Expected

Other attractions.

pagodas and temples, great food, rainforests, friendly people

Photographic Opportunities

What our clients say about us.

CB, Thailand 2018

As for the Tour itself, it was excellent – Andre Bernon is a super leader, not just an excellent birder but very good with all the trip details, dealing with problems, staff etc. nothing was too much trouble. He is a thoroughly good bloke into the bargain. A great asset.

SS, Thailand 2020

Andre was great as a guide and trip leader. He did an excellent job of spotting birds and getting us on them quickly, kept us informed on logistics and made the trip so much fun with his humor. I definitely want to travel with him again.

BD, Thailand 2020

My Rockjumper guide, Andre Bernon, is the best guide I have birded with. I continue to be amazed at his impressive birding skills and he will do whatever it takes to make sure that his guests see the birds. I saw so many awesome birds on this tour because Andre would sometimes physically place me in the right spot so I could see the bird. How many guides have that much dedication to their guests? His excellent guiding skills ensured that all logistics of the birding tour went smoothly. Andre can read his guests and he knows when breaks are needed to avoid fatigue and frustration. His time management skills enabled his guests to arrive at their accommodations on time so that they could enjoy the check list, dinner and relaxation each evening. And Andre's wit and sense of humor made this a very fun birding tour.

SK, Thailand 2019

I had a wonderful trip to Thailand with Forrest as our leader. Every aspect of the Rockjumper trip surpassed expectations. From the pre trip support, wonderful fellow trip participants, amazingly delicious food, our helpful and kind Thai drivers, and of course Forrest, who has to be the best guide out there. His energy, enthusiasm and knowledge, along with a patient and friendly demeanor makes him a joy to be with. Kudos to the Rockjumper organization and I look forward to taking part in a future tour.

EA - Thailand 2024

This was my first ever birding tour, so my expectations were not based on any previous experience. I found the birding aspect to be stellar, with many new species added to my life list. The tour leader and the tour guide were both superb. Transportation was very comfortable in vans with captain's chairs.

Thailand - Highlights (Relaxed) 2025

19 Mar 2025 - 01 Apr 2025 (14 days)

THB181,500 - Spaces Available

Tour Leader: Lev Frid

Tour price (Per person): THB181,500 * USD4,938 * GBP3,943 * EUR4,580 * AUD7,459

Single Supplement: THB19,900 * USD541 * GBP432 * EUR502 * AUD818

Flight costs: THB6,160 * USD168 * GBP134 * EUR155 * AUD253

Can be linked with:

Thailand - Asian Birding at its Best (Small Group) 2024 - March 2024

Thailand - Southern Extension I 2024 - March 2024

Thailand - Asian Birding at its Best I 2024 - February 2024

Thailand - Highlights 2024 - February 2024

Thailand - Southern Extension II 2023 - December 2023

Thailand - Asian Birding at its Best II 2023 - November 2023

Thailand - Southern Extension: Rainforest Birding II 2022 - December 2022

Thailand - Northern & Central: Asian Birding at its Best II 2022 - November 2022

Thailand - Blisard 2022 - April 2022

Thailand - Northern & Central: Asian Birding at its Best I 2020 - February 2020

Thailand - Northern & Central: Asian Birding at its Best II 2019 - November 2019

Thailand - Highlights 2019 - November 2019

Thailand - Northern & Central: Asian Birding at its Best I 2019 - February 2019

Thailand - Highlights 2018 - November 2018

Thailand - Northern & Central: Asian Birding at its Best I 2018 - February 2018

Thailand - Highlights 2017 - December 2017

Thailand - Northern & Central: Asian Birding at its Best II 2017 - November 2017

Thailand - Bonace Northern & Central 2017 - March 2017

Thailand - Northern & Central: Asian Birding at its Best I 2017 - February 2017

Thailand - Highlights 2016 - December 2016

Your details

• Title Mr. Mrs. Ms. Dr. Prof. Sir.
• Name * First Last
• Your country Your country Afghanistan Albania Algeria American Samoa Andorra Angola Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bermuda Bhutan Bolivia Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Brazil Brunei Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Canada Cape Verde Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad Chile China Colombia Comoros Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Costa Rica Côte d'Ivoire Croatia Cuba Curaçao Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic East Timor Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Faroe Islands Fiji Finland France French Polynesia Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Greece Greenland Grenada Guam Guatemala Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana Haiti Honduras Hong Kong Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Israel Italy Jamaica Japan Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati North Korea South Korea Kosovo Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Laos Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macedonia Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Marshall Islands Mauritania Mauritius Mexico Micronesia Moldova Monaco Mongolia Montenegro Morocco Mozambique Myanmar Namibia Nauru Nepal Netherlands New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria Northern Mariana Islands Norway Oman Pakistan Palau Palestine, State of Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Romania Russia Rwanda Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Samoa San Marino Sao Tome and Principe Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Sint Maarten Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia South Africa Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Sudan, South Suriname Swaziland Sweden Switzerland Syria Taiwan Tajikistan Tanzania Thailand Togo Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan Tuvalu Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States Uruguay Uzbekistan Vanuatu Vatican City Venezuela Vietnam Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, U.S. Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe
• Hidden Tour of Interest
• Tour of Interest Select Tour of Interest Thailand - Highlights (Relaxed) 2025
• Your Enquiry *

Contact permission

We would love to send you Newsletters (twice yearly).via Type a message, Promotions/Discounts (weekly), Blog Articles/Image of the Month (monthly) and other content that we think you would find interesting. If you are happy with this then please select your preferences below. If you would like to unsubscribe from previous subscriptions, or leave our mailing list entirely, then please do so by visiting the Preference Centre link at the bottom of these emails.

• Yes, I would like to receive this content of interest and to better filter the content sent to me, I am a :
• Hardcore (target focussed with a strong desire to see as many species as possible on each trip)
• Middle of the road (target focussed but more relaxed by nature and do not expect to see everything)
• Relaxed (enjoy birds but am happy seeing whatever we see)
• Photographer
• No thanks, I don't want to hear about any of these offers or content
• Comments This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Tour Route Map

Get Special Offers From Rockjumper Birding

Sign up now and get the best deals straight in your inbox!

• Email This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Modal title

Enquire about booking a tour.

• Tell us about your dream tour
• How many people do you expect to be on the tour? (optional)
• What are the date ranges you are looking at for this tour? (optional)
• How many days would you like the tour for? (optional)
• What is your price range for the tour? (optional)
• Phone This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Enquire about booking a tour 5

Your passport.

Add Attachment

Arrival Tour Information

Departure tour information.

Suan Rot Fai , in Bangkok, used to be a golf course until about the year 2000 and this former land use is apparent when taking a walk around the park with obvious fairways and, in some cases, greens and bunkers surviving. This welcome green space, in what is a very crowded city, is very well-used by local people and when walking around some parts of it at the right time of day it is possible to have the impression of being somewhere far more suburban if not rural. Of course, birds make use of this valuable oasis of habitat too with quite a good number and variety able to be seen in a 2-3 hour morning visit at any time of the year. For birders trapped in Bangkok, or with only a morning or late afternoon to spare, Suan Rot Fai offers the chance to see around 40 species, just a short taxi ride from the city centre, and at the same time providing an opportunity to escape the smog, traffic and noise that can prove very stressful throughout the city. At certain times of the year the park offers birders a very good chance of finding a rarity or two as many passage migrants stop here to feed and rest as they head to their wintering/breeding grounds. Due to the ease of access from most of central Bangkok, this park is the best prospect for those birders with just a short amount of time to go birding and during migratory periods it is an excellent place to see a good variety of passage migrants.

Suan Rot Fai is probably the best place to see birds in the centre of Bangkok due to its size and ease of access. Many of the birds that are resident in the city can be found in a single morning here; Coppersmith Barbet, Indochinese Roller, Pied Fantail, Olive-backed Sunbird, Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker and Oriental Magpie Robin are all abundant. Finding migrants is one of the most exciting aspects of visiting Bangkok's parks for birding and any visit during the dry season is likely to turn up Asian Brown Flycatcher, Yellow-browed Warbler, Taiga Flycatcher, Brown Shrike, Black-naped Oriole, Ashy Drongo and Common Kingfisher.

However, this is also an excellent place for finding much rarer migrants, particularly in September/October and March/April when species such as Yellow-rumped Flycatcher, Forest Wagtail, Siberian Blue Robin, Blyth's & Amur Paradise Flycatchers and many others are frequently found as they pass through. Rarer migrants which have been found here include Ruddy Kingfisher, Siberian Thrush, Blue-winged Pitta and Thailand's first record of Hartert's Leaf Warbler. On a good morning here during autumn or spring migration the birding can be very interesting indeed. There is a high probability of seeing escaped cage birds here, from Chatuchak market, as it is a stone's throw away, meaning that any birds escaping from captivity on market days will almost inevitably find their way to Suan Rot Fai. I have seen Straw-headed Bulbul in the park and other birds of dubious origin have been seen here, and no doubt will continue to be seen; there seems to be a feral population of Red-whiskered Bulbul, White-crested Laughingthrush and White-rumped Shama here. A checklist of the birds for this location can be found here - Suan Rot Fai

Use the interactive map below to plan your journey to Suan Rot Fai (Red Pin). Drive and park at the car park (Blue Pin) or get off at the underground station (Green Pin) or Skytrain station (Yellow Pin) and walk. Take a taxi to Kampaeng Phet Road 3 and enter the park here.

By Car/Motorcycle Should you wish to drive your own vehicle to the park there is a car park on the north side of the park as well as a large multi-storey car park in Cnetral Plaza, Lad Prao, just across the road. If you are on Bangkok's streets very early, before 6am, traffic will be fairly light but this area experiences extremely high volumes of traffic after that. Usually Bangkok's notorious traffic is not too bad between 10am and 2pm so if you are driving I would recommend doing so in these hours. Motorbikes have the advantage of being able to weave in and out of the traffic but the disadvantage of being extremely high risk. By Bus This area is served by very many city buses, around thrity different routes pass here; it is best to use this website for planning bus journeys on Bangkok - Transit Bangkok . Using buses is very cheap but unless it is one of the air conditioned buses it will be a very hot and dusty journey. By Taxi/Motorcycle Taxi/Tuk Tuk One of the most convenient ways for visitors to get to Suan Rot Fai is by taxi; most taxi drivers know the park but if there is any communication trouble show them the park's name in Thai script: Suan Rot Fai Thai Script . The most convenient place for most taxi journeys to end is on Kampaeng Phet III Road from where there are a couple of obvious entrances to the park but your taxi driver may well drop you off at another spot, it does not really matter. Tuk-tuks are a rather manic form of transport and not usually an economic choice so unless you are staying close by I would not recommend using these as the near-death incidents and pollution should put off all but the most masochistic traveler and taking a motorcycle taxi along the busy roads that lead to Suan Rot Fai is an option only for those that do not care whether they live or die! By Train By far the most comfortable and cool alternative is to arrive/leave by train. There are many skytrain stations in the city centre and the line terminates near Suan Rot Fai at Morchit station on Phayon Yothin Road. The station is right in front of Chatuchak market and it is only a short walk through the small Chatuchak park to the much larger Suan Rot Fai after crossing Kampaeng Phet III Road. The underground also stops at almost exactly the same spot as the skytrain - the two stations are just 100 metres or so away from each other. The underground is known as the MRT and the station to get off at is Chatuchak. By Boat Although the river bus is a cheap and interesting way to access much of Bangkok, Suan Rot Fai is not close enough to the river to make it a worthwhile option.

Finding the commoner birds in Suan Rot Fai is not very difficult, with most of them being fairly abundant and easily encountered, particularly in the early hours of the morning before it gets hot. Finding wintering and passage migrants usually requires more patience and poking around in the more unkempt corners of the park.

Lotus Lake : This lotus covered lake is quite obviously a good place to see a few waterbirds, even to the uninitiated it provides by far the most attractive habitat for this type of bird in Suan Rot Fai. Both Javan and Chinese Pond Herons frequent this lake, although you will have to wait until March-May to tell them apart, and there is likely to be a Striated Heron or two skulking around here too. Asian Openbill is becoming a fairly common sight in all parts of the city and this is where you are most likely to see one hunting for food. Little Egret is likely to be seen here too and perhaps Common Kingfisher can be spotted in the "winter" months perched on one of the overhanging trees. Less common waterbirds are sometimes sighted at Suan Rot Fai and this is a good place to perhaps find a Yellow Bittern. Others have found Cinnamon Bittern and once even a Watercock during a period of severe flooding. In the trees around the lake one is likely to find a number of the commoner species such as Plaintive Cuckoo, Pied Fantail, House Sparrow, Eastern Jungle Crow and Scaly-breasted Munia.

Ornamental Gardens : These gardens are the most cared for section with flower displays and regularly maintained gardens. This area is also actually known as Queen Sirikit Park but I include it on this page as it is connected to Suan Rot Fai. Common species such as Streak-eared Bulbul, Asian Koel, House Sparrow, Common Iora, Common Tailorbird and Oriental Magpie Robin will always be seen in this area but for those with time there are some dense areas of vegetation where a few migrants such as Thick-billed Warbler could be skulking and Collared Scops Owl has been found in here too; finding passage migrants takes some effort and this area should not be ignored. Being the part of the site closest to Chatuchak Market this is where escaped species are probably most likely to be encountered; I have seen an escaped Straw-headed Bulbul here. Nurseries : This area of the park is dominated by the plant-growing section of the site. At first glance it does not appear to be a good place for birding but around the edges and behind some of the buildings are piles of dead and rotting vegetation that may attract insectivorous birds. Tall trees can attract leaf warblers, drongos and Black-naped Oriole and particularly when trees here are flowering something interesting could turn up; at all times Olive-backed and Brown-throated Sunbirds are likely to be in residence as well as Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker. Suan Rot Fai is one of those locations which rewards those birders who visit on a regular basis, particularly when the weather conditions are right during migration in autumn and spring. At these times it is worth birding in the park on a daily basis to see which species have recently arrived and perhaps a rarity can be found.

There are a large number of facilities in and around this park situated, as it is, within the capital city. In terms of accommodation there is a vast choice of hotels, indeed Bangkok offers top rate hotels at some of the lowest prices in the world as well as a full range of other hotel types; the Centara Grand at Central Plaza Lad Prao is the nearest accommodation if you should wish to stay close by..

Close to the park is Chatuchak market where virtually anything can be purchased and numerous foodstalls sell cheap and tasty food. Across the road from the park is a large shopping mall, Central Plaza Lad Prao, with a full range of shops and many places to eat. This mall is air conditioned so it is a good place to cool off after a hot morning in the park. Throughout the park are a few food/drinks kiosks for those that haven't taken anything with them and at the car park/main entrance there are several small shops. My advice would be to take water and a snack and then take lunch somewhere else in Bangkok, although if food becomes an immediate necessity then simple foodstalls will be found virtually anywhere just a short walk from any of the entrances. If you need cash there are ATM machines in the skytrain station nearby as well as a few money exchange booths. There are also a number of small shops in the skytrain station that sell cold drinks and bakery products. For those with a non-birding partner or a family this is a good place to simply take a walk or play and there are boats on the lake and bicycles for hire as well as a children's playground. This location is not a National Park and you will not be charged to go birding here.

Suan Rot Fai Bird Checklist Blue-winged Pitta in a Bangkok Park photo gallery Birdwatching Day Trips from Bangkok Other Central Thailand Birding Locations The Birds of the Bangkok Area Birding in (near) Bangkok

• Queen Sirikit Park Autumn Birding - posted 23/10/22
• Little Egret Foot-Stirring Feeding Behaviour - posted 06/05/20
• A Morning at Suan Rot Fai - posted on 12/02/15
• Migrants in Bangkok's Parks - posted on 08/04/14
• Yellow-vented Bulbul - posted 14/09/08
• Olive-backed Sunbird - posted 14/06/08

Around Suan Rot Fai

• 14 January 2022, HM Queen Sirikit Park - by Nick Upton
• 17 December 2021, Rot Fai Park - by Nick Upton
• 17 December 2021, HM Queen Sirikit Park - by Nick Upton
• 23 June 2020, Rot Fai Park - by Nick Upton
• 28 March 2020, Rot Fai Park - by Krit Adirek
• 01 February 2020, Rot Fai Park - by Nick Upton
• 14 March 2019, Rot Fai Park - by Sakkarin Sansuk
• 05 April 2019, Rot Fai Park - by David Gandy
• 12 December 2018, Rot Fai Park - by David Gandy
• 18 July 2018, Rot Fai Park - by David Gandy
• 08 May 2018, Rot Fai Park - by Jack Noordhuizen
• 19 March 2018, Rot Fai Park - by David Clark
• 02 September 2018, Rot Fai Park - by Ko Cheng
• 02 January 2017, Rot Fai Park - by Sakkarin Sansuk
• 03 September 2016, Rot Fai Park - by Thikumporn Tantivimongkol
• 21 April 2016, Rot Fai Park - by Ben Weil
• 10 February 2015, Rot Fai Park - by Nick Upton
• 19 September 2015, Rot Fai Park - by David Gandy
• 28 November 2004, Rot Fai Park - by David Lewis
• 13 March 2002, Rot Fai Park - by Nick Upton

Print on demand T-shirts with original designs featuring the Birds of Thailand available now - Thaibirding T-Shirt Store

Thai Birding

Birdtours 2 A sia

Expert guided birding tours

Cost 134500 THB (approx 3940 USD)

Bangkok - Bangkok

single room supplement 12500 THB

The cost includes all accommodation internal flight all ground transport 2 boat trips all meals and snacks guiding fees entrance fees The cost excludes international flights insurance

e-mail for bookings [email protected]

We power your vacation

Thailand Central plains and National Parks + the mountains of the north.

Kaeng Krachan, Laem Pak Bia - Pak Thale, Beung Boraphet, Mae Wong, Mae Ping, Doi Inthanon, Doi Ang Khan, Chiang Dao, Doi Lang...

January 2023 tour report Group size ; max. 6

January 2024 ; Tour is full

February 2024 ; Custom tour, full.

12 - 25 January 2025 ; places available Interested? Welcome to email [email protected]

   Bangkok has long proved a great base for us doing tours in Asia. This city also is 'the' gateway for birding trips in central Thailand and with Bangkok we have some of Thailand's premier birding sites and national parks within a couple hours drive. For us this feels like home and so we would like to share our experience and offer guests on this tour an unforgettable Asian birding adventure! Central Thailand with its exceptionally diverse range of habitats is an ideal introduction to the biological riches of Southeast Asia. Mudflats and saltpans abound with shorebirds (Spoony!), both coastal and inland marshes are teeming with waterbirds and the rainforest and montane evergreen forests of Kaeng Krachan and Mae Wong offer a dazzling array of distinctly tropical specialities.

   We dedicate the second half of our tour to northern Thailand. Numerous mixed flocks and countless specialities are a feature in the mountains. High diversity in the north and a whole new and different set of birds are our secret to a huge bird list without making this a long tour. Expect close to if not over 400 species and we don't have to make it a rush for this. Thailand's high diversity and our knowledge should make this quite an easy journey. We just hope you may get a feel of our enthusiasm and passion for the country. No wonder we will enjoy sharing our experience of a place that we are so privileged to live in, we may call Thailand home indeed.

Day 0 Pre-tour; International arrivals in Bangkok, pick-up by hotel shuttle, night in Bangkok.

Day 1 We make this an early start and head straight for the wader areas of Pak Thale and Laem Pak Bia ; Spoon-billed Sandpiper, Nordmann's Greenshank, boat trip for White-faced Plover... we have been visiting this area for many years on countless occasions and we may note that it's never failed to deliver a great start to a tour! Night in a nice beach resort near Hat Chao Samran!

Day 2 Laem Pak Bia has a lot more on offer besides the waders and a day list close to a 100 species is well possible especially if the excellent marshes and nearby agricultural area is also visited. We'll do just that today but of course this extra day in the area would serve as a safe back-up just in case any of the important waders eluded us the previous day even though we don't expect much of a problem in this quest if the tides are favourable during our visit. In the afternoon we first drive to our nature resort near Kaeng Krachan National Park. The lodge has no less than 5 hectares of gardens, forest and farmland filled with birds… 229 species are on the check list here. The garden definitely is worth a look before we set out to a hide by the edge of the National Park. Overlooking a waterhole here should provide plenty excitement with many birds to be enjoyed and photographed from close range.

Day 3 A full day in one of the most bird-rich forests of Thailand, Kaeng Krachan NP. We will focus on the lower reaches around Ban Krang camp. The lush evergreen forests provide ideal habitat for many bird and mammal species. We may expect a long list of quality birds; Hornbills, Trogons, Kingfishers, Barbets, Woodpeckers, Broadbills, Falconet, Malkoha…

Day 4 We have another full morning in Kaeng Krachan either inside the NP or for doing another hide. If Blue Pittta is on show the choice will be easy! Later we use the hot afternoon hours for the drive to Nakhon Sawan for the night.

Day 5 Another special day awaits with some very pleasant and easy birding as we go on a boat trip on Bung Bhoraphet, Thailands largest wetland. We’ll be too late for White-eyed River Martins but plenty Reed Warblers, Ducks, Terns, Cormorants, Jacanas, Pratincole… will keep us busy enough. In the afternoon we do some birding stops en-route to Khlong Lan, our base for Mae Wong National Park.

Day 6 Mae Wong NP. A scenic road leads up into the mountains and ends at the ranger station and campground. This will be a first introduction to some birds of the north in addition to some western specialties not found in other locations in Thailand. Rufous-necked Hornbill, Burmese Yuhina and Coral-billed Scimitar-Babbler are most sought after but will require some luck to connect. Grey Peacock Pheasant is quite common in the area and sure we will be kept busy with some good mixed species flocks. Mae Wong is a very birdy location in general and we’ll do a good list of birds today. Birding will be pleasant again with easy walking along the road (no traffic) and we may expect nice cool temperatures as we’re up at about 1500masl.

Day 7 Mae Ping NP lies about halfway between Mae Wong and Doi Inthanon NP but it’s more than just a stop-over on our journey to the north. We’ll experience some very different habitat here. The forest is very dry and open with nice broad-leafed dipterocarps providing the perfect habitat for Woodpeckers and Parakeets. Black-headed Woodpecker moves in groups of up to 15 and White-bellied WP is possible along both Flamebacks and Greater Yellownape. Grey-headed and Blossom-headed Parakeets are specialties we may not see anywhere else. Expect again pleasant easy walks.

Day 8 Dawn will see us at Doi Inthanon National Park gate where we start looking for the many specialties and other goodies at the various birding sites on the mountain. Especially the tracks at km 37 and 34 will get our attention today. Just a few of the birds we'll be looking for; Black-headed Woodpecker, Collared Falconet, Green Cochoa, Dark-sided Thrush, Slaty-bellied Tesia, Ashy Woodpigeon, Lesser Shortwing, Eye-browed Wren Babbler, Yellow-bellied Flowerpecker, Spectacled Barwing, Long-tailed Broadbill and White-necked Laughingthrush...

Day 9 Another full day on Doi Inthanon where we will make a quest to reach the summit boardwalk before the crowds do so. Specialities to look for at these heights include Pygmy Wren Babbler (Cupwing), White-browed Shortwing, Snowy-browed Flycatcher, Rufous-throated Partridge and Chestnut Thrush. With the first rays of sunlight catching the moss covered trees and rhododendrons, the flocks with Sunbirds, Bar-throated Minla etc. become active and add plenty colour to our visit. Temperature will be just above freezing and that's why the kiosk selling hot chocolate, tea or coffee is so popular while watching the Green-tailed Sunbirds flit around in the nearby flowers. Later on we'll visit a couple waterfalls where birds as White-capped Water Redstart and Slaty-backed Forktail might be expected. We spend another night just down the mountain near the park entrance gates.

Day 10 -Sunday- On our last full morning on Doi Inthanon we will have the freedom to choose and revisit any areas we may have found productive or we could target any bird species special on the mountain and still high on the wish lists. In the afternoon we drive to Fang, a town about 3 hours north of Chiang Mai and a good base for our visits to the excellent birding areas on Doi Lang and Doi Ang Khan. A couple birding stops in interesting habitat like forest edge, rice paddy, dry fields or open county with scattered trees may well add some good lowland birds; Red Avadavat, Citrine Wagtail, Rufous-winged Buzzard, Black-collared Starling, Grey-headed Lapwing, Wire-tailed Swallow, Red-billed Blue Magpie, Painted Snipe, Indochinese Bushlark...

Day 11 + 12 -Monday & Tuesday- Doi Lang may need little introduction amongst birders. In a remote but easy accessible location close to the Burma border a variety of habitats are found on this mountain. Doi Lang ranks as a top Thai birding destination not for nothing; high diversity of species, plenty specialities, high bird activity which usually lasts throughout the day and excellent photo opportunities all on top of  easy roadside birding with superb mountain scenery, no traffic, few people and certainly no tourists other than birders, pleasant temperatures and few or no biting insects. Hume's Peasant, Giant Nuthatch, Crimson-breasted and Stripe-breasted Woodpecker, Cutia, Grey-headed Parrotbill, Large Niltava, White-gorgeted Flycatcher, Rusty-cheeked Scimitar Babbler, Siberian Rubythroat, Slaty-blue Flycatcher, Sapphire Flycatcher, Ultramarine Flycatcher, Olive-backed Pipit, Chestnut-vented Nuthatch, Hill Prinia, Long-tailed Broadbill, Bay Woodpecker, Maroon Oriole, Speckled Piculet, Gould's Sunbird and Brown-breasted Bulbul along with a host of more common birds...just a little list we managed on a single morning on one of our previous tours!

Day 13 -Wednesday- A full day up famous Doi Ang Khan won't easily disappoint and is bound to produce a set of new birds even by the end of the tour. The mountains here support more grassy and scrubby habitats which along with the Royal Project gardens provide some different habitats with a few specialities that may be absent or scarce on DI or Doi Lang. Some goodies we'll target this morning are Black-breasted Thrush, Crested Finchbill, White-browed Laughingthrush, Silver-eared Mesia, Spot-breasted Parrotbill, White-browed Scimitar Babbler and Chestnut-bellied Rock Thrush.

Day 14 -Thursday- On the last morning we leave for Chiang Dao, where we have plenty time to explore the grounds of the nearby temple. That this is an excellent birdwatching site with Streaked Wren Babbler, Violet Cuckoo, Blue-bearded Bee-eater and others to look for got well proved on our visit in November 2009 when we recorded no less than 52 bird species in just 2 hours from the lookout. You may read the article here . After lunch we continue towards Chiang Mai with birding stops at Mae Teang Irrigation project, Huay Tung Tao and/or Mae Hia before we get to the airport for our flights back to Bangkok which will mark the end of our tour.

Tour code; Nice rooms in good standard hotels with private facilities -- mostly easy walks at the usual slow pace good for birding -- photographic opportunities are good to excellent -- weather in central Thailand usually hot and dry in the lowlands while the north usually has pleasant temperatures throughout although mornings could start rather chilly in the mountains -- any rain would be a little unusual at this time of the year -- we’ll have air-conditioned transport throughout on very good roads -- early starts are best for bird watching -- Thai food needs no introduction and will be excellent throughout.

Birding Tour Thailand: Central Thailand – Shorebird Spectacle and Jungle Birding

Go to: Thailand Birding Tours | Birding Tours in Asia | All our birding tours

Dates and Costs

27 January – 05 February 2025

Price: US$5,794  / £4,873 / €5,668 per person sharing – based on 4-8 people

Single Supplement: US$762 / £641 / €746

* Please note that currency conversion is calculated in real-time, therefore is subject to slight change. Please refer back to the  base  price when finalising payments.

26 January – 04 February 2026

Price: US$6,373  / £5,360 / €6,234 per person sharing – based on 4-8 people

Single Supplement: US$838 / £705 / €820

Recommended Field Guide

(Please also read our blogs about recommended field   guides for the seven continents here )

Tour Details

Duration : 10 days Group Size : 4 – 8 Tour Start : Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok Tour End : Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok

Price includes:

Meals (from evening meal on Day 1 until lunch on Day 10) Bottled water (please bring a refillable water bottle) Accommodation as shown (based on two participants sharing) Guiding fees All entrance fees to national parks, nature reserves, bird blinds/hides, etc. All ground transport while on tour Toll fees

Price excludes:

Flights to and from Bangkok, where tour starts and ends Items of a personal nature, e.g. gifts, laundry, minibar, etc. Alcoholic and soft drinks Personal insurance Visa fees if applicable Gratuities ( please see our tipping guidelines blog )

Central Thailand Birding Tour: Shorebird Spectacle and Jungle Birding January 2025/2026

This short, small-group tour forms a circuit around central Thailand, starting and ending in Bangkok. After arrival in Bangkok, we head south to the shores of the Bay of Bangkok and the vast areas of saltpans that form the vital overwintering habitat for hundreds of thousands of shorebirds, where one of the most highly sought birds on the planet, Spoon-billed Sandpiper , can be found during the non-breeding season. We will be putting all of our efforts into finding this sought-after bird, along with many other species. In fact, over 40 species of shorebirds can be found here in a couple of days birdwatching!

It really is quite staggering witnessing the huge numbers of birds and the species diversity. Other key birds on our radar here include Great Knot , Nordmann’s Greenshank , Asian Dowitcher , Far Eastern Curlew , Malaysian Plover , and White-faced Plover . There are of course many other potential highlights to search for during our time here, and Chinese Egret will be high on that list.

After our time at the coast we will venture into farmland (including some rice paddies), where we will look for impressive raptors, such as Greater Spotted and Eastern Imperial Eagles , and with luck we will find the spectacular Pied Harrier , possibly one of the best-looking harriers on the planet. There will also be a long list of typical farmland birds of the region, such as weavers, shrikes, and a wide range of interesting passerines.

We will then dive into about a week of forest birding across two phenomenal reserves, Kaeng Krachan National Park and Khao Yai National Park. The potential list of species of birds and other wildlife across these two locations is massive (see the detailed itinerary below for extra details). Some of the most interesting and exciting birds we might find here could include Blue and Eared Pittas , Great , Wreathed , Tickell’s Brown , Austen’s Brown , and Oriental Pied Hornbills , Black-and-red , Banded , Black-and-yellow , Dusky , Silver-breasted , and Long-tailed Broadbills , Banded Kingfisher , Kalij and Silver Pheasants , Red Junglefowl , Siamese Fireback , White-fronted Scops Owl , Oriental Bay Owl , Coral-billed Ground Cuckoo , Red-bearded and Blue-bearded Bee-eaters , Common Green Magpie , Ratchet-tailed Treepie , Red-headed and Orange-breasted Trogons , Orange-headed Thrush , and Bamboo , Heart-spotted , and Great Slaty Woodpeckers . Non-avian highlights could include Lar (White-handed) and Pileated Gibbons , Asian Elephant , the Indochinese subspecies of Leopard ( Panthera pardus delacouri ), which may include the melanistic form known as “Black Panther”, Sloth Bear , and Siamese Crocodile .

This tour visits some stunning forest, and we will also sample some of Thailand’s famed, delicious food during our journey. Some of the temples that we will drive past while birding are absolutely spectacular and worth spending time to appreciate them in their own right. Several sites visited also offer very good photographic opportunities for those with an interest.

This central Thailand birding tour can also easily be combined with our two other Thai birdwatching tours, making for a comprehensive month-long, once-in-a-lifetime bird tour of Thailand, one of the best birding destinations in Southeast Asia. Our Northern Thailand Birding Tour: Spectacular Resident and Migrant Birds features exciting species like Rusty-naped Pitta , Siberian Rubythroat , Spot-breasted Parrotbill , Mrs. Hume’s Pheasant , Baer’s Pochard , and an amazing Pied Harrier roost. In addition, our Southern Thailand Birding Tour: Jewels of the South also features many great birds, like Malayan Banded Pitta , Mangrove Pitta , Scarlet-rumped Trogon , White-crowned Hornbill , and Helmeted Hornbill ,  etc.

Detailed Itinerary (10 days/9 nights)

Day 1. arrival in bangkok.

After your afternoon arrival at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok you will take the short transfer to our nearby hotel for the night, with the rest of the day at leisure. We will have a group evening meal together.

Overnight: Bangkok Airport area

Day 2. Birding Pak Thale and Laem Pak Bia

After breakfast we will depart our hotel, drive straight to the coast, and start a few days of birding along the edge of the Bay of Bangkok, one of the most important overwintering areas for shorebirds in the whole of Southeast Asia. We will spend the late morning and, after checking in to our nearby hotel and having lunch, the remainder of the afternoon birding in this incredible area. We will be searching through thousands of shorebirds made up of flocks of Great Knot , Common Greenshank , Black-tailed Godwit , Eurasian Curlew , Marsh Sandpiper , Curlew Sandpiper , Spotted Redshank , Black-winged Stilt , and Red-necked Stint , but among them we will also try to find one of the most unique and Critically Endangered ( BirdLife International ) shorebirds of them all, the incredible Spoon-billed Sandpiper . Other high-value targets will include Nordmann’s Greenshank , Far Eastern Curlew , and Asian Dowitcher .

Overnight: Chao Samran Beach

Day 3. Birding Pak Thale and Laem Pak Bia

We will spend the full day birding within a few different areas of salt pans and coastal environments around the Pak Thale and Laem Pak Bia areas, where we hope to find Spoon-billed Sandpiper , along with the range of shorebirds listed above, but there will also be other birds possible while visiting different habitats. The number of birds here can be mesmerizing, and these may include Malaysian Plover , White-faced Plover , Kentish Plover , Long-toed Stint , Grey-headed Lapwing , Terek Sandpiper , Red-necked Phalarope , Pied Avocet , Pin-tailed Snipe , Greater Painted-snipe , and many more.

There will be plenty of other birds to look at while we are in this area, including a wide range of herons, egrets (including Chinese Egret ), cormorants, storks (including the gorgeous Painted Stork ), gulls, and terns. There are also plenty of raptors in this area (there is lots of food for hungry Peregrine Falcons ), and other highlights could include Mangrove Whistler , Golden-bellied Gerygone , Common , Pied , Collared , and Black-capped Kingfishers , Eurasian Wryneck , Freckle-breasted Woodpecker , Oriental Skylark , White-shouldered Starling , Black-browed Reed Warbler , and Plain-backed Sparrow .

Day 4.   Birding Nong Pla Lai Rice Paddies to travel to Kaeng Krachan National Park

We will leave the coast after breakfast and will check out a few sites around the Nong Pla Lai area, where we will spend the majority of the morning birding, before continuing on to the Kaeng Krachan National Park area, our base for the next few nights. We will be looking for Greater Spotted Eagle , Eastern Imperial Eagle , Eastern Marsh and Pied Harriers , Grey-headed Lapwing , Pheasant-tailed Jacana , Green-billed Malkoha , Coppersmith Barbet , Asian Green Bee-eater , Freckle-breasted Woodpecker , Streaked Weaver , Baya Weaver , Asian Golden Weaver , and Bluethroat .

After checking into our accommodation near Kaeng Krachan National Park, we will spend the late afternoon birding from a bird blind (bird hide) in the forest, where we might find a range of babblers and bulbuls visiting, as well as, potentially, Bar-backed and Green-legged Partridges , Large Scimitar Babbler , Common Green Magpie , Indochinese Blue Flycatcher , Siberian Blue Robin , or, with extreme luck, Eared Pitta coming in to drink/bath at a small forest pool.

Overnight: Near Kaeng Krachan National Park

Days 5 – 6. Birding Kaeng Krachan National Park

We will spend two days birding within and around this exciting park. Our time will be spent at a range of elevations to connect with the associated species of these areas. At the higher elevations of the park we are restricted to birding along a few roads that cut through the park, but this still gives us some fantastic opportunities for some range-restricted species, such as Ratchet-tailed Treepie , Collared , Spot-necked , Grey-throated , Golden , and Rufous-fronted Babblers , and Black-throated Laughingthrush . Other species on offer here include Red-headed Trogon , Red-bearded Bee-eater , Ferruginous Partridge , Kalij Pheasant , Grey Peacock-Pheasant , Mountain Imperial Pigeon , Rufous-bellied Eagle , Mountain Hawk-Eagle , Silver-breasted and Long-tailed Broadbills , Great Hornbill , Banded Kingfisher , Great Barbet , and Bamboo Woodpecker , along with lots of bulbuls, babblers, and warblers.

The middle- and lower-elevation areas of the national park and adjacent farmland and scrub habitats give us the chance for further exploration of this wonderful area. The long national park entrance road provides great opportunities for stopping and checking out vantage points to look at patches of forest (often with the sound of Lar (White-handed) Gibbons echoing throughout), and there are several trails and roads we can walk to get closer to the birds. Some of the most exciting birds we could find here may include Blue and Eared Pittas , White-fronted Scops Owl , Oriental Bay Owl , Brown Hawk-Owl , Vernal Hanging Parrot , Heart-spotted and Great Slaty Woodpeckers , Tickell’s Brown , Wreathed , and Oriental Pied Hornbills , Black-thighed Falconet , Banded , Black-and-red , Black-and-yellow , and Dusky Broadbills , Orange-breasted Trogon , Common Green Magpie , Sultan Tit , Scarlet Minivet , Golden-crested and Common Hill Mynas , and Asian Fairy-bluebird , along with a wide range of bulbuls, leafbirds, woodpeckers, babblers, and barbets.

During the early morning and late-evening drives into and out of the national park we may get lucky and spot shy mammals, such as Asian Elephant , Leopard (maybe even including the rare and elusive “Black Panther”), or even a Sloth Bear !

Overnight (two nights): Near Kaeng Krachan National Park

Day 7. Morning birding Kaeng Krachan area and transfer to Khao Yai area

We will spend the early morning in a bird blind (bird hide) in the forest near Kaeng Krachan National Park, where we hope to get good views of Kalij Pheasant , Red Junglefowl , Bar-backed Partridge , Black-naped Monarch , Puff-throated Babbler , Racket-tailed Treepie , Common Green Magpie , White-browed Scimitar Babbler , Greater Necklaced and Lesser Necklaced Laughingthrushes , White-rumped Shama , and an assorted range of other interesting passerines.

In the late morning we will commence our journey from the Kaeng Krachan area back around Bangkok and to the northeast of the Thai capital city. We will stop for lunch along the way and will visit a small temple to look for Rufous Limestone Babbler along the way. We will check into our comfortable hotel late in the afternoon for the next three nights.

Overnight: Khao Yai

Days 8 – 9. Birding Khao Yai National Park

Another two exciting, bird-filled days await, this time in the famous Khao Yai National Park. This is a very popular national park with locals and foreigners alike, due to its proximity to the capital of Bangkok, but the birds seem to be used to the visitors, and due to the good road network through and around the park, it is usually possible to find quiet areas where we can enjoy the birds to ourselves.

We will head up to the higher parts of the national park first, where we will look for Silver Pheasant , Red-headed Trogon , Collared Owlet , Black-throated Laughingthrush , White-browed Scimitar Babbler , Moustached Barbet , Grey-backed Shrike , Mountain Imperial Pigeon , Barred Cuckoo-Dove , Ashy Bulbul , and Blue Rock Thrush . After enjoying some time in the slightly cooler part of the forest we will drop down to lower elevations in search of some different birds.

The forests along the way to the higher elevations can support some spectacular birds, and a few strategic stops may yield Long-tailed Broadbill , Banded Broadbill , Siamese Fireback , Coral-billed Ground Cuckoo , Blue Pitta , Eared Pitta , Blue-bearded Bee-eater , Orange-breasted Trogon , Common Hill Myna , and Sultan Tit .

The central plateau area of the national park offers some more great birding, and hornbills also feature in this part of the park. We will look for Wreathed Hornbill , Great Hornbill , Oriental Pied Hornbill , and Austen’s Brown Hornbill , along with Banded Kingfisher , Red Junglefowl , Scarlet Minivet , Green-eared Barbet , Laced Woodpecker , Streak-breasted Woodpecker , Greater Flameback , Hainan Blue Flycatcher , Mugimaki Flycatcher , Buffy Fish Owl , Common Kingfisher , Blue-eared Kingfisher , Chestnut-headed Bee-eater , Brown-backed Needletail , and White-throated Rock Thrush .

Forest trails, a bit lower down below the central plateau area, are not only good for the aforementioned hornbills, but also for other species too, such as Eared Pitta , White-crested Laughingthrush , Lesser Necklaced Laughingthrush , Siamese Fireback , Orange-breasted Trogon , Banded Kingfisher , Banded Broadbill , Long-tailed Broadbill , Siberian Blue Robin , and Orange-headed Thrush .

This park also gives us a chance for observing Asian Elephant , and we might also find Pileated Gibbon , Sambar , Southern Red Muntjac , Black Giant Squirrel , and other interesting animals, perhaps even the rare Siamese Crocodile.

Overnight (two nights): Khao Yai

Day 10. Birding Khao Yai area and transfer to Bangkok, where the tour concludes

We will have a final morning’s birding around the Khao Yai area, outside of the national park. Red-breasted Parakeets are often around our hotel, as are a range of barbets and starlings/mynas, maybe Pied Bush Chat or Eurasian Hoopoe too, so we will keep a lookout for these before we drive back to Bangkok for your international departure from Thailand or further travel on another of our exciting Thai birdwatching tours.

Overnight: Not included

Please note that the itinerary cannot be guaranteed as it is only a rough guide and can be changed (usually slightly) due to factors such as availability of accommodation, updated information on the state of accommodation, roads, or birding sites, the discretion of the guides and other factors. In addition, we sometimes have to use a different international guide from the one advertised due to tour scheduling.

Spoon-billed Sandpiper

Banded Kingfisher

Kalij Pheasant

Silver Pheasant

Common Green Magpie

Silver-breasted Broadbill

Long-tailed Broadbill

Greater Yellownape

Great Hornbill

Wreathed Hornbill

Red-headed Trogon

Lesser Necklaced Laughingthrush

White-crested Laughingthrush

Red-bearded Bee-eater

Central Thailand – Set-departure Tour Trip Report

6-15 january 2020,   by andy walker.

DOWNLOAD TRIP REPORT

This ten-day set departure birdwatching tour of Central Thailand commenced in Bangkok on the 6 th of January 2020 and ended back there on the 15 th of January 2020. This tour visited Khao Yai National Park, Kaeng Krachan National Park, and the Gulf of Thailand (Laem Pak Bia and Pak Thale), as well as several less-well-known sights along the way.

There were so many highlight birds during the trip! One of the main draws of birding in Thailand during the northern winter is the chance to see Spoon-billed Sandpiper . During our tour we had exceptional, close views of this highly sought shorebird (as shown on the cover image of this report). There were a great many other avian highlights too, such as Siamese Fireback , Silver Pheasant , Kalij Pheasant , Blue Pitta , Great Hornbill , Wreathed Hornbill (visiting the nest), Tickell’s Brown Hornbill , Buffy Fish Owl , Silver-breasted Broadbill , Common Green Magpie , Red-headed Trogon , Orange-breasted Trogon , Heart-spotted Woodpecker , Great Slaty Woodpecker , Nordmann’s Greenshank , Asian Dowitcher , Malaysian Plover , ‘White-faced Plover’ (a distinctive subspecies of Kentish Plover and split by some authorities), and Chinese Egret . A total of 259 bird species were seen (plus six species heard only).

We also found an interesting array of mammals and reptiles; some of these included Pileated Gibbon , Lar Gibbon , Dusky Langur , Lyle’s Flying Fox , Black Giant Squirrel , Lesser Oriental Chevrotain , and Burmese Green Crested Lizard .

Full species lists are provided at the end of this report.

Detailed Report

Day 1, 6 th january 2020. arrival in bangkok.

The group arrived in Bangkok and gathered for a welcome meal ahead of the birding to start the following day.

Day 2, 7 th January 2020. Bangkok to Khao Yai

After breakfast and enjoying the company of beautiful Pink-necked Green Pigeons in our hotel garden we left the city for the Khao Yai area, our base for the next three nights. We made a couple of stops at temples along the way. The first temple allowed us to see a huge roost of Lyle’s Flying Fox , and here we also found Plain-backed Sparrow , Coppersmith Barbet , Olive-backed Sunbird , and Brown-throated Sunbird . At the second temple of the morning we heard Limestone Wren-Babbler and saw Black-naped Monarch , White-rumped Shama , Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher , Two-barred Warbler , Yellow-browed Warbler , Ashy Drongo , Bronzed Drongo , and more, as well as some cheeky Long-tailed Macaques .

Roadside birds included numerous egret species, Asian Openbill , Black Kite , Black Drongo , and Black-naped Oriole . Our lunch stop was set in some beautiful grounds, and we found Grey-faced Buzzard , Taiga Flycatcher , Red Turtle Dove , Zebra Dove , and Spotted Dove .

A while later, after checking into our hotel near Khao Yai National Park, we took a walk around the hotel grounds, where we found plenty to keep us busy, such as Red-breasted Parakeet , Blue-eared Barbet , Black-crested Bulbul , Sooty-headed Bulbul , Chestnut-tailed Starling , Great Myna , Common Myna , Asian Brown Flycatcher , and Hair-crested Drongo , most giving great views. This gentle walk around the hotel grounds ended what had been a perfect introduction to birding in central Thailand with some very nice species seen very well.

Day 3, 8 th January 2020. Khao Yai National Park

We spent the majority of the day birding within Khao Yai National Park, just popping out over lunchtime. The morning session was remarkable, with lots of exciting birds showing well. Some of the top birds included Red-headed Trogon , Orange-breasted Trogon , Common Green Magpie , Black-throated Laughingthrush , White-browed Scimitar Babbler , Moustached Barbet , Grey-backed Shrike , Vernal Hanging Parrot , Himalayan Swiftlet , Sulphur-breasted Warbler , Claudia’s Warbler , Alström’s Warbler , Pin-striped Tit-Babbler , Mountain Imperial Pigeon , Barred Cuckoo Dove , Ashy Bulbul , Yellow-vented Flowerpecker , Fire-breasted Flowerpecker , and Blue Rock Thrush .

The afternoon birding, as usual in this forested site, seemed slower than the morning, but our walking was interspersed with some great birds, not least fantastic views of nesting Wreathed Hornbills , with Great Hornbill and Oriental Pied Hornbill also seen. A few of the other birds seen included Common Hill Myna , Scarlet Minivet , Rosy Minivet , Swinhoe’s Minivet , Asian Fairy-bluebird , Puff-throated Bulbul , Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike , Blue-winged Leafbird , Common Emerald Dove , and a brief White-crested Laughingthrush . Across the day we saw several interesting mammals as well, such as Pileated Gibbon , Northern Pig-tailed Macaque , and Sambar , although one of the most interesting sightings related to a dead Small-toothed Palm Civet .

We ended the day at a small lake, watching huge Brown-backed Needletails swooping in over our heads, drinking and bathing as the sun set.

Day 4, 9 th January 2020. Khao Yai National Park

We spent the full day birding in Khao Yai National Park, where we found many new species and improved our views of several others from the previous day. Some of the highlights during the day included Siamese Fireback , Silver Pheasant , Red Junglefowl , Buffy Fish Owl , Red-headed Trogon , White-crested Laughingthrush , Siberian Blue Robin , Sultan Tit , Hainan Blue Flycatcher , Greater Flameback , and Green-billed Malkoha , along with Scarlet , Ashy , Swinhoe’s , and Rosy Minivets , Arctic Warbler , Crested Honey Buzzard , Chestnut-headed Bee-eater , Greater Racket-tailed Drongo , Brown Shrike , Richard’s Pipit , Paddyfield Pipit , and Stejneger’s Stonechat . Non-bird highlights included Northern Red Muntjac , Black Giant Squirrel , Sambar , Himalayan Striped Squirrel , Chinese Water Dragon , Reeve’s Butterfly Lizard , and Spotted Flying Dragon .

Day 5, 10 th January 2020. Khao Yai to Ban Laem

Essentially a travel day as we moved between Khao Yai and Ban Laem, ready for a couple of days birding around Pak Thale and Laem Pak Bia. We made a few stops along the way, the main one being at a wetland-and-scrub area, where we saw several new species for our trip, such as Yellow Bittern , Glossy Ibis , Western Osprey , Wood Sandpiper , Little Ringed Plover , Common Kingfisher , White-throated Kingfisher , Eastern Yellow Wagtail , Stejneger’s Stonechat , Dusky Warbler , Indochinese Bush Lark , Fork-tailed Drongo Cuckoo , Racket-tailed Treepie , and Indochinese Roller .

As we neared our accommodation, while waiting in traffic, we noted a smart Black-capped Kingfisher sitting on a wire.

Day 6, 11 th January 2020. Pak Thale and Laem Pak Bia

We spent the morning birding at Pak Thale, where we had one big target in mind, the Critically Endangered (BirdLife International) Spoon-billed Sandpiper , which fortunately we managed to find fairly quickly. It was great to see this rare bird so well and appreciate its so unique appearance. Luckily we saw the ‘Spoonie’ when we did, as shortly after we’d been watching it for a while something unseen flushed all the shorebirds, and it flew further away and settled down to roost.

Having seen the Spoon-billed Sandpiper nicely and early we then spent the rest of the morning wandering around the saltpans where we saw a plethora of shorebirds, including Great Knot , Broad-billed Sandpiper , Curlew Sandpiper , Terek Sandpiper , Long-toed Stint , Red-necked Stint , Pacific Golden Plover , Grey Plover , Bar-tailed Godwit , Black-tailed Godwit , Eurasian Whimbrel , Eurasian Curlew , Greater Sand Plover , Lesser Sand Plover , Kentish Plover , Black-winged Stilt , Common Greenshank , Common Redshank , Spotted Redshank , Ruddy Turnstone , Sanderling , Red Knot , and Common Sandpiper . Gulls and terns were much in evidence too and included a gorgeous breeding Slender-billed Gull and many Brown-headed Gulls , Caspian Tern , Whiskered Tern , Common Tern , Gull-billed Tern , Greater Crested Tern , and Little Tern . Other birds spotted during the morning included Painted Stork , Brahminy Kite , Indian Cormorant , Little Cormorant , Grey Heron , and Common Kestrel .

After lunch we took a boat trip through some mangroves (seeing Purple Heron , Shikra , some huge Water Monitors and a roost of Lyle’s Flying Fox ) to a nearby sandspit, where we found all of our target birds, which included the distinctive dealbatus subspecies of Kentish Plover split by some authorities and called ‘White-faced Plover’, Chinese Egret , Malaysian Plover , Lesser Sand Plover , Pacific Reef Heron , Striated Heron , Collared Kingfisher , Black-capped Kingfisher , Golden-bellied Gerygone , Greater Crested Tern , and Indian Cormorant .

Our late afternoon birding was spent around the saltpans at Laem Pak Bia, where we had further views of many of the species seen earlier at Pak Thale and added several more, including some major targets like Nordmann’s Greenshank and Asian Dowitcher , along with Pied Avocet and Ruff . As the sun set over the saltpans we started reflecting on what had been a great day birding in central Thailand.

Day 7, 12 th January 2020. Pak Thale to Baan Maka via Phetchaburi rice fields

This morning was all about one bird again. Having seen Spoon-billed Sandpiper well the day before, but not really having had good photographic opportunities, we decided to give it another go. We arrived to find a busy Pak Thale with at least two other groups looking for the bird in question. The shorebirds were all extremely flighty; there must have been a raptor somewhere out of sight. Right on cue the Spoon-billed Sandpiper flew into the same spot as on the previous day and we had the same views as before. The birds flushed again after several minutes and moved off, so we did too. We moved to an area where we’ve had good views of the birds in the past, and the hunch paid off. We found the same bird in a large flock of semi-roosting shorebirds (mainly Lesser Sand Plovers , Broad-billed Sandpipers , and Red-necked Stints , with Great Knot , Red Knot , Greater Sand Plover , Kentish Plover , and Sanderling also present). We crawled out along one of the saltpan banks and lay in wait for the bird to show; eventually it moved about and came into full view, giving the much hoped-for excellent, close-range views. Slightly muddy, but incredibly happy, we made a retreat and left the birds getting on with their business, all with memory cards full of satisfactory photos and videos of one of the rarest shorebirds on the planet!

After the excitement of the early morning we went back to the hotel to clean up and check out.

Our next stop was the Phetchaburi rice fields, where we found several new birds such as Booted Eagle , Greater Spotted Eagle , Black-winged Kite , Grey-headed Lapwing , and Asian Golden Weaver , as well as many species we’d seen over previous days.

After lunch we moved across to Baan Maka, near Kaeng Krachan, our base for the next few nights. A quick walk around the grounds yielded our first Ruddy-breasted Crake , Puff-throated Babbler , and Bronze-winged Jacana of the trip. We had an early night, ready for an early start and a packed day’s birding ahead.

Day 8, 13 th January 2020. Kaeng Krachan National Park and surrounding area

We spent a wonderful morning birding in Kaeng Krachan National Park. We arrived at our carefully chosen spot just as it was getting light enough to see and very quickly were watching a trio of large woodpeckers, Greater Yellownape , Greater Flameback , and Common Flameback . A series of fruiting trees provided good views of Golden-crested Myna , Common Hill Myna , Asian Fairy-bluebird , Black-naped Oriole , Green-eared Barbet , Blue-eared Barbet , Black-headed Bulbul , and Black-crested Bulbul . As we walked around our chosen spot we added many more species such as Indochinese Roller (a new addition to the Thai list after the split from Indian Roller), Black-capped Kingfisher , Oriental Pied Hornbill , Tickell’s Brown Hornbill , and Green-billed Malkoha .

We moved a short distance, and some alarm-calling produced White-browed Piculet , Eastern Crowned Warbler , Pale Blue Flycatcher , Ruby-cheeked Sunbird , Plain Flowerpecker , Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike , and Grey-headed Woodpecker . Here we also had the unusual sight of five Thick-billed Green Pigeons feeding on the ground at a salt lick as Chestnut-headed Bee-eaters hawked overhead, with Crested Serpent Eagle , Crested Goshawk , and Shikra all flying around. Moving further into the park we added more exciting birds with Black-and-yellow Broadbill , Grey-rumped Treeswift , Olive-backed Pipit , and Violet Cuckoo being the picks. A pair of rather athletic Dusky Langurs put on a really impressive show as they jumped around in the canopy.

We had lunch back at the lodge, where we had excellent views of Chinese Blue Flycatcher , Blue Whistling Thrush , Little Spiderhunter , and Greater Necklaced Laughingthrush all from the dining table!

The afternoon birding session was in a local bird hide (blind), where we had a really enjoyable time watching a mix of wildlife, including Bar-backed Partridge , Scaly-breasted Partridge , Common Green Magpie , Chinese Blue Flycatcher , Hainan Blue Flycatcher , Indochinese Blue Flycatcher (another recent split, from Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher), Racket-tailed Treepie , Bronzed Drongo , Abbott’s Babbler , Puff-throated Babbler , Pin-striped Tit-Babbler , Brown-cheeked Fulvetta , Siberian Blue Robin , Black-naped Monarch , and Common Emerald Dove . Plenty of mammals were present here too, such as Himalayan Striped Squirrel , Grey-bellied Squirrel , Northern Treeshrew , and Lesser Oriental Chevrotain , which ended another great day of birding here.

Day 9, 14 th January 2020. Kaeng Krachan National Park and surrounding area

We spent the morning in a local bird hide (blind), a different one from the previous evening, and enjoyed a different assortment of birds. The main target bird of the morning was Blue Pitta , and right on time one came in for a feed, eventually giving us all some great views. The pitta was around a few times over the course of the morning, and while it was away there were plenty of other great birds on offer, most also giving excellent photographic opportunities. Some of the other highlights from the morning included Greater Yellownape , Grey-headed Woodpecker , Large Scimitar Babbler , Greater Necklaced Laughingthrush , Lesser Necklaced Laughingthrush , White-browed Scimitar Babbler , Blue-throated Blue Flycatcher , Scaly-breasted Partridge , White-rumped Shama , and Siberian Blue Robin (including a stunning adult male).

Our lunchtime entertainment was provided by a pair of Kalij Pheasants wandering around the lodge garden as well as the usual suspects like Chinese Blue Flycatcher and Greater Racket-tailed Drongo .

During the afternoon we walked a section of Kaeng Krachan National Park. It was, for the afternoon, typically quiet. We walked quite a bit, seeing several of the species seen on the previous trip into the park but added a few really nice birds, not least a small group of Silver-breasted Broadbills and several Orange-breasted Trogons , both pretty spectacular species that gave great views.

Day 10, 15 th January 2020. Kaeng Krachan National Park to Bangkok and tour conclusion

Our final mornings birding took us back into Kaeng Krachan National Park. We visited some areas we had checked out on the previous couple of days but also a few new ones, and things worked out nicely as we found some great birds, not least the huge Great Hornbill , the giant Great Slaty Woodpecker , and the globally rare Tickell’s Brown Hornbill . Other more usual (yet no less impressive) suspects included Common Hill Myna , Greater Flameback , Common Flameback , Oriental Pied Hornbill , and Indochinese Roller . Some excitement involved a Shikra that after sitting motionless in a tree for 20 minutes dropped out of it and caught a Chinese Pond Heron , a pretty remarkable sight.

Our final birding stop of the tour yielded Large Woodshrike and an assortment of barbets and bulbuls around a fruiting tree, but best of all a close encounter with the gorgeous Heart-spotted Woodpecker , a perfect way to end the tour.

We drove back to Bangkok, where the tour concluded. Along the way we discussed the ‘Bird of the Trip’. Unsurprisingly Spoon-billed Sandpiper unanimously came out on top, we had after all had some pretty amazing views of this highly sought shorebird. Second was Blue Pitta , also unanimously. The rest of the top five was a mix with Black-capped Kingfisher , Silver-breasted Broadbill , Buffy Fish Owl , and Red-headed Trogon all getting honorable mentions.

Please see the downloadable PDF above with the full species lists included.  This is a sample trip report. Please email us ( [email protected] ) for more trip reports from this destination.

  CENTRAL THAILAND: SHOREBIRD SPECTACLE AND JUNGLE BIRDING

  tour-specific information.

GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THAILAND CAN BE READ HERE

TOUR OUTLINE

This seriously exciting bird tour of central Thailand starts and ends in the capital city, Bangkok. We visit the Bay of Bangkok for a bonanza of shorebirds including Spoon-billed Sandpiper , Nordmann’s Greenshank , Asian Dowitcher , White-faced Plover , and many more. We will then spend time forest birding where we will look for a range of pheasants, pittas, broadbills, trogons, kingfishers, laughingthrushes, and hornbills (such as Silver Pheasant , Blue Pitta , Silver-breasted Broadbill , Red-headed Trogon , Banded Kingfisher , White-crested Laughingthrush , and Great Hornbill ). Several of the sites we visit offer very good photo opportunities, and a wide range of animals are possible on the tour too, such as Lar Gibbon , Asian Elephant , and Siamese Crocodile .

DAILY ACTIVITIES, PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS, AND TOUR PACE

This Thai birdwatching tour runs at a fairly fast pace with some long days. Depending on the exact area we will be birding, mealtimes and birdwatching times may vary a little from day to day.

On most days we will have early morning birding sessions and then rest between late morning and early afternoon, followed by a late afternoon birding session and, at a few locations, some evening owling. We will usually have breakfast at 05:30–06:30 before we leave to go birding, have lunch around midday, and dinner around 18:30–19:30, though these times are not fixed. The areas we bird during this tour are often very hot and bird activity drops during the middle of the day. During the rest periods there will be opportunities for personal birding around the hotel grounds or relaxing (e.g. some of the hotels we stay in have swimming pools). Some mornings, especially at the coast, we might have a later breakfast after an early morning birding session. We may also take picnic breakfasts and/or picnic lunches on some days.

At the coast we will be birding in saltpans, mangroves, rice paddies, and along the beach/seashore. There will be very little shade when birding in these areas which is why we try and cover them in the early morning or late afternoon, due to the heat, however as our birding time here will need to consider tide times, we may end up having to do some birding during the hotter parts of the day. We stay at a comfortable hotel while at the coast which is excellent for relaxing during the heat of the day. Most of our birding in these areas will be carried out from or near vehicles, with walks probably of less than 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) at a time, at a very relaxed place. We will also take a small-boat boat trip through the mangroves to the famed Laem Pak Bia Sandspit , this often entails a wet-feet landing on the beach.

Our forest birding in Kaeng Krachan National Park and Khao Yai National Park will include time walking/driving through suitable wooded habitat (these national parks have roads that pass through them providing excellent access to birding areas – though we might need to use a 4×4 pickup truck to access some areas) and we will also spend time birding from forest blinds/bird hides, waiting patiently for rare and secretive birds to show. On some days, during our forest birding, we will spend the whole day within the forest, resting up there rather than returning to our accommodations. Several of the birding areas within the national parks can be covered close to vehicles with limited walking, rather just standing and scanning, but some of the areas require a walk of up to 2–3 miles (3–5 kilometers) on undulating/inclined forest trails. We will always take these slowly so that most people will be able to manage them without problems. The national parks do occasionally change or restrict access to certain roads and trails within the parks, with rules changing unexpectedly, and so our exact birding within the parks will be dictated by where we are allowed to go. The majority of birding activities are totally optional so if you’d prefer to sit one out and relax around the accommodation, that will be perfectly fine.

We will be birding at sea-level at the coastal sites but at Kaeng Krachan and Khao Yai National Parks we will be covering a range of elevations from sea-level up to a maximum of 4,000 feet/1,200 meters.

Driving times will vary each day depending on where we will be heading. The birding at the coast and at Kaeng Krachan are very close to where we will be staying, but there could be a drive of an hour through the national park depending on where we will be birding there. These drives will be interspersed with lengthy stops for birdwatching. There will be a drive of approximately one hour from our accommodation to the birding zone at Khao Yai and then we will drive around the park visiting different sessions, with birding stops throughout the day. There will be one long driving day as we move between Kaeng Krachan and Khao Yai (this can be anywhere between 4–6 hours, depending on traffic). The drives from Bangkok to the coast take approximately two hours, with the drive from Khao Yai to Bangkok usually taking a little longer, say three hours. The roads to/in the national parks are windy, particularly at Khao Yai and if you are susceptible to travel sickness, medication is advised (noting the details in the “Transportation and Seat Rotation” section of the Thailand General Information document).

Trips and falls while on the trails at Khao Yai National Park are possible. Despite this being the most visited (and most expensive) national park in Thailand, visitor facilities in terms of trails. and maintenance of them. is very poor. Care should be taken when walking away from paved roads. If you are not steady on your feet a walking stick/hiking pole is recommended to help on these trails.

WEATHER/CLIMATE   

While birding in the lowlands (e.g. around Bangkok, the coast, rice paddies, and around our accommodation at Kaeng Krachan and Khao Yai) we can expect daytime temperatures of around 86–95 °F (30–35 °C) and nighttime temperatures around 59–72 °F (15–22 °C). When birding in Khao Yai National Park and Kaeng Krachan National Park we will spend time at higher elevations and the temperature can be expected to be a bit cooler, particularly in the early morning when we are driving to our birding spots. While it is usually dry at this time of year, rain can occur in the form of afternoon thunderstorms. The sun is strong at this time of year and care should be taken to remain hydrated and use sun protection.

ACCOMMODATION

We will stay at a range of accommodation on the tour. We spend the first night of this central Thailand bird tour in a high-standard hotel near the airport in Bangkok, such as the Best Western or equivalent, this offers good facilities and a mix of western, Asian, and Thai food, and is very convenient as it is close to the airport, but away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Note the airport is a c. 30-minute drive from downtown Bangkok, if you do want to do some city sightseeing. We will stay in wildlife lodges, hotels, and spas throughout the tour. These places have been chosen for their location near to birding sites, as well as for their quality and we have been using them for many years. These locations have good grounds to relax and birdwatch/photograph during the middle of the day. All accommodation will have air-conditioning and Wi-Fi (though at some places the Wi-Fi may only be in communal areas).

The hotel we stay at in Bangkok offer a mix of western and Asian food including at breakfast time. At the other locations we visit food will be more typical Thai-style. On some occasions we will take a picnic-style/boxed breakfast or lunch (often a fried-rice or fried-noodle style dish), depending on the specifics of the day’s plan, such as on the days we bird in the national parks.

WHAT TO BRING: CLOTHING AND OTHER ITEMS

Nothing specific is required for this tour, please see the Thailand General Information for recommended clothing. A hiking pole/walking stick will be useful if you are not steady on your feet for a couple of the trails we will bird within the national parks. If you have a telescope it will be extremely useful while looking for shorebirds at the coast and is likely to increase your enjoyment of the spectacle.

Download Central Thailand Tour-specific Information

Download General Thailand Information

‘We just returned from our trip to Thailand. It was wonderful. Thank you very much for arranging our tour with Andy Walker. He was the best guide we ever had. He is knowledgeable, easy going, hard working, and has all the qualities that people expect from a guide. We really enjoyed birding with him. We would be happy to go birding with him any time and would highly recommend him as a guide to any of our friends.

Thanks again for giving us the opportunity to have him as our guide.’

Ahmad and Sue

‘We spent three weeks with Andy in Thailand and enjoyed the trip thoroughly. Andy worked so hard to find the birds, and get us on them. He was very patient and took the time we needed. He knew all the best places to go, knew what birds would be expected, identified them in an instant and still managed to find some pretty good rarities along with the “known birds”, Himalayan Cutia anyone? And we spent literally hours getting great looks at Spoon-billed Sandpiper. Andy got us very close without disturbing the birds or any other birders. It was a highlight of the trip. We are hoping to see Andy in York later this year for a days birding on his home patch!’

Bob and Terrie

All Rights Reserved, Birding Ecotours

Join our newsletter for exclusive discounts and great birding information!

Chat to an Expert

Phone, Email, Live Chat

1-Day Khao Yai Birding Escape from Bangkok

An awe-inspiring day to witness nature's bird symphony.

Embark on an exhilarating journey from the bustling metropolis of Bangkok to the enchanting realm of Khao Yai National Park, a haven for bird enthusiasts. This meticulously crafted birding tour caters to both novices and seasoned birders, offering an opportunity to witness a diverse selection of avian wonders.

Tour Details

From $125 (USD)

Trip Highlights

• Encounter a diverse selection of birds, from common species to elusive and captivating birds
• Trek through the national park, immerse yourself in the natural beauty
• Marvel at hundreds of wrinkle-lipped bats emerging from the cave at sunset

Share this tour!

• Experienced English speaking local guides.
• Transportation by air-conditioned vehicle
• Meals as mentioned in the itinerary.
• Drinking water during tour
• All sightseeing entrance fee where required in the itinerary.
• Visas where required.
• Travel Insurance. We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance from home.
• Personal expenditure (telephone, laundry, shopping and so on…)
• Tips for guide, driver, porters, etc.
• Beverage and alcoholic drinks.
• Any other services not clearly mentioned on itinerary and trip inclusive portion.

More Information

• Suggested departure time: 06:00. 
• Duration tour approximate: 15 hours
• (Tour can be start at 9:00am in Khao Yai for guests who are already there the day before)
• What to Bring: Long trousers, Jacket or long shirt, Sport or Hiking shoes, Binoculars, Thailand bird guide book, eyeglasses or sun block lotion in case of strong sunlight; Mosquito/insect repellent is strongly advised for the jungle trip
• In session of birding tour have no fixed itinerary. Our experienced birding guide will decide which areas to visit based on client preferences and target species (if any), past encounters, fruiting trees if present, and just on instinct.
• Generally, the birding tour does not contain strenuous activities.
• This tour is in the Soft Adventure category in Khao Yai National Park
• Varied Prices Based on Group Size
• There is surcharge for travelling on Lunar New Year, Christmas, regional New Year, and other public holidays throughout the region please check with your consultant for date confirmation.
• Flight times and the daily order of sightseeing are subject to change.
• Transfer times are approximate and subject to local conditions at the time of travel.
• All cycling and trekking/walking distances displayed are approximate and subject to the guests’ ability and availability of the route, the guide will use his discretion to ensure safety and comfort for all participants.
• Although it is our intention to operate the itinerary as detailed in the proposal, we cannot be held responsible for any last minute changes made as a result of climatic conditions, alterations to flight schedules or other operational factors.

Similar Adventure Tours

5-D Discovering the Mae Hong Son Loop Wonders

8-Day Southern Thai Landscape Odyssey: From Jungles to Shores

7-D Step Into Nature: Thailand Hiking and Koh Samui Beach Retreat

5-D Kanchanaburi Hiking Expedition to Ayutthaya Temples

A Full-Day Cycling Adventure in Rural Chiang Mai

Phone, Email, LIve Chat

Chat with a Travel Expert

Kindly reach out to us through one of the channels provided below, and our team of experienced travel experts will promptly assist you.

Or call us on +84 (0) 28 3535 0455

Tour Enquiry

Fill out the form below and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

Send us a Message

• Wonderful rich and varied birding, with the possibility of some extremely rare birds such as Spoon-billed Sandpiper
• Lots of very special and unique birds and wildlife
• Outstanding and exciting wildlife areas: Kaeng Krachan, Khao Yai, Doi Inthanan, Doi Ang Khang and Doi Lang

Tour Overview

Thailand is a fascinating and bird-rich Asian country. Diverse habitats and a marvellous and extensive park and sanctuary system result in a large number of resident species, and there will be many Palearctic migrants present when we visit for our Thailand birding tour.

Our Thailand birding tour samples habitats from marshy plains, mangroves and salt pans around Bangkok to coastlines supporting the endangered Spoon-billed Sandpiper, the extensive lowland forests at Kaeng Krachan National Park where we will access very productive blinds, the beautiful forests at Khao Yai, and montane forests in the northwest near Chiang Mai to Thailand’s highest mountain at Doi Inthanon.

A splendid tour led by our guide and local guides who know the area well.

Dates & Prices

Dates & prices, what's included, tour price includes.

• All accommodation (Good to moderate high-quality hotels and lodges)
• All meals included
• Internal flights included
• Ground transportation
• Eagle-Eye Tours guide + a local guide with 4 - 10 participants
• All park, conservation and entrance fees

Tour Price Does Not Include

• Flights to and from Bangkok
• Travel Insurance
• Items of a personal nature

Day 1: Arrival

Our Thailand birding tour starts with arrival in Bangkok with a welcome dinner.

Night in Bangkok.

Day 2: Mahachai Mangrove Forest and Phetchaburi

We depart after an early breakfast for the 40 minute drive to Wat Chalerm Phrakiet temple and Public Park. Here, we are introduced to common open country birds such as Spotted Owlet, Coppersmith Barbet, Oriental Magpie Robin, Green Bee-eater, Blue-tailed Bee-eater, Pied Starling, Common Iora, Common Tailorbird, Brown-winged Kingfisher, Asian Common Koel, Greater Coucal, Openbill Stork and the flashy Indian Roller.

Afterwards we go to Wat Chong Lom temple for Edible-nest Swiftlet and then drive to Mahachai Mangrove Forest, looking in particular for Oriental White-eye, Mangrove Whistler, Black-winged Stilt, Brown-throated and Olive-backed Sunbirds, Racket-tailed Treepie, Blue-throated Barbet, Yellow-bellied Prinia and Golden-bellied Gerygone.

Next is the Bang Jak rice field where bird diversity is high - Purple Swamphen, Bronze-winged Jacana, Yellow Bittern, Spot-billed Pelican, Cotton Pygmy-Goose, White-browed Crake, Asian Golden Weaver, Streaked Weaver, Red Avadavat, Long-tailed Shrike, Plain-backed Sparrow, Grey-breasted Prinia, Chestnut-tailed Starling, Greater Racket-tailed Drongo, Pied Kingfisher, Scaly-breasted Munia and more.

Night in Phetchaburi Province.

Day 3: Laem Phak Bia and transfer to Kaeng Krachan

We spend the morning birding in the Laem Phak Bia area looking in particular for the rare, endangered Spoon-billed Sandpiper, Nordmann’s Greenshank, and several other shorebirds such as Asian Dowitcher, Terek and Broad-billed Sandpipers, Bar-tailed and Black-tailed Godwits, and Malaysian and White-faced Plovers, Painted Stork, Little Egret, and Black-capped, White-throated, Common and Pied Kingfishers, and host of other waders and wetland species.

After this we bird at the nearby Royal Project - this project conducts research on polluted water caused by major cities. Here there are fish ponds, salt pans and a wooden walkway through mangrove forest.

As we drive to Khao Kakrao we’ll check out freshwater marshes for Black-faced Spoonbill, Black-headed Ibis, Painted Stork, Milky Stork, herons, rails and whatever else we can find. Landbirds could include Long-tailed Shrike, Siberian Stonechat, Plain Prinia and Black Drongo. If time we visit Bang Taboon Mangrove forest for look for Mangrove Whistler.

On our way to Kaeng Krachan Park, we stop at open areas to look for Gray-breasted Prinia, Eurasian Thick-knee, Eurasian Hoopoe and Chestnut-capped Babbler. We arrive at Kaeng Krachan perhaps in time for a productive session of birding at a blind set-up especially for bird photography. At dusk we look for Indian Nightjar.

Night in accommodations just outside the park entrance.

Days 4 - 6: Kaeng Krachan

We spend three productive days birding Kaeng Krachan. With an area of about 3000 km2 Kaeng Krachan National Park is Thailand’s largest national park, covering nearly half of the province. It protects mostly rainforests in the mountains along the boundary with Myanmar, but also the Kaeng Krachan reservoir is part of the park. The only significant river of the province is the Phetchaburi River.

A number of exciting species inhabit the lush forests – these include Grey Peacock-Pheasant, Kalij Pheasant, Blue Pitta and Orange-headed Thrush. Roadside birding here is very productive with many species from a wide range of bird families.

In Dry Forest we look for Black-naped Oriole, Blue-winged and, Golden-fronted Leafbirds, Greater Yellownape, Great Slaty Woodpecker, Black-and-red Broadbill, and Crested Serpent Eagle, along with Red-bearded and Blue-bearded Bee-eaters, and Banded and Silver-breasted Broadbills.

Higher elevation birding at Pha Nean Thung could produce Long-tailed Broadbill, Pin-tailed Parrotfinch, Great and Wreathed Hornbills, Flavescent Bulbul, White-browed Shrike-Babbler, Great Barbet, Streaked Spiderhunter, Red-headed Trogon, Mountain Imperial Pigeon, Dark-sided Flycatcher, and mammals such as White-handed Gibbon and Dusky Leaf Langur. A daytime roost of the rare White-fronted Scops Owl will be a bonus.

Other notables include Ratchet-tailed Treepie and Swinhoe’s Minivet. In addition, the blinds at Uncle Sin’s and nearby Ban Song Nok are excellent for bird photography and obtaining close views of otherwise shy forest species and we aim to spend time taking advantage of this unique opportunity.

Possibilities abound: Bar-backed and Scaly-breasted Partridges, Red Junglefowl, Crested Goshawk, Red-legged Crake, Grey-headed Woodpecker, Eared Pitta, Emerald Dove, White-browed and Large Scimitar-Babblers, Black-crested, Black-headed and Stripe-throated Bulbuls, Racket-tailed Treepie, Green Magpie, Lesser and Geater Necklaced Laughingthrushes, Brown-cheeked Fulvetta, Siberian Blue Robin, White-rumped Shama, Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher, and mammals such as Greater Mouse Deer.

Nights in accommodations just outside the park entrance.

Day 7: Transfer to Khao Yai National Park

We spend the early morning around Ban Song Nok, followed by a 4-hour drive to Pak Chong Agriculture area looking for Yellow-eyed Babbler, Yellow-capped Babbler, Green Bee-eater and more. After this we drive another hour to our hotel outside the main gate of Khao Yai National Park.

Night near Khao Yai.

Days 8 and 9: Khao Yai National Park

We spend two days birding in Khao Yai National Park. Birds are abundant here! We visit various locations in the park: Heaw Narok Waterfall for Banded Kingfisher, Pied Hornbill, Black-crested Bulbul, and Abbot’s Babbler; the Zone Thanarat Bungalow habitat of scrub, grassy, forest edge for Hill Myna, Chestnut-headed Bee-eater, Red-wattled Lapwing, Red Junglefowl, and Ashy Wood Swallow; Khao Khiew road for Blue Pitta, Orange-breasted and Red-headed Trogon, Silver Pheasant, Siamese Fireback, Greater Flameback, Thick-billed Pigeon, Long-tailed Broadbill, and Blue-breasted Bee-eater; Pha Diew Dai view point of evergreen forest and hill forest for Red-headed Trogon, Black-throated Laughingthrush, Puff-throated Babbler, Black Eagle, Great and Wreathed Hornbills; Pha Kaw Mai Campsite for Siberian Blue Robin and 4 species of Flowerpeckers - Yellow-vented, Plain, Scarlet-backed, and Buff-breasted; and Wang Jumpee, Buong Pai & Dong Tiew trails for Eared Pitta, White-crowned Forktail and Slaty-backed Forktail. Mammals include Sambar Deer, Barking Deer, White-handed Gibbon, Wild Dog, Black Giant Squirrel, and Variable Squirrel. The evening could produce Northern Brown Boobok, Brown Fish Owl, Wild Elephant, and civets.

Nights just outside Khao Yai National Park.

Day 10: Transfer to Chang Rai

After breakfast we transfer to Bangkok and then take an afternoon flight to Chiang Rai. In the afternoon we drive west (about 2.5 hours) to Doi Ang Khang for an afternoon of exploratory birding, stopping at a couple of spots along the way.

Night in accommodations near Doi Ang Khan.

Days 11 and 12: Doi Ang Khang

We spend two days birding at Doi Ang Khang. There are several special birds in this area, notably Giant Nuthatch, White-browed Laughingthrush, Spectacled Barwing, Brown-breasted Bulbul and Spot-breasted Parrotbill amongst many others.

Also, our chances of seeing many wintering thrushes and warblers will be good. The area around Ban Luang is almost completely deforested, with remaining cover on rocky ridges, and this attracts Goshawk, Hen Harrier, Daurian Redstart, Buff-throated Warbler and Little Bunting. If time permits we can look for the scarce Hodgson’s Frogmouth after dusk.

Nights in accommodations near Doi Ang Khan.

Day 13: Transfer to Doi Inthanon NP

Today we drive south to Doi Inthanon NP where we spend three nights. Doi Inthanon is Thailand’s highest mountain, 8,400 feet above sea level, a distinctly cool change from the hot and humid lowlands. This is an excellent site for mountain birds and can be good for wintering warblers and thrushes. Dark-sided Thrush and Green Cochoa will be two stars we’ll be looking for, but there are many more special birds here.

The lower part of the park has dry forest with a different set of birds, including Black-headed Woodpecker and Black-backed Forktail. Possibilities seem endless - Rufouse-bellied Niltava, Small Niltava, White-gorgeted Flycather, White-browed Scimitar-Babbler, Yellow-checked Tit, Dark-backed Sibia, Asian Emerald Cuckoo, Chestnut-tailed Minla, Grey-cheeked Fulvetta, Grey-headed Flycatcher, White-browed Piculet, White-throated Fantail, Silver-eared Mesia, Spectacled Barwing, Grey-chinned and Scarlet Minivet, Flavescent Bulbul, Mountain Bulbul, and at the summit Green-tailed Sunbird , Gould's Sunbird, Rufous-throated Partridge, Grey Bushchat, Chestnut-capped Babbler, Chestnut-tailed Minla, Yellow-bellied Fantail, Rufous-winged Fulvetta, Lesser Shortwing, White-browed Shortwing, Verditer Flycatcher, Chestnut-crowned Laughingthrush, Ashy-throated Warbler and more.

Night in Doi Inthanon national park.

Days 14 and 15: Doi Inthanon NP

This part of northern Thailand is a very bird-rich area; dry dipterocarp forests on lower mountain slopes merge into pine stands and deforested areas which support wintering Grey Bushchats, Siberian Rubythroats, Buff-throated, Radde's and Yellow-streaked Warblers, and Chestnut Buntings.

Higher elevation evergreen forest contain patches of rhododendrons around ponds, where Red-flanked Bluetails, White-tailed and Ashy-throated Leaf-Warblers, and Scarlet Rosefinches occur. Night birding here can be good with Spot-bellied Eagle-Owl, Brown Hawk Owl and Asian-barred Owlet seen in the vicinity.

Nights in Doi Inthanon national park.

Day 16: Return to Bangkok

We spend the morning birding Doi Inthanan before catching a flight back to Bangkok from Chiang Mai.

Night in Bangkok near the airport.

Day 17: Departure

Our Thailand birding tour ends today, you can transfer to the airport for departure flights at any time.

What to Expect

Overview The Thailand tour is a fast paced birding tour. You can expect some pretty early mornings and long days in the field.

Food You can expect some early morning excursions, before breakfast. We take most lunches in the field as picnic style, to maximize our time in the field, or at a restaurant en route to a birding spot or a different town. Dinner is usually at the lodge or a nearby restaurant. Each evening after dinner we compile the day’s checklist, review the day’s activities, birds, mammals and other observations, and plan the next day’s activities.

Accommodation We generally stay in 3-star hotels or lodges, in locations that are close to where we want to go birding.

Walking The walking on this tour is mostly moderate, walking up to 5 km (2 – 3 miles), but there are a couple of harder walks, such as at Doi Ang Khang. Trails may be muddy, depending on the rainfall. We will mostly be on roadsides and tracks, occasionally on narrow forest trails, with some shorter walks on uneven rocky trails.

Driving Most days have a small to moderate amount of driving. We will make frequent rest stops along the way.

Climate Thailand at this time of year is tropical and humid; our tour runs just before the start of the summer monsoon in May. Be prepared for hot, humid and sunny weather at low altitudes, with possible showers in the afternoon; we recommend bringing a light rain-jacket or poncho, although we try to avoid birding in any rain worse than a light drizzle. When in the mountains, we will experience some cooler temperatures during the morning birding. When we visit Thailand’s highest mountain, Doi Inthanon, 2,560m (8,400 ft) above sea level, the temperature could be as cool as 0 – 5°C (32 – 41° F) in the morning. Mosquitoes, ticks and sandflies can be a problem, so bring mosquito repellent and mosquito-proof clothing.

Boat trips 1.5- 2 hour boat trip at Laen Pak Bia in a small boat, similar to a canoe, to check out the Sandspits. The water is calm, and there is no toilet on board.

Featured Wildlife

While we cannot guarantee sightings of the birds or mammals listed below, we believe that encountering these species is quite likely during this tour.

• Spoon-billed Sandpiper
• Nordmann’s Greenshank
• Grey Peacock-Pheasant
• Black-and-red Broadbill
• Green Cochoa
• Black-headed Woodpecker
• Limestone Wren Babbler
• Spot-bellied Eagle-Owl
• Pin-tailed Parrotfinch
• Giant Nuthatch
• Himalayan Cutia
• Great Hornbill
• Black-backed Forktail
• Asian Elephant

Past Tour Checklists

View the list of birds and other wildlife we encountered on our past tours.

• Thailand species list 2024
• Thailand species list 2023
• Thailand species list 2019
• Thailand species list 2016

Trip Reports & Inspiration

Tour reviews, connecting tours.

Cambodia & South Vietnam

You might also like.

Peninsular Malaysia: Fraser's Hill &

Borneo: Bristleheads & Orangutans

Indonesia Sailing: Whale Sharks &

• Conservation
• In the media
• Birding blog
• How to book
• Booking FAQs
• Plan your trip
• Land Tour FAQs
• Insurance FAQ

WHERE WE GO

• Mexico & Central America
• South America
• Australia & New Zealand

• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy

Custom and Set-Departure Bird & Wildlife Tours Around the World

Thailand: mystical asia - birding tour, tour overview:.

Thailand is one of Asia’s most exciting birding destinations. Located at the crossroads of Southeast Asia, Thailand has exceptionally high bird diversity. It is home to many colorful resident species which share their habitats with healthy numbers of Palearctic and Himalayan migrants. Combined with legendary Thai hospitality, some of the finest cuisine in the Orient, and high-quality accommodation, it is no surprise that this is one of the most popular Asian destinations for birders. Our tour explores the national parks of south, central, and northern Thailand, looking for handsome hornbills, spectacular broadbills, stunning pittas, and a host of other Asian denizens. For those with extra time, a short extension to search for some of the Sundaic specialties of southern Thailand should ensure a grand finale, and bring a taste of the remarkable birds of the Malay Peninsula.

Upcoming Departures:

Main Tour: 15 February - 3 March  ($6415; single supplement: $650)

Extension:  3 - 8 March  ($2450; single supplement: $420 )

Ready to Book?

Detailed itinerary, other tour details:.

Length : 17 Days (22 Days w/ Ext.)

Starting City :  Bangkok

Ending City :  Bangkok

Pace : Moderate

Physical Difficulty:  Moderate

Focus : Birding

Group size :  7 + 1 leader

Day 1: Bangkok to Laem Pak Bia

After meeting up in Bangkok, we will drive a couple hours to the shorebird paradise of Pak Thale. If time allows, we’ll start our hunt for the area’s specialty shorebirds, including the famous Spoon-billed Sandpiper. A single night will be spent at a resort in Baan Laem, Petchburi.

Day 2: Pak Thale

Today we visit Pak Thale on the shores of the Gulf of Thailand. This is an extensive area of pools, saltpans, and shrimp ponds. In recent years a handful of critically endangered Spoon-billed Sandpipers have wintered here. In order to look for it, we’ll have to comb through thousands of other shorebirds, including Marsh and Broad-billed Sandpipers, Lesser and Greater Sand-plovers, and Red-necked Stints. Other possibilities include Nordmann’s Greenshank and the endangered Black-faced Spoonbill. Later we plan to visit Laem Pak Bia by boat in search of Chinese Egret, Malaysian Plover and the newly described, and as yet unnamed, “White-faced” Plover, before heading to Kaeng Krachan NP for a three-night stay.

Days 3–4: Kaeng Krachan NP

In the far north of the Peninsula, Kaeng Krachan is home to a wonderful array of barbets, hornbills, broadbills, woodpeckers, and pittas. The most sought-after bird is the oddly-shaped Ratchet-tailed Treepie. Mammals are also readily seen. Possibilities include the delightful Dusky Langur, Gaur, Asian Elephant, and even Leopard, including the rare all black form ("Black Panther"). These two nights will also be spent just outside Kaeng Krachan NP.

Days 5–7: Khao Yai NP

On day 5, we head out of Kaeng Krachan, driving north to this other popular park, Khao Yai. Three nights will be spent just outside the park. The lush, evergreen dipterocarp forest supports some highly sought-after birds and mammals, including the entertaining White-handed and Pileated Gibbons. Impressive Silver Pheasants, stunning Siamese Firebacks, and bizarre Coral-billed Ground-Cuckoos walk unobtrusively through the undergrowth. Hornbills frequent the treetops, Blue and Eared Pittas skulk in the leaf litter, and White-crested Laughingthrushes move noisily in understory flocks. The bird list here also includes stunners such as Long-tailed and Silver-breasted broadbills, Vernal Hanging-Parrot, Greater Yellownape, Blue-bearded Bee-eater, and Red-headed Trogon. One night we will linger in the park and enjoy the eerie calls of the harrier-sized Great Eared-Nightjar. We will also search for Sambar Deer, Indian Muntjac, and the retiring Asian Elephant in the more remote parts of the park. Our three nights will be spent in a hotel with spacious, bird-filled grounds just outside this flagship park.

Day 8: Khao Yai NP to Bueng Boraphet

Leaving Khao Yai NP we begin our journey north, with a stop at Bueng Boraphet. Located approximately halfway between Bangkok and Chiang Mai, Bueng Boraphet is Thailand’s largest freshwater lake and an area of international conservation importance for migratory waterbirds, which congregate here in the thousands every winter. They include Asian Openbill, Pheasant-tailed Jacana, Cotton Pygmy-goose, and Lesser Whistling-Duck. Rarities also turn up regularly, such as Baer’s Pochard. The fringes of the marsh can also be good for passerines like the spectacular Siberian Rubythroat. We overnight in a hotel near Bueng Boraphet.

Days 9–11: Doi Inthanon NP

After another morning birding at Bueng Boraphet, we make our way further north to Doi Inthanon, Thailand’s highest mountain, for a three night stay near the base of the mountain. The “Roof of Thailand” provides spectacular forest birding at a range of different altitudes. The lower mountain is covered by dry, open, deciduous dipterocarp forest. Here we seek one of the cutest raptors in the world, the diminutive Collared Falconet. Black-headed Woodpecker and Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch may also be seen climbing the limbs of these gnarled trees, while Black-backed Forktails haunt the rushing rivulets. Higher up the mountain slopes, dazzling Green and Purple Cochoas are the prized birds in the evergreen forest, where the resident birds are joined by migrant thrushes and warblers at this time of year. On one day we visit the damp sphagnum bog and rhododendron forest at the summit. This is an eerie place in the early morning, but the misty atmosphere is brightened by dazzling Gould’s and Green-tailed Sunbirds and the bold and approachable Chestnut-crowned Laughingthrush. White-browed Shortwings and Slaty-bellied Tesias feed quietly on the damp forest floor.

Day 12: Doi Inthanon to Doi Chiang Dao

Heading north from Chiang Mai, we arrive at the looming limestone massif of Doi Chiang Dao. We bird around an attractive Buddhist temple searching for Pin-tailed Pigeon, Streaked Wren-Babbler, and Black Bulbul. A night walk may also reveal Mountain or Collared Scops-owls. A single night will be spent in Doi Chiang Dao.

Day 13: Doi Chiang Dao to Doi Ang Khang

We will head to the flanks of Doi Ang Khang, near the Myanmar border. The local specialties include Limestone Wren-Babbler, Chestnut-headed Tesia, Silver-eared Mesia, Rusty-cheeked Scimitar-babbler, and Spectacled Barwing. One night will be spent in this fascinating highland town.

Day 14: Doi Ang Khang to Fang

After a morning of birding the trails of Ang Khang, we’ll make the short drive to the town of Fang, which serves as a springboard for our visit to Doi Lang the next morning. 

Day 15: Doi Lang

This awesome new birding site has some of the most exciting birding in Thailand. Most importantly, it’s the best site for two of the country’s best birds: Hume’s Pheasant and Giant Nuthatch, the largest nuthatch on Earth. Once we have found these two species, there are plenty of other birds to look for, including Siberian Rubythroat, White-bellied Redstart, Rusty-cheeked Scimitar-Babbler, and even Himalayan Cutia or Whiskered Yuhina if we’re very lucky. This is a great place to catch up with some shy and scarce flycatchers like Ultramarine and Slaty-blue Flycatchers and Rufous-bellied Niltava. In the afternoon we’ll descend to a lowland valley, where we’ll spend the late afternoon birding some remnant riverside grassland, which can produce Yellow-eyed and Chestnut-capped Babblers, Bluethroat, and sometimes scarce species like Baikal Bush-Warbler or Yellow-breasted Bunting. The night will be spent in a resort in Thaton.

Day 16: Chiang Saen to Bangkok

We spend our last morning birding the Chiang Saen area looking for River Lapwing, Small Pratincole, Pied Harrier, and a myriad of waterbirds before flying back to Bangkok, where we overnight.

Day 17: Departure

We head to the airport in the morning for departure, or to start the extension.

Thai Peninsula Extension

Introduction:

Thailand is a long, gangly country, with the birds of the north and center differing markedly from this further south on the Thai Peninsula, or northern end of the Malay Peninsula. As the latter name suggests the avifauna of this part of Thailand is influenced by that of Malaysia juts to the south. Extreme beauties like Malayan Banded Pitta, Scarlet-rumped and Diard’s Trogons, Green Broadbills, and Whiskered Treeswifts lurk in the forest, while the extensive mangroves in the bay of Phang-nga hold Mangrove Pitta and Brown-winged Kingfisher, among others.

*PLEASE NOTE: The itinerary has been changed for 2018 onwards from that which was previously advertised. This has been done purely to improve the birding; it still visits the same habitat types and targets the same broad list of birds, but now covers better sites, which have come to the fore in recent years, therefore increasing your chances at some of the rarer species.

Day 1: Fly from Bangkok to Phuket; transfer to Ao Phang-nga NP

This park on the north side of the Phang-Nga Bay is famed for its quality mangrove birding. It has even now surpassed the mangroves of Krabi as THE go-to place for mangrove birding in southern Thailand. As you’d expect for this habitat, kingfishers are a major feature. There are six species in this area, and we will be especially on the lookout for Ruddy, Brown-winged and Black-capped Kingfishers there. However, the jewel in the crown of Ao Phang-Nga is the glittering Mangrove Pitta, which will be our principal target of the site. Other species that may feature as we cover various spots in the mangroves, are Rufous-bellied Swallow, Chestnut-bellied Malkoha, Streak-breasted Woodpecker, Common Flameback, Black-and-red Broadbill, Sakhalin Leaf-Warbler, and Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker. A single night will be spent in a hotel on the edge of Phang-nga Bay.

Day 2: Ao Phang-nga NP to Khao Sok via Laem Pakarang

A final session will be spent cleaning up whatever we still need in Ao Phang-nga, before we head north to the coral sandspit of Laem Pakarang for some different coastal birding. Shorebirds and terns gather here in great numbers, and these will be our focus; while searching among the more regular species, we will keep an eye out for a Crab-Plover, Nordmann’s Greenshank, or Far Eastern Curlew. The more regular fare at the site includes Terek Sandpiper, Gray-tailed Tattler, Red-necked Stint, Kentish and Malaysian Plovers, Pacific Golden-Plover, and Greater and Lesser Sand-Plovers. Brahminy Kite and White-bellied Sea-Eagle are also regular. The night will be spent just minutes away from Khao Sok National Park, which will be the site we cover for the majority of the following day…

Day 3: Khao Sok NP

Most of the day will be spent birding this lowland forest site, which will not only offer further chances at some species missed in the north, but adds a considerable number of species that are only found in southern Thailand. Among the possibilities here are Silver-rumped Needletail, Bushy-crested Hornbill, Red-bearded Bee-eater, Blue-banded, Blue-eared, and Banded Kingfishers, Red-throated Barbet, Chestnut-breasted Malkoha, Chestnut-naped Forktail, three species of iora (Green, Great and Common), Black-headed and Yellow-bellied Bulbuls, Chestnut-winged and Abbot’s Babblers, and Forest Wagtail. In the afternoon, we shall drive to the town of Kuraburi, just outside Sri Phang-Nga National Park.

Day 4: Sri Phang-Nga NP

This fantastic little park is seldom visited by tourists, and can be wonderfully quiet as a result. However, like Khao Sok, it provides superb lowland forest birding. Sri Phang-Nga is particularly noted for Malayan Banded Pitta, arguably one of the world’s best looking birds. In recent years, a feeding station has been set up just outside the park (feeding is now prohibited inside the park). If the feeding station is active during our visit, this will be our first port of call, as the views are unrivaled; if it is not active, we shall seek on out inside the park by more traditional methods. There are plenty of other birds to keep an eye out for, like Oriental Honey-Buzzard, Wallace’s Hawk-Eagle, Great Hornbill, Raffle’s Malkoha, Whiskered Treeswift, Banded and Maroon Woodpeckers, Black-and-yellow Broadbill, Crow-billed Drongo, Red-eyed, Spectacled and Buff-vented Bulbuls, Asian Fairy-Bluebird, Ruby-cheeked Sunbird, and Purple-naped Spiderhunter. After much of the day in this park, we shall drive to a beach resort situated on the Gulf of Thailand for the next two nights (in Tha Sala).

Day 5: Khao Luang NP (Krung Ching)

Our final full day of the extension is set to be a special one, as we visit Krung Ching, one of the most revered sites in southern Thailand that offers some rare species for Thailand, more typical of the Malay Peninsula further south. The ,list of species here is daunting, but this is a good thing, even at this late stage of the tour, we will have our hands busy, searching for Red-billed and Black-bellied Malkohas, Square-tailed Drongo-Cuckoo, Scarlet-rumped and Orange-breasted Trogons, White-crowned and Black Hornbills, Sooty Barbet, Buff-rumped and Gray-and-buff Woopdeckers, Green, Dusky, and Banded Broadbills, Fulvous-chested Jungle-Flycatcher, Rufous-winged Philentoma, Scaly-breasted and Hairy-backed Bulbuls, Lesser Green Leafbird, Spectacled, Yellow-eared, and Gray-breasted Spiderhunters, and Yellow-breasted and Crimson-breasted Flowerpeckers. With such a long list of good Thai birds, we will return to the park the following day again, before we reluctantly return to Bangkok for the tour end. Another night will be spent at a coastal resort, along the Gulf of Thailand (Tha Sala).

Day 6: Krung Ching to Bangkok

Depending on what we have not seen by this point, we will likely return to Krung Ching for some further birding there, or may do some coastal birding locally, or a combination of both. In the afternoon, we shall drive to Nakhon Si Thammarat airport and take the short flight back to Bangkok, for evening departures out of there.

Trip Considerations

PACE:  Moderate to intense. This tour covers a lot of ground in a short amount of time. Start times vary, but on a couple of mornings can be as early as 5:00 AM, while on others may be as late as 6:30 AM. For those days where we spend the whole day in the field, a packed breakfast and packed lunch will be provided. On other days we typically have breakfast at the hotel before we depart. Lunches are either eaten en-route between birding spots , or at a good restaurant near our hotel. All dinners are at good restaurants at or near the hotel. On those days where we are not moving between locations, we’ll have some downtime in the middle of the day. The other days will involve several hours of driving, but there are usually some stops along the way.

PHYSICAL DIFFICULTY:  Mostly easy. There may be some short walks on trails, especially in Khao Yai and Doi Ang Khang. On some days we will walk as far as 4 miles (6.5km), but this will mostly be on wide paths, and often downhill. Several days of the tour are spent above 3300 ft (1000 m), with at least one morning spent above 6600 ft (2000 m). There is some trail walking required on the extension, although this is not difficult, with only occasional, short steep sections.

CLIMATE:  Potentially extremely variable. A wide range of temperatures are possible at this time of year in Thailand. Some years the overnight lows (and thus the temperature when we arrive in the mountains in the early morning) can be at 43°F (8°C) or even lower. Daytime highs on such days often don’t exceed 71°F (22°C). However, other years the daytime lows dip below 32°F (0°C), and daytime highs can reach into the 70s°F (above 21°C). In the more tropical south we can expect daytime highs of up to 86°F (30°C). Occasionally you can get both scenarios on the same trip, so it is important to be prepared for a wide variety of conditions. Rain is rare on this tour. The climate on the Thai Peninsula, for the extension, is hot and humid.

ACCOMMODATION:  Good to excellent. All of the hotels and motels have typical amenities, including Wi-Fi.

PHOTOGRAPHY: This is a birding tour, but Thailand is among the best Asian destinations for bird photography. At Kaeng Krachan, we will be spending some time at well-designed hides that are very good for photography, though the dark conditions require the use of high ISOs. Dedicated photographers should check out our Thailand Photo Tour. 

Other Information

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:  For US, UK, most European and Canadian citizens, no visa is required to enter Thailand for a stay of less than 30-days. Thailand’s visa friendly policy extends to many countries, but please check your requirements prior to travel. Travel requirements are subject to change; please double check with the nearest embassy or consulate, or ask our office staff if you are unsure. 

WHAT’S INCLUDED?:  Accommodation from the night of day 1 to the night day 16 on the main tour or the night of day 5 with the extension; meals from lunch on day 1 to breakfast on day 17 on the main tour, or lunch on day 6 of the extension; reasonable non-alcoholic beverages with meals; safe drinking water; photo tour leader with camera and audio playback gear from mid-day of day 1 to the evening of day 16; domestic flight tickets from Bangkok to Chiang Mai and from Chiang Rai to Bangkok on the main tour, and a return ticket from Bangkok to Krabi on the extension; ground transport for the group in a suitable vehicle driven by the guide from mid-day of day 1 to the afternoon of day 16 on the main tour, and until the afternoon of day 6 on the extension; airport shuttle bus on day 1 and day 17; tips included for meals; entrance fees to the sites mentioned in the itinerary; the use of photo blinds during the tour; a printed and bound checklist to keep track of your sightings (given to you at the start of the tour – only electronic copies can be provided in advance). 

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED?:  Optional tips to the tour leader; tips to baggage carriers if you require their services; international flights; snacks; additional drinks apart from those included; alcoholic beverages; travel insurance; excursions not included in the tour itinerary; extras in hotels such as laundry service, minibar, room service, telephone calls, and personal items; medical fees; other items or services not specifically mentioned as being included.

Tour Reviews

*Participated on this Tour? Leave a Review! We would also love to see your favorite photo, upload it!

Thailand Birding & Nature

Postponed until 2022..

February 14 - March 4, 2021

• Full Itinerary
• Photo Gallery

Travel Details

• Trip Reports
• Know Before You Go

Thailand, often called the “Land of Smiles,” is a country of great natural beauty with important national parks and abundant birding. This Naturalist Journeys adventure lets you explore this friendly country with experts: visit salt farms and mudflats teeming with thousands of migratory shorebirds, misty montane forests alive with flocks of colorful species, and verdant lowland forests that ring with the calls of colorful broadbills and hornbills. Thailand is also a vital wintering ground for a wide variety of migrants from Siberia and China, many of which we can see on our February visit. There is no better introduction to birding in the eastern part of Asia. Our tour focuses on two provinces in Thailand. Chiang Mai province in the north contains the southernmost foothills of the Himalayan region. The other province we visit is Petchaburi, just west of Bangkok. Shorebirds fill the saltpans along its coastline, offering some of the best shorebirding on Earth. The star here is the critically endangered Spoon-billed Sandpiper. Kaeng Krachan National Park in its interior is the largest and most biodiverse forested areas in the region. Imagine a Great Hornbill, the size of a swan, glide overhead; a Blue Pitta, intricately patterned, appear like a jewel from a thicket; or a Black-and-yellow Broadbill, painted in pink, yellow, white and black, sitting motionless on a branch. These are some of the experiences we hope for at Kaeng Krachan. There is also a good chance for a few mammals: White-handed Gibbon, Lesser Mouse Deer and Dusky Langur with a chance, even, for the iconic Asian Elephant or Asiatic Leopard.

Tour Highlights

• Explore Doi Inthanon, birding forests of the tallest mountain in Thailand (over 8,000 feet) for colorful birds typical of the Himalayas such as Chestnut-tailed Minla, Clicking Shrike Babbler, Yellow-cheeked Tit, Large Niltava, and Green-tailed Sunbird
• Experience the atmosphere of the Thai-Myanmar border with its hilltribe communities, scenic views, and abundance of birds
• Seek out the jewel-like Blue Pitta in the undergrowth at Kaeng Krachan, from a group of birds so beautiful that they inspired a man’s obsession to see every one of these elusive avian gems
• Marvel at the sheer number and diversity of shorebirds at Pak Thale, while learning about migration and conservation issues facing endangered species like Spoon-billed Sandpiper, Nordmann’s Greenshank, and Chinese Egret
• Enjoy Thailand’s famous cuisine, known for its enthusiastic use of fresh herbs and spices

Trip Itinerary

Itineraries are guidelines; variations in itinerary may occur to account for weather, road conditions, closures, etc. and to maximize your experience.

Tues., Feb. 23: Doi Inthanon

Nicknamed the “roof of Thailand,” Doi Inthanon (ca. 8400 feet) is so high and so cold that local tourists flock to the summit on cold winter mornings to see frost — a novel experience to many local residents here who have never seen ice or snow! The road that winds up this magnificent granite mountain also happens to transect a diverse variety of habitats, including dry dipterocarp woodland, mixed deciduous forest, pine forest, and montane forest. By remaining in the lowlands as our base, we explore the various elevations and their associated habitats in search of their own characteristic bird life— the park is home to some 380 species of birds! The drive from Chiang Mai to Doi Inthanon takes about an hour. Once inside the national park, we stroll through moss-clad trees and drop by a picturesque waterfall where the running water attracts the delightful White-capped Redstart and monochromatic Slaty-backed Forktail. Further up along the mountain, gently sloping forest trails often host busy feeding flocks, which may contain Clicking Shrike-Babbler, Yellow-cheeked Tit, and Rufous-backed Sibia. In the late afternoon we can visit the dry woodland in the foothills to see the cute little Collared Falconet as well as Black-headed Woodpeckers. Our hotel is surrounded by nature in a beautiful location. Accommodations at Inthanon Highland Resort (B,L,D)

Thurs., March 4: Departures

Departures today are at your leisure. (B)

Wed., March 3: Kaeng Krachan National Park to Bangkok

We have one final morning at Kaeng Krachan National Park. Due to the high diversity of species (many of which are uncommon), there is so much potential to continually see new things on every new visit. In the afternoon, we head back to Bangkok via the Nong Pla Lai rice paddies where we may be able to find raptors and waterbirds we may have missed on our first visit. Tonight, we enjoy one final dinner in Bangkok to celebrate the end of the trip and reminisce about all the great birds and experiences collected along the way on this tour. Our hotel is lovely and conveniently located near the airport. Accommodations in Bangkok at Mariya Boutique Residence (B,L,D)

Tues., March 2: Kaeng Krachan National Park

We visit Kaeng Krachan National Park again in the morning for further exploration, perhaps running into a Kalij Pheasant or Gray Peacock-Pheasant along the road in the early hours. At lunch time, we go back to our accommodations. For those who want to continue birding, there are some excellent nearby hides with small water features. These quiet areas attract an amazing assortment of beautiful forest birds — Lesser Necklaced Laughingthrush, Common Green-Magpie, Siberian Blue Robin, Black-naped Monarch, and Scaly-breasted Partridge are just some of the possibilities. Every afternoon brings in a slightly different selection of species. Accommodations at Ban Maka Nature Lodge (B,L,D)

Mon., March 1: Kaeng Krachan National Park

In the morning, we make another visit into Kaeng Krachan, building on our sightings from the previous day. The forest here is rich but many of the most exciting birds are thinly spread so we have extra days. Thus, we have plenty of time to search for some really memorable birds and hopefully some mammals along the way. Timing things correctly should give us Black-thighed Falconet and spectacular Black-and-red Broadbill, while noisy Sultan Tit, a variety of barbets and woodpeckers should turn up before we go in search of Orange-breasted Trogon and Silver-breasted Broadbill. Lunch at our accommodation usually provides some nice bird sightings, too. In the afternoon, we venture further up in elevation where mixed feeding flocks can be spectacular. Silver-breasted and Long-tailed Broadbill, Blue-throated and Great Barbet, Bamboo Woodpecker, and White-browed Scimitar-Babbler are all possible. We hope to catch up with some mammals as well, including a very good chance of seeing the White-handed Gibbon. Accommodations at Baan Maka Nature Lodge (B,L,D)

Sun., Feb. 28: Kaeng Krachan National Park

After breakfast at our accommodation, we drive to Kaeng Krachan National Park for our first experience of tropical forest birding. Kaeng Krachan National Park is the largest national park in Thailand, forming part of a much larger forest complex that provides refuge for many of Asia’s rarest mammals and 420 species of birds. Indeed, this national park is of international conservation importance due to the vastness and excellent condition of its tropical evergreen forest. On our first full morning of birding in here, we focus on the lower elevation forest. Highlights along this stretch are many, including many of Asia’s most spectacular birds: Great and Rusty-cheeked Hornbill, Blue-bearded and Red-bearded Bee-eater, Heart-spotted and Great Slaty Woodpecker, Black-and-yellow and Black-and-red Broadbill, and so much more. In the dense tangles of wetter vegetation, we may even spot a living jewel — Blue Pitta. After lunch at our accommodations (and check-in), we can visit one of the nearby waterholes where a variety of birds come to bathe and drink. Depending on our luck, we can often see some really special birds here, perhaps a Gray Peacock-Pheasant or even Blue Pitta. We know all the locals who maintain these water features so we will know which key species are regularly visiting which location. Our hotel is a favorite of the trip, adjacent to the national park on three acres of gardens and forest. Accommodations at Ban Maka Nature Lodge (B,L,D)

Sat., Feb. 27: Petchaburi Rice Fields

Extensive areas of rice fields and fishponds are close to our hotel, which are excellent bird habitats. In the early morning, there can be a lot of activity with Black-browed Reed Warbler, Oriental Reed Warbler and Pallas’s Grasshopper Warblers calling from the reeds. Flights of Oriental Darter overhead and colorful birds such as Pink-necked Green Pigeon and Stork-billed Kingfisher are exciting. Freckle-breasted Woodpecker, White-browed Crake, cute Cotton Pygmy Goose and Ruddy-breasted Crake are all target species here. Expect to see a lot of birds in just a few hours! Fishponds usually contain Black-headed Ibis and Painted Stork, while the chance of a rarity is always there too. If we find a pond that has been drained, exposing dead fish, we might see some impressive congregations of scavenging Black Kite. In the heat of the day, we can rest in our hotel before making another late afternoon visit to look for species that are a little more elusive such as Watercock, Greater Spotted Eagle, and Cinnamon Bittern. Accommodations at Sun Hotel Phetchaburi (B,L,D)

Fri., Feb. 26: Pak Thale | Laem Pak Bia

We have an early morning start today in order to make the two-hour drive to Pak Thale, an expansive area of saltpans, shrimp ponds, and coastal mudflats. Flat and open, we may be able to see local salt farmers harvesting salt that has been neatly lined up in big white piles. This area hosts perhaps one of the greatest concentrations of shorebirds in the world, including up to about thirty different species all told. We make a special effort to see the charismatic and critically endangered Spoon-billed Sandpiper, as well as the endangered Nordmann’s Greenshank, Chinese Egret, and Far Eastern Curlew. After a nice local lunch, we take a boat trip out along the river and out to a sand bar on the estuary. This is always an enjoyable trip and with birds that include Malaysian Plover, Pacific Reef Egret, Great Crested Tern, and White-faced Plover–a great little birding excursion. Our hotel is a small chic hotel in the nearby town of Petchaburi. Accommodations at Sun Hotel Phetchaburi (B,L,D)

Thurs., Feb. 25: Doi Inthanon | Bangkok

We make one final visit to Doi Inthanon National Park. We usually visit a blind which overlooks a small stream. Here we hope for fine views of Slaty-backed Forktail, White-crowned Forktail, and Dark-sided Thrush. There are usually a few surprises here too, perhaps we can spot a Lesser Shortwing emerge from the undergrowth! After a short morning here, we drive back to the airport in Chiang Mai and take a short flight to Bangkok. Here we have some time to relax and catch up with emails, photo processing, or just read a book before dinner. Accommodations at Amari Don Muang Hotel (B,L,D)

Wed., Feb. 24: Doi Inthanon

A cool and crisp morning at the summit of Doi Inthanon starts off our day. The birding starts right from the parking lot, where the vegetation along the edges attracts many of the bolder mountain residents such as Silver-eared Laughingthrush, Green-tailed Sunbird, and Dark-backed Sibia. The Ang Ka Boardwalk nearby transects a bog full of trees festooned with moss. Within this magical environment, we hope to see some of the more secretive denizens of this mountain: Rufous-throated Partridge, White-browed Shortwing, and maybe even Eurasian Woodcock. Feeding flocks up here may contain the pixie-like Yellow-bellied Fairy-Fantail and Yellow-browed Tit. As the morning passes, we steadily move downslope with several stops along the way through excellent forest trails. The possibilities seem almost endless here, as feeding flocks can be exciting and diverse: Gould’s Sunbird, Small Niltava, Gray-throated Babbler, Chestnut-vented Nuthatch, White-throated Fantail, Verditer Flycatcher, and many more. We finish in the afternoon at a conservation site for Blossom-headed Parakeet. As we watch these lovely birds come in to roost, we learn about the conservation efforts underway to protect them. Accommodations at Inthanon Highland Resort (B,L,D)

Sun., Feb. 14: Arrivals in Chiang Mai

Our tour officially starts today. Many flights route to Chiang Mai (CNX) through San Francisco and Seoul, Korea (ICN) but you may also look at other routings, including coming north from Bangkok. Our travel agent can be very helpful, and we pay the basic ticket fee. Please let us know if you would like us to connect you with her. Representatives from our local company meet you at the Chiang Mai International Airport for our transfer to our modern Amora Tapae Hotel in Chiang Mai, a bustling and traditional Thai city that was once the seat of the Lanna Kingdom. Known for its abundance of intricate and ornate temples and bustling markets, Chiang Mai is a fun place to explore should you choose to come in early. This evening we enjoy a welcome dinner with an orientation as the excitement builds for the days ahead. Our hotel is located at an entrance to the old city, and its setting and hospitality set a great tone to start our tour. Accommodations at Amora Tapae Hotel (D) We recommend that you arrive a day or two early in Chiang Mai or Bangkok to adjust before starting the tour. There are regular and inexpensive direct flights from Bangkok to Chiang Mai.

Mon., Feb. 22: Doi Lang West | Doi Ang Kang – Inthanon Highland Resort

What we do this morning really depends on what we have seen over the previous days and where the birding has been best. We can revisit either Doi Lang West, if we need another attempt to see Mrs Hume’s Pheasant, or we can revisit the beautiful scenic areas of Doi Ang Kang. It is nice to have a bit of flexibility so that we enjoy the best of what the area has to offer. By late morning, we will begin our journey towards Doi Inthanon. This is our longest drive of the trip, and we will leave in plenty of time so that we can make some rest stops along the way and arrive at our accommodation in good time. The gardens of Inthanon Highland Resort are lovely, and we should have time to do some birding around here or just take a break if so desired. Finding Spotted Owlet and Brown Boobook is usually fairly easy, and both species are active before it gets properly dark. Accommodations at Inthanon Highland Resort (B,L,D)

Sun., Feb. 21: Doi Lang West

On our visit to Doi Lang West, we drive up in the early morning hours in hopes of finding the incomparable Hume’s Pheasant. This large forest pheasant dressed in rich chestnut, metallic blue, and white occurs only along a narrow band of montane forest through China, India, Myanmar, and Thailand (and this is arguably the best place in the world to see it). Another key species we look for today is the endangered Giant Nuthatch, the largest nuthatch species in the world at about the size of a European Starling. We should encounter many other species while we search for these two charismatic birds, and montane feeding flocks can include Rufous-backed Sibia, Golden Babbler, Stripe-breasted Woodpecker, Maroon Oriole, Blue-winged Minla, as well as the much-desired Himalayan Cutia. Accommodations at Tangerine Ville Hotel, Fang (B,L,D)

Sat., Feb. 20: Doi Ang Kang

From our hotel, we ascend a steep road to spend time on Doi Ang Kang, one of Thailand’s most scenic regions. Here hilltribe villages are set among farmland, forest and spectacular jagged mountains with a variety of birds that are scarce in many parts of the country. In the early morning, bird activity can be really good where the sun first hits the forest. The colorful Silver-eared Mesia is one of the main attractions here along with smart Crested Finchbill, Brown-breasted Bulbul and quite frequently good views of Giant Nuthatch. Visiting the King’s Project, colorful Mrs Gould’s Sunbirds are often seen feeding on flowering trees as well as Japanese Tit, Yellow-cheeked Tit, and Chestnut-flanked White-eye. We can enjoy some really good local food at lunch and try some of the dried fruit that is produced here before moving on to look for Daurian Redstart, Yellow-streaked Warbler, and checking out the products in a hilltribe market. Accommodations at Tangerine Ville Hotel, Fang (B,L,D)

Fri., Feb. 19: Doi Tung | Fang

An early start with a packed breakfast will put us at Mae Fa Luang Arboretum at a very good time of day. This picturesque location was established by the King’s grandmother on the Thai-Myanmar border and is a beautiful location. Over the last few years this cool and scenic spot has turned up some really excellent sightings of birds coming to feeding stations with species such as White-tailed Robin, Black-breasted Thrush and even rarer migratory thrushes such as Chestnut Thrush and Gray-winged Blackbird. The most recent local knowledge will be key here but birding around this mountain is always a lovely experience with birds including Gray-backed Shrike, Great Barbet, and Blyth’s Shrike-babbler to entertain us. After a morning of birding here we will descend and have lunch in a nearby restaurant and begin our journey back to the town of Fang. After checking in to our hotel we can either take some time to relax or those who are keen can continue birding on nearby rice fields for more views of the spectacular Pied Harrier. Accommodations at Tangerine Ville Hotel, Fang (B,L,D)

Thurs., Feb. 18: Chiang Saen

Breakfast at our hotel is eaten overlooking sunrise on the Mekong River, one of the world’s great rivers. Nearby, we will visit wetland areas set among farmland for a wide variety of species. Early morning at the waterside often reveals skulkers like Lanceolated Warbler or Bluethroat while migratory ducks can include Ferruginous Duck, Garganey, and Northern Pintail. The damp edges of these wetlands usually provide feeding areas for Citrine Wagtail and White Wagtail, as well as small numbers of Gray-headed Lapwing. Chiang Saen is a historic town with some ancient temples, and we will have time to make a visit to the most important of these; the impressive Wat Chedi Luang. We can also enjoy another lunch of local food while taking in the view across the river to Laos. In the afternoon we can check different areas, depending on the most up to date local knowledge, for key species such as Gray-throated Martin or the increasingly rare Jerdon’s Bushchat. Accommodation at Siam Triangle Hotel (B,L,D)

Wed., Feb. 17: Fang Hot Springs | Chiang Saen

We enjoy a nice and easy morning today with a visit to nearby Fang Hot Springs, known to be a reliable place for Spot-winged Grosbeak. Here boulders dot an open green space surrounded by forest; plumes of steam rise from the ground in a whimsical geologic display. The hot springs themselves (numbering around fifty in all) are a reminder of the geologic forces that ultimately created these mountains. This is a good spot for finding Asian Barred Owlet, flocks of colorful Long-tailed Minivets, the splendid White-faced Jay, Blue Rock-Thrush, and many other species. After birding, we can enjoy a mid-morning iced coffee and admire the lovely scenery of this site. By mid-morning, we will leave Fang and make a journey of around 2 hours to the small town of Chiang Saen where we have lunch on the banks of the Mekong River. After checking into our comfortable hotel, we can spend the afternoon checking out a variety of wetland areas to look for local specialities such as Small Pratincole, River Lapwing, Indian Spot-billed Duck, Burmese Shrike, and much more besides. The real ornithological highlight here is the harrier roost. From a wetland overlook, we will witness large numbers of harriers coming in to roost. At first they come in one by one, but by the time the light is failing, there can be hundreds of Pied Harriers and Eastern Marsh Harriers wheeling around before they plunge into the wet vegetation to roost. Our hotel is just a short drive away where we will have dinner. Accommodation at Siam Triangle Hotel (B,L,D)

Tues., Feb. 16: Doi Lang East

After breakfast at our accommodation, we continue our exploration of this wild area in search of specialties that are easier to see here than elsewhere in Thailand. Birding around the entry gate for the first hour of the day introduces us to some of the birds of the mountain before we board some local transport for a rather bumpy ride to the higher elevations. The journey is certainly worth it with species that include the amazing Scarlet-faced Liocichla, Whiskered Yuhina, gangs of noisy Dark-backed Sibias, Himalayan Bluetail, Large Niltava, colorful Black-eared Shrike-Babbler, and Silver-eared Laughingthrush all waiting for us. After having a picnic lunch with a view and sharing a few moments of our morning here, we meander down the mountain for some afternoon birding in the rice paddies of Thatorn. Perhaps due to the long presence of farming in the region, a wide variety of birds have adapted to the habitat here: Pied Harrier, Citrine Wagtail, Green Sandpiper, and perhaps even the endangered Yellow-breasted Bunting are all possible. Accommodations at Thatorn Garden Home (B,L,D)

Mon., Feb. 15: Mueng Sam Ma Lotus Swamp & Doi Lang West

After a delicious early morning breakfast at the Amora Hotel, we drive a short distance to Mueng Sam Ma lotus swamp, a small area of wetlands and overgrown pools on the outskirts of Chiang Mai with views of the surrounding mountains. This area gives us a great introduction to the birds of Thailand with a lot of open country and wetland species in a short space of time. Asian Openbills feeding in the shallows and flocks of Lesser Whistling Ducks will welcome us as we arrive, and we can spot Gray-headed Swamphen and Pheasant-tailed Jacana creeping among the lotus flowers along with Great Egret, Purple Heron, Gray Heron and Yellow Bittern. A couple of specialities of this site are also some of the more cryptic; Pallas’s Grasshopper Warbler and Eurasian Wryneck. More colorful are Common Iora, White-throated Kingfisher, and the tiny little Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker. This will be a really good start to our tour. After a few hours, we drive to the town of Fang for lunch before we continue our journey to Doi Lang. Lying on the shoulder of Thailand’s second highest peak—Doi Pha Hom Pok—this site is part of the most extensive remaining tract of evergreen hill forest in the region. As we walk the trails, we watch for a multitude of unique species of Himalayan and Chinese affinities, making it one of the most popular sites in the entire country for birdwatchers. On our first afternoon here, we stop by stake-outs for some of these: the tiny but oh-so-blue Ultramarine Flycatcher, the bizarre Rusty-cheeked Scimitar-Babbler, the adorable Spot-breasted Parrotbill, and others. Our hotel consists of a collection of cabins among orchard trees run by a local family on the bank of the Kok river. This is a nice base for the next few days with excellent local food. Accommodations at Thatorn Garden Home (B,L,D)

Cost of the Journey

Cost of the journey is $4990 DBL / $5490 SGL per person, based on double occupancy, from Chiang Mai. Cost includes 18 nights’ accommodations; all meals as stated in the itinerary; group airport transfers; ground transportation; professional guide services; park, preserve, and other activity fees; and miscellaneous program expenses. Tour price does not include: roundtrip airfare to Chiang Mai or from Bangkok, or items of a personal nature such as laundry, porterage, telephone charges, or alcoholic beverages.

Please plan to make air travel plans only after the minimum group size has been met. We will send you a confirmation email as soon as the trip has been confirmed.

Please plan to arrive at Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) in time for a welcome dinner on February 14; Please book departure flights at your leisure on March 4 from Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok (BKK). Please contact our travel agent, Pam Davis of Willamette Travel for help booking flights: [email protected] or 800-821-0401.

Browse below for trip reports and species lists from past versions of this and other tours from this destination.

• Species List
• Trip Report

Nick has been pursuing birds since the age of six after being shown a Dartford Warbler by his father on a family holiday. After traveling and birding in the Pacifica and Southeast Asia, Nick settled in Thailand over twenty years ago and now has over a decade of experience in leading bird tours throughout Asia. Widely recognized as the leading guide for Thailand, he can find difficult species and interpret the ecology of the bird, as well as the conservation issues many species face.

Other trips with Nick Upton - Thailand and Asia Expert

Pace & Protocols +

Pace of the tour & what to expect.

You will receive a Schedule-at-a-Glance and list of hotels (our eContact List) a few weeks before your departure. This will serve as an outline for each day and alert you to any recent changes made in the schedule or to our hotels, if needed.

Our journeys are set up to follow the rhythm of nature. Our focus is on birding and nature; we offer full, well-planned field days and often get up early for that magical time around dawn. We generally follow the published itinerary, but we stay flexible to the weather, wildlife opportunities and the interests of the group. Your guide will keep you apprised of the next day’s schedule at each evening meal, noting what to bring and what to prepare for. Questions and/or concerns are welcome.

The pace of our Naturalist Journeys tours is moderate; to fully participate you should be able to get in and out of vehicles several times a day, and walk 1-3 miles over uneven terrain.  It is important to participate with a flexible attitude as adjustments may be made in our schedule to make the most of our time in the field or for other purposes at your guide's discretion. We are not a “listing” bird company that drills down on target species, but at times we do wait for those special species unique to the places we visit. During the day, we take time to stop for photos and for educational opportunities to learn about conservation projects, landscapes, and geology. We appreciate other taxa as well as birds, with mammals often the biggest draw but plants and butterflies are also very popular. Our clients often lend their own expertise to the mix.

We like to make meals a fun and memorable part of the experience, too. Breakfasts are often at hotels, and we carry snacks, fruit, and water in the vans each day. Lunches are a mix of picnics in the field (weather dependent) and a chance to dine with locals at small cafes and restaurants. For dinner, we pride ourselves in our homework to keep up with the best choices for dining, choosing restaurants with atmosphere that specialize in local foods. On occasion we keep dinner simple to go back out in the field for sunset wildlife viewing or night walks. In some remote locations, our choices are limited. If you are tired, room service for dinner may be an option you can choose.

Naturalist Journeys International Trips: Guide Role

Naturalist Journeys supports ecotourism and the development of excellent local guides. Once we know our international partners and guides well, we can send out small groups working directly with these trusted partners, adding a Naturalist Journeys guide to assist the local expert when we have a group of 6-7 or more. This helps us keep your costs down while retaining tour quality. The local guide is your main guide. You can expect your Naturalist Journeys guide to be well-researched and often they are experienced in the destination, but their role is not to be primary, it is to help to organize logistics, help you find birds, mammals, and interesting other species in the field, keep reports, help facilitate group interactions, and to keep the trip within Naturalist Journeys' style. Local guides live in the countries we travel to, know the destinations intimately, and are often the strongest force for conservation in their countries. They open many doors for us to have a rich experience.

Smoking is not permitted in any vehicle or in any situation where the group is participating in an activity together, such as a vehicle excursion or a guided walk. Please respect all designated smoking areas at hotels and restaurants.

Transportation

As a courtesy to each other, we ask that all travelers please rotate seating. On international trips we may all be in one small bus, on some trips we are in vans, particularly the roomy Sprinter Vans when available. Some areas require us to be in smaller 4-wheel drive or safari vehicles. Rotation allows you to sit with different drivers and alternate front and back seating.

Photo Release & Sharing

We take many group photos and will share photos with the group. And after your tour, we will organize a chance to share photos via Dropbox or Google Photos. Please note that this is our policy and if you prefer to be excluded, we need to know ahead of your tour.

By registering for this tour, you agree to grant to Naturalist Journeys and its authorized representatives’ permission to record on photography film and/or video, pictures of my participation in the tour. You further agree that any or all of the material photographed may be used, in any form, as part of any future publications, brochure, or other printed materials used to promote Naturalist Journeys, and further that such use shall be without payment of fees, royalties, special credit or other compensation.

Travel Insurance

You are traveling in remote areas. Naturalist Journeys strongly recommends you have full medical and evacuation insurance from a company such as  Allianz , for all international travel. If you do not have medical coverage or evacuation coverage on your existing travel insurance policy or for some reason elected not to take that out, we advise getting an evacuation plan with Global Rescue ,  World Nomads , Medjet , Allianz (they can do evacuation only) or a similar company. These plans are typically $300-$400 for a year for multiple destinations. This coverage may be a part of a larger Travel Insurance policy but can also be purchased on its own.

Please contact Naturalist Journeys by email at [email protected] or telephone our office: (520) 558-1146 or toll free: (866) 900-1146 if you have any questions. Many thanks for traveling with us and we hope you enjoy your journey.

Photo credits: Banner: Oriental Pied Hornbill by Carlos Sanchez; Chestnut-flanked White-eye by Carlos Sanchez; Scarlet-faced Liocichla by Carlos Sanchez; White-handed Gibbon by Carlos Sanchez; Doi Inthanon Waterfall by Carlos Sanchez; Lotus Flower by Carlos Sanchez; Painted Stork by Carlos Sanchez; Himalayan Bluetail by Carlos Sanchez; Spoon-billed Sandpiper by Carlos Sanchez; Chestnut-tailed Minla by Carlos Sanchez; Golden-bellied Gerygone by Carlos Sanchez; Hill Blue Flycatcher by Carlos Sanchez; Long-tailed Shrike by Carlos Sanchez; Rusty-cheeked Scimitar-Babbler by Carlos Sanchez; Scarlet-faced Liocichla by Carlos Sanchez; Spot-breasted Parrotbill by Carlos Sanchez; Ultramarine Flycatcher by Carlos Sanchez; White-bellied Redstart by Carlos Sanchez; Yellow-browed Tit by Carlos Sanchez; Yellow-cheeked Tit by Carlos Sanchez.

Like what we do?

Sign up for our weekly enews to stay up to date, get to know our favorite destinations each week. we promise no spam..

• Birding tours in Thailand

Our tour packages

Choose a tour, below., birding tours in kaeng krachan national park.

By:   Tontan Travel Wildlife Tours

Tour description in short

Our birding tours in Kaeng Krachan national park are available as daytrips or multiple-day tours. And the entire trip you will be looking for the amazing birdlife that inhabits this park.

We will get around by car and make stops throughout the park to walk the roadside through different habitats and visit known stake-outs. Typically, pretty easy-going.

Why our birding tours?

Due to its location, Kaeng Krachan national park has a high diversity of bird species. Many species from Indochina and the Sunda region overlap in this park. There is a number of Pittas, various hornbill species, all Thai broadbill species occur here, and lots more.

The park is not far from Bangkok, and even closer to the popular tourist destination, Hua Hin. Thailand's largest national park is definitely one of the birdwatching hotspots of the country!

Khao Yai national park is without a doubt the best park in Thailand for wildlife watching. The park is home to impressive stands of primary forest, beautiful waterfalls, good wildlife populations, and offers easy accessibility & good tourist facilities. The wildlife viewing is great, both along the roads and on the trails. Click here to find our tours in Khao Yai national park

Click here to find our Birding tours in Kaeng Krachan

Birding tours Kaeng Krachan

Birding tours in khao yai national park.

Our birding tours in Khao Yai national park are available as daytrips or multi-day tours. The tours will be completely focused on Khao Yai's amazing birdlife.

On these tours we explore the park by car and make stops throughout the park in different habitats, at fruiting trees, or stake-outs for specific species. Normally not a physically demanding trip.

With over 400 bird species recorded, Khao Yai national park is a great location to visit. Some great birds include Siamese Fireback, Silver Pheasant, Coral-billed Ground Cuckoo, Red-headed Trogon, Eared Pitta, Blue Pitta, Long-tailed Broadbill, 4 species of hornbill including the stunning Great Hornbill and the rare Austen's Brown Hornbill, and the list goes on and on. What more do we need to add?

Khao Yai is easy to reach from Bangkok and has plenty of good facilities. And besides the stunning birdlife, there is a good chance to add some amazing bonus mammals too!

Click here to find our Birding tours in Khao Yai

Birding tours Khao Yai

• Tour packages

Our birding tours in Thailand

With well over a 1000 bird species, Thailand is an amazing destination for birders. With help of our expert birding guides you significantly increase your chances to see some of the feathered beauties.

It is also possible to focus these tours on bird photography, taking more time to get the perfect shot.

Click the following button to explore our tour packages, or continue reading, below.

Why our birding tours ?

Our expert birding guides are probably at least as passionate about birding as you are. They love being in the field. That enthusiasm combined with their local knowledge is what will make the difference.

Each individual tour package will have more details on why it is a worthwhile option.

What are the available tour activities in Thailand ?

On our birding tours you will drive around and make stops on known hotspots and in different habitats for further exploration of these areas on foot. Typically these tours are not physically demanding, and do not involve long distance hiking.

Especially for serious bird photographers, waiting for longer periods at a stakeout for the best possible photo opportunity is also possible.

For more specific details on the activities included in each of these tours, please, click the tour package to learn more.

Where are the tours taking place?

Currently, we only have a small number of destinations available. Primarily the large national parks, Khao Yai and Kaeng Krachan.

When is the best time for tours in Thailand ?

Generally speaking, roughly the first half of the year is the best time for birding. Many winter visitors arrive during this time, and over the course of this period many birds start breeding.

The larger hornbill species nest for quite a long period. Especially towards the end of the nesting period when the young are growing and need regular feeding is a good time to watch the male and towards the end also the female bring in food. In Khao Yai this tends to be around April - May usually for the Great Hornbill and the Wreathed Hornbill.

Pittas often nest a bit before or even in the wet season, but their nests can be hard to find. The broadbills often nest around March - May, Kaeng Krachan has all the Thai broadbill species, the Green Broadbill is rarely seen there, but there is a decent chance to see the other stunning species.

Extra information about birding in Thailand

How much does a tour cost?

The rates can be found on the tour package webpages. All the birding tour packages can be found at the top of this page. The button below will take you there.

We'd love to hear from you

For any enquiries or quotation requests, please, use this contact form.

* = Required