BIRD WATCHING DESTINATIONS

Central Thailand. Khao Yai National Park is the closest national park to Bangkok and probably the most popular bird watching site in the country. One of the country’s larger parks spanning 3 provinces, it is home to rare species of birds, most notably, all four species of hornbill: the great, wreathed, oriental pied and brown. Another prominent location for bird watching is Kaeng Krachan National Park, home to 250 species of birds include the hornbill and the grey peacock. Nortern Thailand. The north of Thailand is home to 364 species of birds, many of them not seen elsewhere in the country. The best time for bird watching here is from November to February. The best known sites for sightings are Doi Inthanon National Park and Doi Ang Khang. Northeast Thailand. Khao Yai National Park extends into northeast Thailand and a popular destination for bird watching as well as all kinds of nature related activities such as camping trekking ect. Other notable sites in the northeast are Nam Nao National Park and Phu Khiao Wildlife Sanctuary. Southern Thailand. Prominent sites include Sam Roi Yod Natioanl Park, Khao Sok Natioanl Park, Hala-Bala Wildlife Sanctuary and Khao Pra Bang Khram Wildlife Sanctuary.

BIRD WATCHING: HOW TO GET STARTED?

For novice bird watchers, start your research at the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)’s website at http://www.thailandtourism.org/. There are a number of really great websites regarding bird watching in Thailand, the most notable being http://www.friendsofnature93.com/, http://www.thailandbirdwatching.com/ and http://www.naturetrails.homestead.com/. Also visit the Bird Conservation Society of Thailand (BCST) http://www.bcst.or.th/ and Siam Society http://www.siam-society.org/ websites for bird watching expeditions.

BIRD WATCHING IN THAILAND

Bird watching can be an interesting part of your trip if you intend to do some jungle trekking and camping. With 96 National Parks, 48 Wildlife Sanctuaries and a numbers of Non-Hunting areas, Watershed Reserves, Forest Parks and Biosphere Reserves that have been protected by law, Thailand is one of THE foremost destinations for bird watching where different variety of birds can be seen all year round at different points in time. More than 900 species of birds or 10% of the world’s bird species have been recorded in Thailand. Most of the birds found here are shared species and subspecies residing in Thailand and in the plains of Myanmar to the west, Indochina to the east and Malaysia in the southern peninsula. Thailand is also an important area for a wide variety of migrant birds from Northern Eurasia. The majority of birds are found in forested national parks or sanctuaries where they are still fertile enough to support a number of umbrella bird species such as woodpeckers and hornbills. Small birds like jungle babblers, sunbirds, flycatchers and flower-peckers also abound posing sighting challenges for birders. Forest of secondary growth, grassland, lowland water swamp, wetland and coastal areas also support a great variety of interesting open-country and water birds.

BEST TIME FOR SEA CANOEING, RIVER KAYAKING AND BAMBOO RAFTING

Sea canoeing/kayaking is possible all year round however, it is best to avoid the rainy season from June to October. The best time to sea canoe is probably at year’s end during the cool season between November to January when are generally milder. Although April is a good time to sea canoe, this is when temperatures in Thailand are highest and is therefore one of the least recommended periods for this activity. The more adventurous kind of canoeing/rafting, white water rafting, will be covered in the next section.

River Kayaking and Bamboo Rafting is only possible during the rainy seasons when water levels are high. The rainy season runs from June to October. A good reference for canoeing, kayaking and bamboo rafting are http://www.seacanoe.net and http://www.wildwatchthailand.com/

BAMBOO RAFTING IN THE NORTHERN THAILAND

Interesting bamboo rafting experiences can also be found in northern Thailand where the rivers banks are a bit more scenic as the vegetation and forest is not as dense. Local life can be viewed as these rafts quietly meander past local villages. Bamboo rafting is best experienced during the cool season where temperatures. You can also travel to Chiang Mai from Chiang Rai by bamboo rafts.

WHAT ARE FLOATELS?

Photo by Aoi

What are floatels? Well, it’s short for floating hotels of course. That’s right, spend a couple of nights in a bamboo hut that is placed atop a bamboo raft on the River Kwai, in the lush tropical forests of Kanchanaburi. Definitely a life-changing experience! Caution: The River Kwai that runs through Kanchanaburi has strong undercurrents therefore jumping off a float into the river is not a good idea. Be sure to consult your tour guide as to which locations are safe for swimming.

CANOE IN WESTERN THAILAND

Canoeing is quite popular in western Thailand in Kanchanaburi where visiters are given the option of traveling to the River Floatels by bamboo rafts or by canoes. Canoeing or bamboo rafting in a river is admittedly much more relaxing as one gets to experience the lush tropical forest where tree canopies shade you from the beating sun. At the end of the trip, be sure to spend at least one night at the many river floatels that are available in Kanchanaburi.