IMG
© Peter Ericsson

Kaeng Krachan NP

12.88746 , 99.44733

Thailand

There is simply not enough space to describe this incredible natural heritage site!

This is where anything can happen. Birds from the South and the North meet. Birds come to breed from near and far. 6 speices of Pittas, 7 species of Broadbills, many Hornbills, Kingfishers, Pheasants, Partridges, Trogons, Bulbuls, Babblers, Flycatchers, Drongos, etc etc...

But it won't happen in a day. One has to go back again and again. Various levels of the park show different things at different time of year! Most visiting birders miss the breeding season which is basically April to June.

The park experiences an explosion of butterflies from April-June. Almost unheard of anywhere.

And the backdrop of it all comes from the singing monkeys: the White-handed Gibbons!

The very fortunate visitor might catch a glimplse of Leopard, Golden Jackal, Sun Bear, Porcupine, Gaur, Elephant and definitely of Dusky Langurs plus more.......

It is a park not to be missed on the Thai circuit!

Delete exact location

The introductory text should contain general information about the site, which may include for instance:
• geographic/ biogeographic location
• habitat and vegetation
• typical bird species/bird communities
• protection status
• land use and history
• importance for birdwatching

Coordinates were set by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) : 12.8875/99.4473 (2020-12-20 21:49:09 )

Site name was set by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) as "Kaeng Krachan NP" (2020-12-20 21:49:09 )

Edited by Peter Ericsson on 2023-06-02 08:55:37
Enough There is simply not enough space to describe this incredible natural heritage is simply not possible! site! This is where anything can happen. Birds from the South and the North meet. Birds breeds come to breed from near and far. 6 speices of Pittas, 7 species of Broadbills, many Hornbills, Kingfishers, Pheasants, Partridges, Trogons, Bulbuls, Babblers, Flycatchers, Drongos, etc etc... But it won't happen in a day. One has to go back again and again. Various levels of the park show different things at different time of year! Most visiting birders miss the breeding season which is basically April to June. The park experiences an explosion of butterflies from April-June. Almost unheard of anywhere. And the backdrop of it all comes from the singing monkeys: the White-handed Gibbons! The very fortunate visitor might catch a glimplse of Leopard, Golden Jackal, Sun Bear, Porcupine, Gaur, Elephant and definitely of Dusky Langurs plus more....... It is a park not to be missed on the Thai circuit!
Edited by Peter Ericsson on 2023-06-01 12:29:06
Enough space to describe this incredible natural heritage is simply not possible! This is where anything can happen. Birds from the South and the North meet. Birds breeds from near and far. 6 speices of Pittas, 7 species of Broadbills, many Hornbills, Kingfishers, Partridges, Trogons, Bulbuls, Babblers, Flycatchers, Drongos, etc etc... But it won't happen in a day. One has to go back again and again. Various levels of the park show different things at different time of year! Most visiting birders miss the breeding season which is basically April to June. The park experiences an explosion of butterflies from April-June. Almost unheard of anywhere. And the backdrop of it all comes from the singing monkeys: the White-handed Gibbons! The very fortunate visitor might catch a glimplse of Leopard, Golden Jackal, Sun Bear, Porcupine, Gaur, Elephant and definitely of Dusky Languars Langurs plus more....... It is a park not to be missed on the Thai circuit!
Edited by Peter Ericsson on 2023-06-01 12:28:29
Enough space to describe this incredible natural heritage is simply not possible! This is where anything can happen. Birds from the South and the North meet. Birds breeds from near and far. 6 speices of Pittas, 7 species of Broadbills, many Hornbills, Kingfishers, Partridges, Trogons, Bulbuls, Babblers, Flycatchers, Drongos, etc etc... But it won't happen in a day. One has to go back again and again. Various levels of the park show different things at different time of year! Most visiting birders miss the breeding season which is basically April to June. The park experiences an explosion of butterflies from April-June. Almost unheard of anywhere. And the backdrop of it all comes from the singing monkeys: the White-handed Gibbons! The very fortunate visitor might catch a glimplse of Leopard, Golden Jackal, Sun Bear, Porcupine, Gaur, Elephant and definitely of Dusky Languars plus more....... It is a park not to be missed on the Thai circuit!

  • Top species

List up to ca. 25 species that:
• have a limited distribution range and/or are rare on a global level
• are most sought-after by birdwatchers at this site
• and are relatively easy to see at this site (year-round or seasonally)

Ferruginous Partridge (Caloperdix oculeus)
Bar-backed Partridge (Arborophila brunneopectus)
White-fronted Scops-Owl (Otus sagittatus)
Orange-breasted Trogon (Harpactes oreskios)
Great Hornbill (Buceros bicornis)
Rusty-cheeked Hornbill (Anorrhinus tickelli)
Banded Kingfisher (Lacedo pulchella)
Red-bearded Bee-eater (Nyctyornis amictus)
Blue-bearded Bee-eater (Nyctyornis athertoni)
Heart-spotted Woodpecker (Hemicircus canente)
Great Slaty Woodpecker (Mulleripicus pulverulentus)
Black-thighed Falconet (Microhierax fringillarius)
Dusky Broadbill (Corydon sumatranus)
Silver-breasted Broadbill (Serilophus lunatus)
Eared Pitta (Hydrornis phayrei)
Blue Pitta (Hydrornis cyaneus)
Ratchet-tailed Treepie (Temnurus temnurus)
Sultan Tit (Melanochlora sultanea)
White-hooded Babbler (Gampsorhynchus rufulus)
Rufous-browed Flycatcher (Anthipes solitaris)

Black-thighed Falconet (Microhierax fringillarius) was added by Peter Ericsson (2023-06-03 01:50:54)

Bar-backed Partridge (Arborophila brunneopectus) was added by Peter Ericsson (2023-06-03 01:50:07)

Orange-breasted Trogon (Harpactes oreskios) was added by Peter Ericsson (2023-06-03 01:49:47)

Blue-bearded Bee-eater (Nyctyornis athertoni) was added by Peter Ericsson (2023-06-03 01:48:40)

Red-bearded Bee-eater (Nyctyornis amictus) was added by Peter Ericsson (2023-06-03 01:48:25)

Heart-spotted Woodpecker (Hemicircus canente) was added by Peter Ericsson (2023-06-03 01:47:30)

White-hooded Babbler (Gampsorhynchus rufulus) was added by Peter Ericsson (2023-06-03 01:46:38)

Sultan Tit (Melanochlora sultanea) was added by Peter Ericsson (2023-06-03 01:46:05)

Banded Kingfisher (Lacedo pulchella) was added by Peter Ericsson (2023-06-03 01:45:50)

Rufous-browed Flycatcher (Anthipes solitaris) was added by Peter Ericsson (2023-06-03 01:45:33)

White-fronted Scops-Owl (Otus sagittatus) was added by Peter Ericsson (2023-06-03 01:45:11)

Great Hornbill (Buceros bicornis) was added by Peter Ericsson (2023-06-03 01:44:38)

Great Slaty Woodpecker (Mulleripicus pulverulentus) was added by Peter Ericsson (2023-06-03 01:44:12)

Ferruginous Partridge (Caloperdix oculeus) was added by Peter Ericsson (2023-06-03 01:43:58)

Silver-breasted Broadbill (Serilophus lunatus) was added by Peter Ericsson (2023-06-03 01:43:22)

Dusky Broadbill (Corydon sumatranus) was added by Peter Ericsson (2023-06-03 01:43:04)

Eared Pitta (Hydrornis phayrei) was added by Peter Ericsson (2023-06-03 01:42:48)

Blue Pitta (Hydrornis cyaneus) was added by Peter Ericsson (2023-06-03 01:42:35)

Rusty-cheeked Hornbill (Anorrhinus tickelli) was added by Peter Ericsson (2023-06-03 01:42:10)

Ratchet-tailed Treepie (Temnurus temnurus) was added by Peter Ericsson (2023-06-03 01:41:32)

  • Timing and strategy

This is the largest forested park in Thailand. Wildlife from both the North and the South roam around as does wildlife coming in from neighbouring Myanmar. The park after km 18 has never been logged and thus provides an incredible natural experience in untouched habitat.

Many a Thai tourist will visit the top to watch the sea of clouds often formed in the mornings. It can get crowded during weekends in winter.

The park has a list of over 400 species: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L921118?yr=all&m=&rank=lrec though some of these records are not within official park boundaries.

Best season is Nov-March when a combined visit to Pakthale  for shorebirds is best.

Forest birding is better in Feb/Mar then Nov/Dec.

Breeding birds are best seen April - June

You need a day at the top and 1 or 2 at lower levels. But seeing it is a tropical forest you will never cover it all in such a short time so the more time you spend the better.

Birding activity is best in the morning between 7:30-9:30 but on days with overcast birds can be active a lot longer. When the sun is baking down not so.

You need a vehicle or a driver with a vehicle. There is only one road and you need to cover area unless you have many days.

Going up to the top requires a 4WD which can be hired along with licensed drivers.

Give recommendations for making your visit as productive as possible.
This may include for instance:
• best season
• best time of the day
• how much time to spend at the site
• best means of locomotion within the site
• recommended routes / areas within the site
• guiding

Edited by Peter Ericsson on 2023-06-05 03:21
This is the largest forested park in Thailand. Wildlife from both the North and the South roam around as does wildlife coming in from neighbouring Myanmar. The park after km 18 has never been logged and thus provides an incredible natural experience in untouched habitat. Many a Thai tourist will visit the top to watch the sea of clouds often formed in the mornings. It can get crowded during weekends in winter. The park has a list of over 400 species: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L921118?yr=all&m=&rank=lrec though some of these records are not within official park boundaries. Best season is Nov-March when a combined visit to Pakthale Pakthale  for shorebirds is best. Forest birding is better in Feb/Mar then Nov/Dec. Breeding birds are best seen April - June You need a day at the top and 1 or 2 at lower levels. But seeing it is a tropical forest you will never cover it all in such a short time so the more time you spend the better. Birding activity is best in the morning between 7:30-9:30 but on days with overcast birds can be active a lot longer. When the sun is baking down not so. You need a vehicle or a driver with a vehicle. There is only one road and you need to cover area unless you have many days. Going up to the top requires a 4WD which can be hired along with licensed drivers.
Edited by Peter Ericsson on 2023-06-02 08:58
Best season is Nov-March when a combined visit to Pakthale is best. Forest birding is better in Feb/Mar then Nov/Dec. Breeding birds are best seen April - June You need a vehicle or a driver with a vehicle. There is only one road and you need to cover area unless you have many days. Going up to the top requires a 4WD which can be hired along with licensed drivers.
  • How to get there

Explain from where and how to get to this site with private and public transport.

Not available yet

You can enter from 5 am but must be out of the park by 18-1900 unless you are camping inside.

There are designated time slots for driving up and down from km 18 and up. To Bankhrang campsite there are no designated time slots as the road is wide.

As always you pay daily if you lodge outside of the park.

Provide information on how to enter this site, which may include:
• entry points
• entry permits / entry tickets and fees
• opening hours / opening season
• other restrictions

Note that this section should only contain information on how to ACCESS (= enter) a site. Info on how to REACH a site should be added to "How to get there" section.

Edited by Peter Ericsson on 2023-06-02 09:01
You can enter from 5 am but must be out of the park by 18-1900 unless you are camping inside. There are designated time slots for driving up and down from km 18 and up. To Bankhrang campsite there are no designated time slots as the road is wide. As always you pay daily if you lodge outside of the park.
  • Other attractions

Many mammals roam the park but sightings are tricky. One must use caution with any wildlife encounter.

Butterflies are plentious. Especially April-June...

Add information about other attractions at this site, including
• wildlife (apart from birds)
• sights (natural, cultural, archaeological, etc.)
• activities (e.g. for non-birding companions)

Edited by Peter Ericsson on 2023-06-11 07:03
Many mammals roam the park but sightings are tricky. One must use caution with any wildlife encounter. Butterflies are plentious. Especially April-June...
Edited by Peter Ericsson on 2023-06-02 09:02
Many mammals roam the park but sightings are tricky. One must use caution with any wildlife encounter.

Baan Khrang campsite has a small restaurant. Also camping gear to rent.

Same at Phanern Thung campground at the top.

No proper accommodation available inside the park but not hard outside.

There is a visitor center at Baan Khrang campsite.

Provide information about what type of facilities are available at
or near this site, including:
• information centers / information points
• catering
• accommodation
• hides and watchtowers
• restrooms / toilets

Edited by Peter Ericsson on 2023-06-03 02:24
Baan Khrang campsite has a small restaurant. Also camping gear to rent. Same at Phanern Thung campground at the top. No proper accommodation available inside the park but not hard outside. There is a visitor center at Baan Khrang campsite.

Are there any security issues or other annoyances at this site? For
instance, these may include:
• offenses like robbery or theft
• natural hazards
• dangerous or annoying animals or plants (mosquitoes, leaches, thorn bushes, etc.)
• noise pollution

Not available yet
All information about this site was contributed by Orniverse users. Neither Orniverse nor the contributors accept responsibility for the completeness and accuracy of the information provided.

Reports

Season:
to
2021-12-29 to 2022-01-03 Kaengkrachan, Pakthale and Latkrabang Peter Ericsson
2023-01-07 to 2023-01-09 Pak Tale and Kaengkrachan, Thailand, 7-9th of Jan 2023 Peter Ericsson
2023-03-08 to 2023-03-23 Central and Southern Thailand 8th-23rd of March, 2023! Peter Ericsson
Kaeng Krachan NP - Orniverse