National Parks on Phuket Island & Nearby

Most of the tourists come of Phuket to enjoy the beaches and the water activities. They do not realize that Phuket is home to beautiful, dense, tropical forests, cascading waterfalls and a wide variety of wildlife. To experience this, visit Khao Phra Thaeo National Park, Sirinat Marine National Park and the other National Parks at Phang Nga, Krabi and Surat Thani provinces.

Khao Prataew (Khao Phra Thaeo) National Park

This national Park is spread over an area of 2,200sq.kms. This is a reserved area and help in preserving many species of animals and birds. The two waterfalls inside the Park attract many local picnickers. Ton Sai waterfall is the smaller one located near the entrance of the Park. The Bang Pae waterfall is breath taking with water falling from a height of 18 meters. A 10-minute trail leads to this waterfall from the parking area of the Park. Gibbon Rehabilitation Project is also located within the Park.

Address: 254 Moo 2, Thepkrasattri Rd., A. Thalang, Phuket
Telephone & Fax: (0) 76311 998
Timings: 08.00 to 18.00 open daily
Entrance fee: Non-Thai – 200 baht for adults and 100 baht for children, Thai – 100 baht

Sirinat Marine National Park

This National Park located on the north Phuket is spread over 90sq.kms. of forests and beaches. There is a natural trail winding through the forest. You get to watch unusual plants and animals here. For the convenience of tourists, information boards are put up in Thai and English. The popular Nai Yang Beach also comes under this Park. The mangrove forests at the northern tip of the island, is a major attraction of the Park.

Address: 89/1 Moo 1, Ban Nai Yang, T. Sakhu, A. Thalang, Phuket 83140
Telephone: (0) 7632 8226, 76632 7152, Fax: (0) 7632 7152
Timings: 08.30 to 16.30
Entrance fee: 200 baht

National Parks at Phang Nga

Similan Islands National Marine Park

This National Park covers 140sq.kms. and is a well-known spot for scuba diving. The unusual granite boulders both on land and under water are the attraction here. The National Park has a collection of 11 picturesque islands with white sand and crystalline water. The abundance of terrestrial and marine life is sure to impress visitors coming here. Mantas, sharks, ghost pipefish and occasionally whale sharks bring in visitors to this Park.

The National Park is open to visitors during the high season from November to May. During the low season, strong monsoon winds ravage the islands. Accommodation facilities like bungalows and camping facilities are available in the islands Koh Si (Island no.4 or Koh Mieng) and Koh Paed (Island no.8 or Koh Similan). Restaurants are also there. All the islands are not open simultaneously every year. This rotation gives the reefs time to recover from over exposure. To reach this Park, bus services are available from Phuket Town.

Address: 93 Moo 5, Ban Tab Lamu, Petkaseam Rd., A. Taimuamg, Phang Nga, 82210
Telephone: +66 (0) 7659 5045, Fax: +66 (0) 7659 5210
Timings: 08.00 to 16.30 open daily
Entrance fee: Non-Thai – 400 baht for adults and 200 baht for children, Thai – 80 baht for adults and 40 baht for children

Khao Lak Lam ru National Park

This Park is spread over 125sq.kms. and is located close to Khao Lak. It has some mountains, with the highest just over 1000m above sea level. The Park area is covered with dense tropical forests with wild animals like tiger, gibbon, bear, boar and tapir. Rivers Mae Nam Phang Nga and Mae Nam Takua Pa flows through this park. The Lam ru waterfall, which cascades down in five stages has water throughout the year. Many tourists miss this park for the beach. But definitely worth a visit.

Address: Moo 7, Khuek Khak Sub-district, A. Takua Pa, Phangnga 82190
Telephone: +66 (0) 76 485243
Timings: 08.00 to 16.30 open daily
Entrance fee: Non-Thai – 200 baht for adults and 100 baht for children, Thai – 20 baht for adults and 10 baht for children

Surin Islands National Marine Park

This Park spread over 135sq.kms. is bordered by Thailand-Myanmar border on Andaman Sea on North and Similans on the south. Three-fourth of the park is under sea and the park has five main islands in it. These islands help shelter the fishing boats and is home to Moken sea gypsies. The land part of the park is covered with dense tropical jungle. The sea here has both soft and hard corals and a multitude of marine life. It is a favorite spot for scuba diving. The park is connected to Kurraburi by a ferry, which takes four hours to cover the distance. Despite the hardship to reach the place, tourists come here to enjoy its beauty and for scuba diving. There are bungalows available here, but the booking should be done in advance with the national park office on mainland.

Address: Khura Sub-district, A. Khuraburi, Phangnga 82150
Telephone: +66 (0) 7647 2145-6, Fax: +66 (0) 7647 2147
Timings: 08.00 to 16.30 open daily
Entrance fee: Non-Thai – 400 baht for adults and 200 baht for children, Thai – 80 baht for adults and 40 baht for children

National Parks in Surat Thani Province

Khao Sok National Park

This park located to the north of the island is spread over 645sq.kms. It is just a few hours drive from Phuket and is definitely worth visiting. The park area has both mountains and dense tropical forests, with waterfalls and caves sheltering numerous species of animals and plants. The tourist infrastructure here is well developed. The accommodation is available with the National Park as well as private resorts and bungalows. Restaurants and massage centers are found in plenty to serve the steady flow of tourists. For those who want to get close to nature with all the comforts, Khao Sok Riverside Cottages are ideal.

Address: Moo 6, Khlong Sok Sub-district, A. Phanom, Surat Thani, Thailand, 84250
Telephone: +66 (0) 7739 5154-5, Fax: +66 (0) 7739 5154
Timings: 08.00 to 18.00 open daily
Entrance fee: Non-Thai – 200 baht for adults and 100 baht for children, Thai – 40 baht for adults and 20 baht for children

National Parks in Krabi Province

Phi Phi Islands National Park

The Park located 40km southwest of Krabi Town is a part of Krabi province and not Phuket province as many think. This is the dreamland for scuba divers and backpackers. The islands in the park, Phi Phi Leh and Phi Phi Don, offer excellent opportunities. As the island doesn’t have any land transport, longtail boats are used for conveyance. Accommodation is available in Phi Phi Don. Tonsai Bay area has many bars, massage parlors and scuba diving centers. Maya Bay here was made famous by the Hollywood movie ‘The Beach’ starring Leonardo Di Caprio. Tonsia Bay was devastated by the 2004 Tsunami, but is now back to normal with the tourist flow picking up.

Address: 79 Moo 5, Ao Nang, Muang, Krabi, Thailand, 81000
Telephone: +66 (0) 7566 1145, 7563 7200, 7563 7436, Fax: +66 (0) 7566 1145
Timings: 08.00 to 16.30 open daily
Entrance fee: Non-Thai 400 baht, Thai 40 baht

Than Bok Korani National Park

This beautiful park is located just a bit off the main road from Phang Nga to Krabi. Or you can go for a day trip from Krabi. The park is filled with karst mounds or limestone structures. The scenery is made picture perfect by the secret caves, burbling water and beautiful green ponds with tall cliffs on both sides. The park doesn’t have many visitors on weekdays. If you want to enjoy the solitude of the place, better chose a weekday for the visit.

Address: 2/2 Moo 2, Ao luk-Laem Sak Rd., Ao Luk Tai Sub-district, A. Ao Luk, Krabi, Thailand, 81110
Telephone: +66 (0) 7568 1071, 7568 2058, Fax: +66 (0) 7568 2058
Timings: 08.00 to 17.00 open daily
Entrance fee: Non-Thai – 400 baht for adults and 200 baht for children, Thai – 40 baht for adults and 20 baht for children

Khao Phanon Bencha National park

This small park over an area of 50sq.kms. is rarely visited by tourists. Located near Krabi, it has lush green tropical forests with mountain ranges, the highest standing tall at 1350m. This is a hiker’s paradise with many beautiful waterfalls and a variety of animals and birds. There is a camping facility near the entrance of the park.

Address: 170 Moo 4, T. Tubprik, A. Muang, Krabi, Thailand, 81000
Telephone: +66 (0) 7566 0716, 7566 0717
Timings: 08.00 to 16.30 open daily
Entrance fee: Non-Thai – 100 baht for adults and 50 baht for children, Thai – 20 baht for adults and 10 baht for children