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10 Birdwatching Spots in Thailand That Will Make You Tweet With Excitement (We Promise!)

| Last Updated: February 2025

If you’re on the lookout for the most jaw-dropping birdwatching spots on the planet, then, consider your quest fulfilled in Thailand. The kingdom of majestic mountains and thick jungles is home to 962 species of birds—roughly 10% of the world’s total.

I’ve always been more of a “twitching” enthusiast than a serious birder. You know, the kind who gets excited about spotting a common pigeon with a slightly wonky wing. 

But even I was blown away by the sheer diversity of birds in Thailand. From the dazzlingly colorful pitta to the elusive hornbill, the sheer variety had me hooked. 

That’s why I’m so excited to share this guide with you – to help you discover the best spots in Thailand to experience the magic of birdwatching firsthand. So, read on, prep your gear, and get ready to go on an exciting adventure!

Doi Inthanon National Park

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Location: 119 Ban Luang, Chom Thong District, Chiang Mai
Total Area: 482 sq. km. (186 sq mi)
Estimated Number of Bird Species: over 500 bird species
Great finds: Black-headed Woodpecker
Best months to birdwatch: March to June

Filled to the brim with birds, Doi Inthanon National Park is a must-visit for birders. Covering so much land (482 square kilometers), the “roof of Thailand” boasts the highest peak (8415 feet above sea level) in the land, a perfect ecosystem for birds.

The park’s many and diverse habitats have made it an ideal spot for birdwatching year-round. There are over 500 bird species to look into here, starting with the Green-tailed Sunbird and the Himalayan Shortwing. 

Plus, expect tons of adventure as guided tours are available for those seeking expert insights into the area and the local avifauna.

Pro Tip: 

If you want to be thorough in your birdwatching in Doi Inthanon National Park, hire a private car. The reserve is so immense and the birding spots are far apart that you would lose tons of time and energy walking.

However, if you want to push your luck (if you have time to spare), you could hitchhike or flag down an out-of-its-route songthaew.

Khao Yai National Park

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Location: Nakhon Ratchasima
Total Area: 2,168 sq. km. (836 sq mi)
Estimated Number of Bird Species: over 320 bird species
Great finds: Great Hornbill
Best months to birdwatch: March to May

Off the bat, Khao Yai National Park should sit atop your list when birdwatching in Thailand. For one, this UNESCO World Heritage site boasts more than 320 bird species, including the iconic Great Hornbill and the elusive Siamese Fireback. 

What’s more, this is hornbill country! You’ll find the wreathed hornbill, the oriental pied hornbill, the Austen’s brown hornbill added to the biggest of them all, the Great Hornbill. 

Pro Tip: 

Take advantage of nature trails to hike through and guided tours for bird-watching. The park’s extensive forests provide excellent opportunities for spotting both common and rare birds, migratory and resident. 

Kaeng Krachan National Park

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Location: Kaeng Krachan, Kaeng Krachan District, Phetchaburi
Total Area: 2,915 sq. km. (1,125 sq mi)
Estimated Number of Bird Species: over 420 bird species
Great finds: White-fronted scops owl
Best months to birdwatch: March to April

Another birder’s paradise you shouldn’t dare miss is Kaeng Krachan National Park,  Thailand’s largest national park. It supports over 420 bird species, including the critically endangered Gurney’s Pitta and the colorful Banded Broadbill.

If you’re lucky, you’ll catch a glimpse of the ever-so-evasive white-fronted scops owl. 

But don’t worry, there are just so many bird species here, even ground-dwelling ones (kalij pheasants, grey peacock pheasants), you won’t go home without a scoop.

This park’s varied ecosystems make it a prime location for birdwatching enthusiasts. People are asked to stay close by when night falls as wild animals (e.g., elephants) could roam about telling you how extensive the wildlife species here are. 

Pro Tip: 

If you feel tired and don’t want to go out, there are still many birds you can get a scoop on. Top of the list from around the camping ground is a host of bulbul species. 

You may want to collect a photo of them all. Most common are: ashy bulbuls, black-crested bulbuls, grey-eyed bulbuls, mountain bulbuls, and streaked bulbuls.

Thale Noi Non-Hunting Area

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Location: Khuan Khanun District, Phatthalung
Total Area: 420 sq. km. (162.63 sq mi)
Estimated Number of Bird Species:  over 180 bird species
Great finds: Painted Stork
Best months to birdwatch: January to March

Thale Noi Non-Hunting Area is a Ramsar site which tells you that this vast wetland is key to the overall health of the planet. Ramsar sites are wetlands designated to be of international importance as per the 1971 UNESCO convention in Ramsar, Iran. 

Thale Noi is such a beautiful wetland that its beauty is bound to leave you lost for words. Think of all the migratory birds that visit the vast wetlands dotted by hundreds upon hundreds of beautiful lotus flowers gregariously displayed above water!

Thousands upon thousands of migratory waterbirds (over 180 recorded species) visit here, the endangered Black-faced Spoonbill and the striking Painted Stork including. Truly, migration seasons bring life to the area, making it a must-visit for birdwatchers.

Pro Tip: 

As the Thale Noi Non-Hunting Area is a delicate ecosystem built mainly on water, making loud noises when birding is not advised. Also, stay as far away from the birds as possible so as not to disturb their habitat. 

Phu Khiao Wildlife Sanctuary

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Location: Khon San District, Chaiyaphum
Total Area: 1560 sq. km. (602.3 sq mi)
Estimated Number of Bird Species: around 419 bird species
Great finds: Golden-crested Myna
Best months to birdwatch: November to May (dry season)

Phu Khiao is a wildlife sanctuary and one thing you’ll quickly notice here is the rich biodiversity.  This protected area is home to around 419 bird species, with the beautiful Golden-crested Myna and Blue Pitta top of that list. 

It’s not hard to imagine why. This sanctuary is adjacent to not one but three other government-protected areas: Nam Nao National Park in the north, Ta Bao-Huai Yai Wildlife Sanctuary in the southwest, and the Tat Mok National Park in the west. 

On one end, the sanctuary offers a peaceful environment for birdwatching, with various trails and habitats to explore. But be warned: Phu Khiao Wildlife Sanctuary is a wildlife sanctuary which means its rules are stricter than a national park. 

Pro Tip: 

While you may stay in the headquarters, there are areas in the Phu Khiao Wildlife Sanctuary that are off-limits to regular tourists. 

These restricted areas are for researchers and you must secure a written permission from the DNP to visit the sanctuary.

Thung Yai Wildlife Sanctuary

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Location: Mae Lamung, Umphang District, Tak 
Total Area: 3,647 sq. km. (1408.115 sq. mi.)
Estimated Number of Bird Species: around 400 bird species
Great finds: White-winged Duck
Best months to birdwatch: March to April

Thung Yai Wildlife Sanctuary is a unique birdwatching paradise for you as here, a population of large-bodied birds thrives. It’s usually the case when you have an undisturbed lowland waterway free from human intervention. 

For starters, this is home to the White-winged Duck, a globally threatened bird species that’s pretty elusive. Then, there’s the Green Peafowl, the Rufous-necked Hornbill, and the Plain-pouched Hornbill, all birds with dwindling populations. 

Plus, if you’re a fan of the hornbill, rejoice as this government-protected land has all six species. Well, the big birds are certainly on the roll here as the list continues: lesser fish eagle, mountain hawk-eagle, red-headed vulture, and greater adjutant.  

Pro Tip: 

You need special permission from Thailand’s Department of National Parks (DNP) when visiting Thung Yai Wildlife Sanctuary.

Also note that the roads leading to the sanctuary are challenging. Using a 4WD vehicle could be your best chance of pushing through without issue. 

Phu Pha Lek National Park

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Location: Pathum Wapi, Song Dao District, Sakon Nakhon
Total Area: 404 sq. km. (155.9 sq. mi.)
Estimated Number of Bird Species: around 419 bird species
Great finds: Siamese Fireback
Best months to birdwatch: December to May (breeding season)

Phu Pha Lek National Park may not be as famous as national parks closer to Bangkok, but truth be told, it can hold its own against the best when it comes to birding. For starters, its area of over 400 square kilometers is massive!

Now, you may be in for one pleasant surprise before you enter Phu Pha Lek (which comes with a fee, by the way). Across the parking area, a birder’s paradise will greet you and the best part is it’s ready to be explored for free, at absolutely no charge. 

Plus, there are tons of birds to explore, starting with the Black Crested BulBul, the Crested Serpent Eagle and the Greater Racquet-tailed Drongo. Discovering this not-so-obvious area might make you want to say the best things in life come free. 

Pro Tip: 

Walk slowly and quietly when birding so you can detect movements quicker. Also, a good strategy is to come to a quick stop, stay still, and wait, especially in places where birds frequent such as water sources or big trees. 

Laem Pak Bia

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Location: Ban Laem District, Phetchaburi
Total Area: 1500 sq. km. (579.15 sq. mi.)
Estimated Number of Bird Species: over 217 bird species
Great finds: Spoon-billed Sandpiper
Best months to birdwatch: November to February (winter migration)

Laem Pak Bia in Phetchaburi is a certified must-see spot for birdwatching in Thailand. What’s special about this place, however, is the entirely different set of birds here: shorebirds—thanks to its location near the Gulf of Thailand.

Some shorebirds you’ll find here are the White-faced Plover, Chinese Egret, and the Spoon-billed Sandpiper. The latter is a must-see since it’s a critically endangered bird.

Pro Tip: 

Time your visit between late October and late March for a greater chance of spotting the Spoon-billed Sandpiper. 

Krabi Estuary and Bay

Location: Krabi Estuary and Bay, Krabi
Total Area: 21,299 hectares
Estimated Number of Bird Species: around 221 bird species
Great finds: Brown-winged Kingfisher
Best months to birdwatch: January to February

If you’re tired of walking when birding, a visit to the Krabi Estuary and Bay by boat should be a relief. Not only is the trip super-enjoyable (you’ll love the cool breeze), but you’ll also meet birds that are hard to find except in this Ramsar Wetland. 

The downside? You won’t have as many bird species in these parts. But what the river estuary lacks in quantity, it more than compensates with the beauty of the bird species you’ll find!

We’re talking about the brown-winged and the collared kingfisher along with the Far Eastern Curlew, to start with. Plus, you’ll love seeing the egrets walking with those long legs picking food in the muddy waters.

Pro Tip: 

Plan your timing carefully when visiting Krabi Bay for birding. When the tide goes out, it causes a great separation and the birds become very distant.

Pak Thale Shorebird Reserve

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Location: Pak Tale, Ban Laem District, Phetchaburi
Total Area: 8 hectares
Estimated Number of Bird Species: over 67 bird species
Great finds: Spoon-billed Sandpiper
Best months to birdwatch: October to April

Should you want to zero in on migratory birds, then the Pak Thale Shorebird Reserve is a must on your list! This coastal area filled with saltpans is a key site of international importance for migratory birds, of which over 7,000 visit in winter. 

The role this reserve plays is especially crucial in helping migratory birds that are already globally threatened. The Spoon-billed Sandpiper is top of that list, being considered the most threatened shorebird that regularly visits. 

Again, land conversion is a huge factor that threatens the birds and the overall biodiversity of the site. For one, many locals choose to convert the land into aquaculture sites, something that gives profits in the short term. 

Pro Tip: 

Go birdwatch in Pak Thale Shorebird Reserve in the evening rather than the morning. As the rising tide comes in, birds are forced to group together in smaller areas along the shoreline. 

This way, they become more conspicuous and a lot easier to observe as they band together on the shore. Around the sunset, birds are into their last meal for the day. 

Lumphini Park

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Location: Bangkok
Total Area: 57.6-hectare (142-acre)
Estimated Number of Bird Species: over 30 bird species
Great finds: Pied Fantail
Best months to birdwatch: September-October and April-May

Lumphini Park is telling you that you need not go too far from Bangkok if you’re aching to birdwatch. It’s a treasure trove of birds, both migratory and resident.

Eastern Jungle Crows turn up in numbers here. If you take time to listen and observe, you’ll likely come across an Oriental Magpie-Robins happily hopping and singing from one branch to another along with Coppersmith Barbets.

Pro Tip: 

Find the quieter times to birdwatch best in Lumphini Park as too many people can scare the birds to hide. We’re talking about early in the morning, the dawn, and late in the afternoon, just before dusk.

Bang Pu Nature Education Centre

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Location: Bang Pu Mai, Mueang Samut Prakan District, Samut Prakan
Total Area: 1,022,400 sq. meter
Estimated Number of Bird Species: around 200 bird species
Great finds: Golden-crested Myna
Best months to birdwatch: November to April

You might think Bang Pu Nature Education Centre is all about education and you’re right! Located on land run and owned by the military, Bang Pu is a birder’s paradise. 

It’s home to one of Thailand’s  remaining mangrove forests, so about 8,000 to 15,000 birds call the site home yearly—both local and migratory.

Plus, the center’s amenities will give you a great time! We’re talking trails, canopy walkways, and observation towers for bird exploration. It’s the perfect place to learn how to keep nature in tip-top shape. 

Pro Tip: 

Learn the feeding time of birds to spot them. In wetlands, it’s usually early morning and later afternoons so that’s the best time to check them out. 

Mae Hia Agricultural College

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Location: 155 Mae Hia, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai
Total Area: 6.84 sq. km. (2.6 sq. mi.)
Estimated Number of Bird Species: at least 220 bird species
Great finds: Burmese Shrike
Best months to birdwatch: December to March

Another birder’s paradise you should see if you’re birdwatching in Thailand is the Mae Hia Agricultural College in Chiang Mai. It’s not a public park but a gentle smile and request to birdwatch should get you on the school grounds. 

It should be one worthy ordeal for you. Tons of open-country bird species call this learning institute home along with a few wetland and woodland birds. 

Some of these open-country birds include the Black Drongo, Black-collared Starling, and Zitting Cisticola to name a few. The best time to be here is during migratory periods when rare species that you don’t often see every day turn up. 

Pro Tip: 

Check the wires in the early morning and late afternoon. You should be able to get a scoop of birds such as the scarce Wire-tailed Swallow perched.

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