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A Nature Lover’s Serious Guide to Thailand’s Wildlife
Thailand boasts an incredible diversity of wildlife. It’s not surprising at all, given its lush jungles and breathtaking mountains!
However, spotting these creatures in the wild can be challenging. That’s one hard (and time-consuming) lesson I learned when I set out to see pangolins on whim.
Patience and knowledge are key! That’s why we’re excited to share this guide with you. With this, you’ll know where and how to find Thailand’s awesome wildlife!
Where can you spot wildlife in Thailand?
You can encounter wildlife in Thailand at select government reserves. These include national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. For example, elephant and tiger sanctuaries dot the country to preserve these endangered animals.
| National Park | Possible Species to Spot |
| Khao Yai National Park | Elephants, gibbons, sun bears, 300 bird species |
| Khao Sok National Park | Elephants, sun bears, macaques, deers, wild boars |
| Erawan National Park | Tigers, elephants, wild boars, bears, wild cattle |
| Ko Chang National Park | Boars, monkeys, lemurs, mongoose, squirrels, bats, 74 species of birds |
| Kui Buri National Park | 320 elephants, wild cow, Malayan tapir, |
| Khao Sam Roi National Park | Malayan porcupines, Sunda slow lorises |
| Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary | Home to boars, leopards, deers and Thailand’s largest number of tigers |
| Kaeng Krachan National Park | Leopards, bears, elephants, Sumatran rhinoceros |
| Mu Ko Ang Thong National Marine Park | 16 mammal species, 14 reptile species, 50 avian species |
What wildlife can you encounter in Thailand?
Asian Elephant
Media credit nathanwardphotography
Average Weight: 4,000 kg (male), 2,700 kg (female)
Estimated Population in Thailand: roughly 3,500
Average lifespan: 48 years
Found in: Yai National Park, Kaeng Krachan National Park, Kuiburi National Park
Perhaps more than any animal in the wild, the Asian Elephant is the most famous in Thailand. And it should come as no surprise that these gentle giants are the national animal of the Southeast Asian nation, revered as they are in Buddhism.
Although their numbers are falling, Asian elephants are still found all over Thailand in forests and conservation areas. Before, they were subject to increased poaching and the challenge now is to “ethically raise” them without subjecting them to abuse.
Though smaller than their African cousins, Asian elephants are incredibly warm and fun-loving. Getting up close and personal with them can be a most rewarding experience for you, another reason to care for and protect them from harm.
Pro Tip:
There are many ways to ethically interact with Asian elephants in Thailand when you come to visit. For starters, you can be feeding and bathing them but riding on them for hours on end may not be a good idea.
Indochinese Leopard
Media credit wildlife_friends_foundation
Average Weight: 150 to 195 kg (Males), 100 to 130 (Females)
Estimated Population in Thailand: between 400–800
Average lifespan: 12 to 17 years
Found in: Western Forest Complex, Kaeng Krachan-Kui Buri, and Khlong Saeng-Khao Sok
This list won’t be complete without the Indochinese Leopard, a big cat species that is also endangered, sadly. Hunted primarily for decades for their much-valued astonishing fur, leopards in Thailand are living in an increasingly diminishing world.
Well, it’s a long shot but you’d be lucky to see them in the wild. Due to tons of unfortunate circumstances, Indochinese leopards are speculated to be so endangered that their population is down to 77-766 mature leopards, studies show.
Indochinese leopards have light brown skin that fades lighter on the side, equipped with small rosettes that are closely set together. Well, you certainly won’t be fooled when you see them in the wild with their short furs and longer hair at the back.
Pro Tip:
There are multiple parks and sanctuaries that will give you a good chance of spotting these leopards. Top of the list are the Kaeng Krachan National Park, and the Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary, with many of them offering nature tours.
Indochinese Tiger
Media from stevewinterphoto
Average Weight: 180 to 250 kg
Estimated Population in Thailand: less than 200, critically endangered
Average lifespan: 10 to15 years
Found in: Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary, Tiger Kingdom (Chiang Mai/Phuket), Sri Ayutthaya Lion Park Zoo (Ayutthaya), Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand (WFFT)
Thailand is one of the few countries where a tiger can be found in the modern era. So, you’d certainly be lucky to see them in the wild (though extremely unlikely) as there are but less than 200 of these big cats in the country.
Thailand’s tiger, the Indochinese tiger, is generally smaller than the Siberian or Bengal tiger. Native to Southeast Asia, these tigers numbered about 40,000 in number in the region in the ‘70s but due to massive poaching are now endangered.
Myanmar has 85 of these cats and Vietnam has 20 but sadly, they may no longer be found in China where they used to. Come to think of it, the Land of Smiles is your best bet in seeing the big cats in action today.
Pro Tip:
It’s really hard to find tigers in the wild (not to mention scary too), the reason why many resort to seeing them in the zoo. But if you really choose to, a safari tour could be your best and safest shot at seeing one in its habitat.
Should you want to play an active role in the conservation of tigers in Thailand, you can get involved with the Tiger Rescue Center at Wildlife Friends Foundation (WFF), an NGO.
Gibbons
Media credit grp_phuket
Average Weight: 5.6-5.8 kg
Estimated Population in Thailand: around 12,000
Average lifespan: 25 – 35 years
Found in: Khao Yai National Park, Kaeng Krachan National Park, Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary, Gibbon Sanctuary Highland Farm
Gibbons are a family of apes that are frequently seen in Thailand and various countries in Southeast Asia. They’re a thing to behold with their colorful bodies, unlike their rather drab larger cousins such as the gorillas and orangutans.
Though gibbons are not easily seen, they are easily heard so don’t worry. With the ape’s unique ability to communicate with one another as a way of self-defense against predators and potential threats, you’ll immediately know they’re around.
Sadly, they are also victims of harmful human activities such as deforestation and hunting, pushing their population to the brink of extinction. Gibbons also reproduce slowly, with female gibbons producing an infant every two to three years.
Pro Tip:
If you want to see gibbons, you might find them at Khao Yai National Park or the Kaeng Krachan National Park.
The most sought-after of these gibbons are the White-handed Gibbons, an endangered primate. They’re easily identifiable by their sandy colors (dark brown to light brown) but most especially by their white hands and feet.
Sun Bears
Media credit nathanmoine
Average Weight: 27-68 kg
Estimated Population in Thailand: less than 100
Average lifespan: Around 25 years old
Found in: Khao Sok National Park and Kaeng Krachan National Park
Another mammal worth looking for is the sun bear, which got its unique name due to the yellow marks on its chest. They’re cute and considered the smallest of the bear species, standing nearly 70 cm shoulder length on average.
Mostly seen in Southeast Asia, these bears are vanishing, numbering less than 100 in Thailand. It’s true: the human exploitation of wildlife, such as poaching and deforestation has decreased their numbers by as much as 35% since the 90s.
These bears do not hibernate, as Southeast Asia’s lack of winter season also means that these animals have year-round food sources. Add to the fact that they are omnivores, with a diet that consists of honey, small insects, and even seeds.
Pro Tip:
The Kaeng Krachan National Park and even the Elephant Hills offer you a chance to see these sun bears. Though they’re nocturnal, there were instances that they were seen during daytime.
You can also check out the Thai Resident Bear Care if you want to help towards the cause of these bears.
Whale Sharks
Average Weight: 18,600 and 22,675 kg (between 20 to 25 tons)
Estimated Population in Thailand: abundant
Average lifespan: 130 years old
Found in: Koh Tao, Richelieu Rock, Koh Bon
Whale sharks are gentle giants (like an elephant but bigger) and seeing them is a chance of a lifetime as they’re the biggest fish in the ocean. These docile creatures can grow up to 50 feet long and can weigh up to 40 tons (possible).
One whale shark is about two to three adult elephants. The good thing is they’re extremely social and many photos of human interaction with them have been taken.
It’s not every day you’ll see whale sharks up and about in the waters surrounding Thailand. But they’ve been spotted in many locations in the country (Koh Bon, Koh Tao, and Richelieu Rock).
Pro Tip:
If you have the chance, get a scoop and take a picture of whale sharks with you at their side. Whale sharks eat plankton, small organisms in the water, and are not predatory so you should be safe.
Sunda Pangolin
Media Credit ylint
Average Weight: 2 t o3 kg
Estimated Population in Thailand: endangered species
Average lifespan: around 20 years
Found in: Khlong Nakha Wildlife Sanctuary, Thap Lan World Heritage Site
Another wild animal that you’d be happy to see in Thailand is the pangolin, more specifically the Sunda Pangolin. Though rather diminutive in size with its head-body length of up to 65 cm, you’ll think this animal is a dragon of sorts.
That’s because its body is covered in armor, or rows and rows of scales and fibrous hair. Though having poor eyesight, pangolins have a very strong sense of smell and they feed on ants and termites, hence why they’re called “scaly anteaters”
Hunted for their perceived “medicinal properties”, pangolins in Thailand are severely depleted. Over a million have been poached in just a decade owing to the fact that these animals are easy to capture and just roll into a ball when threatened.
Pro Tip:
Venture into densely forested areas to find pangolins in Thailand to find pangolins. Since they feed on ants and termites, looking for them in ant nests and termite mounds is the way to go.
Just note that pangolins are nocturnal and they hide in burrows during the day and worse, they’re shy and highly elusive.
Porcupines
Media Credit redcreekwildlife
Average Weight: 0.7kg and 2.4kg
Estimated Population in Thailand: found widely all over
Average lifespan: 27 years
Found in: Kaeng Krachan National Park
Another sight to behold in Thailand’s forests is the porcupine. Two species exist in the Land of Smiles, the more common Malayan Porcupine (Hystrix brachyura) and the Asiatic Brush-tailed Porcupine (Atherurus macrourus).
These creatures are not hard to locate and that should be a welcome relief for you. More often than not, you’ll usually encounter the Hystrix brachyura foraging in dustbins of national parks, if not gnawing on the bones of carcasses in the forests.
Of course, seeing those spikes on their backs, much like very long dangerous needles ready to prick you, should tell you porcupines are off limits. But then again, a porcupine in full battle gear is the most Instagram-worthy picture.
Pro Tip:
Seek a guided night tour in Khao Sok National Park, Khao Yai National Park, or Kaeng Krachan National Park to see these porcupines.
Sambar deer
Media Credit wildlife.nn
Average Weight: 100 to 350 kg
Estimated Population in Thailand: endangered
Average lifespan: 20 to 26 years
Found in: Mae Wong National Park, Khao Yai National Park
Another beautiful wild animal to see is the sambar deer. These nocturnal mammals are ideal prey for tigers but due to years of poaching the number of these animals in Thailand has gone so low that it can’t support the increase in the tiger population.
Sambar deers also breed rather slowly, another factor contributing to their diminishing numbers. So the government of Thailand is stepping up efforts to boost their numbers, caring for them in Mae Wong National Park for instance.
Also, these animals are very social so there’s a good chance you can see them in a congregation. But be warned as they are also very shy and will run away in a moment’s notice.
Pro Tip:
Early morning and late afternoon are the times when sambar deers are usually in action. Look for them near water bodies and grassland and if you want greater chances of finding them, a guided tour in Khao Yai National Park is best.
Great Hornbill
Media Credit embrace_the_wilderness
Average Weight: about 3 kg
Estimated Population in Thailand: spread all over Thailand
Average lifespan: 35 to 40 years
Found in: Khao Yai National Park, Khao Sok National Park
If there was a bird in Thailand that would make you look twice, the great hornbill is top of that list. Native to the forests of Thailand, this large bird of about 95–130 cm (37–51 in) in length will immediately catch your attention with its massive bill.
As if its massive bill is not big enough, the great hornbill has a bright yellow/black casque on top of it. It’s something that has bewildered scientists over the years as it serves no apparent purpose (at least for now).
The great hornbill is relatively easy to find with its bright colors so you should be able to see them even from afar. Also, the bird beats heavily its wings when in flight which makes its approach predictable.
Pro Tip:
Look for the Great Hornbill in the canopy of tall trees in forested areas. Bear in mind that they prefer to perch high above, about 600 to 1,000 meters above.
Kingfisher
Media Credit leonlemke
Average Weight: 35–50 grams
Estimated Population in Thailand: abundant
Average lifespan: 6 to 10 years
Found in: Khao Sok National Park
Kingfishers are common in Thailand and you’ll most likely run into them in many national parks. They’re unmistakable as Kingfishers are brightly colored birds with long, dagger-like bills perfect for hunting for unsuspecting aquatic prey.
Plus, seeing them swoop down fish is quite an experience as they accomplish such a feat through sheer cunning and grace. As their diet suggests, they live near bodies of water, mainly rivers and ponds.
With a wide range of colors from bright blue to red and even sometimes gold plumage, Kingfishers are easier for you to spot. And they’re thriving as for one, there are 12 species of Kingfishers in Khao Sok National Park alone.
Pro Tip:
Keep in mind the hunting ground of Kingfishers to locate them. Brightly-colored and small, these master hunters are usually found perched on branches or rocks near rivers and ponds, ready to dive down and eat fish for dinner.
Pitta
Media Credit alvarowildlifephoto
Average Weight: 50 to 64 grams
Estimated Population in Thailand: spread with 14 species in Thailand
Average lifespan: 12 years
Found in: Khao Yai National Park, Kaeng Krachan, Hala-Bala Wildlife Sanctuary
Now, finding Pitta birds could pose a challenge for you but one that should give you tons of fun and adventure. They’re rather small and shy and secondly, if you want to document all, Thailand has 14 different Pitta species distributed all over the country.
Standing about 5-9 inches in length, Pittas are rather small, mainly tropical birds. One good thing about zeroing in on them is they have bright plumage with rather short tails and bills so get your binoculars ready when looking for them.
With most being multicolored, Pittas usually don blue, green, and even red plumage. Unfortunately, some species of Pittasitas are inevitably pushed to being endangered, being victims of habitat loss, illegal bird trade, and even hunting.
Pro Tip:
Pitta thrives all over Thailand so you can actually find them with some luck. Other parks and sanctuaries known to have them are Nakorn Nayok, Khao Khiao – Khao Chomphu Wildlife Sanctuary, or the Khao Laem National Park to name a few.
Spectacled Langur
Media Credit embrace_the_wilderness
Average Weight: 7.1 kg
Estimated Population in Thailand: high risk of extinction
Average lifespan: 30 years
Found in:: Khao Sok National Park, Kaeng Krachan National Park
Well, if there’s a monkey that you’ll easily distinguish, the Spectacled Langur, dubbed Dusty Leaf Monkey, sits atop that list. Most conspicuous is its “spectacles”, large white circles around its eyes, that make it stand out (and hence the name).
Add to the fact its white patches of fur encircling its mouth, and you have a monkey that greatly resembles an “alien species” from another planet. But these mammals live quietly on treetops feeding on fresh fruits and leaves.
Fun fact: they eat up to 4.5 pounds or 2kg of foliage daily. However, it’s not all roses for the Spectacled Langur as its population is also declining due to habitat loss and poaching.
Pro Tip:
Fix your gaze on treetops to see Spectacle Langurs. The best time to see them is late afternoons and early mornings and Khao Sok National Park could be your best bet to witness them foraging way up there.
Long-tailed Macaques
Media Credit theltmproject
Average Weight: 3 to 9 kg
Estimated Population in Thailand: abundant
Average lifespan: 15 to 30 years
Found in: Khao Sok National Park, Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park Khao Khiao – Khao Chomphu Wildlife Sanctuary, Khao Ang Rue Nai Wildlife Sanctuary, and Khlong Saeng Wildlife Sanctuary
These are medium-sized tailed monkeys colored grey or brown and you can distinguish them from other monkey species as their tails are longer than their bodies.
You may not have to search for these primates as they’re all over Thailand. They’re pretty boisterous, and you’ll likely meet them interacting with humans, and they’re commonly seen in temples and city centers.
Pro Tip:
Don’t let children feed macaques. Many of them are present in various tourist spots all over the country and injuries from macaque bites have been reported.
