Kingdom of Thailand

Dusky Broadbill Corydon sumatranus ©Dubi Shapiro Website

Thailand, historically known as Siam, is situated in South-east Asia, in the Indo-Chinese peninsula of the Oriental Region. With a population of almost 72 million people, it spans over 513,000 km² (198,000 square miles). It is the 50th-largest country by total area. It is bordered to the northwest by Myanmar, to the northeast and east by Laos, to the southeast by Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the southwest by the Andaman Sea; it also shares maritime borders with Vietnam to the southeast and Indonesia and India to the southwest. Bangkok is the capital and largest city with over 11 million inhabitants.

Thailand comprises several distinct geographic regions, partly corresponding to the provincial groups. The north of the country is the mountainous area of the Thai highlands, with the highest point being Doi Inthanon in the Thanon Thong Chai Range at 8,415 feet above sea level. The northeast, Isan, consists of the Khorat Plateau, bordered to the east by the Mekong River. The centre of the country is dominated by the predominantly flat Chao Phraya river valley, which runs into the Gulf of Thailand. Southern Thailand consists of the narrow Kra Isthmus that widens into the Malay Peninsula.

The Chao Phraya and the Mekong River are the indispensable water courses of rural Thailand. Industrial scale production of crops use both rivers and their tributaries. The Gulf of Thailand covers 320,000 km² (124,000 square miles) and is fed by the Chao Phraya, Mae Klong, Bang Pakong, and Tapi Rivers. It contributes to the tourism sector owing to its clear shallow waters along the coasts in the southern region and the Kra Isthmus. The eastern shore of the Gulf of Thailand has the kingdom’s premier deep-water port in Sattahip and its busiest commercial port, Laem Chabang. Phuket, Krabi, Ranong, Phang Nga and Trang, and their islands, all lay along the coasts of the Andaman Sea.

Ko Hong Island, Andaman Sea, Krabi Province – ©Wolfgang Holzem CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Thailand has a tropical monsoon climate. Generally, the dry season is during November to April and the rainy season from May to October but, the southern and Southeastern provinces receive rain during November-January. A year in Thailand is divided into three seasons. The first is the rainy or southwest monsoon season (mid-May to mid-October), which is caused by southwestern wind from the Indian Ocean with August and September being the wettest period of the year. Winter or the northeast monsoon occurs from mid-October until mid-February. Most of Thailand experiences dry weather with mild temperatures. Summer or the pre-monsoon season runs from mid-February until mid-May. Due to their inland position and latitude, the north, northeast, central and eastern parts of Thailand experience a long period of warm weather, where temperatures can reach up to 40 °C during March to May, in contrast to close to or below 0 °C in some areas in winter. Southern Thailand is characterised by mild weather year-round with less diurnal and seasonal variations in temperatures due to maritime influences. It receives abundant rainfall, particularly during October to November. Thailand is among the world’s ten countries that are most exposed to climate change. In particular, it is highly vulnerable to rising sea levels and extreme weather events.

Khao Yai in the monsoon – ©Vyacheslav Argenberg CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Birding Thailand

Thailand has been described as a zoogeographic crossroads because the country’s avifauna comprises Sino-Himalayan, Indo-Burmese, Indo-Chinese and Sundaic elements and there are a large number of migrant visitors from the Palaearctic Region. There are approximately 962 species (2 endemics) currently recorded, in other words 10% of the world species are present in Thailand.

Thailand’s protected areas include 156 national parks, 58 wildlife sanctuaries, 67 non-hunting areas, and 120 forest parks. They cover almost 31 per cent of the kingdom’s territory. The parks are administered by the National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department (DNP) of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE).

However, poaching of protected species remains a major problem. Tigers, leopards, and other large cats are hunted for their pelts. Many are farmed or hunted for their meat, which supposedly has medicinal properties. Although such trade is illegal, the well-known Bangkok market Chatuchak is still known for the sale of endangered species. The practice of keeping wild animals as pets affects species such as Asiatic black bear, Malayan sun bear, white-handed lar, pileated gibbon, and binturong.

Habitat

Thailand has a variety of types of forest as follows:

Evergreen Forest – Tropical rain forest is dense, continuous canopy has a middle storey and a herbaceous forest floor etc. In Thailand it can be divided into two subtypes; the Thai type of rainforest, which formerly occupied most the lowland of Thailand and the Malayan rainforest type which is confined to the provinces of Yala, Narathiwat and southern Trang. Small areas of rainforest are also found in the wettest areas of South-east Thailand. Bird species diversity in this forest type is very high. Semi-evergreen, and dry-evergreen, forest is dense and stratified and usually has a deciduous component, these occur in the lowland and submontane slope below 900m throughout the country. This forest type also supports a great diversity of bird species including pheasants, pigeons, cuckoos, owls, trogons, hornbills, kingfishers, barbets, woodpeckers and many passerine families. Hill evergreen forests occur above 900m or 1,000m on the higher peaks throughout the country especially the north, west, some in the Southeast and Peninsula. Dominant trees are oaks and chestnuts etc. This type of forest supports a great diversity of birds including minivets, bulbuls and babblers and is especially good for Rufus-throated Partridge, Humes’ Pheasant and Rufus-throated Hornbill etc.

Moist Deciduous Forest along the Ramit River at Thung Yai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary – ©Altaileopard, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Deciduous Forests – are found in the lowlands where the rainfall is too seasonal to support evergreen forest. Mixed deciduous forests occur in the plains or valleys and on hill slope up to 1,000m, they are found in the North, Northeast and Southwest regions. Teak is dominant in this forest type. The bird species show less diversity than lowland evergreen forests but it is ideal habitat for Black-headed Woodpecker, Rufus Treepie and Golden-fronted Leafbird, Banded Broadbill, Blue Pitta etc.

Dry Dipterocarp Forests – occur in all the lowlands but the largest and least disturbed areas are found in the north and west. This supports a lower range of birds species than other forest types as there is less middle story and under-story vegetation. Among the smaller birds are Black-winged Cuckoo-Shrike & Golden-fronted Leafbird, Rufescent Prinia, Brown Prinia, Great Slatey Woodpecker, While-bellied Woodpecker, Lineated Barbet, Eurasian Jay, Blue Magpie and Rufus Treepie etc.

Coniferous Forests – occur on drier ridges and plateaus at elevations of 400m – 1,400m in the North, and Northeast regions. It supports a low diversity of bird species but is the place for Giant Nuthatch, Great tit, Grey-headed Woodpeckers, Greater Yellow-nape, Eurasian Jay and Grey Treepie etc.

Bamboo – occurs as a mosaic with other forest habitats and a great many bird species utilise bamboo including White-browed Piculet, Rufus Warbler and Pin-tailed Parrotfinch, etc.

Forests on Limestone – occur around the margins of the major mountain massifs. One species of forest bird, the Limestone Wren Babbler is confined to limestone habitats and is found in small areas of the North, Southwest and at the southwest margin of the Khorat Platteau in the Northeast region. Other species relate to this area including Dusky Crag Martin, Red-rumped Swallow, Peregrine Falcon etc.

Mangrove Forests – are found in the Gulf of Thailand and along both Peninsular coasts. It provides nesting and roosting areas for large colonial water-birds. Species such as Brown-winged Kingfisher, the Mangrove Pitta, Ruddy Kingfisher, Flycatcher, Mangrove Whistler, Copper-throated Sunbird etc. are found in the mangrove.

Freshwater Swamp Forest – Some small areas of secondary, scrub forest remain in Peninsular Thailand in Pa Phru of Narathiwat Province, in the far south. No species of birds are restricted to swamp forests but some species such as Cinnamon-headed pigeon, Large Green Pigeon, Red-crowned Barbet, Fluffy-backed Tit-Babbler utilise this type of forest in particular.

Mangrove Forest at Than Bok Khorani – ©Vyacheslav Argenberg CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Birdwatching Activities – Some years ago a group of foreign birdwatchers and some Thais lead by Dr. Boonsong Lekagul founded a birdwatching group called the Bangkok Bird Club. The BBC has developed its activities and became (1993) the Bird Conservation Society of Thailand (BCST). The activity has been spreading to other NGOs, private organisations such as other bird clubs, bird tours or individuals and, in less than 20 years, birdwatching has become popular among Thais (both men and women).

Birding Locations & Timing – There are 96 National Parks, 48 Wildlife Sanctuaries and a number of Non-Hunting areas, Watershed Reserves, Forest Parks and Biosphere Reserves that have been protected by law. These areas are the main birding spots all over the country where birds can be seen all year round.

November-February is the peak time for migrating species, most areas are good for birdwatching especially the north where the weather is cooler than in other areas. The most popular destinations are Doi Inthanon National Park, Doi Pui/Suthep National Park, Doi Chiengdao Wildlife Sanctuary, Doi Angkhang of Chiengmai province and Chiengsaen of Chiengrai etc. The West and Southwest areas are also good at Kroeng-Kravia and Tung Yai Wildlife Sanctuary of Kanchanaburi province, Kaeng Krachan National Park of Petchaburi and further south at Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park of Prachaubkirikhan. One of the most popular spots is Khao Yai National Park located at the Northeastern part of the country (a wonderful place for early morning birding as The Fat Birder can attest).

March-June is the second best time for both passage migrants and resident species, which are then breeding. The best areas are the West, Southwest and the south. The most popular birding spots are Krabi province areas such as the mangroves, Khao Nor Chu Chi and newly established destination is Halabala Wildlife Sanctuary in the far south, Narathiwat province etc.

July-October is the rainy season, a quiet time but good for resident species, breeding visitors and, in the later part of this period during August-October, passage migrants. The best areas are in the central plains such as suburban areas of Bangkok, Kampangsaen of Nakhon Pratom province etc. and during September-October at the coastal areas near Bangkok such as Bangpu and Samutsakhorn etc.

White-rumped Falcon Polihierax insignis – ©Dubi Shapiro

How To Prepare – How to dress and what to bring – While bird-watching in the tropical forest wearing shorts is not advised because, in some areas, there are lots of insects and thorny plants and the forest trails are not like the smooth paths of woodlands in Europe. Light cotton long-sleeved shirt and trouser are recommended for most areas during day time but some areas in the mountains, especially during early mornings and evenings, can be cooler. During December-January, early mornings in the mountains of the north can be very cold so a sweater or jumper is useful. Solid walking shoes are necessary as well as leech-proof socks which may be needed in some areas, particularly during the rainy season (something else The Fat Birder can attest). Apart from a hat, a folded umbrella (dull colour) can be very useful either to protect you from bright sunshine or from rain. Insect repellent and torch are also advised.

(Some parts of this text were extracted and paraphrased from Resident Forest Birds in Thailand by Philip D. Round, ICBP 1988.)

Top Sites

Chiang Mai - Doi Angkhang
Information Satellite View
Doi Angkhang is an easier version of Doi Chiang Dao, it is easily accessed unlike the hair raising ride needed to get to the best birdwatching on the former mountain but it does lack a certain something and the main ingredient lacking is forest. Nevertheless, it does have the open montane scrubland that attracts certain north Asian birds such as the White-browed Laughingthrush Garrulax sannio and the Brown-breasted Bulbul Pycnonotus xanthorrhous.
Chiang Mai - Doi Chiang Dao
Information Satellite View
Doi Chiang Dao is situated approximately 60km. due north of Chiang Mai and it is noted for being the southernmost range of the north asian birds. Three birds that are the main target of the more fanatical birdwatchers are the very rare Deignan's Babbler Stachyris rodolphei, the rare Hume's Pheasant Syrmaticus humiae and the uncommon Giant Nuthatch Sitta magna.
Chiang Mai - Doi Inthanon
Information Satellite View
Doi Inthanon and Mae Klang River lies 60km. south-west of Chiang Mai and at 2,565 metres is the highest mountain in Thailand. Because of its height it has certain montane species that can be found nowhere else in Thailand, among these are the Ashy-throated Warbler Phylloscopus maculipennis and the Green-tailed Sunbird Aethopyga nipalensis-angkanensis. This sunbird is, in fact, endemic to the summit of Doi Inthanon.
Chiang Mai - Doi Suthep-Pui National Park
Information Satellite View
Doi Suthep Pui is the mountain that forms a backdrop to the city of Chiang Mai (1,685m) and is the most convenient for people who are in a hurry and can only manage a half day tour. It has other attractions such as a large Buddhist Temple perched halfway up the mountain, it can be seen with its golden chedi from the city below.
Chiang Mai - Mae Hia
Satellite View
Mae Hia is another lowland area consisting of scrub, grassland and dipterocarp. For some reason it plays host to a whole range of lowland birds and it is not unusual to list 40-50 species of birds in a couple of hours. Blue Magpies Urocissa erythrorhyncha, Green Bee-Eaters Merops orientalis, the Red-wattled Lapwing Vanellus indicus and the Hoopoe Upupa epops are almost certain to be seen.
Chiang Mai - Tha Thon
Information Satellite View
Tha Thon, this is a lowland area and again can produce some rare and uncommon birds, three that come to mind are the rare Jerdon's Bushchat Saxicola jerdoni, the rare Long-billed Plover Charadrius placidus and the rare Paddyfield Warbler Acrocephalus agricola. Tourists aren't left out altogether as a little farther north we come to the Mekong river and the Golden Triangle, also a whole host of birds.
Chonburi - Bang Pra
Information Satellite View
This lowland site, just over an hour southeast of Bangkok, consists of open water, grassland, scrub and dry dipterocarp woodland. An excellent variety of birds can be found here and 50-60 species can often be seen in a morning. This is a good place to look for Rain Quail Coturnix coromandelica, Chinese Francolin Francolinus pintadeanus and Rufous Treepie Dendrocitta vagabunda; this is also an attractive place for a morning or afternoon walk.
Doi Lang - Tha Ton
Information Satellite View
Doi Lang (2200m) is an extension of Doi Pahompok yet has its own share of uncommon to rare birds, including flocks of Black-throated Tits, Crested Finchbills, Red-faced Liocichlas and Crimson-breasted Woodpecker. Around March is not a good time to go as there is a lot of polution due to slash and burning. A good place to stay is the Garden Home Nature Resort.
Khok Kham
Information Satellite View
Khok Kham salpans extend for 10km and there seem to be flocks of waders all over the place. Broad-billed Sandpipers Limicola falcinellus and Red-necked Stints Calidris ruficollis. If any birders are going to try for Spoon-billed Sandpiper Calidris pygmeus at Khok Kham I would strongly recommend they pay a visit to the Bird Centre sign posted just before the double bridges. They keep a log book here with updates and location details.
Petchaburi - Laem Pak Bia
Information Satellite View
This is a large area of salt pans with some mangrove remnants and a sand spit. It is probably the premier birdwatching site for shorebirds in Thailand with many rare species putting in regular appearances. This is a reliable spot for Spoon-billed Sandpiper Limicola falcinellus, Nordmann's Greenshank Tringa guttifer and Pallas's Gull Larus ichthyaetus. In fact there are shorebirds and seabirds just about everywhere you look here and this is a good place to add a species to the Thai list!
Samut Prakarn - Bang Poo
Information Satellite View
For some reason this area of mudflats and scrubby ponds proves very attractive to large numbers of wintering waders and a flock of two to three thousand Brown-headed Gulls Larus brunnicephalus. Less than an hour from central Bangkok this is a reliable place to see Asian Dowitcher Limnodromus semipalmatus in the winter and Grey-tailed Tattler Heteroscelus brevipes in April/May. A number of rarities consistently turn up here too, maybe it's to eat at the excellent seafood restaurant!
Samut Prakarn - Muang Boran Fish Ponds
Webpage Satellite View
Muang Boran Fishponds, in Samut Prakarn province, consists of a patchwork of shallow fish ponds and drainage ditches of varying size, with areas of reeds, open water and lillies. This is a really good place to visit whilst staying in Bangkok, a taxi will only take about 30-40 minutes from the city centre early in the morning.

Contributors

Patcharee Komolphalin
| ntrails@samart.co.th
Nick Upton
https://www.thaibirding.com
Tony Ball
Chiang Mai [All Chiang Mai top sites were contributed by Tony] | tonyball@loxinfo.co.th

Number of Species

Number of bird species: 1106

(As at January 2025)
National Bird: Siamese Fireback Lophura diardi

Endemics

Number of endemics: 2
Turquoise-throated Barbet Psilopogon chersonesus
Siamese Partridge Arborophila diversa

Checklist

Avibase
PDF Checklist
This checklist includes all bird species found in Thailand , based on the best information available at this time. It is based on a wide variety of sources that I collated over many years. I am pleased to offer these checklists as a service to birdwatchers. If you find any error, please do not hesitate to report them.
Thailand Birding
Regional Lists
All of the bird checklists featured on this website have been compiled from my personal records and include species that I know that other reliable observers have recorded from the sites concerned. Species that are of doubtful occurence, or are known from records that are yet to be confirmed by the Thai records committe have been avoided.
Wikipedia
Annotated List
The birds of Thailand included 1106 species as of 2024. Of them, 7 have been introduced by humans, and eight have been extirpated.
eBird
PDF Checklist
This checklist is generated with data from eBird (ebird.org), a global database of bird sightings from birders like you. If you enjoy this checklist, please consider contributing your sightings to eBird. It is 100% free to take part, and your observations will help support birders, researchers, and conservationists worldwide.

Useful Reading

A Field Guide to the Birds of Thailand

| By Craig Robson | Bloomsbury | 2016 | Paperback | 272 pages, 128 plates with colour illustrations; 1000 colour distribution maps | ISBN: 9781472935823 Buy this book from NHBS.com
A Naturalist's Guide to the Birds of Thailand

| By Philip D Round & Wich'yanan Limparungpattanakij | John Beaufoy Books | March 2018 | Paperback | 176 pages, 300 colour photos | ISBN: 9781909612099 Buy this book from NHBS.com
A Pocket Photo Guide to the Birds of Thailand

| By Michael Webster & Chew Yen Fook | Bloomsbury Publishing | 2017 | Paperback | 144 pages, colour photos | Out of Print | ISBN: 9781472937926 Buy this book from NHBS.com
Birds of Thailand

| By Ayuwat Jearwattanakanok | Helm | 2024 | Paperback | 224 pages, 400+ colour photos, 1 colour map | ISBN: 9781399414715 Buy this book from NHBS.com
Birds of Thailand

| By Uthai Treesucon & Wich'yanan Limparungpattanakij | Lynx Edicions | 2018 | Hardback | 452 Pages | 2200 colour illustrations, 1025+ colour distribution maps | ISBN: 9788416728091 Buy this book from NHBS.com
Guide to the Birds of Thailand

| By Boonsong Lekagul & Philip D Round | White Lotus | 1991 | Hardback | 457 pages, 135 colour plates, maps | Out of Print | ISBN: 9789748567365 Buy this book from NHBS.com
New Holland Field Guide to the Birds of South-East Asia

| By Craig Robson | New Holland | 2005 | Paperback | 304 pages, 142 plates with colour illustrations; 2 b/w maps | Out of Print | ISBN: 9781843307464 Buy this book from NHBS.com
Thailand Birds A Folding Pocket Guide to Familiar Species

| By James R Kavanagh | Illustrated by Raymond Leung | Waterford Press | 2017 | Unbound | 12 pages | ISBN: 9781620052778 Buy this book from NHBS.com

Festivals & Bird Fairs

Thailand Bird Festival
Webpage
Bird Conservation of Society of Thailand: BCST under the work plan for conservation of the habitat of Chon Hin birds. and the smooth-billed elephant-jawed hornbill. Supported by Birdlife international and Segre Foundation.

Organisations

Bird Conservation Society of Thailand (BCST)
Website
The Bird Conservation Society of Thailand (BCST) is one of the oldest organisations conserving birds and nature in Thailand and is the country partner of BirdLife International. BCST’s role to the local community is to spread awareness about urban birds and reconnect people back to nature. Our Vision For sustainable coexistence between birds, nature and people
Bird Conservation Society of Thailand (BCST)
Facebook Page
Bird Conservation Society of Thailand (BCST) is the BirdLife Partner in Thailand. They can be located at: Bird Conservation Society of Thailand (BCST) 221 Moo 2, Soi Ngamwongwan 2 Tambol Bangkhen, Ampur Meung Nontaburi 11000 Thailand Tel: +66-2-588-2277 Email: bcst@bcst.or.th Also see: BirdLife Thailand
Bird of southern thailand
Facebook Page
Only members can see who's in the group and what they post.
EcoThailand Bird Watching Club
Website
EcoThailand, in conjunction with other groups, take part in bird watching events on the Surat Thani mainland and are now extending their bird watching and ornithology activities and have formed a club for students on Koh Phangan island.
North Thailand Birding
Website
North Thailand Birding focuses on birds, birding and nature photography in Thailand. Information covers birding sites, checklists, trip reports and resources, as well as a wealth of background, travel and logistical information.
ThaiBirding
Website
Free information, maps, checklists and trip reports on birdwatching in Thailand.
Thaibirdspot
Facebook Page
The aim of this group is to bring together Bird and Wildlife photographers in Thailand

Reserves

Abbreviations Key

* List of protected areas of Thailand
Information Satellite View
Interactive list of National Parks, wildlife sancturies, forest parks etc...
NP Doi Inthanon
Webpage Satellite View
Birdwatching at Doi Inthanon National Park can be a fun and an interesting way to discover nature at a leisurely pace. You can easily cover many kilometers in a day without getting tired because you spend more time looking then walking. You pay more attention to the sounds and beauty of the forest so you discover many wonderful things you would normally miss if just hiking. As you read this article you will learn more about Doi Inthanon than just birds but also about the environment in which they live.
NP Doi Suthep-Pui
Webpage Satellite View
There are nearly 2000 species of ferns and flowering plants, nearly 300 species of birds and number of mammal species. Some of mammal species are Indian muntjac, wild boar, Assam macaque, Indochinese serow, Asian golden cat, Malayan porcupine and Asian black bear. Common birds found in the national park are white-crested laughingthrush, grey-headed canary-flycatcher, great barbet, blue-throated barbet, grey-capped pygmy woodpecker, grey-chinned minivet, Blyth's shrike-babbler, Yunnan fulvetta and slaty-backed flycatcher.
NP Erawan
Webpage Satellite View
Founded in 1975 as Thailands 12th National Park, it is covering an area of km². Located on West Thailand in the Tenasserim Hills of Kanchanaburi Province, it is one of the most famous national parks in Thailand. Due to limited number of trails, wildlife watching possibilities around the waterfalls are very limited, macaques are common, occasionally water monitor lizards can be seen walking around water streams. Deeper into the forest some more exciting animals like Indian muntjac, wild elephants, lar gibbon, Indochinese serow, wild boar, sambar deer can be found. Some of common birds in the park are crested serpent eagle, black-naped monarch, blue whistling thrush, black-crested bulbul, blue-winged leafbird, dark-necked tailorbird, green-billed malkoha, grey peacock-pheasant and kalij pheasant.
NP Kaeng Krachan
Webpage Satellite View
Among the birds recorded in the park are six species of hombills, red junglefowl, both Kalij and grey peacock-pheasants, woolly-necked stork, black eagle, and many species of songbirds, woodpeckers, and other forest birds. The ratchet-tailed treepie, first seen here by members of the Bangkok Bird Club (Bird Conservation Society of Thailand) on an outing in 1991, has not been recorded anywhere else in Thailand.
NP Khao Chamao-Khao Wong
Webpage Satellite View
Despite the small size, thanks to the extension of the mountain range and adjacent protected sites, the park has some exiting animals to offer. Animal sighting is very rare on low elevations near the villages and along the trails to the waterfalls due to high amount of daily visitors, but deeper inside the park and specially on higher altitudes animals like elephant, gaur, Indochinese serow, bear, leopard, leopard cat, pileated gibbon, banded langur and boars can be found. There are more than 50 confirmed bird species in the park of which some are; Siamese fireback, wreathed hornbill, great hornbill, lineated barbet, Indian roller, thick-billed green pigeon.
NP Khao Luang
Webpage Satellite View
Located along the Southern Tenasserim Hills Range in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province in Southern Thailand, Khao Luang National Park is a mountainous national park covering 570 km². The park is popular for its numerous waterfalls spread out all over the park. The park forests include moist evergreen, hill evergreen, deciduous and bamboo forests. The park is known for its over 300 species of orchid species, some of them only to be found in the park. It is also a popular destination for birders, home to over 200 species of birds, one of best locations in southern Thailand for bird watching. Although the sigthing for bigger and more impressive ones are quite rare, the park is home to many interesting mammals. Some of many interesting birds are; great argus, crested fireback, white-crowned hornbill, plain-pouched hornbill, helmeted hornbill, bushy-crested hornbill, black eagle, Wallace's hawk-eagle, green broadbill, Javan frogmouth and red-crowned barbet.
NP Khao Sam Roi Yot
Webpage Satellite View
The entire area of Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park plus the whole area of Sam Roi Yot freshwater marsh and adjacent areas of coastal beaches and shallow sea outside the national park boundary (3,000 m outwards); including villages and prawn ponds.
NP Khao Sok
Webpage Satellite View
Being the most popular mainland national park destination in South Thailand, Khao Sok is a rainforest with great diversity of plants and wildlife. It is one of the few bigger national parks in the country relatively easily accessible by public services from nearby Phuket, Krabi, Khao Lak, Surat Thani, Ao Nang (Railey Beach). Great hornbill, helmeted hornbill, white-crowned hornbill, osprey, brahminy kite, blue-banded kingfisher, rufous-collared kingfisher are few of the hundreds of bird species that can be found in the park.
NP Khao Yai
Webpage Satellite View
Khao Yai is no doubt the best national park in Thailand for regular visitors where it is relatively easy to see number of interesting animals. Khao Yai checkpoint is just 2.5 hours away from Bangkok. The park covers an area of 2,168 square kilometres, including rain/evergreen forests and grasslands. 1,351 m high Khao Rom is the highest mountain within the park. The average altitude of the national park ranges from 400 to 1000 m above the sea level. The national park is home to around 300 resident and migratory birds and has one of Thailand's largest populations of hornbills. Some of the interesting birds that can be found in the park are barbets, scarlet minivets, broadbills, pittas, mountain scops-owls, great slaty woodpeckers, collared owlets, blue-winged leafbirds, Asian fairy bluebirds, trogons, drongos and magpies. Many ground dwelling birds such as silver pheasants, junglefowls, green-legged partridges and Siamese fireback are common on the roads and trails.
NP Kui Buri
Webpage Satellite View
Established in 1999 Kui Buri National Park is located in the Tenasserim Hills in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province. Known to be the best elephant and gaur sighting place in Thailand, it is almost 99% sure visitors will see elephants any day.
NP Mae Wong
Webpage Satellite View
Covering 894 sq km, Mae Wong is situated in the Dawna Range, West of Thailand in Nakhon Sawan and Kamphaeng Phet provinces. The park is rugged and hilly with the highest peak Khao Mo Ko Chu at 1,964 m., one of highest in Thailand. Mae Wong is one of the best places in Thailand for birdwatching, home to many rare birds such as rufous-necked hornbill, Burmese yuhina, coral-billed scimitar babbler, grey peacock-pheasant, mountain hawk-eagle. According some sources, with migratory birds counted 450 species of birds has been seen in the park.
NP Nam Nao
Webpage Satellite View
Designated as national park in 1972, Nam Nao covers 966 km² in the mountainous forests of Phetchabun and Chaiyapum provinces in Northeast Thailand. It is the best national park in the area and one of best in the country with good wildlife viewing, birdwatching and hiking possibilities, supporting a range of IUCN red listed animals and birds. Nam Nao has over 220 known bird species, dry condition of the forests makes it easy for birdwatching. Around HQ area it is possible to see species like red-headed trogon, red-billed blue magpie, great barbet, greater yellownape, grey-headed woodpecker, grey-capped pygmy woodpecker, bamboo woodpecker, large woodshrike, eurasian jay, black-throated laughingthrush, lesser necklaced laughing-thrush, golden-crested myna, golden-fronted leafbird, plain flowerpecker and ruby-cheeked sunbird. Getting aorund the park by foot on many trails or driving further away to distinctly different habitats of the park will give more rewarding possibilities to see silver pheasant, blue pitta, bar-backed partridge, collared owlet, collared falconet, blossom-headed parakeet and oriental turtle dove.
NP Pang Sida
Webpage Satellite View
Covering 844km² at Sa Kaeo Province, Pang Sida was declared as a national park in 1982. The national park lies within Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex, a World Heritage Site declared by UNESCO, covering 5 protected areas from Khao Yai to Cambodian border. The other protected areas are; Khao Yai National Park, Thap Lan National Park, Ta Phraya National Park and Dong Yai Wildlife Sanctuary. Eared pitta, siamese fireback, banded kingfisher, oriental pied hornbill and dusky broadbill are few of many birds seen in the park.
NP Phu Hin Rong Kla
Webpage Satellite View
Situated mainly in Phitsanulok Province nearly 130 km from Phitsanulok city center, this 307 km² mountainous park extends east into Loei and Phetchabun provinces nearly 40km from the Laotian border. The park has hundreds of bird species; red-billed scimitar babbler, silver-eared mesia, Davison's leaf warbler, great barbet, dusky crag martin and the rare Nepal house martin only few to mention.
NP Phu Pha Thoep
Webpage Satellite View
Formerly known as Mukdahan National Park, Phu Pha Thoep National Park is a small protected area covering 48.5 km² in Mukdahan Province east of Thailand only 17 km south from Mukdahan city near the border to Laos. Interesting birds are red junglefowl and green peafowl.
NP Sai Yok
Webpage Satellite View
Covering 958 km² in Sai Yok District of Kanchanaburi Province 100 km northwest of Kanchanaburi City, Sai Yok National Park is part of the Western Forex Complex that covers 18,730 km² and comprises 19 protected sites between Myanmar and Thailand. The park is a popular destination for local and foreign tourists, known for it's waterfalls, caves, historical sites and raft houses along the River Kwai. Mammal species found in the park include elephant, gibbon, macaque species, Malayan porcupine, slow loris, serow, barking deer, sambar deer, wild boar and many more. There may also be a smaller tiger population in the park.
NP Tat Mok
Webpage Satellite View
Tat Mok National Park is a relatively small national park at 290 km², around 15 km east from Phetchabun City in Phetchabun Province. The main attraction of the park is Tat Mok Waterfall. Both park and the waterfall are named after Tat Mok Mountains. Being so small, the park still have some impressive wildlife thanks to being adjacent to two major protected sites like Nam Nao National Park to north and Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary to the east. Although not commonly seen, elephant, gaur, boar, muntjac, serow are few of the bigger mammals found in the park.
Thai National Parks
Website Satellite View
National parks are protected areas of land because they have unspoilt landscapes and a diverse number of native plants and animals. There are 127 national parks in Thailand, of them 22 marine national parks. These parks offers a diverse range of flora and fauna, home to important population of endangered species.
WS Khao Nor Chuchi Lowland Forest
Information Satellite View
Khao Nor Chuchi Lowland Forest Project is implemented by the Center for Conservation Biology, Mahidol University and DOF-BirdLife Denmark, in cooperation with Krabi Province Administration and Wildlife Conservation Division, Royal Forest Department, with support from DANCED (Danish Cooperation for Environment and Development).
WS Thungyai-Huai Kha Khaeng
Information Satellite View
Stretching over more than 600,000 ha along the Myanmar border, the sanctuaries, which are relatively intact, contain examples of almost all the forest types of continental South-East Asia. They are home to a very diverse array of animals, including 77% of the large mammals (especially elephants and tigers); 50% of the large birds and 33% of the land vertebrates to be found in this region…
Wetlands
Website Satellite View
Thailand currently has 14 sites designated as Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Sites), with a surface area of 399,714 hectares.

Sightings, News & Forums

Thai Bird Report
Sightings & News
The purpose of this group is for submitting bird reports. Please read the guidelines via the link above before posting.
eBird
Sightings
eBirding This Month

Guides & Tour Operators

Aem Promdet
Private Guide
Guide Aem Promdet arranges private nature tours in Khao Yai and upon request throughout Thailand. Leave a message and ask what she can do for you. She is the daughter of a Khao Yai National Park ranger.
All Thailand Experiences
Local Tour Operator
Birdwatching at Doi Inthanon National Park can be a fun and an interesting way to discover nature at a leisurely pace. You can easily cover many kilometers in a day without getting tired because you spend more time looking then walking. You pay more attention to the sounds and beauty of the forest so you discover many wonderful things you would normally miss if just hiking.
BellBird Tours
Tour Operator
Tantalising Thailand Birding Tour
BirdFinders
Tour Operator
Thailand central offers saltpans and marshes with Spoon-billed Sandpiper, Nordmann's Greenshank and Asian Dowitcher whilst Kaeng Krachen and Kao Yai NP’s hold partridges, Rusty-cheeked Hornbill, Ratchet-tailed Treepie, Blue Pitta and broadbills...
BirdQuest
Tour Operator
THAILAND – The Ultimate specialities tour from North to South
Birding Ecotours
Tour Operator
The peninsula of southern Thailand, part of geological Sundaland, is a birders and naturalists paradise. Our tour is designed to incorporate the most spectacular of the region’s unique karst limestone scenery in searching for the region’s diversity of specials. The Gurney’s Pitta of Khao Nor Chu Chi is the star attraction for any avid world birder. Please contact us for more tours that are run in Thailand.
Calidris Birding Tours
Tour Operator
Central and Northern Thailand Birding Tour
Eagle-Eye Tours
Tour Operator
Wonderful rich and varied birding, with the possibility of some extremely rare birds such as Spoon-billed Sandpiper...
FieldGuides
Tour Operator
A wide variety of forest birds in the friendly heart of Southeast Asia (and fabulous Thai food).
Khao Sok Travel
Local Tour Operator
Southern of Thailand and Peninsular, there are many interesting places for birding and bird photography such as,in National Parks, beaches, lakes, lowland forest, and mangrove forest.
Naturalist Journeyus
Tour Operator
Thailand, often called the “Land of Smiles,” is a country of great natural beauty with important national parks and abundant birding.
NatureTrek
Tour Operator
A 10-day birdwatching tour enjoying one of Thailand's best-known national parks, and the montane forests surrounding Chiang Mai.
Oriole Birding
Tour Operator
Thailand – Forktails, Flycatchers and Spoon-billed Sandpiper
Rockjumper Birding Tours
Tour Operator
Our Northern & Central Thailand tour provides a detailed overview of the major sites of this quintessential Southeast Asia birding destination. Our Southern Extension then takes us to the Malay Peninsula, which supports some of the world’s most endangered birds, including the critically endangered Gurney’s Pitta.
ThaiBirding
Tour Operator
thaibirding.com provides reliable information on birdwatching in Thailand with the aim of make planning birdwatching vacations to Thailand simple.
Thailand Bird Watching
Local Tour Operator
We offer quality, privately guided birding adventure to explore breathtaking destinations throughout Thailand, the world premier birding area with over 1,000 species and excellent for birding all year round.
The Sustainable Birding Company
Tour Operator
This captivating birding tour through Central Thailand, has be designed to see sought-after target species in two of Thailand's key national parks, Khao Yai and Kaeng Krachan. Khao Yai, Thailand's inaugural national park, boasts excellent facilities …
Tontan Travel
Local Tour Operator
With well over a 1000 bird species, Thailand is an amazing destination for birders. With help of our expert birding guides you significantly increase your chances to see some of the feathered beauties.
Tropical Birding Tours
Tour Operator
Thailand is one of Asia’s most exciting birding destinations. Located at the crossroads of Southeast Asia, Thailand has exceptionally high bird diversity...
WINGS
Tour Operator
Northwest Thailand is distinctly different from the rest of the country with little humidity and, in the mountains, cooler days and sometimes cold nights.
WildBirdEco
Tour Operator
We are a group of well-known birdwatchers who have for a long time handled activities on bird and nature conservation in Thailand, since 1986. As a result, we have known good birding spots in Thailand and all respects about our native bird species. Simultaneously, we also have had a good relationship with both local and foreign birdwatchers in order to introduce our feathered heritage and help promote birdwatching in Thailand…

Trip Reports

2016 [02 February] - John van der Woude
Report
...In Thailand we drove around in a rental car, and used the booking.com app for finding accommodation. Information for finding the bird sites was gathered mainly from the websites of Dave Sargeant (norththailandbirding.com), Games (souththailandbirding.com) and Nick Upton (thaibirding.com), and from trip reports on cloudbirders.com (especially Barnagaud, Poelstra)....
2016 [03 March] - Dave Sargeant - NE Thailand
Report
With Jeff Verrill. Having birded Thailand on several occasions, Jeff has become a man on a mission - to see 700 species in Thailand. As a casual visitor this target could be described as difficult, but achievable with perseverance. A couple of three weeks trips, covering northern and southern Thailand at the appropriate times of year will likely produce a list in the range of 580 - 600 species. Following that, selective itineraries to more out-of-the-way places are needed to find the additional 100 plus required. With this in mind, and starting at 644 species, we set out to cover a number of less frequently visited areas with some interesting specialities. This itinerary demanded some extensive driving
2016 [03 March] - Erik Forsyth - Northern, Central & Southern Thailand
Report PDF
Our trip total of 535 species in 23 days reflects the immense birding potential of Thailand.Participants were treated to an amazing number of star birds including Spoon-billed Sandpiper,Nordmann’s Greenshank, Pallas’s Gull, Mountain Bamboo Partridge, Mrs. Hume’s and SilverPheasants, Siamese Fireback, Green Peafowl, Grey Peacock-Pheasant, Jerdon’s Baza, Black-tailedCrake, Great and Wreathed Hornbills, Hodgson’s and Blyth’s Frogmouths, Barred Eagle-Owl,Spotted Wood and Brown Wood Owl and the near mythical Oriental Bay Owl, stunning MalayanBanded, Blue, Rusty-naped and Mangrove Pittas, Ratchet-tailed Treepie, Limestone, Streaked, Eyebrowedand Pygmy Wren-Babblers, Scarlet-faced Liocichla, Grey-headed and Spot-breastedParrotbills, Giant Nuthatch, Slaty, Heart-spotted, White-bellied and Black-headed Woodpeckers,Sultan Tit, Chestnut-naped Forktail, Mrs. Gould’s Sunbird, and Nicobar Pigeon.
2016 [04 April] - Dave Sargeant - SE Thailand
Report
With Ian Dugdale plus, in part, Matti Sakari. Our fifth trip to southeastern Thailand with the primary aim, yet again, to find the barely recorded specialities of the area. Of these five species, to date we'd only managed one - Siamese Partridge - so hopes were not high of adding to the list based on previous experience! We also included a few days, a kind of annual pilgrimage, to Ko Man Nai coinciding with the Spring migration.
2016 [05 May] - Dave Sargeant - Khao Luang National Park
Report
...The trail for the first hour, rising to 800 metres, was pretty tame, with few birds of interest. We heard our first Turquoise-throated Barbet at 730 metres, though impossible to locate. Initially Lek had thought of camping at this altitude by a river, but we decided to press on to 1,000 metres for our initial camp as we had time to spare and it would cut the hard day's climb tomorrow. This proved to be a good idea, as at this altitude the barbet suddenly became much commoner, outnumbering the other three barbets in the area - Golden-whiskered Barbet, Red-throated Barbet and Blue-eared Barbet. Intriguingly we also encountered Fulvous-chested Jungle Flycatcher here...
2016 [07 July] - Birding in Bankok
Report
2016 [11 November] - Bangkok
Report
2016 [11 November] - Dave Sargeant - South and West Thailand
Report
...As usual, quiet bird wise but Banded Bay Cuckoo, Oriental Bay Owl and Sunda Scops Owl heard along the way. As the last kilometre of this climb is steep and slippery, we were sweating profusely by the time we reached the summit, at just over 400 metres....
2016 [12 December] - Dave Sargeant - Southeast Thailand
Report
...The hoped for Cardamom Green Pit Viper not found, but a reasonable collection of frogs seen, including Taiwanese Frog, Striped Sticky Frog, Mortensen's Frog and a couple of unidentified species. Night birds heard included Great Eared Nightjar, Collared Scops Owl and Brown Hawk-Owl. Cool and pleasant overnight temperature....
2016 [12 December] - Glen Valentine
PDF Report
The birding at Khao Yai proved challenging at times, but westill managed to encounter most of the reserve’s specialspecies. We birded both the higher and lower elevation forestduring our time here. These varied elevations gave us twosightings of Silver Pheasant, as well as several stunningOrange-breasted Trogons, Mountain Imperial Pigeon, thelocalised Moustached Barbet, the impressive Great Hornbill,Himalayan Swiftlet, nesting Vernal Hanging Parrots, hordesof Asian Fairy-bluebirds around fruiting trees, the resident,yellow-billed race of Blue Whistling Thrush, Abbott’sBabbler, a female Blue Rock Thrush and Grey Wagtail; whilemixed species flocks yielded the scarce Heart-spottedWoodpecker, Large Woodshrike, several sizable flocks ofSwinhoe’s Minivet, White-bellied Erpornis, Puff-throated and Grey-eyed Bulbuls, Sulphur-breastedWarbler, the very attractive and charismatic White-crested Laughingthrush, Oriental White-eye, HainanBlue and Verditer Flycatchers, Fire-breasted Flowerpecker, Little Spiderhunter, the vibrant Sultan Titand numerous Claudia’s Leaf Warblers.
2017 [01 January] - Birding in Benjakitti Park, Bangkok
Report
2017 [01 January] - Birding in Suan Rot Fai
Report
2017 [01 January] - Dave Sargeant - Doi Phu Kha
Report
...The few species seen in open areas around the park headquarters included Barred Cuckoo-Dove, Greenish Warbler and a good number of Indochinese Yuhina....
2017 [01 January] - Peter Ericsson
Report
...Best bird for the morning undoubtedly was Giant Nuthatch. A must see bird! Mountain Bamboo Partridges also showed on the road and we picked up things like Chestnut-vented Nuthatch, Yellow-bellied Fantail, Long-tailed Minivets, Mountain Tailorbird, Crested Finchbill, Rufous-backed Sibia and Grey-backed Shrike. Some other good ones seen: Bay Woodpecker, Stripe-breasted Woodpecker and Grey-capped Woodpecker....
2017 [02 February] - Andy Walker
PDF Report
The tour connected with numerous exciting birds. A total of 486 bird species were recorded, with some highlights including Mrs. Hume’s Pheasant, Kalij Pheasant, Silver Pheasant, Chinese Egret, Pied Harrier, Spoon-billed Sandpiper, Nordmann’s Greenshank, Greater Painted-snipe...
2017 [02 February] - Dave Sargeant - Northeast Thailand
Report
...a change of strategy required so headed for the hides to try Manchurian Bush Warbler. In two hours, hardly a bird stirred, with only a single Siberian Rubythroat and a Taiga Flycatcher present. Definitely Birders 0 - Birds 1. Later that evening we discovered a single Mandarin Duck had been found on the lake late afternoon....
2017 [02 February] - Dave Stejskal
Report
...Among the many, many highlights of our time in the upper part of the park were: incredible views of a male Gray Peacock-Pheasant; close looks at a scarce Little Cuckoo-Dove at a fruiting tree at the upper camp; our first encounters with the spectacular Great Hornbill; a beautiful Red-bearded Bee-eater perched in the subcanopy; a trio of wonderful broadbills (Long-tailed, Silver-breasted, and Black-and-yellow); the unique and very local Ratchet-tailed Treepie; striking Sultan Tits...
2017 [02 February] - Peter Ericsson - Central & Northern Thailand
Report
...Green Bee-eater, Blue-tailed Bee-eater, Common and Great Myna, Painted and Openbill Storks, Pied Starlings, Bronze-winged Jacanas, various Egrets, Germains Swiftlets, Asian Palm Swift, Asian Koel, Asian Golden Weaver, Black-winged Kite, Oriental Honey Buzzard, White-throated and Common Kingfisher, Ashy Woodswallow and many more birds were seen. ...
2017 [03 March] - Dave Sargeant - Northern Mountains
Report
...so visited the summit boardwalk where we lucked into the Slaty-legged Crake that had been seen on and off recently, as well as at least four Dark-sided Thrush and a single Snowy-browed Flycatcher. During our return to lower elevations a couple of Silver Pheasant and Speckled Wood Pigeon. A very nice haul for our first day....
2017 [03 March] - Erik Forsyth - Northern & Central Thailand
PDF Report
...On our last morning, we visited Prapoeng Dam, where we scored with several new birds, includingBronze-winged Jacana, Cotton Pygmy Geese, Yellow-bellied Prinia, a cracking Yellow Bittern,Black-browed and Clamorous Reed Warbler and after a bit of a scan, we eventually tracked down adistant Pheasant-tailed Jacana walking on floating vegetation. From here, we drove to the Bang TanBoon wetlands, where we found four large Spot-billed Pelicans – a scarce winter visitor here –many stunning Painted Storks, Black-headed Ibis, Black-tailed Godwits, Wood Sandpipers andseveral smart Long-toed Stints....
2017 [03 March] - Janne Aalto - Phetchaburi
Report
...Our next target was Kaeng Krachan National Park which wasn’t as easy to find as we had expected. We found the information center easily and walked a little there and heard a Lineated Barbet and saw some Paddyfield Pipits, but almost nothing else. But when we continued towards the National Park, there were soldiers blocking the road....
2017 [03 March] - Keith Vaalentine
PDF Report
...we pickedup a good number of interesting species, includinga possible first for the area in the form of 6 SmallPratincole. Oriental Pratincole were also inattendance whilst we added Barred Buttonquail,Richard’s Pipit, brief Burmese Shrike, ThickbilledWarbler, Indochinese Bush Lark and PlainbackedSparrow....
2017 [05 May] - Dave Sargeant - Yala - the Extreme South
Report
...so headed to forest areas of Bang Lang National Park, where we spent more than five hours in good forest, with an excellent selection of both butterflies and birds, including Great Argus heard, Violet Cuckoo, Little Bronze Cuckoo, Rusty-breasted Cuckoo, Rhinoceros Hornbill, Yellow-crowned Barbet, Crimson-winged Woodpecker, Bamboo Woodpecker, Buff-rumped Woodpecker, Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot, Banded Broadbill, Black-and-yellow Broadbill, Large Woodshrike, Rufous-winged Philentoma, Ferruginous Babbler, Pale Blue Flycatcher, Grey-chested Jungle Flycatcher and Plain Sunbird...
2017 [10 October] - Dave Sargeant - Northern central Thailand
Report
...Even compared with Khao Yai and Hala-Bala this was bad. Few birds in the damp conditions, though Bar-backed Partridge heard, plus Greater Flameback and Greater Yellownape. A longer walk in forest edge and inspection of flowering plants around the campsites gave us a few butterflies, with Common Silverline and Burmese Batwing the pick of the bunch. Later drove the long dirt road toward Phu Goom Khao, with Red-billed Blue Magpie, but little else...
2017 [11 November] - Dave Sargeant - Omkoi Wildlife Sanctuary
Report
...Again little around the view point other than a few Brown-backed Needletail and Long-tailed Minivet, so headed directly to the sanctuary headquarters area where we spent several hours, finding Black-headed Woodpecker, Greater Yellownape, Collared Falconet, Kalij Pheasant and Grey-headed Parakeet. Late afternoon, on the return, we checked a few dirt tracks randomly with varying success - best butterfly sighting being Club Silverline...
2017 [12 December] - Dave Sargeant - Mae Hong Song
Report
...At the top of the falls a female Plumbeous Water Redstart found. Other than that, the best birds of the day were Orange-breasted Trogon, Bamboo Woodpecker, Greater Flameback, Blue-bearded Bee-eater and Vernal Hanging Parrot. Late afternoon we chanced upon a group of Chestnut-headed Bee-eater picking off bees from several large colonies attached to a water tower...
2019 [02 Feb] - Matthew Kwan - Northern Thailand
Report
We had an early start at 4:30am to drive towards the western slope of Doi Lang, as we wanted to arrive at the Hume's Pheasant stakeout before sunrise. We arrived in complete darkness, and Ball helped pitched the portable bird hides on the side of the road...
2019 [03 March] - Andy Walker
PDF Report
Highlight birds seen were many and during our time in the central Thailand region included a couple of Spoon-billed Sandpipers, a large flock of Nordmann’s Greenshanks, and hundreds of Terek Sandpipers on the saltpans among about 40 species of shorebirds, with several ‘White-faced’ Kentish Plovers, Malaysian Plovers, and Chinese Egrets on the nearby beach. A lake and rice fields near the coast hosted Spot-billed Pelican, Asian Dowitcher, Greater Spotted Eagle, and Black-headed Ibis.
2019 [03 March] - Peg Abbott
PDF Report
Some of the wild birds we saw included Greater Coucal, both Lineated and Coppersmith Barbets, Greater Racket-tailed Drongo, Shikra, Oriental Honey-Buzzard, Blue Whistling Thrush (Yellow-billed), and Hill Blue Flycatcher to name a few.
2019 [11 November] - Charley Hesse
PDF Report
This custom tour followed a similar itinerary to our set departure tour with an additional day to explore the eastern slope of Doi Lang which required a high-clearance vehicle. Despite our aim being to maximize lifers seen (almost 200!) rather than overall number, we racked up quite a trip list with over 420 species without even visiting the south of Thailand!
2020 [02 February] - Pete Morris
PDF Report
Thailand once again delivered a top-class birding experience and holiday to our intrepid group. With just about 515 species of bird recorded, we did extremely well for variety, and within that vast total were a great number of very special birds, ranging from the critically endangered Spoon-billed Sandpiper, to stunning gamebirds like Ferruginous Partridge, Grey Peacock-Pheasant and Silver Pheasant, and of course incredible pittas including the superb Eared Pitta, gorgeous Blue Pitta and outrageous Malayan Banded Pittas
2022 [11 November] - Gergő Nagy
PDF Report
Thailand is a perfect destination couples who are interested in nature and culture. I am a keen birdwatcher while my wife likes hiking, temples, and the different elements of the everyday Thai life, such as gastronomy and marketplaces. The number of high-quality birds, beautiful temples, marketplaces combined with easy travelling and great food makes Thailand a very nice destination.
2022 [12 December] - Ronald de Mol
PDF Report
During my visit to Singapore and Malaysia in early 2020, just COVID-19 locked down the world, I experienced the natural splendour South-East Asia has to offer for first time. During 2022, as the world started to open up again, it was time to find a new travel destination. With at least 1049 bird species (depending on which taxonomy you follow), a multitude of rare mammal species, good infrastructure and a splendid network of National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries, Thailand was the logical next destination. F
2023 [02 February] - Dave Farrow
Report
This years’ Birdquest to Thailand was a welcome return to one of the best birding destinations on the continent of Asia, featuring a spicy blend of forests, mountains and wetlands filled with great birds.
2023 [03 March] - Andy Walker
Report
This spectacular Mangrove Pitta gave amazing views sat out in full view at eye-level not 12 feet (4 meters) away, for ten minutes. A bird of the trip contender very early in the tour!
2023 [03 March] - Andy Walker - Thailand: Jewels of the South
PDF Report
Some of the non-passerine highlights included top-quality birds like Helmeted Hornbill, Bushy-crested Hornbill, Great Hornbill, White-crowned Hornbill, Brown-winged Kingfisher, Stork-billed Kingfisher, Banded Kingfisher, Red-bearded Bee-eater, Orange-breasted Trogon, Scarlet-rumped Trogon, Little Bronze Cuckoo, Red-billed Malkoha, Back-bellied Malkoha, Raffles’s Malkoha, Knob-billed Duck, Oriental Plover, Oriental Pratincole, River Lapwing, Pheasant-tailed Jacana, Lesser Fish Eagle, Black Baza, Bat Hawk, Wallace’s Hawk-Eagle, Blyth’s Hawk-Eagle, Pied Harrier, Oriental Bay Owl, Buffy Fish Owl, Brown Wood Owl, Red-breasted Parakeet, Black-thighed Falconet, Oriental Hobby, Red-throated Barbet, Golden-whiskered Barbet, Sooty Barbet, White-browed Piculet, Rufous Piculet, Streak-breasted Woodpecker, Banded Woodpecker, and Buff-necked Woodpecker
2023 [03 March] - Bill Simpson
PDF Report
I always wanted to do a slow, winter South East Asia trip when I retired and this was the ideal time to do one with gas and electricity prices soaring at home. Add to that a potentially once-in-a-lifetime chance of Bulwer’s Pheasant and Bornean Peacock-Pheasant and it was all too good to miss...
2023 [03 March] - Carlos Sanchez
PDF Report
A trip of superlatives! Over the course of three weeks, we explored a wide variety of habitats from lush montane forests north of Chiang Mai to the saltpans of Pak Thale a couple hours drive from Bangkok, observing an astounding array of bird (432 species) and other wildlife. T
2023 [03 March] - Peter Ericsson
Report
I picked up two tired Frenchman from Suwannaphum Airport in the early morning. Our destination for the day was Khao Yai National Park but we decided to visit the experimental rice beds at Pathum Thani for starters...
2024 [01 January] - Brian Carruthers
PDF Report
Photo diary
2024 [01 January] - Okamoto Keita Sin
Report
...I decided to visit the logistically relatively straightforward and yet still very attractive Kaeng Krachan and Pak Thale...
2024 [01 January] - Paul Lynch
PDF Report
...We soon added Brown-throated and Ornate Sunbird, Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker and Yellow-browed Warbler...
2024 [01 January] - Rens Keijsers
PDF Report
.... We started off with a nice Forest Wagtail. Soon afterwards at least two males of our main target here, Mangrove Pitta, started calling from the other site of the river. Unfortunately we were not able to get a glimpse of the birds. We heard Brown-winged Kingfishers calling all around us...
2024 [02 February] - Daniel Gornall
PDF Report
A 15-day trip to North & Central Thailand. It was our first time birding this country for four of us, with many new species on offer...
2024 [02 February] - Nick Upton
Report
Birding in open areas was typically simple, although hot weather meant that birding at first light and the last hour of the day were essential for good results...
Nick Upton
Report
A series of reports

Places to Stay

Baan Maka Nature Lodge - Kaeng Krachan NP
Accommodation
We offer comfortable rooms with hot showers & air conditioning and a restaurant specialising in local and regional Thai dishes. The lodge is situated a few kilometres from Kaeng Krachan NP in three hectares of gardens and forest.
Gecko Villa - Northeast Thailand
Accommodation
Gecko Villa offers a convenient base from which to explore the local woods, meadows, and fields, and in particular from which to explore the listed wetlands of Nong Han Kumphawapi. The lake and wetlands are easily accessed by bicycle (or car), and deeper excursions into the region may be made by small boat. Alternatively of course, Gecko Villa's rural location and extensive decks make it an excellent place in which to laze on one of the terraces with a pair of binoculars to observe the local bird life. Endangered species and migratory waterfowl will be of principal interest to bird watchers
Malee's Nature Lovers Bungalows
Accommodation
Malee Nature Lovers Bungalows lies at the base of the Chiang Dao. It is a beautiful area with lots of trails. More information about the nature can be found at the Chiang Dao pages.

Kingdom of Thailand

Birding Thailand

Chiang Mai - Doi Angkhang

Chiang Mai - Doi Chiang Dao

Chiang Mai - Doi Inthanon

Chiang Mai - Doi Suthep-Pui National Park

Chiang Mai - Mae Hia

Chiang Mai - Tha Thon

Chonburi - Bang Pra

Doi Lang - Tha Ton

Khok Kham

Petchaburi - Laem Pak Bia

Samut Prakarn - Bang Poo

Samut Prakarn - Muang Boran Fish Ponds

Patcharee Komolphalin

Nick Upton

Tony Ball

Number of bird species: 1106

Number of endemics: 2

Avibase

Thailand Birding

Wikipedia

eBird

A Field Guide to the Birds of Thailand

A Naturalist's Guide to the Birds of Thailand

A Pocket Photo Guide to the Birds of Thailand

Birds of Thailand

Birds of Thailand

Guide to the Birds of Thailand

New Holland Field Guide to the Birds of South-East Asia

Thailand Birds A Folding Pocket Guide to Familiar Species

Thailand Bird Festival

Bird Conservation Society of Thailand (BCST)

Bird Conservation Society of Thailand (BCST)

Bird of southern thailand

EcoThailand Bird Watching Club

North Thailand Birding

ThaiBirding

Thaibirdspot

* List of protected areas of Thailand

NP Doi Inthanon

NP Doi Suthep-Pui

NP Erawan

NP Kaeng Krachan

NP Khao Chamao-Khao Wong

NP Khao Luang

NP Khao Sam Roi Yot

NP Khao Sok

NP Khao Yai

NP Kui Buri

NP Mae Wong

NP Nam Nao

NP Pang Sida

NP Phu Hin Rong Kla

NP Phu Pha Thoep

NP Sai Yok

NP Tat Mok

Thai National Parks

WS Khao Nor Chuchi Lowland Forest

WS Thungyai-Huai Kha Khaeng

Wetlands

Thai Bird Report

eBird

Aem Promdet

All Thailand Experiences

BellBird Tours

BirdFinders

BirdQuest

Birding Ecotours

Calidris Birding Tours

Eagle-Eye Tours

FieldGuides

Khao Sok Travel

Naturalist Journeyus

NatureTrek

Oriole Birding

Rockjumper Birding Tours

ThaiBirding

Thailand Bird Watching

The Sustainable Birding Company