7 Wildlife Sanctuaries to Explore in Thailand

Many elephants can be found at Ban Taklang Elephant Village. The villagers keep elephants as pets. The elephants here are treated like friends and have been trained well by their mahouts.

The Chiang Dao Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected hotspot of various flora and fauna. It covers different types of forests and is home to several endangered animals. Trekking and camping opportunities are also available, which are perfect for an exciting getaway in the lap of nature. Guides charge between 1000 THB and 2000 THB per person and an overnight stay at the sanctuary costs 500 THB.

Hala-Bala Wildlife Sanctuary, in Narathiwat province, is made up of two sectors; Hala sector and Bala sector. Hala sector is mountainous and inaccessible, currently completely off-limits to visitors due to the violence in the area. However, Bala sector can be visited with caution and a narrow road through the beautiful lowland forest here makes access easy. It is one of the beautiful places in Narathiwat to spend some precious leisure time.

Thung Yai-Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary World Heritage property lies in Uthai Thani province in the west of Thailand, alongside the border with Myanmar. The unspoiled nature of the reserve makes it an ideal home to various rare and endangered animals such as wild water buffalo, Indochinese tiger, Asian elephant, tapir, leopard, banteng, etc.

Khao Soi Dao Wildlife Sanctuary is a wilderness area, located 70 kilometres north of Chanthaburi. Its ornithological interest lies in it being the western most extent of the Cardamom Mountains stretching into Cambodia that are an important endemic bird area, holding a number of distinct species and forms, many of which in Thailand can only be found at this locality.

Known for one of the best wildlife spots in Thailand, Phue Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary covers 1,560 km² in Chaiyaphum Province in Western Isaan Complex. The sanctuary is adjacent to 3 other protected areas; Nam Nao National Park to north, Tat Mok National Park to west and Ta Bao-Huai Yai Wildlife Sanctuary to south-west.

It was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1972, and a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1991 together with the adjoining Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary. The wildlife sanctuary stretches over an area of about 3,647.2 kilometer square and is the largest protected area in Thailand.