Thailand

Located in central Thailand, Khao Sam Roi Yot Marine National Park is a perfect refuge for hikers, spelunkers, and bird watchers.

"The mountain with three hundred peaks"… The park lives up to its name with its limestone peaks lining the Gulf of Thailand, overlooking a mangrove forest that's a feast for the eyes. Whether you dream of boat hiking, high-altitude sports, or simply breathing fresh air away from city pollution, Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park, just a 3-hour drive from Bangkok in Krachuap Khiri Khan province, is there to fulfill your desires. Coastal tourism holds surprises as the shoreline attracts not only bathers but also exotic birds and reptiles, including two endemic geckos. Combining beaches, cliffs, sea caves, and lush vegetation, Khao Sam Roi Yot Park is a haven for nature lovers.

Historical notes

Opened to the public in 1966, Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park was the first coastal area in Thailand to be designated a protected area. It covers a total area of 98 km2, with 4/5 on land and 1/5 in the marine zone.

Mysterious legends surround the park's origin. One story tells of the giant Mong Li, a tree deity, agreeing to give his daughter's hand in marriage to the Buddhist monk Chao Lai. He chose his son-in-law without his wife's consent, who had promised to marry her off to the Emperor of China. But a twist occurred when both suitors arrived at the same time. The child was cut in half: the first slice became a limestone peak, and the second transformed into a mountain range. Hence the birth of Khao Sam Roi Yot, "the mountain with three hundred peaks."

Another legend, less romantic but equally tragic, tells of the massif once being an island where Chinese sailors took refuge after their junk ships were wrecked. Over centuries, the island supposedly decomposed, resulting in a constellation of islets around the park.

Park wildlife and flora

Encircled by the Tenasserim Hills mountain range, Khao Sam Roi Yot Park stands facing the sea. Lakes, marshes, and mudflats wind through the hills. The marine area is home to a variety of birds, reptiles, and crustaceans. Notable bird species include the striated heron, Malaysian night heron, little egret with gray plumage, and Eurasian curlew. The water rail forages continuously near the reeds. Also, don't miss the black-capped and white-collared kingfishers, dazzling with their bright plumage. Spotting pink shrimp, crabs, or insects from afar, they dive into the water to catch them with their sharp beaks.

But it's not just the winged creatures eager to reveal their charms. If you're lucky, you'll spot Irrawaddy dolphins off the coast, their bluish-gray fins joyfully leaping above the surface in repeated arcs. The park hosts numerous rare and unusual species. Apart from dolphins, the fishing cat, flat-headed cat, and serow are visible in the mangrove forests. Lastly, note the geckos creeping around rocks, sometimes hiding, sometimes basking in the sun. Three endemic species are a must-see: Dixonius kaweesaki, characterized by a leaf-shaped tail; Cnemaspis lineogularis, a small lizard with a striped throat; and Cyrtodactylus samroiyot, after which the park is named. You won't encounter these three reptiles outside Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park. Enthusiasts will feel like they're reading a natural sciences encyclopedia.

Selected activities

Your day at Khao Sam Roi Yot Park can be filled with beach leisure, bird watching, and cave exploration.

Beach relaxation

16 km from the park headquarters, a pristine sandy spit welcomes visitors at Laem Sala Beach. Nestled at the foot of a steep hill, it's perfect for leisurely walks. Accommodations and camping options are available, along with restaurants serving excellent seafood. You'll share the beach with troops of monkeys, particularly dusky langurs. They often spend their time perched high in trees or feasting on fresh leaves. In any case, their company is far more enjoyable than that of macaques.

Heading northeast in the park, you'll find Hat Sam Phraya, an adorable fine sand beach. Here, you can lounge under pine trees, sunbathe, or sample local specialties.

Bird study and observation

Whether you're an amateur ornithologist or a connoisseur, you won't be disappointed by this excursion. It's no coincidence that the site was designated a Ramsar site in 2008. Nearly 355 different bird species inhabit the park, including 50% migratory birds.

Spelunking adventure

Near Laem Sala Beach, 16 km from the visitor center, Phraya Nakhon Cave awaits. It's the reserve's main attraction, perched on a cliff. Accessing the cave involves a short boat ride or a hike up Ti Tian Mountain. If trekking is your goal, you'll likely prefer the latter option.

Navigate a steep ridge trail 430 meters long with a 130-meter elevation gain. Descend into the cave to see the Khuha Kharuehat Royal Pavilion, built in 1890 to ceremoniously host King Rama V during his pilgrimage. The sacred cave has also been visited by King Rama VI and King Rama IX. Notice the ceiling pierced by a gaping hole that allows sunlight to filter through. On clear days, the pavilion gleams as the sunlight reflects at a precise angle.

Kaeo Deng viewpoint

Standing at 157 meters above sea level, Khao Deng offers the park's most beautiful viewpoint. The trail to the cliff is relatively steep and challenging. The reward is an unbeatable view of the mountain range and salt marshes. Additionally, Khao Deng serves as the starting point for mangrove forest exploration.

Mangrove walk

A stroll through salt marshes among mangroves and rocky hills is also an experience to savor. The walk starts 1.5 km from the park office. It's an opportunity to discover oyster and shrimp farming in Thailand.

In the afternoon, consider visiting a fishing village like Khao Deng. Share a meal with locals, try traditional fishing methods, and immerse yourself! Sustainable tourism not only provides enjoyment but also financial support to vulnerable rural families.

Where is Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park?

The marine park is administratively part of Prachuap Khiri Khan province, in central Thailand. The road trip from Hua Hin is 60 km, while it's 185 km from the capital, Bangkok.

How to get there?

To reach Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park, visitors will need to rent a private vehicle. There's no public transportation service to the park. From Hua Hin, expect to pay around 2,000 baht, or 56 euros, for a taxi for a day trip around the park. If departing from Bangkok, the fare is approximately 4,000 baht, or 112 euros. Opting for self-guided exploration is thus more economical. Scooter rental services are also available for budget-conscious travelers, typically costing 250 baht per day (7 euros) after negotiation.

The best time to visit

To explore the park in dry weather, plan your visit between December and April. This period offers clear skies and milder temperatures. Early May sees rapidly rising temperatures, often exceeding 40 °C, accompanied by heavy rains peaking between September and November.

Beyond enjoying favorable weather, choosing the right time also caters to photography enthusiasts. The bird migration phenomenon mainly occurs from December to March. Visiting during this season offers the chance to photograph bird colonies from all corners of the globe.