Kaeng Krachan National Park is one of Thailand’s most significant natural World Heritage sites, recognized for its outstanding ecological value in Southeast Asia. Covering more than 2,900 square kilometers across Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan provinces, the park serves as a major watershed that feeds the Phetchaburi and Pranburi rivers, playing a crucial role in sustaining agriculture, local communities, and regional water systems.

The park’s landscape is characterized by rugged mountains within the Tenasserim Range, featuring dramatic elevation changes that create diverse climates and forest types. These range from tropical evergreen forest and montane forest to mixed deciduous forest. Large areas remain virtually untouched, allowing Kaeng Krachan to preserve one of the most intact forest ecosystems in Thailand.

Kaeng Krachan National Park is internationally renowned for its exceptional biodiversity. It provides habitat for numerous rare and endangered species, including Indochinese tigers, Asian elephants, gaurs, dholes, and Malayan tapirs. The park is also famous for its incredible insect diversity, particularly butterflies, with thousands appearing in massive swarms during the dry season, earning the area a reputation as a paradise for butterfly watchers and researchers.

For bird enthusiasts, the park is one of Thailand’s premier birdwatching destinations, with over 400 recorded bird species. These include hornbills, raptors, sunbirds, and many rare forest birds, attracting ornithologists and wildlife lovers from around the world who seek authentic nature experiences.

One of the park’s most iconic attractions is Phanoen Thung Viewpoint, a highland area known for its spectacular sea of mist that can be seen almost year-round. Early morning visitors are rewarded with cool, refreshing air and breathtaking panoramic views of layered mountain ranges extending toward the Thai–Myanmar border, offering a profound sense of peace and connection with nature.

Kaeng Krachan National Park offers a wide range of activities, including nature trails, camping, wildlife observation, and relaxation by the Kaeng Krachan Reservoir. For photographers, artists, and couples, the park provides countless inspiring scenes—from the romantic suspension bridge over the reservoir at sunset to the mysterious atmosphere of dense forest illuminated by filtered sunlight.

A visit to Kaeng Krachan National Park is more than a journey into nature; it is an opportunity to understand the true value of a World Heritage forest, to experience harmony between humans and the natural world, and to create unforgettable memories in one of Thailand’s most precious natural landscapes.

Private Car:

• Take Highway 4 (Phetkasem Road) toward Phetchaburi, then turn right onto Highway 3499 which leads directly to the park headquarters.

Public Van:

• Take a van from Bangkok’s Southern Bus Terminal or Mo Chit to Kaeng Krachan district, then hire a local transport to the park.

Local 4WD Service:

• For ascending Phanoen Thung, it is highly recommended to use the local community's 4WD vehicle services for safety on the steep terrain.

• The best time to visit is from November to April, though the sea of mist is visible most of the year (except during the forest closure for restoration from August to October).

• Wear sturdy sneakers or hiking boots with good grip, and bring a light jacket as temperatures can drop significantly on the mountain peaks.

• Photographers should bring a telephoto lens for wildlife/birds and a wide-angle lens for the vast landscapes.

• The park has a welfare canteen, but if you are camping at higher elevations, it is wise to bring sufficient food and drinking water.

• Low-clearance cars are strictly prohibited from driving up to Phanoen Thung; traffic is regulated with specific uphill and downhill time slots.

Admission Fee

• Local visitors: Adult 60 THB, Child 30 THB

• Foreign visitors: Adult 300 THB, Child 150 THB

Opening Hours

• Daily from 06:00 – 18:00

• Phanoen Thung Viewpoint has specific traffic times: Uphill 05:30 – 07:30 and Downhill 09:00 – 10:00