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Outdoor Activities
Adventure in Thailand
Over the last few years there has been a world-wide explosion in interest in eco-tourism. People from many walks of life have recognised eco-tourism as being one means to enjoy the benefits of a country while remaining concerned about its environment and wildlife. But what exactly is eco-tourism? Originally eco-tourism involved travel to areas of natural or ecological interest (usually under the guidance of a naturalist) to observe wildlife and learn about the environment. By its nature, eco-tourism is also 'low-impact' tourism - groups are small and tours include advice and guidance on how to avoid damaging the environment. Nowadays, eco-tourism has grown to encompass a range of adventure and travel activities including Bicycle Tours, Elephant Safaris, Sea Cruises, Trekking, Walking and Wildlife Tours. Clearly, Thailand has huge advantages for the eco-tourist. The country's rapid development has not reached all parts of the country and there are pristine areas for the adventurous tourist to explore.
 Doi Inthanon National Park
 Chiang Mai
The highest peak in the country at 2,565 metres, Doi Inthanon is also a national park forming the southerly and of the Shan mountain range and the source of several rivers.
Located in Chiang Mai province, the park has flora and fauna not seen in other parts of Thailand. Two Hill Tribes, the Karen and Hmong have settled here. Trekking is recommended to observe the fauna and flora. Some 364 different species of birds can be found here, also butterflies. There are camping grounds and the best time to visit is between November and February.
Doi Tung
Chiang Rai
Known by locals as Thailand’s Switzerland, Doi Tung (‘Flag Mountain') is an attractive mountain-top destination of forests and nearby Shan, Akha and Lahu tribal villages. Probably the most important attraction in the area is Wat Phrathat Doi Tung – a temple built one thousand years ago which is an important place of pilgrimage for Buddhists from Thailand and overseas. A giant flag was flown from the point where the temple’s chedis were built giving 'flag mountain' its name. Doi Tung is also home to the Doi Tung Development Project, an initiative of Her Royal Highness Srinakarindra the Princess Mother (mother of Thailand’s current monarch) who passed away in 1995.
Phu Wiang National Park
Khon Kaen
Phu Wiang is a 30,000 hectare site where the fossil remains of dinosaurs were found in 1981. The site became a national park in 1992 to protect the fossils for the national interest. To date, nine excavation sites have been dug which are spread over an area of around 20 kilometres. The sites are now open to the public and reveal dinosaur fossils that are an estimated 130 million years old. Phu Wiang National Park has a museum open to the public that provides displays on the region and the dinosaurs that once roamed here as well as life size models of the dinosaurs themselves. The remains on display include hip bones, rib cages, collar bones, neck bones and spines. A 'Dinosaur Trail' takes visitors to the digs which are housed to protect them from the elements. All in all, a good day out if you are in the area.
Phu Kradung National Park
Loei
Phu Kradung National Park is one of the leading National Parks in the country and houses the highest peak in Loei (1360 metres). The park is 359 square kilometres in size and extremely well organised. It offers numerous trails (around 50 kilometres worth in total) taking hikers past waterfalls, through pine, oak and beech forests, and past glorious fauna and flora. The park is home to countless species of wildlife - jackals, elephants, deer, gibbons, bears, and a small number of tigers. There is a good chance you will spot something along the way.
Khao Yai National Park
Nakhon Ratchasima
Thailand's first National Park is also its second largest, and certainly one of its best! Khao Yai National Park spreads to four different provinces with the bulk of its 2,100 square kilometers in Nakhon Ratchasima. The park has a variety of terrains from deciduous forest to savannah and houses some 3,000 species of plant. Wildlife in the park is as varied as its terrain and it is home to around 200 wild elephants. The park also houses tigers, gibbons, bears, deer, bats, wild pigs, and a major bird population including a wide variety of hornbills. The park is 400 metres above sea level and as a result reasonably cool all year round. (During the dry season (winter) temperatures can drop to 4 degrees Celsius. Because of its cool conditions Khao Yai's 50 kilometres of hiking trails are a favourite and the park receives a lot of birdwatchers. The park also sports some breathtaking waterfalls and the best time to see them is the rainy season from May to October. 80-metre-high Nam Tok Hew Suwat a particular favorite with visitors and featured in the film"The Beach".
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