National park · Thailand
Khao Phra Thaeo Non-Hunting Area
Enter Khao Phra Thaeo for an 8 km (5 mi) forest trek Bang Pae → Ton Sai (≈3 h) or a short walk to Tonsai waterfall (≈30 min); pay ~THB 200 entry, start early to avoid heat.Enter Khao Phra Thaeo for an 5 mi (8 km) forest trek Bang Pae → Ton Sai (≈3 h) or a short walk to Tonsai waterfall (≈30 min); pay ~THB 200 entry, start early to avoid heat.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
50 km² (19 sq mi)19 sq mi (50 km²)
approximate
Established
1990
Best months
Nov–Apr
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 6Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Thailand ↗Check entry rules and any arrival card on the official Thai government sites for your passport; visa-exempt stays and pre-arrival forms change.
- Thailand ↗Do not criticise or mock the monarchy: insulting the royal family is a criminal offence.
- Thailand ↗Temples and palaces: shoulders and knees covered, shoes off before entering halls.
- Thailand ↗E-cigarettes and vapes are illegal to import or use; do not pack them.
At a glance
- Country
- Thailand
- Area
- 50 km² (19 sq mi)19 sq mi (50 km²)
- Approximately 50 km² of protected forest (check).
- Established
- 1990
- Best months
- Nov–Apr
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Phuket
Khao Phra Thaeo protects Phuket's last significant virgin rainforest, featuring waterfalls, a gibbon rehabilitation centre, and an 8 km forest trail.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1990.
Size and age
50 km² (19 sq mi)19 sq mi (50 km²) · national park since 1990
Approximately 50 km² of protected forest (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Phuket.
Why go
- Tropical rainforest with waterfalls and a gibbon rehabilitation centre.
- An 8 km (5 mi) trail lets you experience untouched forest and diverse wildlife.An 5 mi (8 km) trail lets you experience untouched forest and diverse wildlife.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanCool, dry
- FebCool, dry
- MarWarm, low rain
- AprWarm, low rain
- MayStart of rainy season
- JunRainy, humid
- JulRainy, occasional storms
- AugRainy, humid
- SepRainy, humid
- OctLess rain, still warm
- NovDry, pleasant
- DecDry, cool
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gibbons (rehabilitation centre)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Tropical birds and butterfliesMar–Sep | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Phuket Airport
Take Route 402 to Thalang, then turn left onto Route 4027 and follow signs to Bang Pae Waterfall (7–9 km (4.3–5.6 mi)).Take Route 402 to Thalang, then turn left onto Route 4027 and follow signs to Bang Pae Waterfall (4.3–5.6 mi (7–9 km)).
30–45 min
Open the page →
From Phuket town
Drive north on Route 402, turn onto 4027; park entrance on the left.
20–30 min
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Bang Pae area | Waterfall, visitor centre, car park, start of trails. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Ton Sai area | Ton Sai waterfall, end of the 8 km (5 mi) trek.Ton Sai waterfall, end of the 5 mi (8 km) trek. | Open with entry ticket. |
Sketch map
- 1Bang Pae Waterfall · Viewpoint≈8.058, 98.337Main visitor centre and trailhead.Map ↗
- 2Ton Sai Waterfall · Viewpoint≈8.041, 98.382End point of the 8 km (5 mi) trek.End point of the 5 mi (8 km) trek.Map ↗
- 3Bang Pae Visitor Centre · Headquarters≈8.059, 98.337Entrance kiosk and information centre near the waterfall.Map ↗
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates from park centre; approximate for trail points.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entrance fee | THB 200–300 (≈ US$7–10) | person | Check exact price at gate |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- No hunting
- Strictly prohibited throughout the area.
- Stay on marked trails
- Off‑trail walking can damage fragile forest.
- No open fires
- Fire bans apply year‑round; use designated picnic areas.
- Litter
- Carry out all waste.
Where to stay
Near the park
Phuket town
Hotels, guesthouses and hostels 20 km (12 mi) north of the park.Hotels, guesthouses and hostels 12 mi (20 km) north of the park.
Safety
Heat and humidity medium
Slippery streams low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Car park at entrance is reachable by vehicle; short walks to Bang Pae waterfall are wheelchair‑accessible with assistance.
Visiting lightly
- Support the Gibbon Rehabilitation Centre with donations.
- Stay on trails to protect forest floor.
- Avoid single‑use plastics; bring refillable bottle.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Khao Phra Thaeo Non-Hunting Area?
Entrance fee is about THB 200–300 per adult; exact price should be confirmed at the gate.
What are the best hikes in Khao Phra Thaeo Non-Hunting Area?
The 8 km Bang Pae → Ton Sai trek (moderate, 3–4 h) and the short walk to Ton Sai waterfall (easy, 30 min).
When is the best time to visit Khao Phra Thaeo Non-Hunting Area?
Dry season November to April offers the most comfortable hiking conditions.
Are guides required for any trails?
No guide is required for the main trails, but guides are available for hire at the visitor centre.
Can I camp inside the park?
Camping is not permitted; stay in Phuket town or nearby accommodations.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Khao Phra Thaeo Non-Hunting Area
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