National park · Thailand
Kui Buri National ParkVườn quốc gia Kui Buri
Visit Kui Buri for a wildlife safari: book the 2‑6 PM guided vehicle (≈850 THB per car) for a 1‑hour elephant/gaur loop, or stay overnight in the cabin (1,800 THB/night) and explore the headquarters trails.
- 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.
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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
969 km² (374 sq mi)374 sq mi (969 km²)
approximate
Established
1999
Best months
Nov–Feb
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
- 969 km² (374 sq mi)374 sq mi (969 km²)
- The park covers about 969 km² (≈374 sq mi) of forested hills and coastal plains; figures vary slightly between sources.
- Established
- 1999
- Best months
- Nov–Feb
- Permits
- For some areas
Kui Buri National Park on Thailand's Northern Gulf Coast protects extensive evergreen and deciduous forests that host large mammals such as Asian elephants, gaur, and a recovering Bengal tiger population. The park is most visited for guided wildlife safaris to see elephants and bison at waterholes, while short trails near the headquarters offer easy walks. Entry is free, but a mandatory guided vehicle is required for the main safari experience.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1999.
Size and age
969 km² (374 sq mi)374 sq mi (969 km²) · national park since 1999
The park covers about 969 km² (≈374 sq mi) of forested hills and coastal plains; figures vary slightly between sources.
Why go
- Large wild Asian elephants and gaur regularly gather at waterholes, best seen on a guided vehicle safari.
- Three‑bedroom cabin at the headquarters lets you stay inside the park for night‑time wildlife spotting.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarCaution
- AprCaution
- MayAvoid
- JunAvoid
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepAvoid
- OctCaution
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanCool, dry; animals gather at water sources.
- FebCool, dry; good road conditions.
- MarHot start of wet season; roads may get muddy.
- AprHot, increasing rain.
- MayPeak heat and early rains make trails difficult.
- JunWet season; many roads closed, low wildlife visibility.
- JulWet season; heavy rain, mud.
- AugWet season; high humidity, road closures.
- SepWet season; still rainy.
- OctTransition to dry; occasional showers.
- NovCool, dry; excellent for safaris.
- DecCool, dry; optimal wildlife viewing.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asian elephantAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Gaur (Indian bison)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Bengal tigerAll year · Returned after a decade; sightings rare. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Asiatic black bearAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
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 Bangkok
Fly to Prachuap Khiri Khan (or take a bus), then drive north on Phet Kasem Road to km 295 and turn onto Provincial Highway 3217.
≈4–5 h
Open the page →
From Prachuap Khiri Khan
Drive north on Phet Kasem Road to km 295, then follow signs to the elephant viewing point.
≈1 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | Gate, visitor centre, cabin, and trailhead. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Elephant viewing point | Ranger station (Huay Leuk) where guided vehicle safaris start. | Guided vehicle required. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
4 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 are approximate centre of the park; exact trailheads may vary.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (headquarters) | Free | person | check |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Safari vehicle permit or guide
Park rules
- Alcohol
- Prohibited inside the park.
- Vehicle
- Only the park‑provided guided vehicle may access the elephant viewing area.
- Camping
- Backcountry camping not allowed; only designated spot at headquarters (30 THB).
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish; no open fires.
Where to stay
In the park
Cabin at headquarters
Three‑bedroom cabin, 1,800 THB/night (2025).
Near the park
Ban Ruam Thai guesthouse
Village guesthouse just outside the park.
In the park
Camping spot
Basic spot at headquarters, 30 THB (no equipment).
Safety
Elephant/gaur high
Road conditions medium
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
- Headquarters and cabin reachable by car with short walks.
- Safari vehicle has low steps; suitable for most mobility levels.
Visiting lightly
- Use the official guided vehicle; do not drive private off‑road.
- Leave no waste; support the park’s wildlife protection programmes.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Kui Buri National Park?
Entry at the headquarters is free; the mandatory safari vehicle costs 850 THB per shared car (or 850 THB for a private 8‑person vehicle).
What are the best hikes in Kui Buri National Park?
Short forest trails start at the headquarters (2–3 h easy walk). The main activity is the guided wildlife safari from the elephant viewing point.
When is the best time to visit Kui Buri National Park?
Cool, dry months (Nov–Feb) give the best road conditions and wildlife sightings; avoid the wet season (May–Oct).
Can I camp inside Kui Buri National Park?
Backcountry camping is not permitted. A basic camping spot at the headquarters is available for 30 THB (no equipment).
Is alcohol allowed in the park?
No. Alcohol is banned throughout Thai national parks, including Kui Buri.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Kui Buri National Park
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