National park · Thailand
Thungyai-Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife SanctuariesThungyai-Huai Kha Khaeng
Do the 4 km (2.5 mi) Khao Hin Daeng loop (≈2 h) in the morning; longer back‑country routes need a permit and are for experienced hikers; visit in the cool dry season (Nov–Feb) for comfortable temperatures.Do the 2.5 mi (4 km) Khao Hin Daeng loop (≈2 h) in the morning; longer back‑country routes need a permit and are for experienced hikers; visit in the cool dry season (Nov–Feb) for comfortable temperatures.
- 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
5,775 km² (2,230 sq mi)2,230 sq mi (5,775 km²)
approximate
Established
1991
Best months
Nov–Feb
UNESCO
World Heritage
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
- 5,775 km² (2,230 sq mi)2,230 sq mi (5,775 km²)
- Total protected area about 5,775 km² (≈577,500 ha), the largest wildlife sanctuary complex in Southeast Asia (UNESCO source).
- Established
- 1991
- Best months
- Nov–Feb
- Permits
- For some areas
Thungyai-Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuaries span three provinces in western Thailand, protecting diverse forest types and endangered megafauna; access is limited, with a visitor centre at Huai Kha Keng headquarters and remote back‑country routes requiring permits.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 1991Largest protected area in SE Asia.
Size and age
5,775 km² (2,230 sq mi)2,230 sq mi (5,775 km²) · national park since 1991
Total protected area about 5,775 km² (≈577,500 ha), the largest wildlife sanctuary complex in Southeast Asia (UNESCO source).
Why go
- Extensive forest types from mountain virgin to pine.
- Rare wildlife such as wild buffalo, rhinoceros, elephants and leopards.
- Remote trails with low visitor numbers.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarGo
- AprCaution
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanCool, dry; ideal for hiking
- FebCool, dry; good trail conditions
- MarWarming up; still pleasant
- AprHot; start hikes early
- MayHot, start of rains; trails muddy
- JunRainy; leeches possible
- JulRainy; road access may be poor
- AugRainy; limited visibility
- SepRainy; trails slippery
- OctRain easing; forest green
- NovCool, dry; best hiking season
- DecCool, dry; comfortable
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wild buffalo, rhinoceros, elephants, leopards, tapirsAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Birds and smaller mammalsMar–May | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | 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
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Huai Kha Khaeng headquarters (Lan Sak) | Visitor centre, exhibition, Khao Hin Daeng 4 km (2.5 mi) trail, Pong Thian viewpoint.Visitor centre, exhibition, Khao Hin Daeng 2.5 mi (4 km) trail, Pong Thian viewpoint. | Open with entry permit. |
| Thungyai Reserve headquarters (Huai Song Thai) | Remote access point, trailheads for longer treks. | Restricted; permit required. |
Sketch 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 approximate for main headquarters; other points estimated from maps.
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
Back‑country trek permit or guide
Park rules
- Guides
- Required for any trek beyond the headquarters area.
- Camping
- Only in designated sites; otherwise prohibited.
- Fires
- No open fires; use portable stoves.
- Pets
- Not allowed in the sanctuary.
Where to stay
Near the park
Uthai Thani town
Budget guesthouses and mid‑range hotels, ~30 km (19 mi) from the gate.Budget guesthouses and mid‑range hotels, ~19 mi (30 km) from the gate.
In the park
Back‑country camps
Basic campsites on the multi‑day trek; need permit.
Safety
Heat and humidity medium
Getting lost on remote trails 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 area reachable by car; short walks are level.
- Longer trails are steep and rough; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Stay in locally owned guesthouses.
- Do not purchase unofficial wildlife tours.
- Carry out all litter.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Thungyai-Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuaries?
Entry is free, but a permit (≈200 THB) is required for any trail beyond the headquarters area; confirm at the sanctuary office.
What are the best hikes in Thungyai-Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuaries?
The 4 km Khao Hin Daeng loop (≈2 h) for a short walk, and the multi‑day back‑country trek for experienced hikers.
When is the best time to visit Thungyai-Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuaries?
The cool dry months November to February offer comfortable temperatures and good trail conditions.
Can I camp inside the sanctuary?
Camping is allowed only at designated sites on the back‑country routes and requires a permit.
Do I need a guide for the short trail?
No guide is required for the Khao Hin Daeng loop; a guide is mandatory for any longer trek.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Thungyai-Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuaries
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