Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park
On 28th June 1996, Khao Sam Roi Yot was established as the first coastal National Park in Thailand. Literally meaning “the mountain with 300 peaks”, it is only a 45 minute drive south of Hua Hin and east of Pranburi.
The whole area is of prime ecological importance for Thailand. Limestone mountains rise up to 605 meters from the coastal marshes making it a topographical wonder.
Bird-life is vibrant and there have been over 300 species recorded, many of which migrate from China, Siberia and Northern Europe. The best times to see them is between November and May as they firstly fly southwards and then back north as the park is on the main Asian-Australian flyway of birds. If you are a keen ornithologist, Khao Sam Roi Yot is one of the best places to be at the above times of year. Even for those with no particular “bird-watching enthusiasm”, the park will delight you with these natural migratory patterns.
But that’s not all that is offered by Khao Sam Roi Yot. The forested sections support a wide variety of wild life and a trek through them can reward you with sightings of Serow and blackish goat antelope, dusky or spectacled langur, crab-eating or long tailed macaque, barking deer, porcupine and a whole host of others.
You can make your way up to caves of spectacular sizes through forest trails, rest on fine white sandy beaches, take boat excusions to outlying islands, enjoy the food that is on offer throughout the park and maybe, just maybe you might be lucky enough to see the pods of dolphins that inhabit the bay.
If you are interested in nature and want a relaxing day, or more, away from Hua Hin, Khao Sam Roi Yot will not disappoint you.
National Park fees
These fees were yet again amended on December 1st 2007. There are now four categories of National Park. The first and most expensive will cost a foreign adult THB 400 and a foreign child 200, whereas a Thai adult gains entry for THB 80 and a Thai child 40. These parks are mainly found in southern Thailand around Phuket and the north.
Category 2 will cost THB 200/100/40/20 repectively.
Category 3 will cost THB 100/50/20/10 respectively.
Category 4 are free for all.
In the past, foreigners holding Permanent Residency, a Work Permit, a Thai driving licence or on foreign exchange student status were able to gain entry at Thai prices. If you have one of the above, it will be worth while discussing it with the rangers.
If you visit more than one National Park in a day, there is no additional charge unless any are more expensive than the first, in which case you will pay the difference..
Sam Roi Yot National Park from TourismThailand.org
Located 63 kilometres south of Hua Hin in the vicinity of Kui Buri district, this coastal national park covers an area of 98 square kilometres with limestone mountains, mangrove swamps, and beaches. It is also home to various kinds of local and migrating birds, which are plentiful from November to February. With a large number of ridges, Khao Sam Roi Yot (or the mountain of 300 peaks) stands as a landmark for seamen and also provides a good shelter for ships during a storm. To get to the park, follow the direction signs marking the remaining distances of 38 and 15 kilometres at Km. 256 and Km.286.5, respectively. Admission is 200 baht per person.
Attractions within the park area include:
Hat Sam Phraya, located 3.5 kilometres north of the park office, is a beautiful beach lined with pine trees. Accommodation is available.
Tham Kaeo is situated some 23 kilometres from Pran Buri or 15 kilometres north of the park office. This cave is full of stalactites and stalagmites. Oil lamps can be rented at a nearby village for exploring the cave.
Tham Sai, is 9 kilometres north of the park office. Exploration inside the cave takes about half an hour. Oil lamps can be rented at nearby Khung Tanot Village.
Hat Laem Sala is located 16 kilometres north of the park office. It can be reached by boat or walking across a hill from Bang Pu Village. Walking up a beachside mountain for a while, visitors will arrive at a famous cave called “Tham Phraya Nakhon”. The cave has a big hole through which a shaft of light reaches and permits the growth of various kinds of plants. Phra Thi Nang Khuha Kharuhat, a Thai style pavilion, lends the most attractive sight to the cave and has become the symbol of Prachuap Khiri Khan. It is a four-porched building first constructed in Bangkok in 1890 during the reign of King Rama V, then dismantled and moved to the cave where it was reconstructed. Its gable tops were raised by the King himself.
In addition, there is a viewpoint on Khao Daeng, 400 metres from the park office and Ban Khao Daeng, a canalside village, which is the starting point for a 1 hour boat trip to watch wild birds.
Mountain National Park Prachuap Khiri Khan Thailand
