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With more than 25,000 square km of national parks and wildlife
sanctuaries spread almost evenly throughout the kingdom, Thailand
has plenty of peaceful places where the nature lover can escape.
A few of the most easily visited are:
Khao Yai National Park
Spectacular waterfalls, countless species of wild flowers
and trees, elephants, tigers, bears, giant hornbills and other
protected wildlife can all be found at this 540,000 acre park.
The park has an average elevation of 800 metres with its highest
peak standing 1,310 metres. At only 200km northeast of Bangkok,
this is a popular weekend destination for nature-loving Thais.
One of the highlights comes at dusk, as hundreds of thousands
of bats disgorge from their caves.
Doi Inthanon National Park
Named after Doi Inthanon mountain - the country's highest
peak at 2,565 metres - which stands at the centre of this
Chiang Mai province park. The mountainside has become home
to Meo and Karen hilltribes, who live among the beautiful
waterfalls. The forest at higher elevations is a collage of
lichens and wild orchid covered trees.
 Ao
Phang Nga National Park
Gigantic limestone escarpments and dramatic islands rise from
the calm waters of this park near Phuket. Cut and fashioned
through the millennia by wind and sea, these islands contain
fabulous aquatic grottoes and caves. Prehistoric rock paintings
and a stilted Muslim fishing village are among the many other
photo opportunties.
Koh Samui and Ang Thong Marine National
Park
The waters around the islands of Surat Thani province's 250
square km marine parks are a kaleidoscope of colourful coral
reefs and an abundance of vivid marine life.
Click here
for the Royal Forestry Division's website
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