Thungyai Naresuan and Huai Kha Kaeng Wildlife Sanctuaries in Thailand home to diverse types of flora and fauna

The Thungyai Naresuan and Huai Kha Kaeng Wildlife sanctuaries are home to several hundred species under the protection of the United Nations Environment Program. Created in 1972 and 1974, respectively, they cover an area of 622,200 hectares. Both sanctuaries were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1991.

Animals in the sanctuaries comprise 77 percent of large mammals, 50 percent of large birds and 33 percent of the land vertebrates that are native to the southeast and northeast regions of Thailand.

They contain five out of the seven different types of tropical forests in Thailand. Many of the flora and fauna found here are endangered or endemic. Among the endangered species are the wild water buffalo, serow (a type of antelope), leopard, Asiatic wild dog, red jungle fowl cock, green peafowl, and many types of forest invertebrates (insects). 

Tourism in the Thungyai Naresuan and Huai Kha Kaeng Wildlife Sanctuaries in Thailand

The sanctuaries are not widely known to tourists visiting Thailand; however, their popularity increased after they became World Heritage sites. Although tourism is not discouraged, the places visitors are allowed to tour within the sanctuaries are limited. The fear is that because the ecological balance is so sensitive, visitors could destroy it.

Wildlife Sanctuary Tours

For those not spending the night, there are day tours for visitors encompassing three different areas. There is also a three-day wildlife tour in Huai Kha Khaeng.

The three permitted day tour areas are:

• The Huai Kha Kaeng Wildlife Sanctuary Headquarters: A statue of leading conservationist Seub Nakhasathien faces southwest, purposely placed for seeing how the western forest area changes with time. There are eight steps in commemoration of the eight years and many obstacles he faced as head of the sanctuary before his untimely death, and a multi-purpose building used for events and exhibitions.

• The Cyber (Sai Bor) Ranger Station and Cyber (Sai Bor) Waterfall: It is a nice hike to the Cyber Waterfall, where it is very quiet and serene. It is a great place for naturalists or individuals who want to experience and observe the unspoiled forest and wildlife. The waterfall is medium-sized, dropping down several levels to the boulders below it.

• The Huai Me Di Ranger Station and Nature Study Route: This trail is approximately 6-kilometers and takes approximately four hours to walk. The sanctuary personnel have marked 18 interpretative places along the way, describing the different kinds of forests found at the sanctuary. Not to be missed is the particularly interesting and beautiful sightseeing point of Pong Thian.

Visitors can traverse the path on their own, assisted with a manual provided at the Huai Kha Kaeng Wildlife Sanctuary headquarters. English-speaking guides, however, are available to accompany visitors on a tour.

The sanctuaries are open year-round; however, the best time to visit is during the dry winter months. The heat will provide better opportunities for wildlife viewing, as animals seek water in the rivers and streams of the sanctuaries.

For more information about the wildlife sanctuaries and tours, please contact Tel. 02561 4292-3, ext. 765, or 05651 9654, or send correspondence to Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary, P.O. Box 7, Amphoe Lan Sak, Uthai Thani 61660.