Thailand

Day 1: Depart UK for Bangkok

Day 2: Arrive Bangkok airport and transfer to Khao Yai National Park

After arriving at Bangkok and meeting up with our local Thai bird guide, Wich’yanan Limparungpatthanakij (who is known as "Jay" after living in North America for a while), we will set off for Khao Yai. The journey should take about three to four hours and, if time allows, we will aim to stop to look for the endemic and somewhat localised Rufous Limestone Babbler on the way (otherwise we will look for this species on day 6).

After checking in to our comfortable resort hotel near the entrance to the national park, if we have sufficent daylight, we will explore some of the nearby farmland at Ta Ngoi for open country species such as Asian Openbill, White-throated Kingfisher, Indochinese Roller, Brown Shrike, Paddyfield Pipit and Chestnut-tailed Starling. We may also see our first barbets of the trip with both Coppersmith and Lineated being possible here, along with Ashy Minivet, Indochinese Bushlark, Taiga Flycatcher and Asian Golden Weaver.

Days 3-5: Khao Yai National Park

Khao Yai National Park is a World Heritage site and we have three full days here which will give us plenty of time to look for a great selection of birds. Well over 350 species have been recorded in this fantastic national park and some of the ground-dwelling specialities we will hope to find include two stunning pheasants, Silver Pheasant and Siamese Fireback. Coral-billed Ground Cuckoo and both Eared and Blue Pittas are also possible but we will count ourselves as very fortunate if we manage to track down all five of these elusive species.

Other possibilities include Changeable Hawk Eagle, Mountain Imperial Pigeon, Thick-billed Green Pigeon, Asian Emerald Cuckoo, Green-billed Malkoha, Asian Barred Owlet, Oriental Scops Owl, Collared Scops Owl, Buffy Fish Owl, Great-eared Nightjar, Large-tailed Nightjar, Orange-breasted Trogon, Red-headed Trogon, Banded Kingfisher, Blue-bearded Bee-eater, Chestnut-headed Bee-eater, Green-eared Barbet and Moustached Barbet.

During our time at Khao Yai, we will hope to track down a fruiting tree as these often act as a magnet for the forest's frugivores including several species of hornbill with the possibilities including Oriental Pied, Great, Austen’s Brown and Wreathed Hornbills.

A good selection of mammals are also possible at Khao Yai and we will certainly hope to see Asian Elephant with other possibilities including White-handed and Pileated Gibbons and Malaysian Porcupine.

Day 6: Depart Khao Yai for Kaeng Krachan

We will check out of our resort hotel in the early morning and what we do on our way to Kaeng Krachan will largely be determined by what we have seen over the last few days. If we were unsuccessful in our previous search for Rufous Limestone Babbler, we may make a second attempt for this endemic, with another option being a second visit to the Ta Ngoi Farmlands.

The journey to the outskirts of Kaeng Krachan will take about five hours but we will aim to make the occasional stop especially if we see anything of interest on the way.

Depending on what time we arrive there may be time for some late afternoon birding around our hotel at Baan Maka.

Days 7-9: Full day birding in and around Kaeng Krachan National Park

We have three full days to explore Kaeng Krachan and the area around this fantastic national park. There are a number of privately run hides closeby and we will certainly want to visit some of these, as they sometimes provide an opportunity to get views of (and photographs) a number of tricky forest species including, for example, the stunning Ferruginous Partridge.

We will also spend time exploring different elevations within Kaeng Krachan and despite it being only 150 miles or so in a straight line from Khao Yai, there is a surprisingly different avifauna and we can expect to see a number of species we are unlikely to have found earlier in our trip. The possibilities include Kalij Pheasant, Grey Peacock Pheasant, Crested Serpent Eagle, Changeable Hawk Eagle, Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon, Green-billed Malkoha, Asian Barred Owlet, Great-eared Nightjar, Large-tailed Nightjar, Orange-breasted Trogon, Blue-bearded Bee-eater, Oriental Pied Hornbill, Great Hornbill and Rusty-cheeked Hornbill.

Day 10: Kaeng Krachan to Phetchaburi

We will have a final opportunity to explore during the morning (possibly visiting another bird hide) before leaving Kaeng Krachan for Phetchaburi. We plan to make an afternoon stop to visit the drier forests at Khao Luk Chang where the possibilities include Pink-necked Green-Pigeon, Orange-breasted Green-Pigeon, Blue-tailed Bee-eater, Greater Flameback, Malaysian Pied Fantail, Rufous Treepie, Sooty-headed Bulbul and Pin-striped Tit-babbler. We will then continue on to Phetchaburi for a three night stay.

Days 11-12: Pak Thale, Laem Phak Bia and Nong Pla Lai

We have two days to explore the amazing wader habitats around Pak Thale and Laem Phak Bia which arguably are amongst the best places on the planet for wader diversity. There is no denying, however, that one small shorebird will be our priority and that is the critically endangered Spoon-billed Sandpiper. Sadly, this extraordinary bird has declined markedly in recent years and there may now be less than 150 pairs left, although a handful of individuals have been consistently found every winter around Pak Thale.

Although locating at least one 'Spoonie' will be our priority, there are plenty of other waders to enjoy and we will aim to see as many species as possible during our time exploring the saltpans and mudflats of Pak Thale. Another target will be Nordmann's Greenshank as, like Spoon-billed Sandpiper, the population of this Russian endemic breeder has dropped significantly over the last couple of decades and some experts have suggested it may now be almost as threated as the sandpiper.

Another speciality of this region is Asian Dowitcher but for anyone who has not explored Asia before, there should be plenty of new waders to enjoy with the possibilities including Pacific Golden Plover, Greater and and Tibetan (recent split from Lesser) Sand Plovers, Malaysian Plover, Great Knot, Broad-billed Sandpiper, Long-toed and Red-necked Stints, Pin-tailed Snipe, Terek Sandpiper, Marsh Sandpiper and Oriental Pratincole.

During our stay, we also plan to take a boat trip out to the Laem Phak Bia sandspit which is where we hope to find White-faced Plover. Although originally described as a full species over 150 years, this bird has essentially been overlooked since then (due to its similarity to the closely related Kentish Plover) but it is now widely regarded as a good species, albeit one that is still poorly known. Another rare bird we will hope to find during our boat trip is Chinese Egret.

Depending on how long it takes to find our priority shorebirds, we also intend to explore the lakes, wetlands and mangroves around Phetchaburi which will allow us to see a much wider range of species including White-throated and Black-capped Kingfishers and Green and Blue-tailed Bee-eaters.

Day 13: Birding around Phetchaburi and depart Thailand

Bird in ricefields at Nong Pla Lai, lakes, freshwater wetlands, and mangroves in Phetchaburi. We shall have more opportunities to look for the Spoon-billed Sandpiper and other important waders if any were missed previously. Drive to Bangkok. Night near Airport

Day 14: Arrive UK / Depart for UK

Depending on the flight we choose to use, we will either depart Thailand in the morning or arrive in the UK on day 14 if we have flown overnight on day 13.

GROUP SIZE

Ten participants plus one WildWings leader (Jay). If the group size is six or more, the trip will also be accompanied by Mark Andrews.

WHAT TO EXPECT

This is primarily a birding tour with a mixed focus of looking for forest birds and the waders at Pak Thale. We hope to see some mammals, eg primates and hopefully Asian Elephant, but our primary objective will be birds.

Located in the tropics (Bangkok, for example, is at approximately 13°N), Thailand has a warm-very hot and generally humid climate and we can expect high temperatures throughout the holiday with the chance of rain at times.

When we are at the two national parks, ie Khao Yai and Kaeng Krachan, we will spend much of our time exploring forest trails as well as birding along roadsides, so there is likely to be some shade from the sun, however, when looking for waders at Pak Thale, for example, there is little shelter, so we recommend not only bringing high factor sunblock and a hat but also a collapsible umbrella as this can not only be useful for any rain we encounter but also to provide shade against the sun.

You should expect to start early each morning throughout the trip as bird activity is generally best shortly after dawn. On some days, we make take a siesta or rest up during the heat of the middle of the day and then start looking for birds and other wildlife again in the middle to late afternoon. There may be some opportunities to look for nocturnal birds and mammals after dark but due to the challenges presented by Elephants, this is somewhat limited.

There should be good photographic opportunities from some of the hides we visit on the outskirts of Kaeng Krachan National Park and when birding along roadsides and more open areas but when we are walking the forest trails, the low light levels can make photography more challenging.

ACCOMMODATION

Eleven nights accommodation at three different locations. We have decided to stay close to but not inside Khao Yai National Park, as the quality of the accommodation in the park is now not of the standard we require. At all locations we will, however, be staying at comfortable resort hotels.

MEALS

Food will be good quality Thai cooking and it should be possible to cater for vegetarians and gluten-free diets.

All main meals are included in the tour price, commencing with lunch on Day 2 and concluding with lunch or dinner on Day 13 (depending on flight schedules). Lunches will primarily be taken either at mixture of restaurants in the national parks or elsewhere and mostly not at the hotels where we are staying, although there may be a few picnics.

The occasional breakfast on this tour may be a packed breakfast.

WALKING

Mostly easy to moderate although it will be hot and humid which can make it more tiring so some participants may wish to bring a lightweight stool as we can be out for 4-5 hours on occasions, although we will mostly have our transport nearby. Most walks are on mainly easy terrain. A few walks may be a longer but taken at a gentle pace.

As we are spending several nights at each location, clients are usually able to 'opt out' of excursions (when we are then returning to the hotel) should they wish.

Comfortable waterproof walking shoes with stout corrugated soles for grip are advised especially when we go on forest trails.

TRAVEL

Despite the end of pandemic restrictions, we have taken the decision to continue to price our holidays as excluding international flights.

To keep the process as simple as possible, we are working very closely with a dedicated agent at Travel Counsellors, Sacha Barbato, who is essentially now our “in house” flight consultant.

Sacha will be able to advise you which flights we are recommending for each holiday, and he will be able to book these for you.

VACCINATIONS/HEALTH

At the time of writing, there were no compulsory requirements for visiting Thailand, however, as always, you should check with your GP for recommendations. If the forest sites are wet, mosquitoes and leeches may be present so you are advised to bring suitable preventative measures.

Food hygiene standards are generally reasonably good in Thailand but, as always, only drink bottled water and avoid peeled fruit etc. Jay will have a basic field first aid kit with him and the vehicles always carry drinking water.

MONEY

The current exchange rate (December 2023) is about 42 Thai Baht to the Pound. We would suggest taking cash for this trip, either in Bahts or US Dollars. Please obtain your currency before departure to save time on arrival in Bangkok though be aware that ATMs are widely available.

GROUND TRANSPORT

By minibus or other private vehicles.

We will also take a boat trip to the sandspit at Laem Phak Bia

PHOTOGRAPHY

When we are birding along roadsides in the two national parks, there are usually good opportunities for photography but due to low light levels, it can be more challenging on forest trails. We also plan to spend some time visiting some of the hides on the outskirts of Kaeng Kranchan which can be excellent for photography. There should be great chances to photograph some of the waders and open country when we are at Pak Thale.

• Thailand SBS 2019 Report
• Thailand SBS 2017 Report
• Thailand SBS 2016 Report