Southern Thailand

The Krung Ching area is one of the best bird-watching sites in Thailand, home to about 300 species of birds. Some of the highlights here are Green Broadbill, Chestnut-naped Forktail, White-crowned Hornbill, and Black-collared Babbler.

The best bird-watching site in Phang Nga, I would say, is the Sri Phang Nga National Park. The park is home to one of the most colorful species of pitta in the world, the Malayan Banded Pitta. Interesting species also seen are Great Argus and Bushy-crested Hornbill.

So far, my favorite bird photography location in southern Thailand is the Hala-Bala Wildlife Sanctuary, located in Thailand's southernmost province, Narathiwat. Specialities here are the hornbills, including Helmeted Hornbill, Rhinoceros Hornbill and Wrinkled Hornbill.

Home to the rare Beach Thick-knee and Great-billed Heron, the Surin Islands are some of Thailand's best islands for bird photography. Located in the Phang Nga province, the islands are accessible by a boat ride from the Khura Buri pier. 

The Phang Nga mangroves are, by far, the best mangroves in Thailand for birds that I have been to. The big highlights here are the Ruddy Kingfisher, Mangrove Pitta, and Brown-winged Kingfisher.

One of the best places in Asia to watch the migration of raptors is in Khao Dinsor, Chumphon. Species like Shikra, Greater Spotted Eagle, Rufous-winged Buzzard, Black Baza and Jerdon's Baza can be seen regularly from this site but only during October.

Located in the district of "Mueang Krabi", the Krabi Mangroves are home to the stunning Brown-winged Kingfisher. Other species that reside here are Mangrove Pitta and Ruddy Kingfisher.

Coming soon