Birding Near Bangkok

The Rotfai Park and surrounding parks are surprisingly home to very cool bird species even though in the middle of Thailand's capital city, Bangkok. Highlights include the Spotted Owlet and Asian Barred Owlet.

Only a 2 hour drive from Bangkok, Kaengkrachan National Park is home to over 400 species of birds. Kaengkrachan National Park is also one of the easiest places to find the Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher. Some other highlights include the Red-bearded Bee-eater, Banded Kingfisher and Dusky Broadbill.

Laempakbia and Pak Thale, located near Kaengkrachan, is the best birdwatching site in Thailand for shore birds. The stars of Laempakbia are Chinese Egret and White-faced Plover, while the highlight of Pak Thale is the critically endangered Spoon-billed Sandpiper. These sites are only active in the winter, because they are migratory bird sites. 

Arguably the best bird-watching site in Thailand to see the Spoon-billed Sandpiper is Khok Kham, which is one hour from Bangkok by car. These saltpans are also where to find flocks of Kentish Plovers, Red-necked Stints, and many more species.

The Pathumthani Rice Research Center is probably my favorite place for field/grassland birds. One of the star residents here are the Java Sparrow. Others that can be found here are Pheasant-tailed Jacana and in the migratory season, Siberian Rubythroats.

The Bangpu Recreation Center is located in Samutprakan, and home to many mangrove and shore birds. Some birds that can be found here are Collared Kingfisher, Black-capped Kingfisher, Black-tailed Godwit, and Heuglin's Gull.

One of the last rice field areas left inside of the province Bangkok are the Latkrabang fields, only a 20-minute drive from the Suvarnabhumi Airport. The main star here is the Red Avadavat. Others that can be found are Slaty-breasted Rail, Barred Buttonquail, Bluethroat, and many more.

Located in the city of Bangkok, a bird photography hide at a noodle shop gives you great opportunities to photograph migratory birds like Hooded Pitta, Blue-winged Pitta, Yellow-rumped Flycatcher, Green-backed Flycatcher, Orange-headed Thrush, and a lot more species (only migratory season).