Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park
(Updated 12/01/22)

Freshwater marsh & mountains (Photo by Nick Upton)

Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park, in Prachuab Khiri Khan province, covers an area of approximately 99 sq.km encompassing a number of varied habitats including steep limestone mountains, freshwater marsh, beaches, limestone islands, mangrove remnants and coastal pools. The name Khao Sam Roi Yot means "The Mountain With Three Hundred Peaks", and whilst the number may be an exaggeration, the mountains, which rise to a height of 605 m, are certainly a magnificent backdrop to the aquatic habitats that provide the main ornithological interest.

The forest on the mountains receives very little rainfall and the vegetation reflects this as does a fairly sparse avifauna, however, the wetland habitats more than make up for this and provide an opportunity to see a large number of species in a short length of time.

Thung Sam Roi Yot is one of the largest freshwater marshes reamining in Thailand and it provides an important habitat for numerous species of birds and other small animals. It is a shame to see that encroachment into this area still regularly occurs and that almost all the wetland areas to the seaward side of the mountains have been converted to shrimp ponds despite the international importance of the site.

In spite of these problems, this remains an excellent region to find wetland species and indeed, some of the shrimp ponds appear to be reverting to a more natural state. Additionally, Khao Sam Roi Yot seems to be visited less often than it was in the past and large areas of habitat that are seldom visited exist, and the potential to find exciting birds here is high.

Waterbirds are the primary reason for visiting Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park, with a large number of species present. The beaches here are one of the few places where Malaysian Plovers nest in Thailand along with small numbers of Little Terns, but plenty of other wetland birds can be found on the coastal shrimp ponds and the freshwater marsh.

Malaysian PLover (Photo by Nick Upton)

Waders such as Spotted Redshank, Broad-billed Sandpiper and Kentish Plover are quite numerous here and Malaysian Plovers breed in small numbers along the more lonely beaches. Birds such as Caspian Tern and White-bellied Sea Eagle are also regularly seen, not to forget that Spoon-billed Sandpiper has been recorded here amongst flocks of Rufous-necked Stints in the past; checking out any groups of small shorebirds could perhaps be rewarded.

In the freshwater marshes wintering Acrocephalus warblers can be confusing but for those who wish to test their identification skills this is one of the few regular wintering grounds of Manchurian Reed Warbler.

Raptors are can be a feature at Khao Sam Roi Yot too with the afore-mentioned White-bellied Sea Eagle breeding on the cliffs. Eastern Marsh Harrier fairly common as a winter visitor over the freshwater marsh and this is good place to look out for Greater Spotted Eagle and Oriental Hobby, a bird which likes to associate with the limestone outcrops. With more observers visiting this area during migratory periods impressive numbers of raptors are likely as at the raptor watch site a few hundred kilometres to the south at Chumpon.

Click here for a checklist of the birds of Khao Sam Roi Yot

Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park is a fairly easy place to get to; regular buses run from the southern bus terminal in Bangkok to the town of Pranburi via Cha-Am and Hua Hin; the journey takes a little over 3 hours.

Songtaews run from Pranburi to a small village in the national park. There is some accommodation where this terminates, but if you are heading to the headquarters or Hat Laem Sala then a motorbike taxi from Pranburi is probably a better way to get there. Motorcycle taxis can be found in various places around the town.

On the way into the park is a gate where the entry fee of 400 baht may or may not be collected. On my visit in July 2020 the fee was not on collected but on previous visits it was.

For those driving from Bangkok, simply follow the main route south and follow the signs to Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park from Pranburi. These signs are in English.

For birdwatchers coming from the south any bus heading northwards will pass through the town of Pranburi where the driver will stop if asked.

For those without transport wanting to visit Rong Jai marsh when staying on the seaward side of the park it is worth asking the national park staff to arrange a lift. I managed to get a ranger to take me on his motorbike for 200 baht a number of years ago, but I'm sure a bit more would be appropriate now.

Wetland birds are the real attraction at Khao Sam Roi Yot and birdwatching in any of the wetland areas along the roads is likely to reveal a good number of species.

1. Around HQ: A dirt track leading from HQ to the sea passes through some areas of mud and wet patches. Areas of coastal grassland in this area hold Red-throated Pipit in winter and Yellow-legged Buttonquail at all times. Although the trails sort of peter out here, it is possible to find ones way along the coast in both directions and carry out circular walks. Many wetland species can be found along here including Broad-billed Sandpiper and White-bellied Sea Eagle, but perhaps the most sought after species that is regular here is Malaysian Plover. This species is pretty much restricted to the beaches, be careful in identifying it as Kentish Plover is also found here but prefers the inland pools and mudflats.

Ban Khao Daeng: It is worth looking around this village, particularly in the "winter" as rare starlings such as Rosy Starling and Brahminy Starling have been found and Plain-backed Sparrow is a resident. A track leads to the coast where many other species can be seen - Malaysian Plover being the most noteworthy.

South of Sam Phraya: If one walks south along the beach from Sam Phraya some scrubland is passed through and at low tide a large mudflat is exposed. This is a good place to observe many wading species such as Whimbrel, Spotted Redshank, Sand Plovers and Egrets. The scrubland often holds birds such as Forest Wagtail, Black-naped Oriole and other passerines.

3. Wetlands: Wetlands in this area consist of shrimp ponds and overgrown fish ponds. Walking along the road and spending time watching these pools can reveal a large number of species Including crakes and rails, Black-winged Stilt, Pintail and Common Snipe and a number of terns species; occasionally Black-headed Ibis turns up.

Black-winged Stilt (Photo by Nick Upton)

4. Fresh Marsh: The road runs through the edge of the Rong Jai fresh marsh and spending time here can reveal birds such as Eastern Marsh Harrier, Oriental Reed Warbler, Black-browed Reed Warbler, Blunt-winged Reed Warbler and Purple Heron in addition to many other open-country and reedbed species.

5. Rong Jai Marsh: A walkway into the marsh allows visitors good views of reedbed species and the large and colourful Purple Swamphen is easily found. Other excellent birds like Yellow Bittern, Purple Heron and Oriental Reed Warbler are often encountered. A dirt track along the marsh's edge allows birders to find a high number of species here. The national park office here is the start of a trail which leads into the forest, passing through patches of marshland and scrub. The forest here is not particularly rich in species but I've seen Greater Racket-tailed Drongo and Greater Flameback and there is the chance of other forest species along the trail that eventually leads to a viewpoint.

6. Wetlands: More wetlands along the road are worth stopping at and looking for waders, rails and crakes, egrets and herons and other open-country birds. Although some of the ponds in this area look rather sterile they do attract species of waders when water levels are right. The road leading to Bang Poo village runs along some mangrove remnants, where Collared Kingfishers can be found, and close to some rocky outcrops which are occupied by Oriental Hobby.

Laem Sala Beach: The trail over the rocks to Laem Sala isn't particularly rich in species but does provide views over the Bang Poo bay where a few shorebird can be found. From Laem Sala beach a trail goes to a cave where Blue Whistling Thrush usually hangs out and the beach itself is a nice place.

Nearby Pranburi beach has a lot of pleasant accommodation, restaurants and is only a 10-15 minute drive from national park. The seaward side of the national park has a number of options for accommodation, but the freshwater marsh side did not on my last visit, however, the visitor centre and ranger station at Rong Jai may have a few rooms. It is much more pleasant, though, to stay on the coast, not least because the light breezes clear the mosquitoes.

At headquarters there are some rooms for rent and a small restaurant which serves quite decent food at low prices. The staff at HQ also have bicycles for hire which can be an excellent way of getting around as walking everyone can be extremely exhausting due to the long distances and intense heat. There is a campsite here too, but on my last visit the toilets were very neglected and the campsite was infested with mosquitoes.

At Ban Khao Daeng there are a number of small shops that sell snacks, refrigerated drinks and simple meals. There is also a company that organises kayaking trips and boat trips along the river.

At Sam Phraya beach there is a campsite with toilets and a restaurant that serves passable food. It is a pleasant place to sit on the beachfront and cook food if coming with camping gear.

Laem Sala is a very picturesque spot and there are rooms for rent or one can camp for a small fee. The rooms are for large groups but the staff allowed me to stay in one for a small fee way back in 1998, so it is worth asking. A restaurant here serves food into the evening; I had possibly the worst meal I've ever had in Thailand here, but I'm sure that things have improved by now; if anyone eats here please e-mail me and tell me how the food was.

At Bang Poo village and further north along the coast there are a series of small resorts. I've never visited any of these but I'm sure the standard of accommodation is good and the food typically excellent. For those with their own transport, these resorts probably provide the best opportunity for comfort, with only a short drive to the main birding spots. Also at Bang Poo village, in the parking area where the trail to Laem Sala begins are a number of small restaurants serving all sorts of cheap meals. The seafood here is great and an assortment of barbecued food is sold; this is a good place to relax after a day's birding, eating good food and drinking beer.

Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park Bird Checklist

Birdwatching Tours

Other Western Thailand Birding Locations

Habitat use, moult and biometrics in the Manchurian Reed Warbler Acrocephalus tangorum wintering in Thailand

Shorebirds in the Hand

Leg-flagged Shorebirds in the Inner Gulf of Thailand

Click on the image or text to start watching the bird video.

• Birding by the Beach at Pranburi - posted 16/07/20

• 11 November 2021, Khao Sam Roi Yot NP (general area) - by Dave Diller
• 03 April 2021, Khao Sam Roi Yot NP (general area) - by Prasit Wongprom
• 07 July 2020, Khao Sam Roi Yot NP--Khao Khan Bandai & Lung Cha's Homestay vicinity - by Nick Upton
• 04 May 2020, Khao Sam Roi Yot NP (general area) - by Dave Diller
• 08 February 2020, Khao Sam Roi Yot NP (general area) - by Sakkarin Sansuk
• 29 January 2019, Khao Sam Roi Yot NO--Khao Khan Bandai & Lung Cha's Homestay vicinity - by Philip Steiner
• 15 March 2018, Khao Sam Roi Yot NP (general area) - by Neil Lawton
• 14 April 2016, Khao Sam Roi Yot NP (general area) - by Ben Weil
• 23 October 2011, Khao Sam Roi Yot NP (general area) - by Nick Upton
• 25 January 2008, Khao Sam Roi Yot NP (general area) - by Guy Poisson
• 04 December 1997, Khao Sam Roi Yot NP (general area) - by Nick Upton

If you found this page useful and want to say thanks, you can buy me a beer.

Email me at nickupton@thaibirding.com

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