Thailand is, simply put, the quintessential birding destination in Southeast Asia. From mountain peaks draped in Rhododendron forests to the dense tropical lowlands resounding with birdsong, you will constantly be refreshed by the wealth of this delightful destination. These treasures extend beyond Thailand's natural world into the cultural realm, with spectacular pagodas and holy shrines adorning this tropical nation.

Birders arriving in Thailand via the capital Bangkok will most likely first explore the forested hillsides of Khai Yai National Park where a vast array of broadbills, hornbills, bulbuls, babblers and barbets can be encountered.

After scanning the mudflats near Samuth Sakhon for migrant waders (including the world's most sought-after and endangered Spoon-billed Sandpiper) many birders continue on to Kaeng Krachan National Park with its unbroken forest scenery and one of the richest bird species lists in Southeast Asia. Species here include assortments of bee-eaters, pigeons, broadbills, laughingthrushes and leafbirds amongst others.

Further north lies the mountain forests of Doi Inthanon, Thailand's most famous birding site, where a whole collection of uniquely Asian groups such as ioras, barwings, mesias, minlas, sibias and niltavas can be encountered. Further north, the mountains of Doi Angkhang on the border of Myanmar offer the opportunity to see a host of localized and range restricted species including Siamese Fireback, Silver-breasted and Dusky Broadbill, the spectacular Coral-billed Ground Cuckoo, Blue and Eared Pitta, White-rumped Falcon, Green Cochoa, Giant Nuthatch and Green Peafowl.

The remnant lowland forests on the Malay Peninsula in the south of Thailand support some of the world's most sought-after and endangered bird species including the critically endangered Gurney's Pitta. Nearby mangroves are home to the Brown-winged Kingfisher and Mangrove Pitta whilst the mudflats support wintering Chinese Egrets and waders including Nordmann's Greenshank.

Text kindly provided by Rockjumper – leading bird tour operators with worldwide destinations including Thailand.

Gurney's Pitta

Gurney's Pitta © Steve Arlow

Tropical Birding

Birding Ecotours

Showing the 93 Most Recent Trip Reports Posted

Thailand, Hala Bala, September 2nd - 4th 2015, author Dominic Le Croissette (added September 8, 2015)
(Rhinoceros Hornbill, Yellow-crowned Barbet, Blue-banded Kingfisher, Chestnut-backed Scimitar-Babbler, Buff-rumped, Buff-necked, Crimson-winged and Checker-throated Woodpeckers, )

Thailand, Krung Ching waterfall, August 28th-31st 2015, author Dominic Le Croissette (link created September 8, 2015)
(Malayan Banded Pitta, Wallace's Hawk-Eagle, four Broadbill species)

Thailand, Hala Bala, September 2nd-4th 2015, author Dominic Le Croissette (link created September 8, 2015)
(Rhinoceros Hornbill, Yellow-crowned Barbet, Blue-banded Kingfisher, Chestnut-backed Scimitar-Babbler, Buff-rumped, Buff-necked, Crimson-winged and Checker-throated Woodpeckers, )

Thailand, Krung Ching waterfall, August 28th - 31st 2015, author Dominic Le Croissette (added September 8, 2015)
(Malayan Banded Pitta, Wallace's Hawk-Eagle, four Broadbill species)

Thailand, 3rd - 17th June 2007, author Bob Allen (added September 4, 2007)
(Khao Sok, Khlong Nakha, Tone Pariwat, Phang-nga, Khao Phanom Bencha, Khao Nor Chuchi, Trang, Manora Forest Park, Phuket)

Central Peninsula Thailand - April - May 2015, author Birding Ecotours (link created September 29, 2015)
(The timing was chosen as these months are a good time for pittas and broadbills and other forest birds)

Western Thailand - Nine days birding in the wet season - July 2012, author Chris Chafer (added September 2, 2012)
(Keang Krachan, Baan Maka, Bang Phra, Kui Buri, Sam Roi Yot)

Thailand (north), 5th - 22nd February 2001, author Surfbirds Admin (added September 19, 2004)

Thailand, 19th March - 12th April 2004, author Surfbirds Admin (added September 19, 2004)

Thailand, Bangkok, Khao Nor Chuchi, Krabi, Phang Nga - March 1st - 29th 2001, author Surfbirds Admin (added September 19, 2004)

Central and Southern Thailand - April 2004, author Andy Mears (added September 19, 2004)

Southern Thailand, 12th - 17th April 2001, author Surfbirds Admin (added September 19, 2004)

Southern and Central Thailand, 10th - 20th April 2004, author Surfbirds Admin (added September 19, 2004)

Thailand, Kaeng Krachen and the North with Krabi - 29th January - 27th February 2002, author Surfbirds Admin (added September 19, 2004)

Thailand, 20th January - 20th February 2002, author Surfbirds Admin (added September 19, 2004)

Thailand, 23rd March - 7th April 2002, author Surfbirds Admin (added September 19, 2004)

North Thailand, 15th - 23rd May 2002, author Surfbirds Admin (added September 19, 2004)

Thailand, Central and Southern, 19th April - 6th May 2002, author Surfbirds Admin (added September 19, 2004)

Spoon-billed Sandpiper and other Bangkok birding, Thailand, January 2001, author Surfbirds Admin (added September 19, 2004)

18 days in Thailand, March - April 2003, author Surfbirds Admin (added September 19, 2004)

Finding Spoon-billed Sandpiper in Bangkok, author Surfbirds Admin (added September 19, 2004)

Thailand, 16th March - 7th April 2003 (including herps), author Surfbirds Admin (added September 19, 2004)

Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park (and Spoon-billed Sandpiper), Thailand, December 1988, author Surfbirds Admin (added September 19, 2004)

Doi Inthanon National Park, Thailand, 15th - 21st November 2003, author Surfbirds Admin (added September 19, 2004)

Thailand - all but south and islands, author Clayton Burne (link created October 30, 2011)
(Laem Pak Bia, Pak Thale, Kaeng Krachen, Mae Wong, Doi Inthanon, Doi Ang Kang, Nam Nao, Khao Yai, Muang Boran)

Central & Northern Thailand - Feb-Mar 16, author Ruben Vlot (link created October 25, 2016)
(Khao Yai, Pak Thale, Kaeng Krachan, Bueng Borapet, Mae Won, Doi Inthanon, Doi Ang Khang, Doi Lang, Chiang Saen, Mae Ping)

Khao Sok, Thailand, 16th - 18th April 2005, author Charles Davies (added November 9, 2005)

Khao Soi Dao, Thailand, July 2004 to March 2005, author Charles Davies (added November 9, 2005)

White Wagtail roost site in Chaing Mai - 26 November 2014, author Tom Wheatley (added November 26, 2014)
(300 plus wagtails roosting near city centre)

Kaeng Krachan National Park - Thailand - 16th-17th November 2013, author Praveen J (added November 19, 2013)
(Kaeng Krachan, Dusky Broadbill, Silver-breasted Broadbill, Ratchet-tailed Treepie, White-browed Piculet, Orange-breasted Trogon, Raffles’s Malkoha, Collared Babbler, Banded Kingfisher, Spectacled Spiderhunter)

Southern Thailand, October - November 2006, author Yoav Perlman (added November 16, 2006)
(Khao Sok, Koh Lanta)

Central and Northern Thailand - 24 February – 15 March 2019, author Chris Lotz, Birding Ecotours (link created May 3, 2019)
(Gulf of Thailand, Kaeng Krachan and Khao Yai National Parks, Doi Inthanon and Doi Pha Hom Pok National Parks)

Thailand; Six day tour of central peninsular Thailand. April 2011, author Birding2asia (link created May 24, 2011)
(The female Banded called from the forest floor on the left of the path while the male Gurney’s stood on a fallen log to the right and shouted back. We couldn’t have asked for better views. Five Pittas in five days – remarkable...)

Northern Thailand (Doi Inthanon 21st-25th April 2006 and Doi Chiang Dao 2nd-4th May 2006), author Dominic Le Croissette (added May 19, 2006)
(Doi Inthanon and Doi Chiang Dao)

Thailand: 26-28 March and 16 April 2005, author Catherine McFadden (added May 19, 2005)
(Khao Yai NP, Bangkok area)

Thailand Jan - 2009, author Steve Bird (link created May 12, 2009)
(Spoonbilled Sandpiper, Gurney's Pitta)

Thailand: Shorebirds, Kaeng Krachan and Kanchanaburi - January 22nd - 28th 2012, author Mike Nelson (added March 4, 2012)
(Spoon-billed Sandpiper, Nordmann's Greenshank, Limestone Wren-babbler, Kaeng Krachan, Laem Pak Bia)

Central and Southern Thailand - December 2007, author Chris Mills (added March 25, 2008)
(Khao Yai, Kaeng Krachan, Khok Kham - Spoon-billed Sandpiper, Gurney's Pitta)

Southern Thailand - March 2020, author Birding Ecotours (added March 20, 2023)
(Malayan Banded Pitta, Mangrove Pitta, White-crowned Hornbill, Bushy-crested Hornbill, Wreathed Hornbill, Great Hornbill, Blyth’s Frogmouth, Buffy Fish Owl, Northern Boobook, Brown Wood Owl, Chestnut-breasted Malkoha, Chestnut-bellied Malkoha)

Thailand, February 2009, author Peter Scheithe (added March 2, 2009)
(Laem Phak Bia, White-faced Plover, Nordmann's Greenshank)

Southern Thailand and Bangkok, 25th February – 11th March 2006, author Petter Zahl Marki (added March 19, 2007)
(Highlights included Gurney’s Pitta, Nordmann’s Greenshank, Christmas Island Frigatebird, Oriental Bay Owl, White-fronted Scops Owl)

Thailand - Feb-Mar 2010, author Rockjumper Birding Tours (link created March 11, 2011)

Thailand - Apr-May 2010, author Rockjumper Birding Tours (link created March 11, 2011)

Central and Northern Thailand - 28th January – 19th February 2017, author Chris Lotz, Birding Ecotours (link created March 10, 2020)
(Kaeng Krachan, Khao Yai, Doi Inthanon, Doi Chiang Dao, Mae Ping, and Doi Pha Hom Pok)

Central Thailand - 9th - 17th January 2017, author Mike Powell (link created March 1, 2018)

Northern Thailand, Doi Angkhang, 30th May to 1st June 2006, author Dominic Le Croissette (added June 9, 2006)

Southern Thailand 26th April - 3rd May 2014, author Brian Clasper (added June 8, 2014)
(Pittas & Malaysian Rail Babbler)

Birdwatching in Thailand – 24 February to 8 March 2008, author Andrew Howes (added June 30, 2008)
(Arrived at the salt pans at Pak Thale and within minutes had close views of two Spoon-billed Sandpipers)

Thailand - Mountains of the North - Nov. '09, author Stijn De Win (link created June 3, 2010)
(Report incl. plenty trip photos. Doi Inthanon, Chiang Dao, Doi Lang, Doi Pha Hom Pok, Huay Tung Tao...)

Ten days on Phuket, Thailand April 2006, author Chris Chafer (added June 29, 2006)
(Phuket Island, Khao Sok NP, Phang-gna Bay)

Thailand - 19th March - 3rd April 2011, author Clayton Burne (added June 26, 2011)
(Laem Pak Bia, Kaeng Krachan, Mae Wong, Doi Inthanon, Doi Ang Kang, Nam Nao, Khao Yai, Muang Boran)

Four Go Even More Mad in Thailand - March 2005, author Chris Lotz, Birding Ecotours (added June 24, 2005)
(Central Thailand and a single day at the Panti Forest Reserve in Johor, South Malaysia)

South-east Asia 2020 , author Pete Aley (added June 23, 2020)
(Thailand & Vietnam plus short visits to Laos & Cambodia. A birding trip combined with sight seeing and relaxation. Spoon-billed Sandpiper, five species of Pitta & much more.)

Phu Khiaew, Thailand, 4-5 November 2005, author Charles Davies (added June 2, 2006)
(White-winged Duck)

Birding Trip by Car in Thailand and Malaysia, February - April 2005, author Robert Griggs Higbie (added June 2, 2005)
(Thailand, Malaysia)

Thailand 1st – 13th of March 2006, author Daniel Bengtsson (added June 15, 2008)
(Spoon-billed Sandpiper, Gurney’s Pitta)

Northern and Central Thailand , author Rockjumper Birding Tours (link created June 13, 2017)
(Northern Thailand, Central Thailand, Southern Thailand, Malayan Banded Pitta, Spoon-billed Sandpiper, Barred Eagle-Owl, Siamese Fireback, Rusty-naped Pitta, Silver Pheasant, Great Hornbill, Mountain Scops Owl, Blue Pitta, Mrs Hume's Pheasant, Red-crowned )

Northern Thailand - 19th - 27th February 2010, author Peter Ericsson (added June 12, 2010)

Central Thailand - 25th February - 2nd March 2016, author Chris Lotz, Birding Ecotours (link created June 10, 2016)
(Kaeng Krachen National Park)

North West Thailand and Central Cambodia - 23rd February to 12th March 2019, author Ian Merrill (link created July 7, 2019)
(Mrs Hume’s Pheasant, Bamboo Woodpecker, Jerdon’s Bushchat. Cambodia: Giant and White-shouldered Ibis, Pale-capped Pigeon, White-rumped Falcon)

Southern Central Thailand - Kaeng Krachan NP - 19th - 21st June 2006, author Dominic Le Croissette (added July 6, 2006)

Thailand -Birding the mountains of the NW. March 08, author Stijn De Win (link created July 5, 2009)
(A week birding all the good sites in the mountains produced 275 bird species incl. Fire-capped Tit, Hume's Pheasant, Russet Bush Warbler, Giant Nuthatch, Black-breasted Thrush, Chinese Leaf Warbler, Brown-breasted Bulbul and Rusty-cheeked Scimitar Babbler)

Thailand - Laem Pak Bia - Pak Thale & The South - March - April 2009, author Stijn De Win (link created July 5, 2009)
(Numerous trip photos go with this report. Sightings include Spoon-billed Sandpiper, Nordmann's Greenshank, Gurney's Pitta, Rufous-collared Kingfisher, Siberian Thrush, Imperial Eagle, Wallace's Hawk Eagle and Javan Frogmouth.)

Mae Wong National Park, Thailand, various trips 2004-2006, author Charles Davies (added July 3, 2006)
(Burmese Yuhina, Rufous-necked Hornbill, Stripe-backed Weasel)

Khao Yai & The Big Six: 29th Dec 2005 to 2nd Jan 2006, author Low Bing Wen Albert (added January 6, 2006)
(Eared and Blue Pitta, Silver Pheasant & Siamese Fireback, Scaly-breasted Partridge & Coral-billed Ground Cuckoo Over 3.5 Days)

Thailand - Birding2asia 3-day guided trip to Laem Pak Bia and Kaeng Krachan., author Stijn De Win (link created January 4, 2009)
(Spoon-billed Sandpiper, Nordmann's Greenshank, Grey Peacock Pheasant, Broadbills, Chinese Egret. With numerous 'trip' photos.)

Thailand - December 2015 - January 2016, author Chris Lotz, Birding Ecotours (link created January 30, 2016)

North-western Thailand: Doi Lang & Tha Ton, Chiang Saen lake (including Pied Harrier roost) & Doi Ang Khang - 26-31 December 2008, author Nick Moran (added January 26, 2009)
(Doi Lang, Jerdon's Bushchat, Cutia, Spot-winged Grosbeak, Scarlet Finch, Chiang Saen, Pied Harrier, Doi Ang Khang, Black-tailed Crake, Dark-sided Thrush)

North Thailand - February - March 2003, author John van der Woude (link created January 25, 2011)
(Chiang Mai region, Bung Borapet, Kao Yai)

Singapore, Thailand, Bali, Singapore - December 2009, author Steve Potter (added January 25, 2010)

Thailand - January - March 2018, author David Roche (added January 24, 2018)
(Northern mountains, Chiang Saen, Phetchaburi, Surat Thani and Phang Nga)

Thailand - KNC and Pak Thale - 8th - 13th January 2010, author Josh Engel (added January 17, 2010)
(Khao Nor Chuchi (KNC), Pak Thale and Lam Phak Bia, Gurney's Pitta, Spoon-billed Sandpiper, using mostly public transport)

Nam Tok Mae Surin National Park, Mae Hong Son Province, Thailand, 8th – 10th March and 5th – 8th December 2005, author Dave Gandy (added February 6, 2006)
(White-rumped Falcon, decidious forest, black-headed woodpecker)

Doi Chiang Dao, Northern Thailand, 31st Dec 2005 – 3rd Jan 2006, author Dave Gandy (added February 6, 2006)
(Mrs Hume's Pheasant, Giant Nuthatch, White-rumped Falcon)

Thailand; North & central, November 2011, author Stijn De Win (link created February 5, 2012)
(I may have written this in other trip reports. B2A does like a good start to a trip. But what if the first bird seen turns out to be the best one? Regard anything else a bonus? That would be hard with sightings of ...)

Thailand and Cambodia 17/10 – 3/11/2008, author Frank Hemmings (added February 3, 2009)
(Krabi, Khao Nor Chu Chi, Phi Phi, Angkor, Ang Trapaeng Thmor, Khok Kham, Laem Pak Bia, Nicobar Pigeon, Jerdon's Baza, Black-headed Ibis, Spoon-billed Sandpiper, Nordmann's Greenshank)

Thailand North and South - February 2016, author Paul Davis (added February 29, 2016)
(Chiang Mai region and Hat Yai in the south .--Yellow-bellied Flowerpecker ,Dark-sided Thrush ,Rufous Treepie .)

Thailand - Laem Pak Bia, Khao Yai NP, Kaeng Krachan NP - February 2008, author John Raven (added February 25, 2008)
(Kaeng Krachan, Pak Thale, Laem Pak Bia, Khao Yai, Spoon-billed Sandpiper, Ground Cuckoo)

Thailand - January 23rd - February 5th 2011, author Barry Heinrich (added February 18, 2011)

Thailand - 23rd-30th November, 16th December 2009 - 12th January 2010, author Andrew Roadhouse (added February 11, 2010)

Thailand and Cambodia 11th January - 25th January 2006, author Andrew Adcock (added December 7, 2006)
(Thailand: Nordman's Greenshank and Spoon-billed Sandpiper Cambodia: White-shouldered Ibis, Giant Ibis and Cambodian Laughingthrush)

Expedition to Thailand, author Alexander Coke Smith (link created December 5, 2011)
(thailand kaeng krachan khao yai beung boraphet )

Thailand, Na Haew/Phu Suan Sai National Park, 20-21 December 2008, author Charles Davies (added December 29, 2008)
(Short-tailed Parrotbill, Rufous-throated Fulvetta)

Thailand tour with Birding2asia - 31st October - 14th November 2008, author Bernard Burgess (added December 2, 2008)
(The North-Doi Inthanon, Doi Suthep, Mae Ping, Bung Boraphet, Sakaerat, Khao Yai)

Thailand tour with Birding2asia, November 2008, author Bernard Burgess (link created December 2, 2008)
(The North-Doi Inthanon, Doi Suthep, Mae Ping, Bung Boraphet, Sakaerat, Khao Yai...)

Thailand - 7th - 30th June 2018, author Luca Feuerriegel (added August 4, 2018)
(Green Cochoa, Blue-winged Pitta, Red-legged Crake, Kalij Pheasant, Giant Nuthatch, Red-bearded Bee-eater, Banded, Long-tailed, Black-and-red and Silver-breasted Broadbills, Red-headed and Orange-breasted Trogons, White-crowned and Chestnut-naped Forktails)

Thailand -The count from Chiang Dao canopy tower - 22nd November 2009, author Stijn De Win (added April 28, 2010)

Mid-Thailand - February 2013, author Brian Clasper (added April 2, 2013)
(Lam Pak Bhia,Kaeng Krachan,Khao Yai)

Thailand - 4th to 25th March 2007, author Benjamin Schwartz (added April 17, 2007)
(Highlights included Gurney's Pitta, Coral-billed Ground-Cuckoo, and four Wren-Babbler species.)

Central and Northern Thailand: Rare Palearctic Migrants and Spectacular Resident Species - December 2010, author Simon Gawn (added April 16, 2011)
(Chinese Egret, Spoon-billed Sandpiper, Nordmann's Greenshank, Coral-billed Ground Cuckoo, Eared Pitta and 412 other species in 12 days)

Thailand, Central region - 1st - 7th April, 2012, author Peter Ericsson (added April 14, 2012)

Thailand Feb-Mar 2011, author Rockjumper Birding Tours (link created April 12, 2012)

Thailand - an introductory trip - Jan 11th-21st 2007, author Joe Cockram (added April 11, 2007)
(This trip to Thailand was a stopover on the way back to the UK after 6 months backpacking in Australia and Fiji.)

Showing the 4 Latest Recent Sightings Posted

Mae wong national park, author Neil Armitage (added January 12, 2010)

Khao Yai, Thailand, Japanese Thrush male behind the restaurant at author John Furse (added December 21, 2009)

Khao Yai, Thailand, Japanese Thrush male behind the restaurant at author John Furse (added December 21, 2009)

KAENG KRACHAN.THAILAND 27.06 09 TO05.07 09, RUSTY NAPED PITTA.BLUE PITTA. BLACK BACKED author NEVILLE PARTON (added August 5, 2009)