Thailand – the centre and up
And so to the next leg and how a 5 hour journey (327km) turns into 9. Thailand’s road system is pretty good, I love the traffic lights that countdown to go or stop and the space bars on fast roads to warn you to keep that far apart (just so the looney drivers can lane swap at high speed). Currently they are building so many new roads it’s just astounding mostly elevated so there is a huge amount of work involved. What we did not know is that we were travelling on the start of a long weekend (100 days of mourning the last Kings passing) and start of school holidays. Everyone seemed to be going to Khai Yai National Park. Never travel at this time would be a good moto, absolute madness.![River](https://www.nomadtravelphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Scenery-Khao-Yai-National-Park-Heo-Narok-Waterfall_6.jpg)
![in grass](https://www.nomadtravelphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Asian-Elephant_2.jpg)
![](https://www.nomadtravelphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Malayan-Porcupine_1.jpg)
![](https://www.nomadtravelphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Wat-Simalai-Songtham_14-1.jpg)
![flooding campground](https://www.nomadtravelphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Bueng-Boraphet-Birdpark-Flooding_2.jpg)
![Bird on grass](https://www.nomadtravelphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Streaked-Weaver_2_2_1.jpg)
![Old temple](https://www.nomadtravelphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/SHC-Wat-Si-Chum_11.jpg)
![Fireworks over temple](https://www.nomadtravelphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Fireworks_9.jpg)
![Old temple](https://www.nomadtravelphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/SHC-_-Watt-Mathathat_3.jpg)
![Watefall in slow motion](https://www.nomadtravelphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Ko-Luang-Waterfall_2-1.jpg)
![Cooking in hot spring](https://www.nomadtravelphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Mae-Kajan-Hot-Spring-Cooking-Food.jpg)
![White Temple](https://www.nomadtravelphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Wat-Rong-Khun.jpg)
![Border, Laos, Thailand, Myanmar](https://www.nomadtravelphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Three-Lands-Skywalk-Golden-Triangle_6.jpg)
![](https://www.nomadtravelphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Wiang-Nong-Lom_1.jpg)
![temple carving](https://www.nomadtravelphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Cambodian-Style-Temple_6.jpg)
![old temple](https://www.nomadtravelphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Cambodian-Style-Temple_4.jpg)
![Loy Krathong](https://www.nomadtravelphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Wat-Upakhut45.jpg)
![Loy Kathong](https://www.nomadtravelphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Tuk-Tuk.jpg)
![Orange and blue bird](https://www.nomadtravelphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Rufous-Bellied-Niltava_4.jpg)
![](https://www.nomadtravelphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/House-of-Success.jpg)
![Mines on border](https://www.nomadtravelphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Burmese-Border_1.jpg)
![Bird on trunk](https://www.nomadtravelphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Rusty-Cheeked-Scimitar-Babbler_1.jpg)
BIRD & WILDLIFE IDENTIFIED:
Birds:
B-tel Chom Thong Resort
Asian Barred Owlet
Bueng Boraphet
Ashy Woodswallow
Asian Openbill
Barn Swallow
Baya Weaver
Black Drongo
Black Kite
Black-crowned Night-Heron
Blue-tailed Bee-eater
Bronze-winged Jacana
Chinese Pond-Heron
Common Kingfisher
Cotton Pygmy-Goose
Eastern Marsh-Harrier
Eurasian Moorhen
Eurasian Wryneck
Grey Heron
Grey-headed Swamphen
Intermediate Egret
Lesser Whistling-Duck
Little Grebe
Malaysian Pied-Fantail
Oriental Darter
Oriental Magpie-Robin
Pheasant-tailed Jacana
Pied Kingfisher
Plain Prinia
Rock Dove (Feral Pigeon)
Siamese Pied Starling
Spotted Dove
Streaked Weaver
White-throated Kingfisher
Bueng Yai
Amur Stonechat
Asian Brown Flycatcher
Asian Openbill
Black Drongo
Black-collared Starling
Blue-tailed Bee-eater
Brown Shrike
Cattle Egret
Chinese Pond-Heron
Common Myna
Greater Coucal
Green-billed Malkoha
House Sparrow
Intermediate Egret
Large-billed Crow
Little Egret
Malaysian Pied-Fantail
Olive-backed Sunbird
Oriental Magpie-Robin
Red Collared-Dove
Red-wattled Lapwing
Rock Dove (Feral Pigeon)
Siamese Pied Starling
Sooty-headed Bulbul
Spotted Dove
Streak-eared Bulbul
White Wagtail
Zebra Dove
Centre of the Universe
Asian Barred Owlet
Asian Brown Flycatcher
Common Myna
Eurasian Tree Sparrow
Grey Wagtail
Olive Backed Sunbird
Scaly Breasted Munia
Sooty Headed Bulbul
Doi Ang Khang National Park
Ashy Woodswallow
Bay Woodpecker
Besra
Black Bulbul
Black Drongo
Black-collared Starling
Blue Rock-Thrush
Blue-throated Barbet
Blue-winged Minla
Brown Shrike
Chestnut-vented Nuthatch
Fire-breasted Flowerpecker
Flavescent Bulbul
fork-tailed swift
Giant Nuthatch
Grey Bushchat
Grey Wagtail
Grey-backed Shrike
Grey-eyed Bulbul
Indian White-eye
Japanese Tit
Little Spiderhunter
Mountain Bulbul
Mrs. Gould’s Sunbird
Oriental Magpie-Robin
Puff-throated Bulbul
Red-whiskered Bulbul
Richard’s Pipit
Rufous-backed Sibia
Scarlet Minivet
Short-billed Minivet
Sooty-headed Bulbul
Spotted Dove
Striated Bulbul
Stripe-breasted Woodpecker
Taiga Flycatcher
Verditer Flycatcher
White-throated Kingfisher
Doi Inthanon National Park
Ashy Bulbul
Ashy Drongo
Ashy Wood-Pigeon
Ashy-throated Warbler
Asian Emerald Cuckoo
Asian Stubtail
Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike
Bianchi’s Warbler
Black Bulbul
Black-crested Bulbul
Black-headed Bulbul
Black-throated Parrotbill
Black-throated Sunbird
Black-winged Cuckooshrike
Blue Rock-Thrush
Blue Whistling-Thrush
Blue-throated Barbet
Blue-throated Flycatcher
Blue-winged Leafbird
Blyth’s Leaf Warbler
Bronzed Drongo
Brown-cheeked Fulvetta
Buff-chested Babbler
Chestnut-tailed Minla
Chestnut-vented Nuthatch
Common Buzzard
Common Iora
Common Tailorbird
Dark-sided Flycatcher
Eyebrowed Thrush
Fire-breasted Flowerpecker
Flavescent Bulbul
Golden-fronted Leafbird
Greater Coucal
Green-billed Malkoha
Green-tailed Sunbird
Grey Treepie
Grey Wagtail
Grey-backed Shrike
Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker
Grey-chinned Minivet
Grey-throated Babbler
Hair-crested Drongo
Hill Blue Flycatcher
Himalayan Shortwing
Hume’s Warbler
Indian White-eye
Japanese Tit
Large Hawk-Cuckoo
Lesser Racket-tailed Drongo
Little Pied Flycatcher
Little Spiderhunter
Long-tailed Minivet
Maroon Oriole
Martens’s Warbler
Mountain Bulbul
Mrs. Gould’s Sunbird
Olive-backed Pipit
Oriental Honey-buzzard
Oriental Magpie-Robin
Pied Bushchat
Pin-striped Tit-Babbler
Plumbeous Redstart
Puff-throated Babbler
Puff-throated Bulbul
Pygmy Cupwing
Rufous-bellied Niltava
Rufous-winged Fulvetta
Scarlet Minivet
Short-billed Minivet
Silver-eared Laughingthrush
Slaty-backed Forktail
Slaty-bellied Tesia
Slender-billed Oriole
Small Niltava
Snowy-browed Flycatcher
Spotted Dove
Square-tailed Drongo-Cuckoo
Streak-eared Bulbul
Streaked Spiderhunter
Striated Bulbul
Striated Yuhina
Stripe-breasted Woodpecker
Taiga Flycatcher
Velvet-fronted Nuthatch
Verditer Flycatcher
Wedge-tailed Green-Pigeon
White-capped Redstart
White-crowned Forktail
White-rumped Munia
White-rumped Shama
Yellow-bellied Fairy-Fantail
Yellow-browed Warbler
Yellow-cheeked Tit
Doi Pak Hom Pok National Park (Doi Lang)
Ashy Drongo
Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike
Bay Woodpecker
Bianchi’s Warbler
Black Billed
Black Bulbul
Black Drongo
Black-backed Sibia
Black-breasted Thrush
Black-crested Bulbul
Black-throated Sunbird
Black-winged Cuckooshrike
Blue Whistling-Thrush
Blue-bearded Bee-eater
Blue-throated Barbet
Bronzed Drongo
Chestnut-bellied Rock-Thrush
Chestnut-flanked White-eye
Chestnut-tailed Minla
Cook’s Swift
Crested Finchbill
Dark-sided Flycatcher
Daurian Redstart
Davison’s Leaf Warbler
Details
Eurasian Jay
Flavescent Bulbul
Giant Nuthatch
Golden-fronted Leafbird
Golden-throated Barbet
Great Barbet
Grey Bushchat
Grey Treepie
Grey-backed Shrike
Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker
Grey-chinned Minivet
Grey-headed Parakeet
Grey-headed Parrotbill
Hair-crested Drongo
Hill Blue Flycatcher
Hume’s Pheasant
Hume’s Warbler
Japanese Tit
Jerdon’s Bushchat
Lesser Racket-tailed Drongo
Lesser Yellownape
Little Pied Flycatcher
Long-tailed Minivet
Maroon Oriole
Mountain Bamboo-Partridge
Mountain Bulbul
Mountain Imperial-Pigeon
Mrs. Gould’s Sunbird
Olive-backed Pipit
Oriental Magpie-Robin
Oriental Turtle-Dove
Pacific Swift
Puff-throated Bulbul
Red Junglefowl
Rufescent Prinia
Rufous-backed Sibia
Rufous-bellied Niltava
Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher
Rusty-cheeked Scimitar-Babbler
Sapphire Flycatcher
Scarlet Minivet
Short-billed Minivet
Siberian Rubythroat
Silver-eared Laughingthrush
Silver-eared Mesia
Snowy-browed Flycatcher
Sooty-headed Bulbul
Spectacled Barwing
Spot-breasted Parrotbill
Spotted Dove
Streaked Spiderhunter
Striated Bulbul
Stripe-breasted Woodpecker
Ultramarine Flycatcher
Verditer Flycatcher
Wedge-tailed Green-Pigeon
White-browed Laughingthrush
White-gorgeted Flycatcher
White-spectacled Warbler
White-throated Fantail
Yellow-browed Warbler
Yunnan Fulvetta
Khao Yai National Park
Ashy Drongo
Ashy Woodswallow
Asian Brown Flycatcher
Bar Winged Flycatcher-shrike
Black Drongo
Black and Buff Woodpecker
Balck Headed Bulbul
Black Naped Oriole
Black-winged Cuckooshrike
Blue-bearded Bee-eater
Blue-winged Leafbird
chestnut-headed Bee-eater
Claudia’s Leaf Warbler
Common Myna
Crimson Sunbird
Dark-necked Tailorbird
Great Hornbill
Great Iora
Green-billed Malkoha
Grey Wagtail
Grey-backed Shrike
Grey-headed Canary-Flycatcher
Hair-crested Drongo
Hume’s White-eye
Large-billed Crow
Long-tailed Broadbill
Mountain Hawk-Eagle
Moustached Barbet
Orange-breasted Trogon
Oriental Pied-Hornbill
Pin-striped Tit-Babbler
Puff-throated Babbler
Red Collared-Dove
Red-headed Trogon
Red-wattled Lapwing
Scarlet Minivet
Shikra
Stripe-throated Bulbul
White-rumped Shama
White-throated Kingfisher
Yellow-vented Bulbul
Mae Faek Paddies
Amur Stonechat
Ashy Woodswallow
Asian Green Bee-eater
Asian Palm Swift
Barn Swallow
Black Drongo
Brown Shrike
Cattle Egret
Chestnut-headed Bee-eater
Chinese Pond-Heron
Common Myna
Eurasian Kestrel
Greater Coucal
Greater Painted-snipe
Grey-headed Lapwing
House Sparrow
Intermediate/Cattle Egret
Large-billed Crow
Little Egret
Oriental Magpie-Robin
Purple Heron
Red Collared-Dove
Red-rumped Swallow
Rock Dove (Feral Pigeon)
Scaly-breasted Munia
Siamese Pied Starling
Spotted Dove
White-breasted Waterhen
White-rumped Munia
Wire-tailed Swallow
Zebra Dove
Mae Ping National Park
Amur Stonechat
Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike
Black Drongo
Black-headed Woodpecker
Black-hooded Oriole
Blue-winged Leafbird
Burmese Shrike
Collared Falconet
Common Iora
Common Myna
Golden-fronted Leafbird
Greater Flameback
Greater Racket-tailed Drongo
Grey Heron
Grey-headed Parakeet
House Sparrow
Indochinese Roller
Intermediate Egret
Large Cuckooshrike
Large-billed Crow
Lesser/Eurasian Kestrel
Little Egret
Malaysian Pied-Fantail
Oriental Honey-buzzard
Plain Prinia
Plain-backed Sparrow
Red Collared-Dove
Red-billed Blue-Magpie
Red-wattled Lapwing
Red-whiskered Bulbul
Sooty-headed Bulbul
Streak-eared Bulbul
White-crested Laughingthrush
White-tailed Robin
Zebra Dove
Mueng Kao Paddies
Amur Stonechat
Asian Green Bee-eater
Black-collared Starling
Black-winged Kite
Blue-tailed Bee-eater
Brown Shrike
Common Iora
Common Myna
Eurasian Hoopoe
Eurasian Tree Sparrow
Freckle-breasted Woodpecker
Greater Coucal
Green-billed Malkoha
Grey Bushchat
House Sparrow
Malaysian Pied-Fantail
Oriental Magpie-Robin
Plaintive Cuckoo
Scaly-breasted Munia
Siamese Pied Starling
Sooty-headed Bulbul
Streak-eared Bulbul
Taiga Flycatcher
White Wagtail
White-breasted Waterhen
Zebra Dove
Nong Kra Hoh Marshes
Barn Swallow
Black Drongo
Blue Tailed Bee-eater
Bronze-winged Jacana
Chinese Pond Heron
Common Myna
House Sparrow
large Billed Crow
malaysian Pied Fantail
Rock Dove
Yellow Bittern
Zebra Dove
Nong Bong Khai Non-Hunting Area
Amur Stonechat
Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike
Amur Stonechat
Asian Brown Flycatcher
Barn Swallow
Black Drongo
Blue-tailed Bee-eater
Burmese Shrike
Grey-headed Swamphen
House Sparrow
Lesser Whistling-Duck
Little Grebe
Long-tailed Shrike
Red Collared-Dove
Rock Dove (Feral Pigeon)
Scaly-breasted Munia
White-breasted Waterhen
Yellow Bittern
Yellow-browed Warbler
Wiang Nom Lom – Pied Harrier Hide
Amur Falcon
Asian Green Bee-eater
Asian Openbill
Barn Swallow
Black Drongo
Brown Shrike
Cattle Egret
Chinese Pond-Heron
Common Iora
Eastern Marsh-Harrier
Eurasian Kestrel
Greater Coucal
Greater Racket-tailed Drongo
Grey Heron
Lesser Whistling-Duck
Pied Harrier
Red Collared-Dove
Sooty-headed Bulbul
Spotted Dove
Streak-eared Bulbul
Taiga Flycatcher
White Wagtail
Wiang Yong Paddies
Amur Stonechat
Asian Openbill
Barn Swallow
Black Drongo
Black-collared Starling
Chestnut-headed Bee-eater
Chinese Pond-Heron
Common Greenshank
Common Myna
Common Sandpiper
Eurasian Black-winged Stilt
Eurasian Coot
Eurasian Tree Sparrow
Garganey
Glossy Ibis
Great Egret
Green Sandpiper
House Sparrow
Intermediate Egret
Lesser Whistling-Duck
Little Egret
Northern Shoveler
Number observed: 1
Oriental Magpie-Robin
Pied Avocet
Pied Harrier
Red-rumped Swallow
Ruddy Shelduck
Scaly-breasted Munia
Siamese Pied Starling
Spotted Dove
Temminck’s Stint
Whiskered Tern
White Wagtail
White-breasted Waterhen
White-throated Kingfisher
Wire-tailed Swallow
Wood Sandpiper
Zebra Dove
Butterflies & Moths:
Cinnabar Moth
False Tiger Moth
Great Windmill Butterfly
Grey Count Butterfly
Orange Banded Pine Moth
Pantoporia Butterfly
Sailer Butterfly
Reptiles
Black Striped Frog
Brahminy Blind Snake
Brown Tree Frog
Cambodian Blue Crested Agama
Chinese Water Dragon
Speckle Bellied Keelback
Waggler’s Pit Viper
Wildlife
Asian Elephant
Asian Red Cheeked Squirrel
Barking Deer (Muntjac)
Broad Winged Damselfly
Carpenter Bee
Dragonflies
Finlayson Squirrel
Flat Backed Millipede
Gekko
Giant Black Squirrel
Grasshopper
Himalayan Striped Squirrel
Indochinese Ground Squirrel
Lantern Bug
Long Horned Orb Spider
Malayan Procupine
Northern Pig Tail Macaque
Northern Tree Shrew
Sambar Deer
THINGS TO DO
Thailand Parks
Bueng Boraphet – Birds / Scenery (lake trip and waterlilies)
Doi Ang Khang – Birds / Scenery
Doi Inthanon – Birds
Doi Lang (Doi Pha Hom Pok ) – Birds
Golden Triangle – Scenery
Khao Yai – Wildlife / Birds / Scenery
Mae Ping National Park – Birds
Thailand Temples – our top picks as there are many
Phra Prang Sam Yot, Lop Buri
Sukhothai Historic City, Sukhothai
Wat Similai Songtham, Khao Yai
Chiang Mai
Wat Bupparam
Wat Chedi Luang
Wat Chiang Man
Wat Duang Dee
Wat Lok Mali
Wat Phra Singh
Wat Phra That pha Ngao
Wat Sri Suphan
Wat Umong
Wat Upakhut
Chiang Rai
Wat Rong Khun
Wat Rong Suea Ten
WHERE TO STAY
Our favourite places
Rak Kun Resort 2 – Nakhon Sawan
The Centre of the Universe – Chiang Rai – http://therealcentreoftheuniverse.com/
The Frog – Khao Yai
So many options in Thailand, no need to book in advance unless you are fairly specific in what you want – the best places do get booked up at least a couple of weeks in advance – by that I mean the best cheap places, not high end.
The cheapest accommodation we had was 450 Baht per room per night, the most common cost would be around 700 – 900 Baht.
WHERE TO EAT
Chandlers Historic Garden Restaurant – Sukhothai
Radjarbar Indian – Chiang Rai
All National Park Cafes – amazing food and so cheap 40 Bhat for a good size curry and rice. In Khao Yai the best one was near the top, not the food court.
These were our stand out places, but plenty of good food all over and such variety of price and setting.
COSTS
NATIONAL PARKS:-
Very varied, a couple like Doi Lang are free but most are between 200 Baht and 400 Baht per person plus 20 Baht for your vehicle.
FUEL:-
42 Baht per litre for diesel on average.
ALCOHOL:-
100 Baht upwards for a can of beer in a restaurant.
100 Baht and up for a spirit in a bar or restaurant.
Supermarket beer – 65 Baht
Supermarket bottle of spirit – 270 Baht
Wine – can be found from 400 Baht (supermarket), but don’t bother as expensive and usually not good. In restaurant ridiculous price and usually gone acidic
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Great blog and wonderful photos