One of the best trips you can take from Bangkok is to Sam Roi Yot National Park located on the coast of Prachuap Khiri Khan Province right south of Hua Hin.
This is about 255 km (3 hours) from Bangkok.
It covers 61,300 rai ~ 98 square kilometres of which 13,050 rai ~ 21 square kilometres are marine areas. The park was established in 1966, and was the first coastal national park of Thailand.
Address: 4XH3+CFX, Khao Daeng, Kui Buri District, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Thailand
Phone: 032 821 568
It is not possible to get to the park with public transportation options. Private transportation is needed, either by own car/bike or with taxi arrangements.
It is possible to arrange a day trip with a taxi from Hua Hin to Khao Sam Roi Yot for 2,200 Baht or even more from Bangkok. Please see our taxi details page for more info.
The main attractions of the national park are Phraya Nakhon Cave with its iconic royal pavilion and huge chamber, Kaeo Cave and Thung Sam Roi Yot Freshwater Marsh. The park is also a nice destination for its rich wildlife in freshwater marsh and mangrove forests, beautiful beaches, limestone islands, trails and viewpoints.
The forests on the mountains are home to some mammals like fishing cats, dusky leaf monkeys, crab-eating macaques, Malayan porcupines, Indochinese serows and Sunda slow lorises.
Khao Sam Roi Yot is home to a great diversity of bird species making it another great destination for birders. Around 355 bird species recorded from the park, half of them migratory birds. It is one of the best places in Thailand to see waterbirds on the flight path between Asia and Australia around January/February. Spotted crakes, Jack snipes, Swinhoe’s snipes, steppe eagles, western marsh harriers, sharp-tailed sandpipers, long-billed partridges and Baer’s pochard are a few rare birds that have been reported from the park, some of these records may be very old.
Dolphins are regularly seen off the coast, although the sighting is not guaranteed, boat tours can be arranged from most hotels in the area. Occasionally irrawaddy dolphins also show up near the coast.
Named after the national park, Sam Roi Yot bent-toed gecko (Cyrtodactylus samroiyot) and Sam Roi Yot leaf-toed gecko (Dixonius kaweesaki) are two endemic species of geckos currently only known from the park.
Camping
It is possible to camp at Laem Sala Beach and Sam Phraya Beach. Tents available at both beaches from 150 Baht for 2 people, 225 Baht for 3 people and 300 Baht for 4 people. Accessories can be rented per person; pillow 10 Baht, blanket 10 Baht, sleeping bag 30 Baht, sheet 20 Baht.
Park accommodations
There are only two rooms available for rent near the headquarters, one is for 1,000 Baht for 5 people, the other is 1,400 Baht for 5 people.
There are few rooms at Laem Sala Beach; 1,600 Baht for 6 people, 2,000 Baht for 8 people and 2,200 Baht for 9 people.
A significant discount will apply when booked for Mon-Thu.
The park accommodations can be booked through the DNP website in advance. As the money transfer must be done within 2 days and the fact that it takes a longer time with transfers from abroad, it is only possible to book from within Thailand only. Payments can be done at 7-Eleven convenience stores or banks.
Eat
There are restaurants at Laem Sala Beach and Sam Phraya Beach campsites. Many other restaurants are spread out in the park, a bunch of cheaper options can be found at the car park area of Phraya Nakhon and Laem Sala Beach entrance.
