Animal is a wildlife docuseries on Netflix which gives viewers fascinating insights into the systematic relationships that exist between animals and the environment. The two seasons of this series confirm that rich forests provide a sanctuary and habitat for various wild animals.
With an abundance of natural resources and a thriving ecosystem, Khao Yai National Park is the first national park in Thailand. Located not far from Bangkok, this wildlife sanctuary covers 2,165 square kilometers in 4 provinces; Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Ratchasima, Prachinburi, and Saraburi.
Khao Yai National Park was registered as a World Heritage Site under the “World Heritage of Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex” on the 14th of July 2005, making it the 184th Natural World Heritage Site. The park’s outstanding natural attributes make it one of Thailand’s most important and significant natural habitats for the in-situ conservation of biological diversity, including threatened species of outstanding universal value from the point of view of science or conservation.
The site as a whole comprises 5 protected areas: Khao Yai National Park, Pang Sida National Park, Thap Lan National Park, Ta Phraya National Park, and Dong Yai Wildlife Sanctuary.
Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex plays a key role in conserving biodiversity and diverse ecosystems, including tropical rainforests, montane rainforests, dry evergreen forests, mixed deciduous forests, and deciduous dipterocarp forests. Grasslands, along with limestone forests and riparian forests, are also scattered throughout the area.
An amazing 805 animal species have been recorded in Khao Yai, comprising mainly 112 mammal species, 392 bird species, and 205 reptile and amphibian species. Among all the animal species, three are endangered: wild elephant, tiger, and banteng. Many species are vulnerable, including the southern pig-tailed macaque, stump-tailed macaque, pileated gibbon, large porcupine, dhole, Asiatic black bear, clouded leopard, gaur, serow, pale-capped pigeon, Siamese fireback, peacock and finfoot. If they are lucky, visitors to the park might even be able to catch a glimpse of other endangered animals, such as freshwater crocodiles. This is also one of the few places in the world where the pileated and white-handed gibbons live together.
From Bangkok, take Phaholyothin Road, passing Rangsit and Saraburi, before turning right onto Mittraphap. From here, pass Muak Lek, and then turn right again at Pak Chong intersection (KM. 58) onto highway no. 2090 (Thanarat Road) and drive for another 20 kilometers to the entrance of the national park. It’s open daily from 06.00 am-06.00 pm. Please contact the visitor center for more information (08.30 am-04.30 pm) at Tel. 08 6092 6529.
