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What You Need to Know About the 10 Best Stargazing Spots in Thailand [+ Insider Tips!]
An artist may dismiss a dark canvas as too gloomy to backdrop a head-turning artwork, however trailblazing. But to tell you, the night skies, as dark as it is, have never failed to amaze us.
Anywhere you are in the country, be it in the glitziest hotel in Bangkok or the most touristy white-sand beaches of Phuket, there’s nothing as breathtaking as stargazing on a clear night sky. It’s just that some places work best for dark sky tourism.
Don’t worry, you need not scour the country to chase the best views of the Milky Way for hours. In this post, we’ll give you a breakdown of the best stargazing hotspots that will surely present the dark skies in the most enchanting light. Read on.
Doi Inthanon National Park
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Address: Doi Inthanon National Park, Ban Luang, Mae Chaem District, Chiang Mai
Operating Hours: 5 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Contact Number: +66 53 286 729
Admission Costs:
- 300 baht (Adults)
Best Time to Visit:
- November to February (dry season)
You may not be able to get a better dark sky viewpoint than the Doi Inthanon National Park. This mountain range is “the roof of Thailand” rising 2,656 meters above sea level to give you a stunning view of the Milky Way like no other.
Gifted with far less light pollution than in the major cities, Doi Inthanon has the ideal conditions for stargazing. Plus, these mountain ranges are a camper’s paradise, boasting unrivaled biodiversity and IG-worthy panoramic views.
Make the most of the campsite’s basic facilities, which include cooking areas, showers and restrooms. But if you want more comfort, guesthouses and bungalows are yours for the taking at a price on a first-come-first-serve basis.
Pro Tip:
Anywhere in the Doi Inthanon mountains should offer a great spot for stargazing. But if you want to get the best views, the Doi Inthanon Summit shouldn’t fail you as the Kew Mae Pan Nature Trail and the less popular Ang Ka Nature Trail.
Khao Sok National Park
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Address: Phanom District, Surat Thani
Operating Hours: 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Contact Number: +66 77 395 154
Admission Costs:
- 200 baht (adult tourists)
- 100 baht (kids aged 3 to 14)
Best Time to Visit:
- November to April (dry season)
Located near Phuket and Krabi, Khao Sok National Park is dwarfed by other more popular tourist destinations. Truth be told, however, it’s hard to find a more jaw-dropping dark sky destination than the government-protected lot.
With limited light pollution, Khao Sok will stretch your imagination at night when the stars shine brightest on a clear sky. With an area of 285 square miles, the reservation with stunning limestone cliffs won’t run out of viewpoints for stargazing.
You’ll understand why many stargazers and nature lovers camp it out here. What’s more, guided treks await and you can bide your time waiting for the perfect hour to fall.
Pro Tip:
To change things up a bit, stay the night at floating bungalows on the beautiful Cheow Larn Lake. The serene lake is located at the heart of Khao Sok National Park and will surely astound you with its calm beauty.
Koh Lipe
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Address: Satun
Operating Hours: 6 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Contact Number: +66 63 643 1744
Admission Costs:
- 200 baht (adults)
- 100 baht (kids)
Best Time to Visit:
- November to April (dry season)
Called the “Maldives of Thailand,” Koh Lipe is a hidden gem in the Andaman Sea that won’t disappoint as a beach paradise. Part of the Taurato National Marine Park, this rather small island is a major attraction in the country’s dark sky tourism.
Being remote, there is minimal light pollution at Koh Lipe. This is especially true in Sunset Beach and Sunrise Beach, where the night skies open like a big giant artwork showing galactic wonder in the most enchanting of lights.
Plus, many resorts there are equipped with telescopes for guest use. Still, even when you’re just lying on the beach, you can’t help but notice the beautiful tapestry coming alive above you.
Pro Tip:
While at Koh Lipe, tons of adventures await you. The island is filled with secret lagoons and hidden caves, not to mention crystal-clear waters that would surely take you a day or more to explore before nighttime arrives.
Pai
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Address: Pai District, Mae Hong Son
Best Time to Visit:
- November to February (cool, dry season)
Pai is a quaint little town filled with gorgeous mountains and with well-manicured landscape that brings about stunning sunrises. Even better, the clear night sky here is mindblowing, unlike any you may have seen before!
Many campers are happy to pitch a tent amongst the lush mountainside with the tall pine trees. You’ll realize that the beautiful sky above becomes even more beautiful when you can enjoy it all in peace, minus the noise.
Pro Tip:
Some cafes and viewpoints offer the best view of the night sky in Pai. For one, Yun Lai Viewpoint shows you an unobstructed panoramic POV of the valley during the day and an unrivaled vista of the dark sky when night falls.
Khao Yai National Park
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Address: Nakhon Ratchasima
Operating Hours: 6 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Contact Number: +66 86 092 6529
Admission Costs:
- 200 baht (adult tourists)
- 100 baht (kids aged 3 to 14)
Best Time to Visit:
- November to February (dry season)
A UNESCO World Heritage site, Khao Yai National Park won’t disappoint if you’re bent on seeing the most enchanting view of the night sky. Boasting 836 sq. miles of lush forests and grasslands, this is the third largest national park in Thailand,
Filled to the brim with all sorts of flora and fauna, Khao Yai is a remote place with less light pollution. Put in the mix its wide open spaces and you’re assured of an ideal setting to see the beauty of the Milky Way unwrap before your very eyes.
For great views, head to camping grounds, Lam Takhong and Khao Rom. There, you can pitch a tent, enjoy the company of strangers as the twilight approaches, and soak yourself in the incomparable beauty of the night sky.
Pro Tip:
You should bring an insect repellant. Along with all the wild animals, Khao Yai has an extensive number of insects that could become pesky disturbing you when you’re all caught up in the enchanting beauty of the night sky.
Huai Nam Dang National Park
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Address: 8H3X+HGH, Kuet Chang, Pai District, Mae Hong Son
Operating Hours: 6 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Contact Number: +66 66 643 1744
Admission Costs:
- 300 baht (adult tourists)
- 150 baht (kids aged 3 to 14)
Best Time to Visit:
- October to February (dry season)
Off the bat, Huai Nam Dang National Park is famous for its jaw-dropping “sea of mist” that would open up the mornings of visitors brave enough to hike to the top. And yet, the evenings won’t fall short as the night sky comes alive with all the stars.
With virgin forests and a host of natural tourist spots, Huai Dam has little light pollution. This makes the mountainous reservation of over a thousand square miles the perfect location to admire the galactic beauty of the heavens above.
Part of the Amazing Dark Sky project of Thailand, Huai Dam is a dark sky conservation area. That means the government has recommended key stargazing travel routes to make the most of your time at the park.
Pro Tip:
If you want to venture into a viewing site guaranteed to give you the best seats looking at the heavens above, head to the Kiew Lom area. Not only is it serene and picturesque during the day, but it’s also a popular vantage point for stargazers.
Pha Luang Waterfall Forest Park
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Address: J95H+3GR, Na Loen, Si Mueang Mai District, Ubon Ratchathani
Operating Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Admission Costs:
- 300 baht
Best Time to Visit:
- November to February (dry season)
Located in the Ubon Ratchathani Province, Pha Luang Waterfall Forest Park isn’t exactly the most stunning waterfall on the land. The truth is the waterfall is small bereft of a stream but the view at the top is out of this world.
However, at the top of the 20-meter waterfall is a hilltop with a large rocky plain that serves as the perfect vista to see the beauty of the valley of greens below. It’s the perfect location to see the celestial bodies come alive above you at night.
This park’s wide open spaces dotted with short, stunted trees have become a haven for stargazers and campers alike.
Pro Tip:
Wear non-slip shoes. The rocks near the waterfalls can be slippery and dangerous if you’re not careful.
Summit Green Valley Chiang Mai Country Club
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Address: 186 หมู่ที่ 1 186 หมู่ที่ 1 Chotana Rd, Mae Sa, Mae Rim District, Chiang Mai
Operating Hours: 5 a.m. – 8 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Contact Number: +66 53 298 222
Admission Costs:
- 7,900 baht per person (may go down if with a group)
Best Time to Visit:
- November to February (dry season)
The hefty entrance fee tells you that Summit Green is an exclusive country club. But if you really want to take a better look at the night skies, it’s worth the price.
Once you’re all set, expect a spectacle beyond the imagination as you journey through constellations and heavenly bodies. You can even go a step up from the usual stargazing enterprise done by many.
You can also schedule events like weddings here. It’s bound to be magical as it’s all under the cosmic blanket of the beautiful canopy above.
Pro Tip:
There are eight guest rooms you can book in Summit Green Valley if you choose to stay the night. This is a premier country club so the camping grounds are equipped with restaurants, a cafe, and shared bathrooms.
Si Nan National Park
Address: Unnamed Rd Tambon Chiang Khong Amphoe Na Noi Chang Wat Nan
Operating Hours: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Contact Number: +66 5462 6700,+66 5470 1106
Admission Costs:
- 100 baht (adult tourists)
- 50 baht (kids aged 3 to 14)
Best Time to Visit:
- November to February (dry season)
At day, you can’t help but be astounded by all the beauty that surrounds you when at Si Nan National Park, especially at Doi Samer Dao and Pha Chu viewpoints. But the night sky here poses an irresistible charm too unlike any other.
Nighttime at Si Nan National Park (at about 700 meters above sea level) is simply out of this world. With little light pollution, the unobstructed view of the sky has become a haven for stargazers and campers alike!
With that said, expect a company of strangers complete with their long lenses when camping. Pitching a tent high above is a great idea if you want to enjoy your quest for the Milky Way to the fullest.
Pro Tip:
There are basic lodges with shared bathrooms available in the park. Bring provisions as there’s only a small store inside the reservation.
Khirimala Eco Camp
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Address: H6RM+6PW, Suan Phueng, Suan Phueng District, Ratchaburi
Operating Hours: 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Contact Number: +66 98 316 3868
Admission Costs:
- 100 baht
Best Time to Visit:
- November to February (dry season)
Khirimala is merely a 2-hour drive from Bangkok, but it’s devoid of light pollution! The night sky here is a to-die-for spectacle that’s bound to leave you speechless.
The lush forest here won’t disappoint as well! It will definitely get you closer to nature with its vast expanse and thriving flora and fauna.
Best of all, you can take your 4x4s and camper vans with you so you can enjoy the best views of the Milky Way the night offers.
Pro Tip:
Make the most of their site activities for stargazers. Milky Way Photography, Star Observation Camp, and Astronomy Camp will help you hone your craft even more.
