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Everything You Need to Know about Kui Buri National Park
- Where is Kui Buri National Park?
- Things to Know
- How to Get to Kui Buri National Park
- What to See and Do in Kui Buri National Park
- Join an Elephant Watching Tour
- Keep your eyes peeled for other animals at the park’s wildlife-watching area
- Create a checklist of Kui Buri National Park’s bird species
- Stop by Yang Chum Reservoir
- Hike on the marked trails near the park’s headquarters
- Where to Eat and Drink in Kui Buri National Park
- Kui Buri National Park Visitor Center
- KhruaNongOn
- Saab E Lee
- Where to Shop in Kui Buri National Park
- CJ Supermarket Nong Mu
- Eleven Yang Chum Intersection
- Mr. DIY
- Where to Stay in Kui Buri National Park
- Kui Buri National Park Headquarters
- Rai Kong Man Resort
- Little Swiss
- FAQs about Kui Buri National Park
Kui Buri National Park in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts. It’s a popular safari zone boasting a sprawling savanna that’s home to a diverse variety of wild animals and adorable elephants roaming freely.
Given its large wild elephant population, this park is ideal for watching these majestic beasts in their natural habitat. Its closeness to Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park and Namtok Huai Yang National Park makes it a solid choice for nature adventures.
Kui Buri National Park is certainly worth a visit, especially if you want to see nature at its best and are rooting for some safari action during your Thailand trip!
Where is Kui Buri National Park?
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Kui Buri National Park is in Hat Kham Subdistrict’s west end of the Prachuap Khiri Khan Province. The government-protected land is west of Kui Buri Town, east of the Thai-Myanmar border, and north of Bo Nok Subdistrict.
Things to Know
Phone: +66 81 776 2410
Operating Hours: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Admission Costs:
- 200 baht (Adults)
- 100 baht (Kids)
How to Get to Kui Buri National Park
Bus: The best way to get to Kui Buri National Park is to board a provincial bus at Bangkok’s Southern Bus Terminal bound for Prachuap Khiri Khan. From there, you must flag or book a taxi to get to the park’s headquarters.
With this, you should reach Kui Buri National Park in approximately 5 hours.
Train: A cheaper option is to board a train from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal in Bangkok to the railway station in Prachuap Khiri Khan. Afterward, you still need to catch a taxi to reach the Kui Buri National Park Headquarters.
The only downside is the slower travel time which takes approximately 6 hours.
What to See and Do in Kui Buri National Park
Join an Elephant Watching Tour
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Kui Buri National Park is well-known for its over 250 wild elephants so it’s a great place to go for elephant watching tours. Here, you can book a 6 to 8-person tour which includes a converted safari pick-up truck and an English-speaking guide.
The local guide takes visitors to known elephant grazing areas around the park, so expect to see these gentle beasts in herds of 8 on average. Keep in mind that you can only watch them from afar so rent a binocular from the park’s headquarters as well.
Note that elephant sightings in Kui Buri National Park are more common during the afternoon, so plan accordingly! Also, don’t forget your umbrella because the park’s pick-up trucks don’t have roofs.
Keep your eyes peeled for other animals at the park’s wildlife-watching area
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Aside from Kui Buri National Park’s large elephant population, it’s also frequented for its diverse wildlife. Going here gives you the best chance to spot a wide range of wild animals, from Malaysian tapirs to leopards, tigers, gaurs, and more.
Most of these animals can be seen at the park’s designated wildlife-watching area, but you can also spot several species at the park’s headquarters and its nearby hiking trails.
For instance, Asian black bears may show up at the visitor’s center looking for food.
Create a checklist of Kui Buri National Park’s bird species
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Kui Buri National Park is a hidden gem for birdwatchers. This nature reserve has over 80 recorded bird species, so it’s one of the best places for birding trips in Prachuap Khiri Khan.
It also has 3 birdwatching spots: the park’s general area, Ban Yan Su Reservoir, and Yang Chum Reservoir. The general area is known for its sightings of oriental pied hornbills, greater flamebacks, etc.
Meanwhile, Ban Yan Su Reservoir and Yang Chum Reservoir are great for spotting water birds. Think Asian openbill, Chinese pond heron, painted storks, and more.
Stop by Yang Chum Reservoir
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Yang Chum Reservoir is a popular attraction within Kui Buri National Park. Here, you can enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of a massive lake and its surrounding lush greeneries and mountainscapes.
For the best view, we suggest heading to the road east of the reservoir. Visitors can soak in the scenery from the side of the road but there’s also an accessible dirt path on the reservoir’s southeast end if you like to set up a picnic blanket next to the lake.
This reservoir is also great for fly fishing, so be sure to bring fishing equipment during your visit.
Hike on the marked trails near the park’s headquarters
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Kui Buri National Park is known for its nature trails, especially near its headquarters and ranger stations. These marked trails are short and straightforward so they’re ideal for quick nature walks.
Visitors can also bring bicycles to the park for an easier time exploring its dirt roads. The best trail from the park’s headquarters is the one on the north which leads to Ban Yan Su Reservoir.
Where to Eat and Drink in Kui Buri National Park
Kui Buri National Park Visitor Center
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Address: Hat Kham, Kui Buri District, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Thailand
Phone: +66 81 776 2410
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Good to know: Good for Thai food
The visitor’s center in Kui Buri National Park’s headquarters has a basic restaurant and cafe, so it’s a convenient place to get a decent meal of made-to-order Thai dishes..
They also serve regular coffee and provide a complimentary water dispenser for visitors.
KhruaNongOn
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Address: 70, 2 Hat Kham, Kui Buri District
Phone: +66 95 525 5536
Pricing: ฿
Operating Hours: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. (Saturday – Thursday)
Good to know: Good for Thai food
KhruaNongOn is a top-rated restaurant in Hat Kham, so it’s certainly worth the 17-minute drive from Kui Buri National Park. It specializes in traditional local dishes like yen ta fo, pad Thai, crispy sun-dried pork, and more..
Its sizable food portions, affordable pricing, and relaxing open-air dining area next to a garden are also a plus.
Saab E Lee
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Address: Sam Krathai, Kui Buri District
Phone: +66 80 656 4466
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours: 10 a.m. – 8:05 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Good to know: Good for Thai food
Saab E Lee is an accessible restaurant along Phet Kasem Road in Sam Krathai, so it’s a convenient option if you’re driving to Kui Buri National Park. This place boasts a massive menu featuring a wide selection of Thai dishes.
They also serve a nice selection of local and imported alcoholic beverages like Regency, 100 Pipers, Heineken, Singha, etc.
Where to Shop in Kui Buri National Park
CJ Supermarket Nong Mu
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Address: 57/2 Moo 7, Kui Buri District
Phone: +66 95 370 8757
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours: 6 a.m. – 10 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Good to know: Good for daily essentials, snacks
Cj Supermarket is a local convenience store chain, so it’s a reliable option if you need to stock up on daily essentials and snacks for your Kui Buri National Park trip.
Their inventory includes cosmetics, basic toiletries, baby products, and packaged food. They also have an accessories section where you can buy cheap purses, gloves, and socks.
You can also find mobile phone accessories like brick chargers, USB cables, car chargers, phone holders, and more. Plus, they sell fast food-quality snacks like iced coffees, smoothies, cupcakes, and bread toasts.
7-Eleven Yang Chum Intersection
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Address: Kui Buri, Kui Buri District
Phone: +66 2 826 7744
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours: 24 Hours (Monday – Sunday)
Good to know: Good for travel essentials, snacks
This 7-Eleven store along the Yang Chum Intersection is one of the closest convenience stores to Kui Buri National Park. It’s a great place to shop for travel essentials like battery packs, spare socks, bug sprays, phone chargers, and more.
They also sell a wide range of toiletries like paper towels, sunscreens, wet wipes, and hand sanitizers. Moreover, you can stock up on numerous packaged snacks.
Mr. DIY
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Address: 770, Aonoi, 5, Prachuap Khiri Khan
Phone: +66 2 316 7401
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours: 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Good to know: Good for all-around shopping
Mr. DIY is a popular home improvement retailer offering a wide range of products, so it’s definitely worth the 50-minute drive from Kui Buri National Park. Here, you can shop for hardware tools, household items, toys, electronic devices, and more.
For travelers, their most popular items include phone accessories, car accessories, apparels, and cosmetics. They also have travel essentials like wash towels, wet wipes, USB cables, and electric shavers.
This retail store is also known for its reasonable prices, so it’s a great option if you’re shopping on a budget.
Where to Stay in Kui Buri National Park
Kui Buri National Park Headquarters
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Address: Hat Kham, Kui Buri District, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Thailand
Phone: +66 81 776 2410
Pricing: ฿
Operating Hours: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Good to know: Good for backpackers
The rental cabin and tents at the Kui Buri National Park Headquarters are a practical option if you’re looking for a place to stay during your visit. Just know that their cabin only has 3 rooms, so we suggest booking ahead of time if you want to secure a spot.
Otherwise, your only option is to rent a tent that you can pitch in the grassy campsite next to the headquarters’ parking area. Pillows, blankets, sleeping mats, and mattresses are also available at the visitor’s center.
Campers also have access to 2 communal bathrooms. Also, you can bring your own tent and pay the 30 baht camping fee.
Rai Kong Man Resort
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Address: 127, 8, Hat Kham, Kui Buri District
Phone: +66 80 691 1113
Pricing: ฿
Operating Hours: 24 Hours (Monday – Sunday)
Good to know: Good for budget travelers
Rai Kong Man Resort is a budget-friendly hotel near Kui Buri National Park. This charming place provides sizable concrete and wooden cabins, with the essential amenities and en-suite bathrooms, for 2 to 3 guests.
The hotel also has a pondside farm where they grow flowers, vegetables, and fruit trees. There, you can enjoy activities like boat paddling, cycling, picnicking, and farm tours.
You can look forward to their complimentary breakfast with traditional Thai desserts!
Little Swiss
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Address: Hat Kham, Kui Buri District
Phone: +66 91 190 8625
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours: 24 Hours (Monday – Sunday)
Good to know: Good for couples, families
Little Swiss is a breathtaking hotel surrounded by vast grass fields and lush mountainscapes. It has modern bungalows with minimalist interiors, en-suite bathrooms, flat-screen TVs, AC, and more.
But the hotel’s best feature is its tree-lined garden with photo spots, hammocks, tree decks, and outdoor benches. You can also pitch a tent here if you want a more nature-ish experience.
This hotel also provides free bicycles in case you want to explore the neighborhood.
