A Natural Heritage
Thailand owes its diverse natural heritage to the large area it covers north too south, with weather in the northernmost areas reaching the freezing point in the cool season and the southernmost part remaining warm year round. Land features vary greatly from the central plains and plateaus to the northern mountainous areas and southern rain forests. With such a range also comes a wide variety plants and animals. SO much so that 13 percent of Thailand's land mass has been set aside for environmental protection, in the form of several national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and forest reserves, offering 79 sites in total

Khao Yai was Thailand's first national park, established in 1961, and has been designated recently an ASEAN Heritage site. When commercial resorts attempted to move into Khao Yai territory, they were prevented and finally banned completely by 1992. Now bungalows offer lodging for the visitor with little or no environmental impact, preserving Thailand's most popular park.

Khang Krachan Park covers nearly half of Petchaburi Province, and offers the vibrant life that comes with the heavy rainfall of the area. Over 250 confirmed species of birds, as well as tigers, elephants, bears and deer call the area home. For the true adventurer, long hikes to the several magnificent waterfall sites are available.

Doi Inthanon, Thailand's highest mountain, and the surrounding area, populated by many hill tribes, also sport some amazing waterfalls. Close to Chiang Mai, the park offers protection to many endangered species, and as a home to 400 species of birds, has become renowned the world over by bird watchers.

Erawan is another park popular for its waterfalls, one of which provides the park with its name for its resemblance to a three headed elephants of Hindu mythology. Close to Bangkok in Kanchanaburi, it is one of the most visited national parks.

Khao Luang in the South of Thailand offers local a complete recreational outlet. The park provides a rare opportunity to come in contact with a variety of unique species of birds and mammals. Twice a year, villagers lead a special hike up one of the park's mountains.

Khu Khut is a waterbird sanctuary, offering a respite for over 200 species of birds, the majority of which migrate from China during the winter. Thale Ban lies near the Malaysian border, and is home to wildlife largely indigenous to Malaysia and Indonesia. Thus, it offers a different experience from other parks in term of bird and animal watching.

Adventure Trekking
Trekking in Thailand, which started with groups of loosely organized backpackers interested in exploring Thailand's wilder regions, has become a well established business in the Kingdom. Northern Thailand is especially popular for this, offering rafting elephant rides, and a rare glimpse into hill tribe culture.

Gulf of Thailand Islands
The Gulf of Thailand offers something for every visitor. From the most luxurious resort, or most humble bungalow, Ko Samui is the place to be to meet other travelers. For greater quiet and lower prices, the island of Ko Phangan has proved a perennial favorite with backpackers. For the ultimate pure nature experience, Ang Thong National Park offers a series of 40 small islands, with hidden lagoons and remote beaches.

Andaman Sea Islands
Phuket is the main starting point for most visitors to Andaman Sea destination. Phuket itself is home to branches of nearly all the major hotels, situated on beaches that offer some of the most spectacular scenery in Thailand, from brilliant white sand beaches and coral islands to sheer limestone cliffs and forested inlets. From Phuket, other spectacular destinations can be accessed, including Ko Phi Phi's ancient cave drawings, Phangnga's exotic backdrop, which appeared in a James Bond film, and Krabi Province's Phra Nang, often called the most beautiful beach in the Andaman. Further south, the remote, rarely traveled beaches of Lanta and islands of Ko Tarlutao National Park offer more amazing natural beauty.

Diving
Diving sites now figure prominently in the popularity of both the Gule and Andaman Islands, with both areas rated among the best in the world. Thailand's underwater natural heritage is a breathtaking complement to the beauty of its islands. Ko Tao and Ko Samui both have booming diving industries, and are especially excellent for the beginner who would like to learn diving first hand in the sea. Ko Tao offers enough excellent instruction that the beginner can move to the expert level without ever leaving the island. With most industry on the island being siple and with few large hotels, Ko Tao offers a pristine diving location.

Phuket is the diving center of the Andaman Sea, and offers similar training for the novice diver, and dive experiences as varied as the surrounding islands themselves. From Phuket, in addition to group dives organized by local businesses, experienced groups can set out alone, renting a chartered yacht to discover their own location.

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