Kui Buri National Park

Kui Buri National Park (อุทยานแห่งชาติกุยบุรี) is a national park in Prachuap Khiri Khan, on the Northern Gulf Coast of Thailand. It is famous for its healthy population of wild elephants and gaur (Indian bison).

Kui Buri National Park was designated as a national park in March 1999, making it the 90th national park in Thailand. The national park occupies an area of 969 km² (374 sq mi).

The national park is also the place where sandalwood was harvested for the cremation of members of the royal family.

Kui Buri National Park is part of the Tanaosi Mountain range which separates Thailand and Myanmar. The landscape is divided into two major parts: undulating terrain and the more mountanious region, with the latter containg most of the forest.

The national park has three types of forests: evergreen forests, deciduous forests and some other types that occur as a result of forest restoration.

The national park has a variety of large animals including Asian elephants, gaur, serows (goat-like), Fea's barking deer, Asiatic black bears, leopards, and banteng (bovine). Bengal tigers returned to the park after more than a decade absence. The national park also hosts a variety of reptiles including different snakes, monitor lizards and turtles.

Like the rest of Thailand, there are three seasons, hot (March - early May), wet (Mid May - November), and cool/dry (December - February). The best time to visit is during the cool/dry season when the temperature is relatively lower and there is much less precipitation so it is easier to drive around the park, which can get very muddy during the rainy season. The dry season is also best to see animals as water sources have become more limited so elephants and gaur gather around the few water sources available.

The largest major road around the national park is Phet Kasem Road. Then at around the kilometre 295 marker, turn onto Provincial Highway 3217, follow the path and look for signs pointing to the national park (caution: do not follow signs to the national park headquarters but look for signs leading to the elephant viewing starting point if you want to go and see elephants and gaur).

For Thai nationals the entry fee is 20 baht for children and 40 baht for adults. Monks, children under 3 years old, elderly and disabled people enter for free. For foreigners, the entry fee is 100 baht for children and 200 baht for adults (2025).

There is also an extra free for transport as follows: bicycles free, motorcycles 20 baht, four-wheeled vehicles 30 baht, six-wheeled vehicles 100 baht, and vehicles with more than six wheels but less than 10 wheels 200 baht.

The best way to get around the national park is by car. However, to get to the elephant viewing point, you are required to use the national park's vehicle. It is around 200 baht per person for a shared vehicle or 850 baht for a private vehicle that can fit eight people, both come with a guide and driver.

12°3′23″N 99°37′59″E

Kui Buri National Park

• 12.14424599.6605751 Wildlife Safari (ชมช้างป่า กระทิง อุทยานแห่งชาติกุยบุรี), ☏ +663-251-0453. 2PM - 6PM. The marked starting point is at Huay Leuk Ranger Station (not the national park headquarters). Safari tours begin to depart at 2PM and finish at 6PM, with the highest chances of seeing elephants and gaur occurring after 3:30PM. The mandatory vehicle and guide can be booked at the spot and takes around an hour to complete the loop where the driver will take you to the major spots that elephants and gaur frequently visit. The national park boats a 95% success rate of seeing elephants, making it one of the best places to see them in the country. 850 baht per vehicle.  (updated Aug 2025)

There is a small gift shop near the pickup point to view elephants.

There are no restaurants in the national park. Travellers should be required to bring their own food. However there is a small store that sells non-alcoholic drinks at the departure point to view elephants.

There are no bars in the national park as alcohol is banned in Thai national parks.

There is a three-bedroom cabin available for rent at the national park headquarters for 1,800 baht per night (2025).

However there is at least one guesthouse located in Ban Ruam Thai village (บ้านรวมไทย), located right outside the national park.

There is a camping spot plus basic camping equipment available for rent at the national park headquarters. Tents and assoceries cost 270 baht and the camping spot, without any camping equipment costs 30 baht (2025).

Backcountry camping is not permitted in the national park.

Wild elephants and gaur, while generally safe, can sometimes be very dangerous especially at a close distance. Both types of animals have caused injuries and deaths in Thailand every year. When doing a safari, follow the guide's safety instructions.

Prachuap Khiri Khan. The capital of the province is just an hour south of the national park.

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