Blogs from Kaeng Krachan NP, Western Thailand, Thailand, Asia

I started early again at the same time because for my last day in Kaeng Krachan I had a second day with the same guide and vehicle. This time, rather than head straight to the highest altitude place, we started the morning birding at the lower altitude and we birded along the road stopping all along the way and looking at the various birds that could be seen from near the road. A particular highlight from this part was a Black Giant Squirrel. We then continued past the first campsite starting up the road to the second campsite, but we stopped still within the lower altitude area (mostly between the first and third stream and a bit beyond the third stream for anyone who knows the National Park) to find various birds walking along trails through ... read more

After arriving in the dark last night, I was keen to get up to see the grounds of Kaeng Krachan, so I was up just before sunrise to look around. The grounds of Baan Maka are very nice with a pond covered in lotus flowers and of course lots of birds as well as two species of squirrels. I think most of the species I saw around the grounds are pretty common, but they were all exciting for me (again, see the big year list which is yet to be posted). I birded around the grounds of Baan Maka for about an hour and a half until I could get my family up to have breakfast to go to the national park because today I would be going around the national park in our hire car ... read more

We arrived in Thailand caked in dust and mud, with Robin half blind. The Thai border post was the smartest building we had seen in ages, covered in portraits of the Thai King and the Red, White and Blue flag. We would soon learn these are omnipresent. Everything was just so much cleaner and tidier than Cambodia, something we felt highly conscious of as we stood stinking and covered mud in a queue of smart, clean, and perfumed backpackers to clear immigration. Our bikes looked little better than us and about 2km into the country Erika's chain broke in protest. We felt it was trying to tell us something. That fixed we dived into the Market Motel, Aranyaprathet and headed for their swimming pool. We were going to like Thailand, there was so much more stuff ... read more

You may remember my previous visit to this remote Karien Village on the border of Mynamar (Burma). Last time, I was only there for a few hours. This time I had permission to stay for 5 days, in order to find out more about what is needed here, & to write up a volunteer specification for future volunteers. I also had the chance to get involved with a lesson at the local school. The WWF are working with the local population to educate them about conservation. There is a big problem here as they slash & burn the rain forest to make way for their crops. They are also close to the habitat to the last surviving Siamese Crocodile population in Thailand (which is something I had at the back of my mind when showering in ... read more

We got up early today after sampling Tongbai's herbal whisky last night. It's market day in 1 of the local villages. Have a look at the pictures & soak up the atomosphere.... read more