Thap Lan National Park

Thap Lan is Thailand’s second-largest national park (roughly 2,240 km² spread across the Korat Plateau in Nakhon Ratchasima and Prachinburi) and part of the Dong Phayayen–Khao Yai UNESCO World Heritage forest. It’s named for the lan (talipot) palm, and protects one of the few large fan-palm forests left in the northeast. Entry is around 100 THB for foreign adults, and it’s a park for camping, hiking and viewpoints rather than a quick roadside stop.

What to see and do

The signature sight is the lan palm forest, a remnant of the fan-palm groves that once covered much of the region before farming cleared them. Beyond it, the park runs to cliff viewpoints and waterfalls: Pha Khep Tawan, in the Thai Samakkhi sector, is known for sunsets and a cool-season sea of mist, with camping and small farm attractions nearby, while Suan Hom waterfall sits atop a mountain with panoramic views and its own campground. It’s a big, quiet, working conservation area: you come to spend time in it, not tick it off.

Insider Tip: Camp at one of the viewpoint sites for the cool-season mornings: the sea of mist that pools below the cliffs from late rainy season into winter is the park at its best, and it’s gone by mid-morning.

Getting there

The park headquarters is at Bu Phram in Na Di district, Prachinburi; the northern sectors are reached from Wang Nam Khiao in Nakhon Ratchasima. It’s rural, with little public transport, so bring your own vehicle. Pay the entry fee at the gate (around 100 THB for foreigners; fees vary), and the park is open daily, roughly 08:00 to 18:00.

Watch out: Facilities are basic and spread out: bring water, sun protection and insect repellent, and expect leeches on the trails after rain. Book camping ahead in the cool-season peak.

Thap Lan spans Prachinburi and Nakhon Ratchasima, with a small part in Buriram, adjoining the wider Khao Yai forest. View on Google Maps.