Phu Kradueng National Park

Phu Kradueng is the best known mesa mountain in the region and is itself part of a national park. It is a combination of pine forest and meadow with wild orchids around the waterfalls and brooks of the plateau. It is a rich habitat for wildlife, rare birds and a rare turtle called Pulu, or turtle with tail.

Activities : An ideal location to study flora and wild orchids with camping at the end of the rainy season and beginning of the cool season. The area is closed to the public from May to the beginning of October.

Getting there : By road on highway 1 through Saraburi province and then onto highway 21 for 20 kilometres, turning right at the main intersection to highway 12 on to Lom Sak district, Phetchaburi province. Continue on highway 201 to Loei province, turning left to highway 2019 to kilometre 278 and then taking a final turn for another 8 kilometres to reach the park office.

What to bring : Warm clothes in the winter months.

Songkhla Lake and Thale Noi

A national park with a lake for water-birds, located in Songkhla and Phatthalung provinces. It is the largest lake in the country full of marine plants, especially water lilies and migrating birds.

Activities : Cruising the lake bird-watching and observing plant life and visiting local villagers.

Getting there : By rail and road to Phatthalung province and on to Ban Thale Noi at Khuan Khanun district.

When to go : October to May.

Khao Luang National Park

The largest north-eastern forest covering Saraburi, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Nayok, Prachin Buri abd Sra Kaeo provinces. The park's mountains are watersheds for several waterfalls. It is one of the best refuges in Thailand for animals and birds in the wild and remains the most likely spot to see wild tiger or elephant. There is a river for rafting.

Activities : Trekking, bird and butterfly watching, animal spotting (elephants and tiger), raft riding and camping.

Getting there : There are two ways to reach Khao Yai. Either by taking highway 2 to Prachin Buri and Nakhon Ratchasima and turning right at kilometres 165-166 for another 40 kilometres; or by taking highway 33 from Nakhon Nayok to Aranyaprathet for about 21 kilometres to the Noen Hom intersection and then turning onto highway 3077 for another 45 kilometres.

What to bring : A sweater in the cooler months; mosquito repellent.

Sirindhorn Peat Swamp Forest

The Sai Yok National Park encompasses the famous Kwae Noi river of Kanchanaburi province. The park is a forest with caves on the river bank. The smallest mammal in the world, Kitti's Hog-nosed Bat weighing just two grams, is found here. Sai Yok is the name of the most famous waterfall in the country.

Activities : House-boat riding on the Kwae Noi RIver, exploring caves, riding mountain bikes, elephant riding and canoeing.

Getting there : A distance of 97 kilometres on highway 323 (Kanchanaburi-Thong Phaphum) you turn right at kilometre 97 and continue for a further three kilometres.