BirdwatchingKaeng Krachan

Ban Krang Camp

แคมป์บ้านกร่าง · Also: Ban Krang Campsite

A forest campsite in Kaeng Krachan National Park at the start of the road up to Phanoen Thung, well known for birdwatching and for dry-season swarms of butterflies on the mineral licks.

Ban Krang Camp is a Kaeng Krachan National Park campsite set in moist mixed deciduous and dry evergreen forest with big trees such as Hopea, Dipterocarpus and Afzelia. It is where the road up to Khao Phanoen Thung begins.

The camp is famous for butterflies: in the dry season swarms of many species settle on the mineral licks, best from morning to midday on sunny days. The bird and butterfly route runs from the Khao Sam Yot checkpoint to about km 18, with licks busy with butterflies around km 10–12, and the Huai Sam Yot reservoir near the checkpoint holds many waterbirds.

The surrounding forest is home to wild elephants, gaur, banteng, serow, tapir and marbled cat. From February to June many birds nest here, including great and wreathed hornbills, and there are nature trails around the camp.

The camp has a campsite, tents for hire, toilets and a park shop; book the Ban Krang camping ground through the national park booking system. The area closes every year from 1 August to 31 October.

When to go

Closed to visitors and campers every year from 1 August to 31 October. Butterflies gather at the mineral licks in the dry season, roughly March–May, from morning to early afternoon; February–June is nesting time for many birds.

Getting there

About 35 km from the visitor centre. Register at the visitor centre and pass the Khao Sam Yot checkpoint; the camp is at about km 15 counted from the checkpoint.

Things to do: BirdwatchingButterfliesWildlifeNature trailCampingPhotography
Facilities: CampsiteTents for hireToiletsFood

Sources and photos

Written from the sources below, read on 30 October 2026. Fees and opening can change, so check with the managing office before you go.