Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province is one of Thailand’s “birding hotspots” and is easily accessible from Bangkok. The park features a shoreline, freshwater marshes, mangrove swamps, and dramatic mountains rising sheer from the surrounding plains. In winter, it hosts a large number of migratory birds from northern Asia, including both shorebirds and raptors. It is recognised as a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention.

The Natural History Section of The Siam Society is organising a bird-watching trip to Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park from Friday, 29 to Sunday, 31 January, departing from The Siam Society in the early afternoon of Friday and returning in the early evening of Sunday. The trip will be led by Mr Philip Round, Assistant Professor Dr Khemthong Tonsakulrungruang, and Mr Jim Stent. Both Mr Philip Round and Mr Jim Stent serve on the Committee of the Natural History Section of The Siam Society.

Mr Phil Round is one of Thailand’s leading ornithologists, the author of several books on Thai birds, a contributor of scientific articles to the Society’s Natural History Bulletin, and a resident of Thailand for more than 40 years.

Dr Khemthong is an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Political Science, Chulalongkorn University. In addition to his academic work in law, he is an avid birder and bird conservationist who actively promotes bird conservation and raises awareness of nature in Thailand. He has also served on the committee of the Bird Conservation Society of Thailand (BCST).

This trip will be of interest to both experienced birders and those who may never have been birding before. Mr Philip and Dr Khemthong will lead us to the best vantage points for viewing the birds and identifying them by both their English and Thai names. We will see a great variety of birds, including freshwater aquatic species, raptors, shorebirds, herons, and a few woodland and dryland species. Under the guidance of Mr Phil and Dr Khemthong, we will not only identify the birds but will also learn about their habits, characteristics, and migration patterns. We may also see monkeys and other animals.

Additionally, we will visit a very special temple in the park, Kuha Kharuehat Pavilion in Phraya Nakhorn Cave. The temple was built in 1890 for King Rama V. In the late morning, sunlight shines through an opening in the cave ceiling, illuminating the golden pavilion with ethereal light.