Kuiburi National Park by Pongpol Adireksarn

Kuiburi National Park by Pongpol Adireksarn

Nov. 10, 2023, Kuiburi National Park, a component of the Kaeng Krachan Forest Complex, became Thailands latest UNESCO natural World Heritage Site in 2021. The park is renowned for its wildlife, particularly the Asian elephant (an endangered species) and gaur (a vulnerable species), making it convenient to spot them during a game drive. In my numerous visits to Kuiburi, Ive consistently encountered elephant and gaur. During my most recent trip on November 10, 2023, I sighted four tuskless bull elephants, known as makhnas, at four different sites. Additionally, I came across a few small herds of gaur, Indian bison native to South Asia and Southeast Asia, totaling approximately 30 animals grazing in separate locations. While Kuiburi is also a habitat for the Indochinese tiger and dhole, locating them proves to be very challenging.

Asian makhna elephant No. 1

Gaur