Khao Phaeng Ma Wildlife Sanctuary

Wild gaur — Southeast Asia’s largest wild cattle, standing close to two metres at the shoulder — graze in open clearings near the Khao Sung high-point checkpoint inside Khao Phaeng Ma, part of the forest complex that spills south from Khao Yai National Park into Wang Nam Khiao district. A herd here has grown to roughly 280-300 animals, protected by the area’s non-hunting status and steady water and forage, and it’s become one of the most dependable places in Thailand to watch wild gaur without a fence between you and them.

The area’s formal designation is a Wildlife Non-Hunting Area rather than a Wildlife Sanctuary proper — a narrower legal category under Thailand’s park system that still bans hunting but carries different management rules. Locally and among visitors it’s simply known as “Wang Nam Khiao Gaur City,” and the Khao Sung checkpoint viewpoint is the specific spot people mean when they talk about visiting. It sits at elevation with sweeping views over the surrounding forest, and on a clear evening the combination of grazing gaur herds and open horizon is the draw that’s turned this into a minor camping-and-wildlife pilgrimage for Bangkok weekenders.

Insider Tip: Go in the late afternoon and plan to stay past sunset — gaur move out into open ground to graze as the heat drops, and sightings in the middle of the day are far less reliable than the golden-hour window.

Beyond the gaur, the forest holds the usual cast of a Khao Yai-adjacent habitat: hornbills moving between tree canopies, gibbon calls at dawn, and streams that draw smaller wildlife to the water’s edge. But be honest with yourself about why you’re going — this isn’t a general wildlife park with guaranteed sightings of everything, it’s a gaur-viewing spot first, with everything else as a bonus.

Watch out: The Khao Sung viewpoint and campground operate somewhat separately from the wider non-hunting area — expect to pay a small entry and, if staying over, a separate camping fee, in cash, at a local payment point rather than a formal park gate. This isn’t a scam; it’s just how the site is run day to day.

Access is by car from Wang Nam Khiao town, with basic parking at the checkpoint entrance. Bring binoculars, insect repellent, and water, and wear earth-toned clothing rather than bright colours if you want the animals to stay relaxed at distance. If you’re camping, bring your own gear — there’s no rental shop on site, just a toilet block and the payment desk.