Birding Spots Around Greater Bangkok

Greater Bangkok offers far more birdwatching opportunities than many travellers realise. Beyond the dense city centre are parks, wetlands, green belts and urban forests that support a surprising range of resident and migratory species.

This basic Bangkok birding guide highlights the best birding-friendly spots around Greater Bangkok, each with reliable access, varied habitats, opening hours and Google Maps locations to make planning easier.

Sri Nakhon Khuean Khan Park and Botanical Garden (Bang Kachao)

Often called the “Green Lung of Bangkok,” this semi-forest park in Bang Kachao is one of the best birding locations near the city. Its wetlands, canals, forested paths and observation decks offer excellent opportunities to see kingfishers, herons, drongos, sunbirds, tailorbirds and migratory species. The quieter atmosphere, compared to central Bangkok, makes it ideal for photography and longer sessions.

• Why it matters: Described as the “green lung” or semi-forest wetland/greenbelt near Bangkok. Even though part of it is on the outskirts, its wetlands, canals and semi-natural forest offer more “wild” habitat than inner-city parks.

• What you can see: Waterbirds, riverine species, and probably waders and wetland-edge birds — especially during migration periods or near water channels. The combination of water + semi-natural habitat increases diversity.

• Note: Accessibility may require a short boat or ferry ride across the river from Bangkok, depending on where you access Bang Kachao.

Opening hours: 05:00–19:00 daily
Google Maps: Sri Nakhon Khuean Khan Park

Laem Phak Bia & Pak Thale Wetlands

Laem Phak Bia (also written Laem Pak Bia) is one of the most important shorebird and wetland birdwatching areas near Bangkok, with details on the habitat, how to visit, and what to expect. This is a famous coastal wetland complex in Phetchaburi Province with salt pans, mudflats, mangroves and sandspits.

There used to be a Bird Conservation Society of Thailand (BCST) building here, but it is abandoned now. However, this area is great for shorebirds.

• Spoon-billed Sandpiper — globally critically endangered, one of the most sought-after shorebirds for birders visiting Laem Phak Bia / Pak Thale.

• White-faced Plover and Malaysian Plover — the sand-spit and flats offer good chances for these plovers, especially during the migratory season.

• Large flocks of various migratory waders and shorebirds, including Great Knots, godwits, Asian Dowitchers, and many other common and rare shorebird species, use the salt pans and mudflats.

• Occasionally, terns and seabird visitors, coastal species such as herons, reef-herons (on rocky parts), and other wetland and estuarine birds.

• From central Bangkok: about 125–131 km; roughly 2–2.5 hours by car, depending on traffic and exact start point. Travel distance: approximately 125–140 km southwest of Bangkok; typical drive takes 2 to 2.5 hours, depending on traffic.

The Pak Thale Nature Reserve in Phetchaburi is one of Thailand’s most important coastal wetlands and a premier destination for shorebird conservation. Known globally for its role in protecting migratory species along the East Asian–Australasian Flyway, it is especially famous as a wintering site for the critically endangered Spoon-billed Sandpiper.

Opening hours: Birding is generally done in daylight hours, coordinated with tides.
Google Maps: Laem Phak Bia Wetlands & Laem Phak Bia Beach
eBird: Pak Thale Nature Reserve

Lat Krabang Rice Paddies (open-country wetlands)

Lat Krabang is an area of rice fields, fish ponds and reedbeds just northeast of Suvarnabhumi Airport. Thai and international birders describe this as one of the most productive “rice basket” birding sites close to Bangkok, with over 180 species recorded, including storks, ibises, egrets, jacanas and open-country birds.

For birdwatchers, it offers perhaps the best chance in southern Central Thailand to see rare and endangered shorebirds such as the Spoon-billed Sandpiper, Nordmann’s Greenshank and White-faced Plover — along with flocks of migratory waders, herons, egrets and more.

If you plan to visit, aim for the dry-season winter months, bring good optics, watch tide tables, and be respectful of local land use.

• From central Bangkok: roughly 30–35 km; about 45–60 minutes by car, depending on traffic toward the airport.

• Opening hours: no gates – it is an open agricultural landscape, but practically you bird at daylight hours and avoid disturbing farmers.

• Saribut Road is a good place to start, as you can drive along this long road with paddy fields on both sides. There’s a Google Maps marker for Ainus Bakery (อัยย์นัสเบเกอรี่) that you can use to get there if you are self-driving.

Google Maps: Lat Krabang (I recommend you use the eBird list for the exact locations)
eBird List: Lat Krabang Bird List

Bang Pu Recreation Centre & Bang Pu Nature Education Centre (shorebirds and gulls)

Classic coastal bird site in Samut Prakan on the Gulf of Thailand. Mudflats and nearby mangroves attract shorebirds and, in the cool season, large numbers of gulls; Thai and travel sources describe it as a popular birdwatching and sunset spot less than an hour from Bangkok.

• Why it matters: Bang Pu is repeatedly cited in Thai birding sources as one of the most accessible shorebird and waterbird sites near Bangkok.

• What you can see: On the mudflats at low tide and inland pools at high tide — waders, gulls (including migratory gull species), herons, egrets, kingfishers and other waterbirds.

• Habitat: Coastal mudflats, tidal pools, mangrove-fringed shorelines — good for shorebirds and migratory seabirds moving through the Gulf of Thailand.

• Accessibility: Bang Pu remains popular among locals and photographers, particularly around sunset when gulls come in — a manageable trip from central Bangkok.

Opening hours: 06:00–20:00 daily
Google Maps: Bang Pu Recreation Centre

Phutthamonthon Park (Nakhon Pathom)

Phutthamonthon Park, west of Bangkok in Nakhon Pathom province, is one of the most bird-friendly large parks within easy reach of the city. Known primarily as a major Buddhist park with a huge walking Buddha statue and ceremonial grounds, it also offers extensive lakes, canals, mature trees, bamboo groves and open lawns that create a mosaic of habitats attractive to both resident and migratory birds.

Its quieter atmosphere and size make it suitable for spotting waterbirds, woodpeckers, bulbuls, mynas, cuckoos and more, which is a great weekend option for those wanting a calm, natural space. Thai birdwatching communities and the Bird Conservation Society of Thailand (BCST) regularly organise “bird walk” activities here, highlighting the park as a key learning ground for beginners and families interested in birds and urban nature.

Opening hours: 05:00–19:00 daily
Google Maps: Phutthamonthon Park

Nonthaburi Urban Green Belts

North of Bangkok, Nonthaburi hosts scattered wetlands, canals and green corridors that draw egrets, herons, sunbirds, prinias and open-field species. The best birding spots are around the canals, lotus ponds and agricultural fringes.

Nonthaburi also offers a modest but worthwhile alternative for Bangkok-based birdwatchers who want to explore less-urban, more natural habitats without travelling too far. Especially for those interested in:

• Native parrot/watchbird species (like the Blue-winged Parrotlet at Wat Suan Yai)

• Canal-side, wetland-fringe & suburban greenbelt birding — garden, woodland-edge, waterbird species

• Regular, relaxed birdwatching without the crowd or infrastructure needs of major parks

Opening Hours: Open access 
Google Maps: Mahamit Road (Random Point)
eBird: Nonthaburi Birding Hotspots

Conclusion

For those who are only visiting Bangkok and do not have much time to leave the city, you can also read our other article on birdwatching in Bangkok: 15 parks to visit.

This article on birding spots around Greater Bangkok offers a wide network of birding-friendly environments, from restored forests and large botanical parks to wetlands, riverfronts and coastal mudflats, suitable for anyone who wants to explore a little further.

These areas highlight how nature continues to thrive alongside Bangkok’s urban landscape, making the region a rewarding destination for birdwatchers, photographers and nature lovers.