Thailand – RFI Dugongs, Irrawaddy Dolphin etc
Hi,
We will be visiting Thailand next month for mammal-watching and birding. There’s a wealth of great info on here which has helped a huge amount but I’m hoping to get one or two more recent updates to help with our planning.
In particular any info on recent sightings / likelihood of success with Dugongs in the Koh Libong / Koh Mook area would be much appreciated as we will look to fit in a couple of days in this area if it looks promising, but will probably leave it off the itinerary if the chances seem slim.
Would also appreciate thoughts on chances of Irrawaddy Dolphin close to Bangkok with a fairly limited time window, and recommendations for boat trips to see these.
Any latest intel on Sun Bears, Leopards etc in Kaeng Krachan and Khao Yai would also be handy.
Thanks in advance, and Merry Christmas!
Andy Symes
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2 Comments
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MatthewB
Hi Andy, just returned, was there end of November. Was planning to try go see the dugongs but weather was rubbish down the peninsula so changed plans.
Went with Wild Encounters to see whales. Eventually found one. They said sightings not been great this year (25) due to lack of food. Didn’t have time to then look for dolphins. I think they said 30% chance to see dolphins. I also checked out the Red Bridge Dolphin Viewing spot near Samut Sakhon. A local told me dolphins left area due to pollution.
KK – there seem to be a number of bears that look for scraps behind the cafe/guards kitchen at lower campground at various times of the day. I saw one at 5pm-ish. I spoke to a tourist who also saw one on the slope behind the cafe at the upper campground – while chatting we saw a marten there at lunchtime-ish.
KK – leopard. During my four days there, I heard of one car seeing a spotted leopard on the upper road in the afternoon. I was lucky enough to see a black leopard dash across the lower road just before dusk in the vicinity of the gaur crossing sign. They’re about it seems but you’re hardly up to your neck in them.
KY – seemed a lot less ‘wild’ to me given the number of visitors, some wildlife more habituated, I have no insight on bears or leopards there. Enjoyed my group tour of the park with Greenleaf Guest House though and the night drives were better than imagined.
Kui Buri NP – you’ll be near here, although a slightly strange, orderly experience, I enjoyed seeing the large herds of gaur and some elephants
I really enjoyed Thailand, saw loads of wildlife (not just mammals if I am allowed to say that here). Have a good trip.
(As ever, thanks to Jon and his co-conspirators for this marvellous website)
Matthew
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Andrea Ghidoni
I’ll visit Kaeng Krachan next summer, so please update me if you get any infos before departure or after your trip there. Good luck with your goal species.