Chiang Mai, Thailand

Sites of interest
- Doi Inthanon - big elevational range with variety of habitats, including summit boardwalk
- Doi Ang Khang
- Doi Lang
- Doi Pha Hom Pok summit
- Tha Torn - fields and paddies
- Doi Chiang Dao
- Other branches under consideration
- Mae Ping NP - dry forest, but adds a lot of driving (see Robby's maxim)
- Chiang Saen (Chiang Rai) - more waterbirds, but adds a lot of driving
Top target birds
- Mrs. Hume's Pheasant
- Giant Nuthatch
- Himalayan Cutia
- Green Peafowl
- Crested Finchbill
- Scarlet-faced Liocichla
- Long-tailed Broadbill and other broadbills
- Bee-eaters
- Woodpeckers
- Laughing-thrushes
- Sunbirds
- Forktails
- Spectacled Barwing
Practical reasons for interest
- Relatively easy driving on good roads (but see below)
- Guides not required
- Great food
- Friendly people
- Good accommodations throughout
Concerns
- Thai language difficult to learn, and reading signs/information will be near-impossible
- Driving on left side of the road
- Some steep roads cause issues for cars without low gears
- Many sites can become extremely crowded on weekends, need to plan around this
- Free-roaming dogs are apparently everywhere, causing a nuisance on roads
- Avoid rainy season: May-Oct?
- From ThaiBirding's FAQ -
The cooler season is usually December to mid February and this is the best time to visit northern Thailand which will have a good number of winter visitors through these months. However, if you are interested in Thailand's breeding forest species such as broadbills, pittas, forest kingfishers, trogons and suchlike then mid-February to June is a good time with the later end of that period being perhaps the best for the hardest to find species. Between August and October things are usually very wet and birding is very difficult, particularly in the forest.
- From ThaiBirding's FAQ -
- How many of the birds are seen at hides? How good is the birding on trails?
Itinerary thoughts
- Arrive in Chiang Mai, drive to Fang
- Fang: 3-4 nights
- Doi Ang Khang
- Doi Lang
- Doi Pha Hom Pok summit hike
- Tha Torn
- Fang Hot Springs
- Drive to Chiang Saen: 1 night
- Drive to Doi Inthanon
- Doi Inthanon: 2-3 nights
- Drive to Li: 1-2 nights
- Mae Ping NP, drive to Chiang Mai airport, return home
Total: 7-10+ nights
References
Independent
- Rob Jansen - Feb 2024
- Julian Teh et al. - Jan 2024
- Rens Keijsers et al. - Jan 2024
- Dan Gornall et al. - Feb-Mar 2024
- Rob Gordijn - Feb 2020
- Ian Merrill - Feb-Mar 2019
- Ross Gallardy - Feb 2015
Location descriptions
- Nick Upton's Thaibirding.com - North Thailand birding sites
- norththailandbirding.com - North Thailand localities
Videos
- Tropical Birding - Virtual Birding Tour of Thailand - Chiang Mai starts around 11:40
- Tropical Birding - Thailand Video Trip Report - Chiang Mai starts around 16:25
Podcasts
- Naturally Adventurous - S2E43 - Indo-Malaya Habitats - Charley's Top 5
- Naturally Adventurous - S1E45 - Ken and Charley's favorite wildlife destinations...for food - Part 2