From sun-kissed beaches to thick rainforests and sprawling national parks, Thailand has some of the most diverse landscapes in South East Asia – and such a wealth of scenery is of course home to a wonderfully rich array of animals.
Animal lovers will certainly be thrilled by the amazing wildlife it’s possible to spot on a luxury yacht charter, whether onshore, under the sea, or in the sky. Here’s a round-up of 10 of the best.
Top of the list has to be Thailand’s national animal, the elephant. Seeing these gentle giants is on many a traveller’s wish list but beware: riding these animals is fuelling a cruel practice where they have to be beaten into submission. There are, however, a number of ethical elephant sanctuaries promoting a positive way to interact with the much-loved creature.
Indochinese tigers are incredibly rare. There are only around 600 left in the world, with a third of these found in Thailand’s tropical rainforest. A number of organisations offer tiger experiences to tourists, but think twice before supporting places like this as the captive animals are often subjected to poor treatment and cruelty. If you're seriously keen on seeing tigers, you can opt to make the journey to UNESCO-listed Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary where the focus is on watching these beautiful big cats in their natural habitat.
With long arms and long hands, gibbons are incredible tree swingers – they can swing as far as 15m in one go at a speed of 55km per hour. They can be found in many areas in southern Thailand, where the tour guide will follow the primate’s distinctive hoo sounds (which can be heard up to a kilometre away) to locate them up in the tree canopies.
Coming up-close to a manta ray is an unforgettable experience. These huge creatures – which can reach up to four metres – are incredibly graceful as they glide through the water, sometimes even performing breath-taking acrobatics. There are plenty of places to have a manta ray encounter in Thailand, the most highly recommended being Koh Bon in the Similan Islands.
Thailand is home to one of the most poisonous snakes on the planet – the king cobra. When threatened the reptile can raise up to one-third of its body straight off the ground while flaring its iconic hood and emitting a bone-chilling hiss. Understandably, this is not a creature many would like to confront in the wild, so perhaps visit the ethical Bangkok Snake Farm before or after your charter for a sighting.
With a face like a cat, a body like a small bear and a tail like a monkey, the elusive binturong is one of only two mammals in the world that can use their tail for climbing. These master climbers can be hard to spot among the rainforest canopies, but for the best chance of a sighting, head to the island of Koh Pu. Another fun fact – their musk is said to smell similar to buttered popcorn.
These enormous creatures, which can grow up to 15m in length, may look intimating, but don’t be deceived by appearances. Whale sharks are actually completely harmless and are amazing to swim alongside while scuba diving. The three best places to see them in Thailand are Chumphon Pinnacle near Ko Tao, Hin Daeng and Richelieu Rock, which is north of the Similan Islands.
There are many species of lizards in Thailand, but the tokay gecko is one of the most interesting. It has a distinctive call, which sounds like ‘tokay’ (hence its name) and is heard throughout the night. It also has beautiful markings: their blue skin is covered in bright orange dots. If you're lucky enough to come across one, don't be tempted to touch it – they have quite the bite.
The smallest member of the bear family, sun bears take their name from the bib-shaped white patch on their chest, which legend says represents a rising sun. Shy, reclusive and with jet black fur, these bears live in lowland forests across South East Asia. To increase the likelihood of spotting one in Thailand, opt for a guided tour in Khao Sok National Park.
Growing up to two metres long, the Asian water monitor lizard is the largest lizard living in Thailand. Very capable swimmers, these powerful reptiles always live by the water, whether it’s on the beach or on the banks of a swamp or river. Bangkok’s Lumphini Park is renowned for its water monitor population, with dozens found living peacefully in and around the lake.
For more information on planning a Thailand superyacht vacation, speak to your preferred yacht charter broker.
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