🔄 Updated 9 Aug 2026
Short answer: almost every Thai national park uses a two-tier pricing system — Thai visitors pay 3–5 times less than foreign visitors — and vehicles are usually charged separately from people. Most tickets are valid only for the day they were bought, though a few parks let you re-enter on the same ticket if you're staying overnight inside. Below is a comparison table for the six most-visited parks, followed by how the pricing system works and how to book accommodation.
How national park fees work
- Two-tier pricing: Thai visitors always pay less than foreigners — just show a Thai ID card or Thai passport at the ticket counter, no other documents needed.
- Kids, seniors, disabilities: Children usually pay half price. Thai seniors aged 60+ and visitors with disabilities enter free at most major parks — bring an ID or senior card.
- Vehicles cost extra: Cars, motorbikes and buses have a separate entry fee on top of the per-person fee, and it varies by vehicle size and by park.
- Tickets are single-day: Most tickets expire once you leave the park that day, except at a few parks that allow re-entry on the same ticket if you don't leave the area overnight.
- Special sites cost more: Some landmarks inside a park charge an extra fee on top of the standard entrance — for example, the twin pagodas on Doi Inthanon charge extra beyond the regular park entrance fee.
Comparing fees at 6 popular parks
The numbers below are adult entrance fees only, not including vehicle fees or extra activities. Rates can change with new Department of National Parks announcements, so check the latest price if you can before you go.
| Park | Thai visitor | Foreign visitor | Known for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Khao Yai | 40 baht | 400 baht | Wildlife, waterfalls, camping, closest to Bangkok |
| Doi Inthanon | 60 baht | 300 baht | Thailand's highest point, sea of mist, cool air |
| Erawan (Kanchanaburi) | 60 baht | 300 baht | 7-tier waterfall, emerald-green water, swimmable |
| Khao Sok | 100 baht | 300 baht | Ancient rainforest, Cheow Lan Lake, raft houses |
| Phu Kradueng | 40 baht | Higher than the Thai rate | Plateau summit, single-day hike up, closed in wet season |
| Tarutao | 40 baht | 200 baht | Andaman island chain, gateway to Koh Lipe |
🌲 Khao Yai
Full guide — fees, trails, accommodation
🏔️ Doi Inthanon
Full guide — sea of mist, viewpoints
💦 Erawan
Full guide — 7-tier waterfall, trail
🌴 Khao Sok
Full guide — raft stays, lake tours
⛰️ Phu Kradueng
Full guide — porters, summit lodging
🏝️ Tarutao
Full guide — boats, stays, open season
Most parks close during the rainy season
Some trails (like the Kew Mae Pan trail on Doi Inthanon) and mountaintop parks like Phu Kradueng usually close from June to September or October to let the forest recover and to prevent landslide danger. Always check each park's open season before planning, especially if you're traveling in the rainy months.
How to book national park accommodation
Many parks have their own bungalows and camping grounds you can book directly, separate from hotels outside the park. Park-run rooms and rental tents fill up fast around long weekends and high season, so book at least 2–4 weeks ahead.
- Book through the official site — the national booking system for park accommodation nationwide is at nps.dnp.go.th, covering both bungalows and rental tents.
- Bring your own tent — cheapest option; you just pay a camping-ground fee, typically a few dozen baht per person per night, but you need to bring your own tent and sleeping gear.
- Rent a park tent — no need to carry your own gear; rental tents at the main camping area typically run 225–600 baht a night depending on size.
- Park bungalows — the most comfortable option, priced from a few hundred to several thousand baht per unit; book ahead since availability is limited.
Want to see more nature spots beyond national parks? Check the curated list of Thailand's best waterfalls and natural sites.
See the best waterfalls & nature →