Visitors since 01/09/06

Bang Pra Non-hunting Area, in Chonburi province, consists of a semi-natural lake surrounded by grassland and woodland. The reservoir is one used to hold water for irrigation and drinking and as a fishery rather than for hydro-electric purposes, meaning that it is shallow and abundant in birdlife. Local people are permitted to fish, gather plants and graze cattle but hunting birds and mammals is forbidden.

This is a fantastic place to see a good range of birds in a short space of time, including a number of species that are not often recorded on birding holidays to Thailand, and an ideal location for a day trip from Bangkok or, indeed, Pattaya where many people stay on package holidays. The grassland is probably the most productive and valuable habitat here, but unfortunately in recent years the water has been maintained at a very high level meaning that this habitat has been severely reduced in size and rather badly eroded in places by people in four-wheel drive vehicles. However, on a good day, if one was to stay from dawn till dusk, I think it would be possible to find over 100 species in a day at Bang Pra.

The close proximity of open water, scrub grassland and dry forest mean that a wide variety of birds can be found in this single location, and virtually anything can turn up during migratory periods. The main attraction at Bang Pra, however, is the abundance of open-country birds. Both Thai species of Bushlark can be found here, as can four species of Prinia.

The large number of Quail that are fairly easily seen remains the primary reason for making a special trip to this area. Rain Quail and Barred Buttonquail are the most abundant; Chinese Francolin and Yellow-legged Buttonquail are also frequently found. Blue-breasted Quail are also present but can be a little harder to get a good view of (not that the others aren't hard enough to see).

Getting to Bang Pra is not too difficult if traveling by car. One needs to head towards Chonburi from Bangkok; there are a number of routes. The overhead expressway along BangNa-Trad road is the quickest route and is worth paying the toll for. From the expressway the Bang Wua exit should be taken - keep left and head out to the motorway to Chonburi and Pattaya. After about 2 kilometres from the expressway the motorway is joined. Simply continue along this road (there is a toll to be paid), ignore the signs for Chonburi and continue towards Pattaya. After a while a sign for Khao Khieo zoo will be seen; this is the turn-off to take. From the centre of Bangkok to this turn-off will take about 1.5 hours in the early morning before the traffic builds up; leave at 6am at the latest to arrive at Bang Pra well before the heat gets too intense for birdwatching.

This will get you to the right place, but there are many alternative routes from Bangkok to this region. The good news is that the zoo is signposted frequently.

Having turned off for Khao Khieo zoo, immediately do a U-turn and cross the bridge over the motorway. A few hundred metres further on turn left at a T-junction. Turn right after 1-2 kms on this pot-holed road. This turning is pretty obvious with a sign indicating that this is a wildlife site and an open area with some wooden buildings. One can drive down this track to the car park or simply park anywhere it is safe to do so.

It is possible to get to Bang Pra by public transport, but it is not easy. Go to the Eastern bus terminal at Ekamai, on Sukhumvit Road in Bangkok and take any bus to Pattaya, but get off before that. It is best to tell the bus conductor that you want to go to Khao Khieo zoo (Suan Sat Khao Khieo, click here for Thai script) and the bus will stop at the right place.

Here is the difficult part; at this dropping off point one must find the songtaew to the zoo which is hidden up a small road on the opposite side of the road. Ask around for the songtaew to the zoo and hope it can be found. The journey passes along the lakeside of Bang Pra, but do not get off when you see it, wait until the junction where the songtaew turns left and get off just before it crosses the motorway, then walk. Most of you will have probably stopped reading by now and with good reason, this method will get you to Bang Pra in the midday sun - useless for birdwatching!

Another option would be to stay in Pattaya and hire a motorcycle to drive to Bang Pra. This would be an easy option, although I have never personally tried it.

Egret Lake : This small lake has fairly deep water which attracts Kingfishers, Cormorants and, sometimes, Oriental Darter. The island in the middle is also a favourite roosting spot for Cattle Egrets and other Egrets to a lesser extent.

Woodland Birds : A good selection of woodland birds are quite easily found here. White-crested Laughingthrush, Rufous Treepie, Black-naped Oriole and Laced Woodpecker are all regulars here. Outside of the breeding season a number of other woodland species seem to move here from the nearby forests of Khao Khieo.

Grassland Birds : This area is always particularly good for grassland birds. if arriving early Chinese Francolin can be heard calling and it is possible to track it down. Rain Quail is quite numerous here and Yellow-legged and Barred Buttonquails can often be found. Chestnut-capped Babbler is another bird which is often found in the long grass too.

Quite simply, there aren't any facilities here! If one has somehow arrived by public transport (it is possible but not a good idea) then it would be advisable to ensure that you have enough food, water and sun lotion for the day; it can get exceptionally hot and humid at this site so lots of water is required. If arrival is by private vehicle then within a short drive to various villages there are a few small shops selling cold drinks and snacks. On one visit my girlfriend managed to get the people in a nearby shack to cook us some food to take away, so if you get really desperate I'm sure someone in one of the few houses nearby will take pity upon you. In a private car it is possible to drive towards Khao Khieo open zoo where a number of small food selling places will be seen as one travels.

The best option for car drivers is to take a packed lunch for birding and then at the end of the day drive to Bang Saen on the coast, where you can eat seafood on the beach, enjoy a beer and have change from 1000 baht! There are a number of places to stay at Bang Saen, but most people will probably opt for a hotel in Bangkok: Bangkok Hotel Reservations, or Pattaya: Pattaya Hotel Reservations.

Bang Pra is not a National Park and there is no entry fee.

Bang Pra, 11th January 2003

by Nick Upton