: Central 2027
Bird-Photo-Tours Asia’ Central Thailand expedition explores a classic South East Asian bird photography destination that not only has a rich avifauna but also friendly people, stunning landscapes and fabulous cuisine. Our bird photography workshop commences on the coastal mudflats and saltpans of the Gulf of Thailand where, amongst an array of many shorebird species, we will be searching for the rare Spoon-billed Sandpiper. We then head westwards to Phetchaburi Province, an area that possesses a rich and diverse forest avifauna including Partridges, Peacock-Pheasants, Barbets, Treepies and Broadbills. Finally, the group moves in a north easterly direction to Nakhon Ratchasima Province where photographic targets include a number of Thailand’s speciality birds such as Siamese Fireback, Silver Pheasant, Coral-billed Ground Cuckoo, Banded Broadbill, Blue-banded Kingfisher, Blue Pitta and Red-headed Trogon.
Barbets: Moustached Barbet / Green-eared Barbet / Blue-eared Barbet / Coppersmith Barbet
Bee-eaters: Blue-bearded Bee-eater / Red-bearded Bee-eater / Chestnut-headed Bee-eater / Blue-tailed Bee-eater / Blue-throated Bee-eater
Broadbills: Black-and-Red Broadbill / Dusky Broadbill / Banded Broadbill / Black-and-Yellow Broadbill / Silver-breasted Broadbill
Hornbills: Great Hornbill / Oriental Pied Hornbill / Wreathed Hornbill / Austen's Brown Hornbill
Kingfishers / Pittas : Rufous-backed Dwarf Kingfisher / Blue Pitta / Blue-winged Pitta
Partridges: Green-legged Partridge/ Ferruginous Partridge / Bar-backed Partridge / Rufous-throated Partridge
Pheasants: Siamese Fireback / Grey Peacock- Pheasant / Kalij Pheasant / Green Peafowl
Shorebirds: Spoon-billed Sandpiper / Nordmanns Greenshank / Malaysian Plover
Trogons / Woodpeckers: Red-headed Trogon / Orange-breasted Trogon / Great Slaty Woodpecker / Greater Yellownape
Guiding Fees / Ground Transportation / Accommodation / Meals / Entrance Fees / Tipping for Drivers, Boatsmen, Hotel and Restaurant Staff.
International Flights / VISA Fees / Travel Insurance / Tips for Local Guide / Alcohol / Laundry / Items of a Personal Nature
Days 1-2 Bangkok (1N / 0D / 0S). Arrive at Suvarnabhumi International Airport, Bangkok, transfer to hotel. Photographic Targets: Asian Barred Owlet / Spotted Owlet / Black-capped Kingfisher / Painted Stork / Asian Golden Weaver / Alexandrine Parakeet / Red-breasted Parakeet
Days 2-3 Phetchaburi Province [1N / 0D/ 1S]. Drive 3-hours, 125 km to Phetchaburi Province. Photographic Targets: Spoon-billed Sandpiper / Nordmann’s Greenshank / Asian Dowitcher / Asian Openbill / Malaysian Plover / Shorebirds / Weavers.
Days 3-8 Phetchaburi Province [5N / 3D / 8S]. Drive 1-hour, 75km to second location in Phetchaburi Province. Photographic Targets: Blue Pitta / Siberian Blue Robin / Green-legged Partridge / Ferruginous Partridge / Grey Peacock-Pheasant / Khalij Pheasant / Blue-bearded Bee-Eater / Ratchet-tailed Treepie / Great Hornbill / Oriental Pied Hornbill / Wreathed Hornbill / Black-backed Dwarf Kingfisher.
Days 8-11 Nakhon Ratchasima Province [3N / 2D / 6S]. Drive 6-hours, 350km to Nakhon Ratchasima Province. Photographic Targets: Red-headed Trogon / Banded Broadbill / Banded Kingfisher / Siamese Fireback / Great Hornbill / Oriental Pied Hornbill / Austen's Brown Hornbill / Red Junglefowl.
Days 11-12 Bueng Kan Province [1N / 0D / 2S]. Drive 6-hours, 410km to Bueng Kan Province. Photographic Targets: Grey-headed Swamphen / Asian Openbill / Glossy Ibis / Oriental Darter / Pheasant-tailed Jacana / Bronze-winged Jacana / Spot-billed Pelican / Indian Cormorant / Cotton Pygmy Goose / Lesser Whistling Ducks / Ferruginous Duck.
Days 12-13 Buriram Province [1N / 0D / 2S]. Drive 4-hours, 260km to Buriram Province. Photographic Targets: Sarus Crane.
Days 13-14 Bangkok (1N, 0D, 1S). Drive 4-hours, 250km to Bangkok for international departures the following day [END]
[Key: N=Night, D=Full Day, S=Session/Half-Day]
Originally from Madagascar, Nicolas "Nico" has been based in Australia for the past 15 years, where he studied Ecology and Conservation Biology while developing a diverse career in wildlife and bird photography. Nico has extensive experience photographing birds in regions such as Borneo (Sabah) and Sri Lanka and loves travelling to new places to capture their avian diversity. He enjoys sharing his decades of knowledge with fellow photographers and nature enthusiasts, whether technical, field or editing skills. His nature and conservation photographs have been featured in various media outlets and magazines, further showcasing his expertise. In 2022, Nico was accepted as an Associate Fellow of the International League of Conservation Photographers (iLCP) for his conservation photography and film-making work. Recently, he filmed wildlife sequences for National Geographic and has contributed to numerous productions over the past decade. His dedication to bird photography, conservation, and visual storytelling remains central to his work.
(i) The guesthouses are all in close proximity to the bird photography locations (ii) Walking is at a light pace (iii) There is no requirement to hike nor climb. (iv) None of the locations are at altitude (v) There is no camping. Summary: for these five reasons this trip has been graded as 'Easy'.
