Recently, I inquired about guide and hide costs after I missed the opportunity to film an Eared Pitta nesting in Thanh Hoa, Vietnam. I was told it was possible to observe them in Thailand as well. The responses I received were very kind, friendly, and polite I truly appreciated their attitude and the level of detail they provided about the service. Here is the quote I received:
This came to 27,600 THB for 3 days, already at a discounted rate. I clearly communicated my needs and received friendly service, although the response time was slow, and most guides I contacted had difficulty with English, except for Nick Upton from Thaibirding.com, who responded promptly, kindly, and even offered to help me find the most cost-effective way to go before the bird left the site. I appreciated that very much, even though we had not previously met.
Another contact, recommended through Matthew Kwan’s blog, introduced me to a guide based near Kaeng Krachan National Park, which I am also thankful for. However, communication was again a challenge due to language and delays in response.
Here are the other quotes I received:
- 12,000 THB/day for 2 people
- 9,500 THB/day for solo travel
- 10,000 THB/day for 2 people if staying 6 days
Additional estimates from the same guide included:
- Samarn Bird Camp: 1,500 THB/night
- Taxi from Bangkok to KKC: 4,000 THB one way
- Kaeng Krachan NP fee: 300 THB/day
After calculating the total, I found the trip to be expensive not only from a personal perspective as an independent filmmaker, but likely for many Western birders as well. A short visit of 1–2 days may be manageable, but a longer stay of 5–7 days becomes financially challenging when self-funded.
Total Estimated Cost for 5 Days (Solo)
Including guide, hide, meals, lodging, SIM card, transportation, and park fees:
- 76,300 THB
- ≈ $2,136 USD | ≈ £1,679 GBP
(This estimate does not include international airfare.)
If you’ve found any more affordable alternatives or tips for making such trips more accessible, I’d love to learn more.