The Thai Nature Photography Workshop 2025 was another successful trip filled with exciting photography opportunities and memorable moments.
Between my participants and I, we captured over 25,000 images, including many outstanding shots—some of which are potential award-winners. Each day offered unique wildlife encounters, including endangered Sarus Cranes, Siamese Firebacks, hornbills, elephants, gibbons, and a variety of vibrant tropical birds. We were also fortunate to have perfect weather with cool temperatures throughout the trip.
Sarus Cranes and Siamese Fireback in Eastern Thailand
We started the trip in eastern Thailand, focusing on Sarus Cranes.
Conservation projects in this region have worked since the 1980s to reintroduce these cranes after their population was wiped out in 1968 due to habitat loss and hunting.
Seeing these rare birds in the wild was inspiring, especially as we photographed a family of cranes in their natural habitat. Hearing their distinct calls was a highlight for many in the group.
This year, I spotted fewer Siamese Firebacks compared to last year, but they still delivered an impressive show. As Thailand’s national bird, their vibrant, colorful feathers stood out brilliantly against the dark forest backdrop, making it nearly impossible not to capture stunning photos of them.
Hornbills and other wildlife at Khao Yai National Park
This year’s hornbill photography at Khao Yai was truly exceptional.
A pair of Wreathed and Oriental Pied Hornbills spent hours over two consecutive days feeding on a fig tree near the park’s campsite, providing us with rare opportunities to photograph them at eye level.
Local photographers shared that such close encounters are unusual, as hornbills typically feed high in the canopy. Their insights and collaboration made the experience even more rewarding.
While waiting for the hornbills, we captured dynamic shots of blue-throated bee-eaters and white-throated kingfishers, perfect for practicing action photography.
We also dedicated half a day to photographing from a large photo blind, where we documented over 15 bird species in a single location! The sheer diversity of birds inhabiting the forested foothills was astounding and added to the richness of the experience.
Boat Ride at Bung Boraphet with thousands of birds
A morning and evening boat ride at Bung Boraphet, Thailand’s largest swamp, provided plenty of opportunities to photograph water birds, including iconic pheasant-tailed jacanas, bronze-winged jacanas, herons,
Oriental darters, swamphens, kingfishers, and Asian Openbills. The peaceful setting and abundance of birdlife made this a favorite activity for the group.
Northern Thailand in Chiang Mai
We spent four days in Chiang Mai capturing images of vibrant bird species such as sunbirds, redstarts, and the rare Mrs. Hume’s Pheasant, all set against the stunning backdrop of blooming flowers. The cooler mountain temperatures enhanced the experience, while the striking contrast between the birds’ colorful plumage and the lush scenery resulted in truly captivating images.
On our final day, we worked from a large photo blind, photographing over 17 species, including the striking Streaked Spiderhunter—one of my personal favorites—and several species unique to Doi Inthanon National Park, including Green-tailed Sunbirds (aka Doi Inthanon Sunbird), a species unique to this national park.
Acknowledgments
This workshop would not have been possible without the support of our local guides, drivers, and coordinators, who helped us find wildlife and create memorable experiences. Their knowledge and dedication were invaluable.
I also want to thank the Thai people and local photographers for their kindness and generosity, which left a lasting impression on my participants, most of whom were visiting Thailand for the first time. Whether interacting at restaurants, hotels, or with fellow photographers, their hospitality added to the overall experience.