Lung Cha Homestay : Meet Khao Sam Roi Yot birds

Lung Cha Homestay is the only lodge located inside Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park, in Kiri Chan Province, Thailand. The homestay sits on the edge of the Thung Sam Roi Yot marsh, giving direct access to the many bird species that frequent the area. It is not strictly a birding lodge, since it was not specifically designed for birders. However, it fully deserves a place on our list of Thailand’s birding lodges, as birdwatching is a key activity here.

What makes this place truly unique is the restaurant, which offers a direct view of the marsh. It is the perfect spot to watch birds, at sunrise while having breakfast, and at sunset during dinner. The lodge is owned and run by a Thai family, and the hosts are genuinely delightful. At the time of writing, the lodge remains relatively unknown, which means you can enjoy a peaceful environment and an uncrowded setting.

What amenities are available?

Lung Cha Homestay offers three simple bungalows. The shower is cold and the bedding rather firm, but each room has Wi-Fi and air conditioning. This is not a five-star hotel, yet it is undeniably charming and authentic. Prices range from 1000 to 2000 baht per bungalow, with a hearty breakfast included. What truly makes this homestay special are the owners, who are always attentive to their guests and willing to help with any request.

In addition to lodging, there is a restaurant where all meals are homemade. You can have breakfast, lunch, and dinner there. Breakfast is fixed, but you can choose your dishes for lunch and dinner. The menu is short and basic, yet the food is tasty. Bottled drinking water and coffee are free and available at all times.

Finally, motorbikes are available for rent, allowing you to explore the surrounding area.

How to get to Lung Cha Homestay ?

By public transport, the closest train stations are Pranburi and Wang Phong (the latter being better served). Once you arrive at one of these stations, you can rent a motorbike or look for a taxi to reach Lung Cha. It is also possible to arrange a pick-up from the station with the owners for around 500 baht. 

If you have your own vehicle, simply follow the GPS point below.

What birding facilities are available at Lung Cha Homestay ?

One of the main attractions of the lodge for birdwatching is the restaurant, which offers a direct view of the Thung Sam Roi Yot marsh.

You can also walk along the marsh northwards from Lung Cha. To do so, follow the road that passes in front of the Thiphaksong Tham Tho Huk temple. It is a dead end, so you can walk all the way to the end.

Another option is to arrange a boat drop-off at the entrance of the National Park. This way, you can reach the Bueng Bua boardwalk by boat. The boardwalk is a few hundred meters long and includes an observation tower, from which you can admire the park’s spectacular limestone formations as well as numerous bird species.

The owners will drop you at the park entrance, where you pay 200 baht per person for a day ticket. This ticket also gives access to other sites such as Sri Nakhon Cave, Daeng Viewpoint, or the park headquarters. Once the fee is paid, you take another boat inside the reserve to reach the boardwalk. The boat rental costs 500 baht, shared among the passengers—so the more people, the cheaper it is per person. The crossing takes about 30 to 40 minutes and is very pleasant, offering close encounters with birds and opportunities to photograph them at water level. The boatman sometimes turns off the engine, allowing you to soak in the atmosphere. For the best lighting, it is recommended to take the trip at sunrise or sunset. Sunrise is the prime time for birdwatching, though sunset is also a beautiful experience.

It is also possible to reach the boardwalk by car or motorbike, but you will need to go around the park.

Which birds can be seen at Lung Cha Homestay ?

If there is one iconic bird here, it would be the Grey-headed Swamphen (Porphyrio poliocephalus), seen everywhere. You’ll also spot various herons: Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea), Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea), Eastern Cattle Egret (Ardea coromanda), Intermediate Egret (Ardea intermedia), Great Egret (Ardea alba), Little Egret (Egretta garzetta), Yellow Bittern (Botaurus sinensis), among others.

Among ducks, you’ll see plenty of Lesser Whistling Ducks (Dendrocygna javanica) and some Cotton Pygmy Geese (Nettapus coromandelianus). Look carefully and you might catch glimpses of more secretive birds like the Ruddy-breasted Crake (Zapornia fusca) or Slaty-breasted Rail (Lewinia striata). Two species of jacanas also occur here: the Bronze-winged Jacana (Metopidius indicus) and the Pheasant-tailed Jacana (Hydrophasianus chirurgus).

Along the path to the temple, you’ll find a lovely colony of Asian Green Bee-eaters (Merops orientalis).

How to book your accommodation?

Booking your stay is very straightforward. You can reserve unisg well-known platforms such as Agoda or Booking.

Our opinion about Lung Cha Homestay

😐 What we liked less:

• The limited comfort of the bungalow. A slightly softer bed and a hot shower would have been welcome, though overall it was still acceptable.

😐 What we really liked:

• The setting of the lodge. Right on the edge of the Thung Sam Roi Yot swamp, Lung Cha truly has an idyllic location. With its sunrises and sunsets, it is a beautiful and very peaceful place.
• The owners. This authentic homestay is run by a Thai family, with each member taking on a role, some in the kitchen, others in cleaning or management. They are always kind and attentive, ready to help with any request (even if most of them speak only limited English).
• The restaurant with a view of the swamp. This was one of the places where we spent the most time. Right by the marsh, we enjoyed excellent meals while watching a wide variety of birds.