Morakot Resort: At the edge of the former territory of the Gurney’s Pitta

Morakot Resort is a lodge located one kilometer from the Khao Nor Chu Chi Wildlife Sanctuary in Krabi Province, southern Thailand. It is the only lodge in the area, making it the go-to accommodation for birders visiting the sanctuary. The large restaurant on-site is a natural gathering spot where visitors exchange information about the species they have seen.

What amenities are available?

Morakot Resort offers two types of bungalows:

• New bungalows. There are three of them, considered “premium.” Prices range from 1,200 to 1,400 THB per night, breakfast included.
• Older bungalows. There are two, and they are smaller. Prices range from 450 to 600 THB per night without breakfast. These bungalows are perfectly fine, even if the rooms are smaller and less modern than the new ones.

All rooms have Wi-Fi and air-conditioning. Note that payments can only be made in cash.

The lodge also has a restaurant open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., where you can have breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Since staff are used to birders, breakfast can be served very early, or even packed to take away.

How to reach Morakot Resort?

If you’re traveling by public transport, the easiest option is to go to Krabi, a major southern city with excellent connections. From there, to reach the lodge, you can either rent a car or take a taxi.
You can also take a bus to Khlong Tom and then a taxi for the final 15 km to Morakot Resort.

If you have your own vehicle, simply head to the GPS point indicated below.

What birding facilities does Morakot Resort offer?

The lodge itself does not have major birding infrastructure. There is a small trail around a pond, as well as a few feeders and bird baths. It is enough to observe a handful of species but not sufficient to spend a full day birding on-site.

The most rewarding option is to visit the Khao Nor Chu Chi Sanctuary, located about 1 km from the lodge, and explore its various trails. For that, you can rely on our detailed guide.

Finally, the owner is also a bird guide, so you can ask her for advice on target species—or even request guiding services.

Which birds can be seen at Morakot Resort?

Among the species commonly seen in the lodge’s gardens are Oriental Magpie-Robin (Copsychus saularis), Orange-bellied Flowerpecker (Dicaeum trigonostigma), Brown-throated Sunbird (Anthreptes malacensis), Olive-winged Bulbul (Pycnonotus plumosus), Streak-eared Bulbul (Pycnonotus conradi), Pin-striped Tit-Babbler (Mixornis gularis), Grey-breasted Spiderhunter (Arachnothera modesta), Spectacled Spiderhunter (Arachnothera flavigaster), Common Tailorbird (Orthotomus sutorius), and Dark-necked Tailorbird (Orthotomus atrogularis).

At night, Oriental Bay Owl (Phodilus badius) may also be present around the lodge.

How to book the accommodation?

To book your stay, you cannot use common platforms such as Agoda or Booking. You will need to contact the owners directly via WhatsApp (+66814151982) or by email (Pittagurney@yahoo.com).

Our opinion on Morakot Resort

😐 What we liked less:

• The location of the lodge. It is quite close to the main road, in an area that has been heavily deforested.

😊 What we really liked:

• The atmosphere. With many birders visiting Khao Pra Bang Khram, the lodge is full of lively conversations about birds.
• The price. For budget-friendly birdwatching, it’s ideal, offering very good value for money.