Khao Yai national park, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand
Khao Yai national park is without a doubt Thailand’s best national park for frequent tourists, with plenty of opportunities to observe some stunning wildlife. It is Thailand’s third-largest national park, having been established in 1962 as the country’s first national park. Khao Yai is primarily located in the province of Nakhon Ratchasima, although it also extends into the provinces of Prachinburi, Saraburi, and Nakhon Nayok. The park’s main checkpoint is 180 kilometers from Bangkok. The Park encompasses 2,168 square kilometers of rain/evergreen forests and meadows. The park’s highest mountain, Khao Rom, stands at 1,351 meters. The national park’s typical elevation ranges from 400 to 1,000 meters above sea level.
The history of Khao Yai National Park
Some residents of Ban Tha Dan and Ban Tha Chai villages in Nakhon Nayok Province created a town within the Sankamphaeng mountains’ forest around 1922. The land was cultivated by up to 30 households. The government formally acknowledged the territory, which is now known as Tambon Khao Yai in Pak Phli District. Due to its isolation from authorities, however, it became a haven for criminals and fugitives. After a failed attempt to apprehend the suspects in the region, the people were transferred to the plains 30 kilometers distant in 1932, and the tambon designation was revoked.
Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat, Thailand’s prime minister, directed the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of the Interior to devise a mechanism for establishing national parks in 1959. The first national park in Thailand, Khao Yai National Park, was founded on September 18, 1962, by royal proclamation in the Government Gazette (Book 79, Section 89). Boonsong Lekakul, one of Thailand’s most recognized conservationists of the twentieth century, had a key part in its establishment. It was named after Khao Yai, a defunct tambon.
The Park was designated as an ASEAN Heritage Park in 1984, and on 14 July 2005, it was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, along with other parks in the same range and the Dong Phaya Yen Mountains to the north, as the “Dong Phaya Yen–Khao Yai Forest Complex.” Acquiring property for future wildlife conservation initiatives is becoming more difficult as the grounds close to the national park are increasingly turned into luxury hotels and golf courses. Homes and residential villas have been constructed illegally within the forest’s protected area. Illegal logging is also an issue in the park’s vicinity.
The climate in Khao Yai National Park
Khao Yai National Park has three distinct seasons, with an average yearly temperature of 23° C that fluctuates substantially depending on the season. The rainy season (May–October): Precipitation is heavy on most days. The atmosphere is humid, with average daytime temperatures of 27 °C and nighttime temperatures of 13 °C. Streams reaching their highest levels. Clear skies, sunny, and cool during the cool season (November–February). Temperatures average 22 degrees Celsius during the day and 10 degrees Celsius at night. It’s a beautiful day for trekking. Hot season (March–April): Humid, with daytime temperatures of 20–30 degrees Celsius and nighttime temperatures of 17 degrees Celsius.
Khao Yai National Park is home to a wide variety of wildlife.
Mammals
Khao Yai is the finest place to go mammal watching because of the park’s spectacular biodiversity. After Kui Buri National Place, Khao Yai is Thailand’s second greatest park for spotting elephants if you’re lucky. Northern pig-tailed macaques, barking deer, sambar deer, gibbons, porcupines, and civets are a few additional frequently encountered creatures. Even more elusive creatures like sun bears, Asian black bears, and gaurs, as well as otters and dholes, have been observed on occasion. They may go unnoticed if you see one of these rarely seen northern pig-tailed macaques anywhere else in the country. Generally, travelers confuse them with the long-tailed macaques that may be found all around the world.
Birds
There have been reports of 440 different bird species from Khao Yai, some of which may be accidental. The Park is home to one of Thailand’s greatest concentrations of hornbills. Over the tourist center area, great hornbills and Oriental-pied hornbills can be observed virtually every day. In Thailand, only Khao Yai National Park has recorded sightings of Rufous-tailed robins. Others include Austen’s brown hornbill, the white-browed fantail, Blyth’s pipit, and the greater adjutant.
There are also rare species such as the Japanese thrushes, coral-billed cuckoos, and northern goshawks. These wild chickens, known as junglefowl, are frequently spotted roaming the countryside. Silver pheasants, Scaly-breasted partridges, and Siamese firebacks are all frequent ground-dwelling birds. The best time to go birdwatching in Khao Yai is during the dry season and from March to April when the bulk of the country’s bird population migrates to Thailand.
Reptiles
Over 85 different kinds of reptiles have been found in Khao Yai. One pit viper species, Vogel’s pit vipers (Trimeresurus vogeli), one species of large-eyed pit vipers, and one species of white-lipped pit vipers may all be found in the park (trimeresurus-albolabris). Gibson’s wolf snakes (Lycodon gibsonae), Nganson bronzebacks (Dendrelaphis ngansonensis), and Joynson’s kukri snakes are only a few of the unique snakes seen in the park (Oligodon joynsoni). Khao Yai National Park is home to Thailand’s three python species. Intriguingly, the park is home to three distinct color variations of the Oriental whip snake, making it one of Khao Yai’s most frequently encountered snake species.
Physignathus cocincinus, the Chinese water dragon, is a medium-sized lizard commonly seen near streams. Among the other lizards you can see in the park are: the Brown Tree Dragon (Acanthosaura lepidogaster), the Cardamom Tree Dragons (Acanthosaura cardamomensis), the Reeve’s Butterfly Lizards (Leiolepis rubritaeniata), the Cambodian Stream Skinks (Tropidophorus microlepis), the Yunnan Dwarf Geckos (Hemiphy (Draco maculatus). The lizards of Reeves’s butterfly genus are frequently found near a helipad south of the visitor center in grassy settings. Until recently, there was just one Siamese crocodile in the national park, and it was located along a trail. It has since vanished, and it is presumed to be deceased.
How to travel to Khao Yai
Khao Yai access without a personal vehicle To begin, take public transportation to Pak Chong Market and get off at the first stop. Then take a different car back to Khao Yai. You can travel to Pak Chong Market by taking one of the following three routes:
To go to Khao Yai, visitors can use a bus.
There are three private bus operators offering service to Khao Yai.
-Ratchasima Tour Co., Ltd. Tel. For more information 0 2936 1615
-Air Korat Pattana Co. Ltd. To learn more, call us at 0 2936 2252.
-Suranaree Air Co., Ltd. Tel. Call us at (02537 8369) if you’d like further information.
To purchase tickets, go to the ticket counter on the 3rd floor of the Chatuchak Bus Terminal or Mo Chit 2. It is possible to travel by air-conditioned bus in both first and second class. On the Bangkok-Nakhon Ratchasima route, tickets cost roughly 200 baht and are available every day, all day, with buses leaving every 20–30 minutes. The trip takes about two hours. The first bus leaves at 6:00 a.m., and the journey The last stop is Pak Chong District Market at 5.20 p.m.
Van transportation to Khao Yai
For pickup trucks The route from Bangkok to Khao Yai Either from Mo Chit or Rangsit, it is possible to ascend. The cost of a ticket is between 150 and 160 baht (depending on the pick-up point). Getting to Pak Chong’s market by van takes about three hours.
To go to Khao Yai, you can take a train.
There are now two routes for the train: Hua Lamphong — Chachoengsao — Prachinburi. there’s also an expressway connecting Hua Lamphong and Pak Chong Take the train to Pak Chong Market Station and get off at the third exit. There are air-conditioned 2nd class buses as well as 3rd class buses (fan buses). Tickets are 90 baht, but the trip takes roughly 3–5 hours, making it unsuitable for certain people who are interested in going. Trip in the morning, return in the evening
Getting to Pak Chong and then on to Khao Yai
Take public transportation to Pak Chong District and get off at the first stop. Visitors to Khao Yai have a variety of options for getting there, including the following:
- Transport from Pak Chong to Khao Yai via minibus It’s a minibus dedicated to transporting tourists between Pak Chong and Khao Yai. A one-way trip costs about 40 Baht, and it runs from six in the morning to six in the evening. Every 20 minutes, a bus will depart towards the park’s entrance checkpoint, where passengers will disembark. After that, you can hire a motorcycle and ride up to Khao Yai National Park on the island’s northern tip. You can also hire a minivan to take you to Khao Yai and the surrounding areas. The cost of car rental varies according to the contract.
– Obtain a license and rent a motorcycle Can be leased from Pak Chong market up to Khao Yai district. Alternatively, you can take a minibus to the checkpoint and then hire a motorcycle at the park’s entrance. The cost of renting a motorcycle to get to Khao Yai is between 300 and 500 baht per day. demands extreme attention because the majority of the route is uphill. Unaccustomed drivers and individuals who are not difficult to drive may find this strategy unsuitable.
The Pak Chong market offers car rentals. Numerous stores are available from which to pick. The daily rental fee is between 1,200 and 1,500 baht. Traveling in groups is easy and convenient using this strategy, which is why most travelers opt for it.
When encounter wild elephants while going through Khao Yai National Park, visitors should follow the following guidelines.
- Pull over 30 meters away from the elephant and reverse the car to maintain a safe distance.
- Keep the engine running at all times.
- Always turn on the light when encountering an elephant at night; do not use the flashing light.
- Do not park and take a cautious approach to the elephant.
- If the motor is switched off, an elephant’s best senses are his ears, nose, and eyes. Elephants will come closer to use their other senses. This refers to the senses of smell, sight, and touch.
6. When the vehicle in front of you reverses. To make emergency circumstances easier, the next car should follow.
7. If you become encircled by elephants, relocate your car in a direction where there are few elephants.
8.Do not go to visit the elephants while parking.
9.Do not blow your horn or create a loud noise with your car.
10.Don’t take pictures with a flash.
Camping at Khao Yai national park
The Lam Ta Khong Campsite and the Pha Kluai Mai Campsite are the park’s two primary camping areas. Camping equipment, such as tents and sleeping bags, can be rented at any of the campgrounds, however, reservations are not accepted.
Khao Yai national park accommodation
Accommodations can be found inside the national park at two different locations. They are priced at 800 baht for two people, 2,400 baht for eight people, and 9,000 baht for ten people, respectively (20 people). Accommodations must be reserved in advance on the DNP website. When booking from outside Thailand, you will have to send money via bank transfer, which will take more time than sending money from Thailand. Convenience outlets like 7-Eleven and banks accept payments. Visitors will be able to pick up keys to your reserved lodging at the park’s visitor center when you arrive.
Eat on Khao Yai national park
The Park is home to many eateries, including restaurants, cafés, and food stands. Right next to the visitor center, you’ll find a restaurant, a café, and many foods stand. The restaurants and cafés at both campgrounds are open from early morning until late afternoon, depending on how busy the campgrounds are. On the south side of the park, near Haew Narok Waterfall, there’s one more dining option.
Khao Yai has many attractions.
Visitor Information Center
It’s a pleasant and open spot worth stopping and gazing about 14 kilometers into the park from the northern gate. In the immediate neighborhood of the visitor center, there is a restaurant, multiple food kiosks, restrooms, and various buildings. Almost every day, macaques, sambar deer, many interesting birds, and other park creatures may be observed near the tourist center: macaques, sambar deer, and many others. Unfortunately, some guests abandon their turtles in the river behind the visitor center. Turtles, which are not generally found in the park or the country, are frequently seen basking on rocks.
Various intriguing routes begin at the visitor center and end only a few kilometers away. To hike most of the paths, you’ll need a guide. The 800-meter circular route beyond the visitor center is the park’s only trail that may be walked without a guide. Please click the “Show on map” link to see other trails. Even though the area around the visitor center is notorious for being a bit busy, it is one of the finest areas in the park to see certain common birds. There are a lot of kingfishers and hornbills around.
Khao Yai national park Trails
There are seven recognized trails, the majority of which require the presence of a guide or a ranger (if available). Guides can be booked through a variety of tour operators (or this website), but rangers must be booked as early as possible in the morning to ensure availability. The smallest path is an 800-meter circular walk behind the tourist center, while the longest is an 8-kilometer one-way trail that begins behind the visitor center and ends at the Haew Suwat Waterfall. All official trails are now numbered, therefore it’s preferable to refer to them by their numbers to avoid confusion.
Khao Yai Campsites
Within the park’s limits, there are two campgrounds, each with toilets, showers, and parking. Tents start at 250 Baht for two people, with sleeping bags, pillows, and blankets costing between 20 and 50 baht a piece. Hiking is possible in the areas surrounding both campgrounds. Macaques will eventually visit the tents after leaving them. Monkeys may pull the tent apart if the doors are closed. It is recommended that campers leave the doors and any bags inside open. Smaller bags or anything else that the monkeys might confuse for food should be left open. Macaques will only take food or anything that resembles a food container; they are uninterested in other stuff.
During the winter months of November to February, nighttime temperatures can drop to 9–10 degrees Celsius. Warm clothing is recommended for a comfortable night’s sleep, getting to the bathroom in the middle of the night, as well as hiking in the early morning or late evening, or riding a motorcycle.
Wildlife Observation Watchtower Nong Phak Chi
It’s 2.5 kilometers northwest of the visitor center and has a great view of the surrounding grasslands. Near the watchtower, there is a salt lick and a pond that attracts many species. Elephants occasionally appear in this area. There is a network of pathways in the region surrounding the watchtower.
Waterfalls at Khao Yai national park
Many waterfalls can be found in Khao Yai, most of which can be reached by car and a short trek, however, some require a longer hike with the assistance of a guide.
Waterfall Haew Narok
This three-tiered waterfall, the highest of which is 80 meters high, has a total altitude of 150 meters and is the largest in Khao Yai National Park. It is approximately 10 kilometers north of the southern gate. A 600-meter trail leads to the waterfall from a parking lot near the main road. Next to the parking lot are restrooms and a restaurant. A pavilion-like rest spot, where a 600–800 meter long route begins, is located just before descending downwards to the viewpoint.
There are no signs or information on the trail. This trail will take you to a much better vantage position where you may shoot the waterfall from a higher vantage point. Birds, lizards, macaques, and possibly elephants can all be found on the short trek to the waterfall. In October of this year, 11 elephants died at Haew Narok Waterfall, probably as a herd of elephants attempted to save a calf from the raging torrent streaming down the main fall. In 1992, eight more elephants were discovered dead at the same location.
Waterfall Haew Suwat
It’s a 20-meter-high waterfall located around 13 kilometers from the visitor center. Many film scenes have been shot at this waterfall, the most renowned of which is Leonardo Di Caprio’s jump scene from The Beach. Only a hundred meters from the carpark area, the waterfall is easily accessible by scooter or car. A restaurant is located close to the parking lot and is open regularly.
There is a “secret” trail near the restaurant that leads to the top of the waterfall, where the leap sequence from The Beach was filmed, in less than 200 meters. Haew Sai Fai Fall and Haew Pratoon Falls are two lesser waterfalls located 700 to 1,000 meters downstream north of Haew Suwat Waterfall, and both require a guide to access.
Rai Manesorn, Khao Yai, Sunflower fields
Sunflower Field, Rai Manisorn, Mu Si Sub-district, Pak Chong District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province: This is Sunflower Field, Rai Manisorn, Mu Si Sub-district, Pak Chong District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province. Hundreds of acres of sunflower cultivation fields are located roughly 17 kilometers from the Khao Yai National Park office. This flowering, however, is a little plot of about 40 rai, which is a vast plot that will bloom in December.
The beauty of the sunflower field, Mani Sorn Farm, Khao Yai is located where the sunflowers are large, bright yellow trees with wide space to look as far as the eye can reach and surrounded by mountains and wonderful nature. As a result, there is a stunning vista. It’s lovely to take images from any viewpoint. Rai Manisorn, Khao Yai, can be visited every day from 06.00 a.m. to 06.00 p.m. to see the sunflower fields. Admission is 40 baht per person for Thais and 80 baht for foreigners.
Scenical World
In gorgeous mountains, the most attractive amusement and water park: Scenical World, a World Class quality amusement park and water park, will make your everyday vacations extraordinary. At Excite Zone, you can get your adrenaline racing by participating in over 20 incredible fun activities and rides while taking in the most breathtaking panoramic mountain views. At Splash Zone in the heart of the mountains and tropical garden, enjoy nonstop play action on multi-level platforms with over 15 slides, including a wave pool, lazy pool, and aqua play for all family members. Spending quality time with your children while playing a range of games at the Kids Zone. Our famous parades, light and music shows, seasonal carnivals of meals, shopping, and entertainment are sure to delight visitors of all ages. Pick up your favorite drinks, bakery, and pastry items at True Coffee.
SPLASH — Discover Thailand’s first world-class state-of-the-art waterpark, located in the heart of the mountains, with over 15 thrilling slides and great adrenaline-pumping interactive water attractions. With nonstop water play action on multi-level platforms featuring a wave pool, lazy pool, and aqua play contemporary water sliders, Scenical World Splash ensures fun and joy for the entire family.
EXCITE — By its size and capacity, EXCITE is Thailand’s newest and most exciting adventure park, with over 20 fantastically fun games and activities, some of which offer the greatest level of adrenaline-pumping excitement. This exciting and thrill-filled space, located on 20 acres of open ground near Khao Yai Mountain, is a fantastic place for families or friends to strengthen their bonds and extend their adventurous spirits.
The family — revolves around the children. Here at Scenical World, we’ve gathered a range of enjoyable games for the entire family to enjoy while commemorating a loved one. The safety of all visitors is a top priority at Scenical World. Our equipment is fitted following the highest safety standards set by the manufacturer. Every member of the operating team has been trained to ensure that these standards are met at all times.
MALL — The outdoor shopping and dining lifestyle place with a “themed” theme. Time travel concept set in Sacramento, California during the Gold Rush era. Brand name fashion shopping, world cuisines paradise, wine bars, elegant cafes, and a variety of shops to browse around all the ‘happening’ parts of Khao Yai’s pleasant lifestyle are among the activities available at this hangout location.
Farm Chokchai
Farm Chokchai is Asia’s largest dairy farm, and it has been recognized as an exceptional agricultural tourism destination by the Tourism Industry Honors for the fourth year in a row in 2002, as well as other awards that attest to the place’s high quality. On Mittraphap Road, km 159–160 of Pak Chong District, there is a verdant green area as far as the eye can see on more than 20,000 rai. In Thailand, it is known as the model for cowboys and has long been a popular agritourism destination. Tourists can also take advantage of an agrotourism service that is both entertaining and soothing.
Chokchai Farm is a dairy farm in Thailand that is regarded as one of Asia’s largest. Mittraphap-Pak Chong Road is the location. It is an agricultural attraction where a family may spend quality time together. Visiting Farm Chokchai allowed me to not only get some fresh air but also learn about dairy cows and how to care for them. They are also capable of milking the cows on their own. There is also a camping-style accommodation zone where you can sleep in a tent in a pleasant environment.
Yao Tad Hin
On the south side of Prachinburi Province, Tad Hin Yao is located in the Khao Yai National Park area. It is one of Khao Yai’s most stunning tourist attractions. Because it is a section of the waterfall that is higher than 300 meters, visitors must walk for approximately an hour and hire a guide to travel because it might be dangerous if they are not skilled. It will appeal to everyone who likes forests, waterfalls, and natural settings.
PRIMO PIAZZA
Piazza Primo Khao Yai, a town surrounded by the architecture of a 500-year-old village in Tuscany, Italy, is well situated in a pleasant climate. The place’s highlight is the Italian atmosphere in Thailand, as well as the cuteness of Merino sheep, alpacas, and donkeys, all of which have traveled long distances from Australia.
Sai Sorn Reservoir
Within the Khao Yai National Park, the Sai Son Reservoir serves as a reservoir for human consumption as well as a source of water for wildlife. Another place to watch the sunset is here. Aside from the sunset, tourists can often spot large and tiny creatures in this location, such as barking deer, monkeys, and birds drinking.
GranMonte Vineyard
Another notable agritourism in Khao Yai is GranMonte Vineyard or GranMonte Vineyard and Winery. This is a full-fledged vineyard. Every year, tourists can participate in a grape harvest festival.
In addition, this site has some relevant info: TRAVEL TO THAILAND