Category Archives: Khao Yai Activities

Activities and things to do in Khao Yai National Park and Pak Chong and the area during your stay.

A complete guide to Khao Yai plants & botany

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A complete botany guide to Khao Yai is available for download for free from DNP ( Department of national parks) website. It s a massive 262 pages e-book co-published with Christian Puff from the Faculty of Botany in Vienna. This e-book is highly instructive, cover amazing species and is illustrated with a lot of photographic plates. A must see before heading to the park. (In Thai and English.)

Click bellow for links to DNP i-Book

Click to check more about this story:A complete guide to Khao Yai plants & botany.

Shopping in Khao Yai

Palio

Palio Khao Yai

Outlet village Khao Yai
Outlet shopping mall for various locales and licensee international fashion brands, past seasons at discount prices. the Outlet is located on Mittraphap Rd., it host as well a Starbuck coffee and various restaurants, open daily from 10.00 to 20.00.

Fly now outlet store
Located as well on Mittraphap rd., the Fly Now outlet offers all year discount on this Thai fashion brand. Open daily from 10.00 to 20.00

Palio
The latest popular addition to the area, the Palio walking street mall offers a range of 100 stores in an “italian street” setting, offering all kind of products, fashion, beauty, decoration, design, restaurants, bakeries. Palio is located on Thanarad road in Mu-Si, next to the Juldis Hotel. Open Daily from 10.00 to 20.00

Activities parks

Life Park at Khao Yai

Cart at the Life Park

2 attractions parks are available in Khao Yai area

Lifepark
Life park offers many activities for all ages: Bumper Boats and mini car and mini kart for kids, ever slide, Nano racing, bumper, bowling, orb, Thunder Nawk, Bugxter rally, ATVs, Climbing, air ball, archery, clay shooting, some extreme sport machines and more…Their latest star attraction, The Hi flyers balloon allowed you to see landscape from above.
Prices start at 160 Thb for one pass for basic attractions, you will need 4 pass per person for the most interesting attractions, 8 passes cost 1200 Thb. Location: The Greenery Resort Khao Yai, Pak Chong

Adventure park
Bonanza hotel is hosting on his large compound the Adventure Park, there you will found many activities such as: Horse riding, Canoe, flying Box, BB Gun, Bow, Bumper boat, Motocross, Shows, , canopy walk, Climbing wall, Swing, ATV…Location: Bonanza Hotel, Pak Chong

Thongsomboon Club
Thonsomboon club is a cow boy theme resort and park, it offers safe and fun activities for kids and adults: horse ride, rodeo, shooting, luge, ATV, go cart, buggy ride, bumper boat, bb gun and more; 119 Moo 10, Packhong Hualam Road, Pak Chong
Website: http://www.thongsomboon-club.com

PB Valley Winery & GranMonte estate

PB Valley vineyard in khao yai

PB Valley Vineyards

PB Valley
PB valley has a total vineyard area of 500 hectares out of 2,500 hectares all together with 400 hectares being planted with wine grapes and 100 hectares of table grapes. PB valley produce mainly Shiraz and Chenin Blanc grapes threw different labels, PB Reserve, Pirom, Khao Yai Reserve and Sawasdee Khao Yai range.

PB Valley offer vineyard and winery tour daily, 3 times a day, with a tour guide which will explain you their history, details and of course a wine tasting at their cellar door at the end of the visit ( 200 Thb). A package with a Wine tour, a wine tasting and meal with a glass of wine is also available and start at 730 Thb per head. a non-alcoholic version is available for children.

GranMonte Estate
GranMonte estate is another large vineyard located in the Asoke valley, adjacent to the park and covering around 100 rai. The GranMonte wine are made of two grapes variety, Chenin Blanc and Syrah & Chenin Blanc.

GrandMonte offers year-round activities (ie. annual Harvest in February and Wine Festival in October). Complimentary tours can be arranged by prior arrangement on weekend only.

Agro-tourism at Farm Chock Chai

Farm Chockchai tours in khao yai

Farm Chockchai eco-tours

Farm Chockchai
Today, Farm Chokchai runs a substantial dairy farm with over 3,000 head of dairy cattle, a breed bred exclusively by Chokchai Farm. The species is Chokchai Friesian which was developed by crossbreeding Holstein Friesian (about 93%) and a native Thai species (7%). Originally, Farm Chokchai was solely an agriculture venture in a country deeply rooted in farming. Farm Chokchai continues to evolve from a well-established agriculture business into a dynamic company that now includes a vibrant customer-centered service division. Today the farm Chochai setting along Mittraphap Rd. have developped into a full attraction park dedicated to agro-tourism and Thai awareness about farming.

chockchai farm in khao yai

Learn milking at Chokchai farm

Besides the restaurants and ice cream parlors, you will found there plenty of attractions with their agro-tour: get the real feel of the farm life by seeing and learning through experiences such as milking cow, making fresh milk ice cream, seeing cowboy live shows, dogs rounding up sheep, dogs showing their skills, visiting a nursery, an ATV short track, farm visits and more…

Web: Farm Chockchai

Thai elephant conservation center in Khao Yai

TECC elephant protection center

Thai elephant center Khao Yai

The Thai Elephant Research and Conservation Fund (TERF) is an Ngo based in Khao Yai, along Thanarad road in Mu Si, it’s a good idea to stop there and even make a donation.
The TERF work on different projects through Thailand, their main missions are:
-Conservation of Thai elephants through interdisciplinary research and use of traditional local knowledge

TEFFThai elephant in khao yai

Thai Elephant fund

-Enabling public participation in elephant conservation through education, awareness raising and encouraging positive action.
-Working with others from Thailand and around the world for the benefit of Thai elephants.

Located in the Khao Yai TERF on Thanarad road,  TECC is home to a small population of domesticated Asian Elephants, together with their mahouts. The main objective of TECC is to provide these ‘streets elephants’ (chang baan) better life conditions while offering their mahouts instruction and the opportunity to be part in the awareness raising efforts required to address the critical situation of Asian elephant conservation within Thailand and Southeast Asia as a whole.
TECC propose activities as well; such as riding elephants, giving fruits and food, in order visitors to raise donations or sponsorship for further purposes of The Elephants Center for Conservation.

Mahouts Life Enhancement Project by TERF Khao yai

Mahouts Life Enhancement Project

The TECC, Mahouts Life Enhancement Project has as mission to improve Mahouts’ Life Quality through participation in knowledge gathering and creation activities, alternative and renewable energy research and development projects, and providing welfare support to their families.

Thai Elephant Research and conservation center
99/9 Moo 4,Tambon Musee, Pak Chong, (opposite Fabb café), Nakon Ratchasima,Thailand. 30130
Web: TERF
Telephone : 044-297406 , 08-1799-8727

Links:
Bring the Elephant Home and the forest program in Khao Yai

Thailand international balloon festival

 

Thailand balloon festival in Khao Yai

Balloon festival

Earth, Wind & Fire are the principal organizers of Hot Air Balloon events and this year will  stage the fourth of the Thailand International Balloon Festival, the largest outdoor event in Thailand, hosting audiences of between 150,000 and 300,000 on site and watched by millions on Thailand’s TV channels.  Foreign media companies also feature the events.
A week of sport, excitement, fresh air and fun in the beautiful surroundings of Nakorn Nayok

Groups of enthusiasts are getting together to share their common interest in a particular sport, to display their talents, enroll others into their group and teach newcomers how to succeed in doing new sports or skills.
All the activities take place in one of the 4 elements, Earth, Water, Wind and Fire.
Held at Khao Yai (War Dog Battalion, Pak Chong), the event is expected to attract over 300,000 spectators to witness a colorful showcase of hot air balloons from all over the world, including the USA, UK, Germany, France, Italy, Japan and Malaysia.

The first Festival, held in 2007, attracted over 150,000 Thai and foreign spectators and received wide coverage in all media.
Admission is free. Next event should be held 1st week of December.

More infos on Thailand balloon festival website

Khao Yai gallery

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Animal & Birds watching in Khao Yai park


pictures@khao YaiNews.com News & Wildlife photography Khao Yai


Animal Observing

Khao Yai park is home for 112 species of mammals, 392 species of birds and 200 reptiles and amphibians. It is internationally important for the conservation of globally threatened and endangered mammal, bird and reptile species, among them 19 that are vulnerable, four that are endangered, and one that is critically endangered. The area contains substantial and important tropical forest ecosystems, which can provide a viable habitat for the long-term survival of these species.

Grasslands areas of the park are  covered in elephant and lalang grasses, which provide  opportunities to observe sambar and barking deer. There are also civets, pig-tailed macaques, the vulnerable Pileated Gibbon, white-handed gibbons, shrews, bats, Asiatic black bears,  wild dogs, fishing cats, hog badgers, binturong, Malayan sun bears, slow loris, mouse deer, gaur, serow, giant black squirrels, giant porcupines, hares, reticulated pythons, Siamese cobras, green tree vipers, monitor lizards, skinks, flying Draco lizards, clouded leopards, regular run-of-the-mill leopards, marbled cats and apparently even tigers, and one of Thailand’s largest herds of wild elephants roams the jungle and crosses its roads.

In the park guides can help visitors in sighting animals,  animal watching with parks staff at night is also possible.

Animal Observing Tower

Observing Tower is a place for travelers hiding themselves for observing animals. There are two towers enable from 06.00 a.m. to 06.00 p.m. as follows
Nong Phug She Tower Locating near Nong Phug Shee pond which is the source of water for many kinds of animal, and walking about one kilometer from Km. 35-36 Thanarat Road, Nong Phug She Tower has vastly cogon grass field and salt lick for animal.
Mo Sing To Tower Locating near Mo Sing To pond which is the source of water for many kinds of animal, opposite reservoir up the hill from the headquarters and restaurants between 500 metre.

Birding Trail

Khao Yai is one of the best birding places. You can found over 390 species of resident and migratory birds, including: the endangered Spot-billed Pelican and critically endangered Greater Adjutant. Great and Wreathed hornbills, Barbets, Scarlet Minivet, Trogons, Broadbills, Pitas, Pigeons, Mountain scops-Owl, Great Slaty Woodpecker, Collared Owlet, Blue-winged leaf bird, Asian Fairy bluebird, Greater Racket-tailed Drongo, Green Magpie, 3 species of laughing thrush and many types of Bulbuls. In Khao Yai there is also  Silver Pheasants, Scaly breasted Partridges, Red Junglefowl and Siamese Fierback. Near the rivers and ponds we may find White-throated Kingfisher, Prinia, Zitting cisticola and many more.

You can found many of those around the park headquarters. Bird watching can also be done on the sides of the road and around the old golf course. Head out for Trail # 2 toward Khao Khiew mountain, where you will find evergreen forest above 1,000 m.

Observation towers at Nong Pak Chee or Mo Sing. Early morning is the best time to view the Great Hornbills, guar, and sometimes elephants. Gibbons are most active in the early morning.

At about 5:30 at night thousands of wrinkled lipped bats emerge from a cave 3 km outside the northern gate to begin night time feeding. The bats fly in a ribbon pattern across the sky.

Patience is needed,good binoculars and a bird guide help is best.

(source Department of national parks)

Links:
Check fantastic pics of Khao Yai wildlife  in Khao Yai news.com, a great website about wildlife photography by a group of nature lovers and wildlife photographers.
http://www.khaoyainews.com/

Treks & Hikings

our resort is located in khao yai, khao yai national park is listed as unesco world heritage site

Khao Yai view@kawpodmd

Remember if you walk a relatively long trail  inform the office ahead. For all overnight treks in the jungle you must inform the park office, and walk with a park’s ranger. Check the local weather forecasts and conditions before heading to a trek or hike in a park.

Trekking is the best way to enjoy parks in Asia such as Khao Yai to really spot wildlife and enjoy tropical forest.

Rainy season is one the best time to enjoy trekking in Thai national parks as well, nature is awake, and waterfalls runs fully as most of them would be very dry other parts of the year.

“Rainy season in Thailand runs between May to October, trekking through the forest during this time doesn’t drain much energy since the weather is not sweltering. But many people are unwilling to explore the jungle during the rainy time since the entire area is rather slippery and wet.  In evergreen forest it is fraught with blood-sucking leeches eagerly waiting ofr their victims. But all of these natural difficulties make the journey a memorable experience. Certainly obstacles scatter in every nook and cranny, but they will also bring them a challenging experiences. For a part of you enjoyable episode you should follow these recommendations.

1. To prevent water, always take a fly sheet that can serve as a temporary roof. Also bring a light-weight raincoat that can serve as the fly sheet in case of urgency. Cloths and other stuff should be put into plastic bags first before packing then in your backpack. Shoes made of Gore-tex material are suitable for trekking since they are 100% waterproof, hence making the shoes dry and ventilated well.

2. comfortable and lightweight clothes made from synthetic fiber are recommended. Cotton textile is unsuitable since it absorbs water and dries so slowly.

3. Search for perfect and safe location to make camp. do not make camp in a water course or under the canopy of big tree since broken twigs and branches might fall down. Beside fly sheet should be stretched out. Drainage ditches should be dug around the camping area.

4. Be careful of poisonous creatures like scorpions, centipedes and snakes. These animals always seek refuge in dry areas such as in the tents, sleeping bags and shoes. Please check thoroughly before using these stuff. sprinkling insecticides ( DDT is available in Thailand and work best) or lime powder around the tent setting might help.

All tourist should bear in mind that they all are responsible for keeping the natural world be just like before we step in.

Be careful while playing or swimming in a fall. Be accompanied while strolling around the area. Inform the officials if wanting to go trekking since getting lost in the jungle, falling down, being attacked by wild animals and hitting by swift rapids can occur at all time.”

Source: Department of national parks

And don’t forget to buy the trek and trails guidebook at the park headquarters for more informations about trails and options.

Trekking Trail
These trails involve one to three days trekking and camping around Khao Yai. For more information, refer to ‘Khao Yai National Park Trekking Trails and Adventure activities in and around Khao Yai’ guidebook. [Ask at the parks office to purchase a copy].

Hiking trail
There are 6 Hiking Trails which are about 2-8 kilometers and 1-5 hours of walking. Travelers have to ask for permission from the park’s officer before taking a trip.

Natural Trail
This trail, leading to Kong Kaeo Waterfall, includes interpretative information for those wishing to understand more about the forest they are visiting.
The Kong Kaew Nature Trail, which begins behind the Visitor’s Centre, introduces the hiker to the flora of Khao Yai. It can be walked comfortably
in a half hour along a trail that crosses a swinging bridge, runs along the riverbank and passes Kong Kaew Waterfall.

(source: Thai Department of Natural Parks)

Places of interest in the park, waterfalls

Watefalls in Khao Yai

Haeo Suwat watefall

This travel blog photo’s source is TravelPod page: I will jump from the falls like Leonardo

Khao Yai has 44 waterfalls that flow abundantly in the rainy season. Heo Narok (Heu Waterfall), the largest, drops 150 metres in three stages, the tallest being 60 metres.

Heo Suwat Waterfall (Namtok Heo Suwat)

This is a famous waterfall that cascades from a 20-meters high cliff. It was made world famous for being used as film location for the movie The Beach with Leonardo Di Caprio. The waterfall, which is located at the end of Thanarat Road and being accessible by car, is only 100 meters by foot from the parking lot or a 3-kilometer walk from Pha Kluai Mai Waterfall. Visitors can view the falls from a distant viewpoint that offers a high-angle view of the waterfall through the trees or from the waterfall itself. However, please note that in the rainy season the water flows rapidly and caution should be taken.
The Beach,  film locations

Kong Kaeol Waterfall (Namtok Kong Kaeol)

This is a low waterfall, which is especially lovely in the rainy season originated from Huay Lam Takhong that divides Nakhon Nayok and Nakhon Ratchasima Provinces. The waterfall can be reached by a walking distance of 100 meters from the tourist service center. Visitors can enjoy swimming at the waterfall or taking short nature trips on nearby nature trails.

Pha Kluai Mai Waterfall (Namtok Pha Kluai Mai)

This is a medium-sized waterfall in Huay Lam Takhong with two separate bodies of water flowing down rock levels to merge at the bottom. In the area visitors can find the Red Dendrobium orchid that is the symbol of the waterfall. The waterfall is about 7 kilometers from the park office and can be reached by car and on foot. In addition, there is a trail from the waterfall that leads to Heo Suwat Waterfall.


Heo Narok Waterfall (Namtok Heo Narok)

This is the largest and highest waterfall in the park with 3 levels. The first level is about 60 meters high and water from this level flows straight down to the second and third levels, with a total drop of at least 150 meters. The water has considerable strength in the rainy season and is quite dangerous, but refreshing, when it comes splashing down on rocks at the bottom. The area around the waterfall is the usual feeding grounds of wild elephants. There have been occasional accidents when elephants drop from the cliff and die. For a beautiful view of the waterfall, visitors can walk 1 kilometer from the main road to a viewpoint. The waterfall itself is located to the south of the Park Office on the way to Prachin Buri.

There are also other lesser waterfalls in the park like Namtok Mai Plon, Namtok Heo Sai and Namtok Heo Prathul.