Category Archives: Khao Yai travel guide

Khao Yai travel guide, Khao yai national park, Pak Chong, Nakhon Ratchassima province, Thailand.

Getting to Pak Chong from Bangkok

 

Our resort map location in Khao Yai national park area.

The Khao yai- Phayanyen Unesco Forest Program, our location

The easiest way to visit Khao Yai park is to use Pak Chong as a transit point for your travel. It’s also the most popular with Thai residents for all the attractions around and the peaceful refreshing landscape.

By minivan: Direct minivans leaves to Pak Chong from Victory Monument minivan station
Direction of Victory minivan station: it is located under the expressway bridge crossing Phahon Yothin Rd., 100 meters north of the Victory square, cross the square by the footpath from BTS station up to Phohon Yothin road. Minivans leaves every 2 hours for about 180 Thb per seat.
BTS: Victory Monument

By bus: buses leaves every half hour or so from Mo-Chit north terminal in Bangkok (about 180 Thb). Pak Chong is on the way to Nakhon Ratchassima / Korat,  which is the main transit road to Isaan province, so you are sure to always catch a bus easily, just make sure the bus stop in Pak Chong. From Pak Chong, songthaew runs every half hour along Thanarad rd. up the park entrance.

http://mochit.com, in Thai, you can use Google translate for English speakers

By train: trains leaves Hualampong station 4 times a day but takes from 4 to 5 hours so it s probably not the best way to get there from Bangkok http://www.railway.co.th/

By road/ car from Bangkok center:
-Head north east towards Saraburi / Nakhon Ratchassima by taking the Phahon Yothin Rd., the expressway along The Dong Muang Airport in Bangkok
-Before Ayutthaya, head north east towards Saraburi.
From Eastern Bangkok and the Suvarnabhumi international airport, take the outer ring road up to Phatum Thani to catch the Mittraphap Road leading to Saraburi.
-Just before Saraburi, continue the Mittraphap Expressway leading to Nakhon Ratchassima up to Pak Chong, about 45 km from Saraburi.
– From Pak Chong, The national park is at the end of Thanarad rd., south of Pak Chong town. The park entrance is  about 20 km from the expressway exit, park headquarters are located about 10 km south from the park entrance.

FROM KORAT/ NAKHON RATCHASSIMA

By bus: Buses runs every half hour from Korat bus station towards Bangkok and stop in Pak Chong.

GETTING AROUND IN KHAO YAI

Songthaew runs permanently along Thanarad rd. up the park entrance.
A good option is to rent a motorbike to be able to visit the area at your own pace, bicycle are also available for rent, be aware that once you pass the park gate the park road is mountainous up to the park headquarter. Mountain bike are allowed in the park. Outside the park, there is plenty of nice bicycle Roads threw vineyards and the country. Check futures posts about that.

BAAN SARANYA LODGE LOCATION- WHERE WE ARE.

Resort map in Khao Yai, Pakchong

Our resort map in Khao Yai, Pak Chong, Nakhon Ratchassima

By car: The resort is along Thanarad Road at km 13.5. On your right when heading to park, pass St Stephen’s school, Wood Park houses, it s just here,  opposite Krua Khao Yai, the most famous restaurant in the area.

GPS coordonate:14°33’42.40″N; 101°24’21.59″E

Distances
Bangkok – Baan Saranya Lodge 152 km – 2 hours by car approx.
Pak Chong /bus station/ train station – resort -20 km, 20 min by car

Transfer service Pakchong
Free pick up service from Pak Chong Bus station is available by advance booking.

Transfer service Bangkok
Private transfer service from Bangkok to Baan Saranya Khao Yai Lodge is available by advance booking.
Pick-up time at 9.00 am from your hotel in Bangkok
3500 Thb./1 way trip minivan (for up to 8 persons)

Week end flea market in Khao Yai

Shop more in Khao Yai, a small week-end flea market is organized every Saturday next to Palio Khao Yai. The flea market offers a wide range of products.

Parking lot is available at Palio. Opening time: 10-00 to 20-00.

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.

Gallery

Big Mountain Music Festival, Khao Yai

This gallery contains 16 photos.

It was a huge success for the second Big Mountain Festival in Khao Yai last 9-11 December in Bonanza. So let’s get ready and bookmark the next one, December 2011!! The biggest music festival in Thailand is a modern “Woodstock” … Continue reading

Dan Kwian pottery village

Dan Kwian pottery village in korat province

pottery

Pottery Village
In the old days, local people of the district made different types of pottery from the clay from the banks of the Moon River.Today product ranges have developed to home and garden decoration.
Situated on Highway No. 224, about 14 kilometers from the city of Nakhon Ratchasima/Korat,Dan Kwian is a village noted for a unique pottery widely used for interior and outdoor decoration. The uniqueness of Dan Kwian black bronze coming from the Moun River clay is its durability, pliability and rusty color.

Dan Kwian Pottery is famous all around Thailand but much cheaper from the source in the village itself. The wholesale earthenware district is a prime place to pick up pots, vases, jars and garden accessories for less than Bt100 a piece. Open daily.

More on Dan kwian village on thailand.org

Jim Thompson farm & Pak Thong Chai silk Village

Jim Thompson farm in Isaan, Nakkhon ratchassima Province

Jim thompson farm & Isaan Village

Jim Thompson farm
Jim Thompson organize farm tours in the December/ January cool season only.
The Jim Thompson Farm is open daily from Saturday 18 December 2010 through Sunday 9 January 2011. from 9.00 am until 5.00 pm. Open on weekends (Saturday and Sunday) from 15 january to 13 february 2011.9.00 am until 5.00 pm.

” Situated in the Pak Thong Chai district of Nakhon Ratchasima province, the project area initially covered 600 rai (about 96 hectares/237 acres).The Jim Thompson Farm was opened to the public for the first time in 2001 and has since evolved into one of Isan’s most popular agro-tourism and eco-tourism attractions. It is open to visitors only once a year during the peak of the cool season.

The Jim Thompson farm tours provides a unique opportunity for visitors to observe up close and personal the full life cycle of the silkworms and the silk farming process as part of the Isan way of life. Other highlights include a tour of the vegetable plots and ornamental plant nursery.
The Isan and Khorat villages are star attractions featuring antique houses unique in architecture and in pristine condition.”
(Adults Baht 60 and Children Baht 40).

Jim Thompson Farm
Tambol Takob, Amphur Pak Thong Chai,
Nakhon Ratchasima, (Korat) Province
E-mail: farmtour@jimthompson.com. Tel: 02-762-2566, 085-660-7336, 044-373-116
Web: Jim Thompson farm


Jim Thompson recently open ‘Ho Kum Koon’, a tribute to Pak Thong Chai as the Nation’s Major Silk-weaving District. Located at the entrance of the Thai Silk Company’s Pak Thong Chai factory in Nakhon Ratchasima, Ho Kum Koon Tourist Information Center is open daily from 9:00 to 18:00 hrs. For more information, please call 044-441-558 Ext. 3123. picture@Jim Thompson

Pak Thong Chai Silk Village
One of the most famous silk villages in Thailand, showcasing elaborate silk-weaving process, and offering beautiful Thai silk at reasonable price, Korat silk is famous for its high quality. Pak Thong Chai Village is one of Thailand’s most famous silk-weaving villages, where villagers retain their creative skills in producing beautiful Korat-texture silk. Though many Thai silk factories have been set up here at the village, independent local weavers still produce exquisite hand-woven Korat silk as souvenir items. Open daily. (Clik for map)

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

Pak Chong markets

Pak Chong morning and evening markets

Pak Chong market

Pak Chong morning market
Pak Chong ‘s morning market is in the heart of the Pak Chong town.
Pak chong Market is a ‘fresh’ market, raw meat, seafood, vegetables are offered there at low prices. It s a good shot for a tourist who wish to see a traditional Thai market in upcountry. Everyday from 6 a.m

Pak Chong night market
Every night you will have unique opportunity to test local delicacies at the night market. Lots of vendors and their carts offering delicious snacks, barbecue on the go, gorgeous desserts and all kind of meals to eatand samples. Pak Chong was originally a market town and it worth a visit to experience all kind of great food.
Every evening in the town center

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

Museums in Nakhon Ratchassima area

Phimai National Museum is in Phimai, about 60 kilometers from Nakhon Rachassima, on the road to Khon Kaen. The museum display a collection of arte-facts and information on the cultural prosperity of ancient Isaan. Arte-facts found in the lower North eastern Thailand are displayed here, including pre-historic items like pottery, tools and stone ornaments. Arte-facts from later periods include stone temple boundary markers from the Dvaravati period, Khmer building parts, and a bas relief of King Jayavoraman VII found at Phimai Sanctuary, the museum’s most outstanding exhibit. The Phimai museum is open 9.00 a.m. – 4.00 p.m. daily.

The Phimai museum is the center of cultural heritage in north-eastern Thailand

Buddha Sheltered by a seven-headed naga, Phimai Museum

The Museum exhibitions are divided into 3 parts: Part 1 : Second floor exhibition. This exhibition shows the development of communities in the lower part of northeast Thailand from prehistoric to recent periods.
Part 2 : Ground floor exhibition. This exhibition shows the archeology and history of the town of Phimai. It includes the town environment, the construction of Prasat Phimai during the 11th – 13th centuries, and evidence of the flourishing religion, culture and economy of the time.
Part 3 : Outdoor exhibition. This displays sandstone objects used in the construction of Khmer temples such as Prasat Phimai. These includes lintels, door columns, motifs, lotus bud-shaped crowns (the apex of the tower) and miniature tower.

The Phimai museum is the center of cultural heritage in north-eastern Thailand

Boundary Marker (Sema Stone) Dvaravati Style. 9th - 10 th centuries A.D. Phimai Museum

Cultural Center of Nakhon Ratchasima Rajabhat Institute is at Saranarai Road. The center has a good collection of images and history of historical sites, as well as information on ancient arts, tools and currency. It is open during government office hours.

Maha Wirawong National Museum is opposite the Provincial Hall in Khorat. The Maha Wirawong museum has on display artifacts found in Nakhon Ratchasima and nearby provinces such as stone Buddha statues from the Khmer and Ayutthaya periods, earthenware, bronze Buddha statues and woodcarvings from an ancient temple. It is open during 9.00 a.m. – 4.00 p.m. from Wednesday to Sunday. It is closed on Monday, Tuesday and public holidays.

Old Khorat City is 32 kilometers from the present city. The old city of Sema is a city from the Dvaravati period that is 37 kilometers from Nakhon Ratchasima city. Only a wall-like earth ridge remains. However, an important artifact stored at Wat Thammachak Semaram is the reclining red sandstone Buddha image that is the largest and oldest in Thailand. The image is 13.30 meters and 2.80 meters high. It was built around 657. There is also a Buddhism wheel sculpted from a large boulder.

Useful links:Thailand museums

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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