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Khao Yai National Park: Heaven on Earth and Home for Wildlife

Khao Yai National Park, situated in the Nakhon Ratchasima Province of Thailand, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the third-largest national park in the country. Since its establishment in 1962, Khao Yai has encompassed an expansive area of around 2,168 square kilometers (837 square miles) and forms a part of the Dong Phaya Yen-Khao Yai Forest Complex.

This park is renowned for its remarkable biodiversity, boasting a wide array of plant and animal species. From mammals to birds, reptiles to amphibians, Khao Yai is home to a diverse range of wildlife. Moreover, the park offers breathtaking natural landscapes, including dense forests, waterfalls, and majestic mountains. Exploring this place is like immersing oneself in the captivating beauty of nature, ensuring an exciting and unforgettable experience. Let’s embark on a journey to discover some of the extraordinary wonders within Khao Yai National Park!

How to get to Khao Yai National Park

How to get to Khao Yai National Park

You have three options for traveling from Bangkok: private car, bus, or train.

By Car

Getting to Khao Yai is most convenient if you have a car. It usually takes around 2-3 hours to reach the park from Bangkok, depending on the traffic. To get there, you can take Highway 1, also known as Mitrapap Road, heading northeast. Just follow the signs that lead to Khao Yai National Park. There are two entrance gates where you need to pay the National Park entrance fee. One is the Visitor Center at the Chao Por Khao Yai Shrine (Pak Chong Entrance) in Pak Chong District, Nakhon Ratchasima, and the other is the Noen Hom Visitor Center (Noen Hom Entrance) in Meuang District of Prachinburi province.

By Bus

You can reach Pak Chong by taking either the Bangkok-Nakhon Ratchasima coach or the Bangkok-Pak Chong private minivan. Once you arrive in Pak Chong, you can hire a taxi or take the Pak Chong-Khao Yai bus, which will take you to the Chao Por Khao Yai Shrine Visitor Center, the entrance gate to Khao Yai National Park. If you wish to explore the attractions within the park, you may also consider using other visitors’ vehicles for transportation.

By Train

To reach Khao Yai National Park, simply take the northeastern line (Bangkok-Pak Chong) and disembark at Pak Chong station in Nakhon Ratchasima province. From there, you can hop on a Songthaew bus at Pak Chong Market which will take you directly to the Chao Por Khao Yai Shrine Visitor Center (Entrance gate to the National Park). If you wish to explore more of the park’s attractions, you can also consider hitching a ride with other visitors’ vehicles.

Places to Go in Khao Yai National Park

Places to Go in Khao Yai National Park

Experience the beauty of Khao Yai National Park by visiting these incredible places.

1. Chao Por Khao Yai Shrine

Chao Phor Khao Yai Shrine holds a special place in the hearts of locals and people from nearby provinces. Originally, it was dedicated to Mr. Jang Nisaisat, a respected figure from Nakhon Nayok province. To commemorate his memory, the villagers built the Piang Ta Shrine beneath an Anisoptera tree at Wat Nong Khiam temple, which was later known as the Palat Jang Shrine. 

When Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat conducted surveys for Khao Yai National Park, he had a vision of this remarkable individual who had protected the park’s animals and forests. Inspired by this vision, he ordered the establishment of the Chao Phor Khao Yai Shrine near the 23 km milepost on Thanarat Road. It was here that he invited Mr. Jang Nisaisat’s spirit to reside, giving birth to the Chao Phor Khao Yai Shrine.

  • Address: Pak Chong, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand 
  • Location: Chao Por Khao Yai Shrine
  • Opening Hours: every day 8.00 AM – 8.00 PM

2. KM. 30 Viewpoint

This viewpoint offers a breathtaking view to the north, which is considered one of the most stunning in Khao Yai. In the early morning, you’ll be treated to a mesmerizing sea of mist that blankets the interlocking mountain range below. And if you visit during twilight, you might even catch a glimpse of clouds of bats emerging from caves on Luk Chang Mountain as they search for food. As you take in the scenery, you’ll notice the majestic Khao Phaeng Pha mountain in the distance, spanning many tens of kilometers. Don’t forget to stop by the stone sign adorned with the logo of the World Heritage site, it’s a must-see check-in point that you won’t want to miss.

  • Address: Pak Chong, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand 
  • Location: Khao Yai 30 KM. View Point
  • Opening Hours: every day 6.00 AM – 6.00 PM

Nong Phak Chi Observation Tower

3. Nong Phak Chi Observation Tower

The Observation Tower stands at a height of approximately 20 meters and is situated in the vicinity of Nong Phak Chi, a crucial water source for wildlife. The expansive grassland serves as a reminder of its agricultural past, but now it serves as a feeding ground for wild animals through artificial salt licks. These salt licks provide essential minerals for herbivores and attract a variety of animals that can be observed while foraging from the Observation Tower. Among the commonly spotted animals in Nong Phak Chi are sambar deer, barking deer, and wild boar. Occasionally, less frequent visitors such as wild elephants, gaur, and dhole can also be seen in the area.

4. Sai Sorn Reservoir

The reservoir offers stunning vistas that are perfect for relaxation, especially during the tranquil morning sunrise. It’s a magical time when both big and small animals emerge to nourish themselves. If you’re lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of wild elephants grazing, enjoying salt licks, or quenching their thirst. The water itself is teeming with a diverse array of fish. During the day, visitors can take a leisurely stroll along the reservoir, passing through the grasslands cultivated by the villagers of Khao Yai. As the sun sets, the area becomes a haven free from light pollution, revealing a breathtaking night sky adorned with countless stars. It’s a sight that can captivate you endlessly.

  • Address: Mueang Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Nayok, Thailand 
  • Location: Sai Sorn Reservoir
  • Opening Hours: every day 6.00 AM – 7.00 PM

5. Pha Kluai Mai Waterfall

This stunning waterfall is of medium size and originates from the Lam Ta Khong stream. It cascades down cliffs, standing at approximately 10 meters in height. Below, there is a spacious basin where the water collects. The cliffs and tree branches surrounding the waterfall are adorned with a magnificent assortment of orchids in various vibrant colors. Among them, the Renanthera orchids, also known as “Whai Daeng,” are particularly striking and lend their name to the waterfall. These orchids bloom in full splendor during the dry season.

As you make your way towards the waterfall, keep an eye out for the diverse avian species that inhabit the area. You may catch sight of hornbills, slaty-backed forktail, puff-throated bulbuls, or even water dragons basking along the banks of the Lam Ta Khong stream.

Haew Suwat Waterfall

6. Haew Suwat Waterfall

The Haew Suwat Waterfall stands tall at 25 meters and is known for its unique volcanic rock and “volcanic gravel” attribute. It is part of the Lam Ta Khong Stream, along with the Pha Kluai Mai and Kong Kaew waterfalls. As the water cascades down, it creates a mesmerizing curtain of water. For a breathtaking view of the entire waterfall, there is a viewpoint nestled amidst the lush vegetation. From this elevated perspective, you can admire the beauty of the waterfall from a distance. 

If you prefer to get closer to the stream and the basin below, there is a convenient shortcut path available. Behind the waterfall, there is a cave that becomes visible during the dry season when the water levels are low so visitors have the opportunity to witness the curtain of water from inside the cave. However, it’s important to note that during the rainy season, the strong current makes it dangerous to venture into the cave.

  • Address: Pak Chong, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand 
  • Location: Haew Su Wat Waterfall
  • Opening Hours: every day 8.00 AM – 6.00 PM

7. Pha Diao Dai Viewpoint

This viewpoint is a raised stone platform that extends from the Cliff, standing about 15 meters above the ground at an elevation of approximately 900 meters above sea level. From here, you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the long Rom Khwang mountain range. On the right side, you’ll spot Thung Nguluam, a mountain named after its pythons, and the majestic Khao Samor Poon, which offers a glimpse of the plains of Prachinburi Province. It’s a truly magical spot to witness the sunrise as it peeks over the mountains in the early morning.

To reach this enchanting place, you’ll need to hike along a nature trail that winds through untouched forests, providing a refreshing and cool atmosphere all year round. The trail spans approximately 450 meters and is conveniently surfaced with wood, making it easy to walk on. Moreover, this trail offers valuable insights into the montane ecosystems and the high-altitude plants that have adapted to the cold climate. 

  • Address: Pak Phli, Nakhon Nayok, Thailand  
  • Location: Pha Diao Dai Cliff
  • Opening Hours: every day 6.00 AM – 5.00 PM

8. Pha Trom Jai Viewpoint

This viewpoint is the highest in the central region of Thailand and sits at a higher elevation than Pha Diaw Dai. It is also a part of Khao Khieaw, a sandstone mountain that stands at an impressive 4,233 feet or 1,290 meters above sea level. The weather here remains cool throughout the year, and the area is covered in lush, mature forest, with a variety of cold-tolerant species like Castanopsis or chinquapin, Dacrydium, Podocarpus, and Schima wallichii. 

The high humidity and filtered sunlight that seeps through the trees create the perfect conditions for the growth of orchids, ferns, and lichens on the trunks and branches of the trees. During the cool season, Khao Khieaw becomes a temporary home for many migratory birds from Siberia and southern China, including the gray wagtail, Siberian thrush, and silver oriole, adding to its rich biodiversity.

  • Address: Mueang Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Nayok, Thailand  
  • Location: Pha Trom Jai Cliff
  • Opening Hours: every day 8.00 AM – 6.00 PM

Haew Narok Waterfall

9. Haew Narok Waterfall

Haew Narok Waterfall is renowned for its stunning beauty, but it also harbors hidden dangers due to its steepness and strong currents. Situated to the South of Khao Yai National Park, it proudly stands as the largest and tallest waterfall in the area, measuring an impressive 150 meters in height and cascading down in three tiers. The highest stage boasts a perpendicular cliff, causing the water to plummet with great force, making it unsafe for swimming.

During the end of the rainy season, Haew Narok Waterfall becomes exceptionally enchanting. As you make your way along the path leading to the waterfall, you’ll be greeted by the sight of champagne mushrooms. These unique fungi resemble champagne glasses and come in vibrant shades of red, orange, and yellow, captivating visitors from near and far.

  • Address: Pak Phli, Nakhon Nayok, Thailand  
  • Location: Haew Narok Waterfall
  • Opening Hours: every day 8.00 AM – 5.00 PM

10.  Kong Kaew Waterfall

This charming waterfall emerges from the Lam Ta Khong River, acting as a natural boundary between Nakhon Nayok and Nakhon Ratchasima. During the rainy season, it becomes even more enchanting. Adjacent to the waterfall, you’ll find a rope bridge that spans the stream, creating a calming ambiance.

This waterfall, crafted of volcanic rocks and embraced by untouched rainforests and crystal-clear pools, offers an incredible opportunity for photography and a chance to explore the local ecosystem. The waterfall is tiered, originating from the Lam Ta Khong River, it’s an ideal location for swimming and unwinding during your Khao Yai National Park adventures.

  • Address: Mueang Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Nayok, Thailand
  • Location: Kong Kaew Waterfall
  • Opening Hours: every day 6.00 AM – 6.00 PM

In summary

Khao Yai National Park is undoubtedly a highly popular tourist destination, both for local and international travelers. It has earned its reputation as an unforgettable place. Visitors flock to the Khao Yai National Park tours to witness the stunning waterfalls that are nothing short of breathtaking, immerse themselves in lush green forests, and encounter a wide variety of forest animals.

When venturing to Nakhon Ratchasima province to visit and tour Khao Yai National Park, Rancho Charnvee Resort & Country Club extends a warm welcome to visitors. The resort ensures guest satisfaction during their stay by providing an ideal space for relaxation and enjoyment. Accommodation options are diverse, catering to various room size preferences. Additionally, the resort offers a modern, luxurious, peaceful, shaded ambiance, and is complete with comprehensive facilities. It can be confidently stated that a visit here guarantees a harmonious and comfortable travel experience.