Located in Central Thailand at the southern end of the Korat Plateau,
Khao Yai is just one of the many great travel destinations for motorcycle
tourists in Thailand. Only 160km from
Bangkok, the National Park is easily accessible for those wishing to do a day
trip or spend the weekend riding and exploring waterfalls, hiking trails and
watching wildlife. Popular with Thais
and foreigners alike it is not uncommon to see groups of people riding through
the park eating up the winding roads from the north gate entrance in Nakhon
Ratchasima to the south gate in Prachinburi.
Upon entering the park you will notice the lush foliage and cooler
temperature followed by the amazing views of grassy fields and great expanses
of untamed, open space. Every time I
pass through the gates and into the park I find myself with a grin from ear to
ear. Combined with the great views, the
well maintained roads twisting through the forest are enough to make anyone
want to come back.
If hiking and exploring the wild interests you, there are more than
enough things to keep you busy. There are many tour companies offering guided
trips for rafting, bird watching , horseback riding and ATV trips. Camping is also permitted in the park in
designated camping areas and tents are available for rent at reasonable
prices. While you are there you may want
to visit the numerous natural wonders. Below are a few places that are worth experiencing
on your trip to Khao Yai:
Waterfalls
·
Haew Narok Waterfall – This is one of the
largest waterfalls in the park. This waterfall has three tiers extending 150m
from beginning to end and is located approximately 10km from the south gate on
the central road through the park.
·
Haew Suwat Waterfalls –20m high and flowing into
a large pool at its base, this waterfall
is 8km east of the visitor center and can be reached by car or on foot. Great place to go swimming and cool off a bit
after exploring.
·
Haew Sai Waterfall – Located 700m from Haew
Suwat Waterfall and can be reached by hiking.
It is smaller but just as beautiful and not as popular so if you like to
enjoy the wilderness without kids screaming and swimming around you it may be a
better choice.
Wildlife Watching
·
Klong Pa Kong Wang Haew – This trek will take
you see dinosaur footprints that have been preserved through the ages
·
Bird Watching at Sakaerat – Come here to see
many types of animals and birds including partridges, pheasants, parakeets,
kingfishers, hornbills or the greater racket-tailed drongo.
·
Monkeys throughout the park – The most common
animal and the one you are most likely to see in the park are the many species
of monkeys wandering around, on or near the road.
Just outside there is enough to keep busy at night as well. I would have to say that Pak Chong, the town
at the entrance to the north side of the park is far from the crazy night life
of Bangkok. However there are plenty of
restaurants to enjoy some local Thai food and desserts. See two recommendations below:
Eats and Fun
·
Chokchai Farms – This is an old west ranch style
farm serving steaks from animals raised on location. Very popular with the locals and I can tell
you from firsthand experience that after
a long ride through the park its definitely worth stopping by.
·
Krua Rim Kuen – Overlooking Lam Phra Ploeng
Reservoir Krua Rim Thai is an open air restaurant serving local favorites from
local ingredients raised or grown near Khao Yai.
And last but certainly not least for those of you who are making a
multiple day trip you will need somewhere to stay. If you ask me, my advice would be to grab a
tent and some camp gear available at the visitor centre and head to the camping
area to enjoy an outdoor dinner and a campfire. But then again I’m sure a lot of you would
rather have a nice bed and probably a TV so in that case check out http://www.kaoyai.info/eng/hotels.html. They are the most accurate and up to date
listing that I have found so far.
nice
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