Khao Yai National Park, Thailand's first and one of its largest national parks, is a renowned natural treasure located in the northeastern part of the country, spanning across four provinces: Nakhon Ratchasima, Prachinburi, Nakhon Nayok, and Saraburi. Covering an area of 2166 km², the park is part of the Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex, which was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005. Its varied landscape consists of rolling hills, dense forests, grasslands, and waterfalls, with altitudes ranging from 400 to over 1,300 meters above sea level, creating a cool and refreshing climate year-round.
Established in 1962, Khao Yai is a biodiversity hotspot with a rich variety of flora and fauna. Its lush forests are primarily tropical and subtropical, home to over 2,000 species of plants. The park’s wildlife includes over 300 bird species, including the great hornbill, as well as mammals like Asian elephants, gibbons, barking deer, and even wild tigers. The diverse ecosystem makes it one of the best places for wildlife observation in Thailand.
Khao Yai National Park is also a major attraction for eco-tourism and adventure activities. Visitors can enjoy hiking trails, guided wildlife safaris, birdwatching, and visiting stunning waterfalls such as Haew Narok and Haew Suwat. Its scenic viewpoints and abundant wildlife make it a favorite among nature lovers and photographers, while its proximity to Bangkok, just a few hours' drive away, makes it highly accessible for both domestic and international tourists.
How to get to the Khao Yai national park
From Bangkok it's about a three hours drive to the Khao Yai national park. The closest airport is the one in Bangkok.
Accommodation
There is accomodation outside the park, for instance in Pak Chong. It should also be possible to stay inside the park, either in rooms provided by the national park or in the camping site.
01 Great hornbill 02 Great hornbill 03 Great hornbill 04 Great hornbill 05 Great hornbill
06 White-lipped tree viper 07 Chameleon 08 Chameleon 09 Chameleon 10 White-lipped tree viper
11 White-lipped tree viper 12 White-lipped tree viper 13 Road 14 Giant squirrel on tree
15 Red-headed trogon bird 16 Red-headed trogon bird 17 Red-headed trogon bird 18 Gibbon 19 Gibbon
20 Gibbon 21 Gibbon 22 Gibbon 23 Gibbon 24 Gibbon
25 Gibbon 26 Great hornbill 27 Sambar deer 28 Sambar deer
29 Sambar deer 30 Sambar deer 31 Female macaque 32 Forest scorpion 33 Khao Yai national park
34 Khao Yai national park 35 Khao Yai national park 36 Khao Yai national park 37 Khao Yai national park
38 Khao Yai national park 39 Khao Yai national park 40 Khao Yai national park 41 Road
42 Khao Yai visitor centre 43 Suspension bridge over river 44 Khao Yai visitor centre
45 Road 46 Haew Suwat waterfall 47 Haew Suwat waterfall 48 Haew Suwat waterfall 49 Khao Yai national park
50 Muntjac 51 Hebius snake 52 Brown frog 53 White-lipped pit viper 54 White-lipped pit viper
55 White-lipped pit viper 56 White-lipped pit viper 57 Great hornbills on tree 58 Muntjac 59 Muntjac
60 Muntjac 61 Female macaque with baby 62 Female macaque with baby 63 White-lipped pit viper 64 Forest trail
65 Golden orb weaver spider 66 Ant nest on tree 67 Red bark tree Syzygium Antisepticum 68 Red bark tree Syzygium Antisepticum 69 Blue mushroom
70 Pond 71 Orange black caterpillars 72 Heo Narok waterfall 73 Heo Narok waterfall 74 Heo Narok waterfall viewing platform
75 Khao Yai national park 76 Khao Yai national park 77 Khao Yai national park
Page viewed 84 times since 09.10.24
©Copyright Alfred Molon