Khao Yai National Park spans four provinces – Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Nayok, Prachinburi, and Saraburi – and covers an area of ​​2,168 km². It is Thailand's third-largest national park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the country's most famous. Its proximity to Bangkok (a 1.5 to 2-hour drive) and its jungles, mountains, meadows, waterfalls, rivers, and especially its wildlife, including wild elephants, make it one of the most visited national parks. Visitors come for the scenery, the waterfalls (including the famous Heo Suwat Waterfall, a filming location for the movie "The Beach"), but above all for the animals. Besides wild elephants, which are only encountered by sheer luck, there are gibbons, hundreds of bird species, deer, monkeys, wild boars, snakes, and much more – the list is virtually endless. The visitor center organizes night safaris with pick-up for up to six people, offering the chance to observe some of the animals. Generally, it's recommended to visit Khao Yai with an agency or a local guide. Exploring the area on your own will only give you a superficial view, and since the distances are considerable, transportation is essential for making the most of your park visit. Many guesthouses and hotels in the area offer one- or two-day tours. I recommend Greenleaf, as I've received very positive reviews. However, other providers are also available. There are several hiking trails in the park, but a guide is required for most of them (see park regulations). It's also advisable not to venture into the jungle alone. Keep in mind that visitor numbers increase significantly on weekends and holidays, as many people from Bangkok travel there for a short break in nature. The most popular and busiest time is Songkran (mid-April).

Entrance fee: 400 THB per adult and 200 THB per child. The park is open year-round from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM. From the north entrance (Pak Chong), songthaews (shared taxis) run for 800 THB (max. 8 people) to the Heo Suwat Waterfall, over 20 km away. You can camp in the park (I haven't tried it myself, but Lam Ta Khong seems to be the best campsite) or rent a bungalow. The visitor center is about 15 km from the north entrance (Pak Chong). There you'll find a restaurant, and you can book accommodations (from 800 THB), tents (250 THB + 100 THB for pillow, mattress, and sleeping bag), and night safaris. The night safaris depart at 7:00 PM and 8:00 PM (500 THB for one hour in a shared taxi for up to 6 people). You can also book tents and bungalows through a local agency or via the official website of the Thai national parks, however, the website is not very intuitive and payment can only be made by bank transfer, which can lead to high additional fees.

The easiest way to get from Bangkok to Khao Yai is via Pak Chong, a town near the northern entrance of the national park. You can easily reach Pak Chong by train (timetable here) or by bus, as all buses on the Bangkok – Nakhon Ratchasima route stop there. Pak Chong is also easily accessible by train from Ayutthaya (timetable here).

How to get there

How do you get to Khao Yai National Park? The easiest way to reach Khao Yai from Bangkok is via Pak Chong, a town near the northern park entrance. Pak Chong is easily accessible by train (timetable here) or bus, as all buses on the Bangkok – Nakhon Ratchasima route stop there. Pak Chong is also easily accessible by train from Ayutthaya (timetable here).