National Park Area
Dense jungle, wild elephants, gibbons, hornbills, and some of Thailand's finest wildlife watching
Best For
About National Park Area
Khao Yai National Park itself — established in 1962 as Thailand's first national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site — covers 2,168 sq km of tropical forest straddling the Dong Phayayen mountain range northeast of Bangkok. The park is one of the best places in Thailand to see wild elephants (herds are regularly spotted on the main road after dark), along with gibbons, hornbills, barking deer, and occasionally gaur. The road through the park traverses several distinct forest zones, and night drives with a spotlight (organised by licensed tour guides) are the highlight for wildlife enthusiasts. The park's waterfalls — Haew Narok (the largest) and Haew Makok — require short hikes through pristine jungle to reach.
Highlights
- 1Wild elephant sightings along the main park road — frequently at dusk
- 2White-handed gibbons calling at dawn in the upper forest canopy
- 3Haew Narok Waterfall — 150-metre cascade at the end of a jungle trail
- 4Night spotlighting tours for owls, civets, and deer
What National Park Area is like
There's no town to walk to in or around the park — the road exists for wildlife-viewing and the trailheads, not for moving between amenities on foot. After dark the only real activity is the guided spotlighting drives; otherwise the forest is left alone.
Who stays here
Suits committed wildlife-watchers who want to be inside the park for dawn and dusk activity without a drive in from town each day. Anyone who wants restaurants, a market, or general amenities close by should base themselves in Pak Chong instead.
Getting around
A vehicle is essential for covering the park road and reaching the trailheads and waterfalls; there's no public transport inside the park and the distances are too great to walk. Guided night drives are arranged through operators based in Pak Chong.
Consider instead
- Pak Chong — for restaurants, a market, and a wider choice of accommodation — none of which exist inside the park itself.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Outstanding wildlife diversity accessible from Bangkok in 2.5 hours
- UNESCO World Heritage Site with well-maintained trails
- Excellent guide network based in Pak Chong — highly recommended
Cons
- No public transport inside the park — a car, tour, or rented vehicle is essential
- Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed — patience and flexibility required