Nakorn Ratchasima National Parks

Amphoe Pak Chong

Khao Yai National Park

Khao Yai National Park has an area of about 2,168 square kilometres in the Phanom Dong Rak mountain range. It expands over the 4 provinces of Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Nayok, Saraburi, and Prachin Buri. In the past when there were no roads through the area, Khao Yai was regarded among travellers as a wild and dangerous place. The jungle here divides the Central Region and the Northeast. Khao Yai became Thailand’s first national park on 18th September 1962 and is an ASEAN World Heritage because of its variety of flora and fauna.

The general terrain of Khao Yai National Park consists of mixed forests and rainforests. Some parts have wide plains interspersed with verdant forests. There are many valuable plants, including plants that are traded, scented plants and herbs. There are several mountains, with peaks ranging from 800-3,000 metres above sea level. Due to its altitude and the lush jungles here, Khao Yai has a cool climate even in summer, with an average temperature of 23 degrees Celsius. Khao Yai gets the most visitors in the cool season from October to February. In the rainy season, trekking is not as convenient, but the area is refreshingly green and all the waterfalls are full of water, sending echoes all around and creating a lively atmosphere for visitors.

Wild animals that can be frequently seen include deer that graze on grass plains and sometimes come to feed around the park office. Other animals are elephants, sun bears, wild boars, monkeys, tigers, gaurs, and mountain goats. The park built 2 wildlife watchtowers at Mo Singto and Nong Phak Chi. Visitors are allowed up there during 8 a.m.- 6 p.m. Those who want to go on a night safari by car can contact the park office before 6 p.m.

Khao Yai is also suitable for butterfly and bird watching. Surveys found that there are over 200 species of birds here that use Khao Yai as a feeding ground and as a permanent home.

Jungle Trekking - There are more than 20 trails to choose from, each different in natural beauty and distance. Some trails take 1-2 hours to complete like the Kong Kaeo trail and the Km. 33 trail (Thanarat Road-Nong Phak Chi). Some trails require overnight stays like the Nang Rong-Khao Yai trail, Samo Pun trail or Kho Yo 4 Unit-Wang Heo waterfall trail. Information and guides can be obtained from the tourist service centre.

Places of Interest in the Park:

Kong Kaeo Waterfall is a low waterfall that originates from Huay Lam Takhong that divides Nakhon Nayok and Nakhon Ratchasima. It is especially lovely in the rainy season. It is suitable for swimming and can be reached by walking from the tourist service centre for about 100 metres. A rope bridge spanning the waterfall gives the area a natural feel and short nature trails are located nearby.

Pha Kluai Mai Waterfall is a medium-size waterfall in Huay Lam Takhong, about 7 kilometres from the park office. It can be reached by car and by foot. In the area visitors can find the Red Dendrobium orchid that is the symbol of the waterfall. The waterfall has two separate bodies of water flowing down rock levels to merge at the bottom. A trail leads to Heo Suwat Waterfall.

Heo Suwat Waterfall is a famous waterfall at the end of Thanarat Road. It is accessible by car. The waterfall is only 100 metres by foot from the parking lot, or a 3-kilometre walk from Pha Kluai Mai waterfall. The water falls from a cliff about 20 metres up. A distant viewpoint offers a lovely high-angle view of the waterfall through trees, or you can walk down to the waterfall itself. However, please note that in the rainy season the water flows rapidly and caution should be taken.

Heo Narok Waterfall is the largest and highest waterfall of the park. It is south of the park office on the way to Prachin Buri. You can walk 1 kilometre by foot from the main road to a viewpoint where you can see the beautiful waterfall. The waterfall has 3 levels. The first is about 60 metres up. Water from this level flows down to the second and third levels straight down below, with a total drop of at least 150 metres. The water has considerable strength in the rainy season and is quite dangerous, but refreshing, when it comes splashing down on rocks at the bottom. The area around the waterfall is the usual feeding ground of wild elephants. There have been occasional accidents when elephants drop from the cliff and die.

There are also other lesser waterfalls in the park like Mai Plong Waterfall, Heo Sai Waterfall and Heo Prathun Waterfall. For more information, contact the park’s tourist service centre.

Getting There - Khao Yai National Park is only about 205 kilometres from Bangkok. There are 2 ways of getting there; from the 56-km marker of Mittraphap Road, go onto Thanarat Road for about 23 kilometres or at Hin Kong intersection, go onto Highway No. 33 (Nakhon Nayok-Prachin Buri) to Noen Hom intersection and take Highway No. 3077 to the park. The second route is rather steep and is more suitable for the return trip.

If taking a bus, get off at Amphoe Pak Chong and continue on a mini-bus up Khao Yai. The bus will take you up to the gate only. The fare is 15 baht and services run during 6 a.m.-5 p.m. From there, you must flag a passing car to the park office or you can rent a car direct from Pak Chong. The park fee for a foreign adult is 200 baht and a foreign child is 100 baht. Each car is 50 baht.

Accommodation and Facilities - There is a campsite at Pha Kluai Mai that can accommodate up to 1,000 visitors. The fee is 10 baht for children and 20 baht for adults per night. There is a restaurant and tents and sleeping bags for rent. Moreover, there are 2 more service areas at Kong Kaeo and Yaowachon that can accommodate up to 250 tourists altogether. The fee is 30 baht each, though sleeping gear is not provided. You can obtain permission from the park before 6 p.m. For more information, call the National Parks Division, Royal Forest Department, tel. 0-2579 -7223 and 0-2579-5734, or contact the park office at P.O. Box 9, Amphoe Pak Chong, Nakhon Ratchasima 30130.

Amphoe Pak Thong Chai

Khao Phaeng Ma Reforestation Project to Honour His Majesty the King

Khao Phaeng Ma Reforestation Project to Honour His Majesty the King is in the southern part of Nakhon Ratchasima. Take Highway No. 304 (Nakhon Ratchasima-Kabin Buri) for 79 kilometres to the market at the 79-km marker. Take a right on Ro Pho Cho Road (San Chao Pho-Nong Khum) for 11 kilometres. The last part of about 4 kilometres is a dirt road going uphill that is rugged but has good views. Upon reaching the top, you will see some winding mountains. The peak is 850 metres above sea level. The area is under the care of the Wildlife Foundation of Thailand and has an area of 16 square kilometres. Activities include reforestation, trekking, animal watching (particularly some remaining gaurs), and slide shows for interested parties.

There is accommodation in the form of 3 bamboo lodges that can each accommodate 10-20 people. Advance reservations can be made at the project in Moo 5, Tambon Wang Nam Khiao, tel. 0- 1976-9130.

Sakaerat Environmental Research Station

Sakaerat Environmental Research Station is a research centre of plant species in the northeastern jungles and is open to groups interested in organising eco-tours. It is located beside Highway No. 304 (Nakhon Ratchasima-Kabin Buri) and is 57 kilometres from the city. It has an area of about 78 square kilometres (48,750 rai). The area is mainly dry jungles and hardwood forests. Many animals are found here, including wild boars, pheasants and a variety of birds. If you go up a tower built by the station over the treetops, you will see a vast green jungle around you, as well as Khao Phaeng Ma further away. The climate is cool all year round. There are several nature study trails that can take from 1.5 hours to 3 hours. There are 3 houses available that can accommodate 20 people each. For information, call 0 4425 8642 or contact the Station Management Department of the Science and Technology Research Institute of Thailand, tel. 0-2579-1121-30, 0-2579-0160 ext. 4401 or fax 0-2561-4771.