Vibrant, colorful, loud, smoky, bustling, turbo-charged, relentless, and conversely, with pockets of peace – all are suitable descriptors for Bangkok. Cosmopolitan for sure, though Bangkok still retains a strong sense of Thai culture throughout. People living in Bangkok often seek city escapes to revel in green, open spaces, breathe in the fresh air, rug up in cooler weather and be crowd-free for a while. Popular destinations that come to mind for Bangkok residents normally include Hua Hin, Pattaya and kanchanaburi for a mix of beach and a more traditional Thai cultural experience.
The great green escape is Khao Yai, approximately 180 km northeast of Bangkok. Though to not confuse you, there is no official region called Khao Yai. However, the broader area adjoining Khao Yai National Park, Thailand’s first-ever and third-largest national park, now takes its name for ease of identification.
Getting there
Road access from Bangkok is via Highway 1, changing to Highway 2 at Saraburi, and depending on traffic, is just under a three-hour journey. Travel time should reduce when the new intercity motorway (Highway 6) from Bang Pa-in interchange on the Bangkok-Ayutthaya border to Nakhon Ratchasima fully opens to traffic in early 2022.
You could also take a four-plus hour train trip from Bangkok to Pak Chong, on the northern outskirts of the national park. Travel time will significantly decrease when the new high-speed rail line from Bangkok’s new Bang Sue Central Station to Nakhon Ratchasima opens, currently scheduled for 2023.
Exploring this region is best done by car as public transport is very limited and with so much to experience and explore, road tripping around is worth the effort.
Reasons To Visit
Khao Yai National Park
Many consider Khao Yai National Park ideal for spotting impressive animals from elephants, macaques, barking and sambar deer, gibbons, Great and Oriental-pied hornbills, and reptiles like Cardamom tree dragons and Reeves’s butterfly lizards. However, you may want to avoid the three types of pit vipers and other dangerous snakes found in the park.
Covering an area of 2,168 sq km, the park includes rain and evergreen forests and grasslands and Khao Rom, the highest mountain at 1,351 meters. Stretching 46 km from north to south, most visitors enter from the northern (Pak Chong) end. There are several walking trails up to 8 km long, designated viewpoints, wildlife viewing areas, and several waterfalls to explore within this vast park. Allow a full day to see some of the highlights.
Khao Yai is part of the Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site covering five protected areas from Khao Yai to the Cambodian border. This 230 km long forest complex and wildlife sanctuary provide a viable habitat for many endangered species. Its role as green lungs contributes to the oft-quoted ‘one of the world’s best ozone regions’.
Food, Wine and Art Trails
The Pak Chong region is where you will find most of the attractions with informative and fun farm visits, like Farm Chokchai – dairy, Suwan Farm – corn, and Panorama Farm – mushrooms. Jim Thompson Farm only opens for visitors from December to early January, providing insight into the creation of silk and Thai agricultural life.
The region has two long-established wineries with picturesque vineyards. A large brewing company owns PB Valley, while the boutique family operate GranMonte, is a business always on our ‘must visit’ list. The Khao Yai Art Museum, with its extensive indoor galleries and striking sculpture gardens, is a must-see too.
You will also stumble across many cool or quirky cafes and restaurants, from humble to massive in scale. One example is the imposing Scandinavian-style white castle complex, ‘Mid Winter Khao Yai’ with café and retail outlets, plus several indoor and outdoor restaurants and gardens. Eating out will never be a problem in Khao Yai.
Golf Paradise
Eleven outstanding golf courses can be found within the region, including two challenging Jack Nicklaus designed ones. Thailand’s only Seve Ballesteros designed golf course is spread over three nine holes loops, each named to follow their natural environments: Highlands, Creek, and Valley. The greater Khao Yai region is indeed a golfer’s paradise.
Where to Stay
Khao Yai has abundant accommodation choices from Glamping options, small Art Hotels, golf course villas and hotels, weekend condo rentals, and large complexes replicating a Tuscan Village. There are also rustic cabins for overnight stays within the national park for really close to nature experiences.
For a romantic escape amongst the vines, you could consider the Wine Cottages at GranMonte Estate. While there, be sure to do the wine tour and stop by at their VinCotto restaurant. Alternately, how about staying in a Castle at Movenpick Khao Yai and having a round of golf on the links-style My Ozone Golf course.
Why a Great Green Escape to Khao Yai
We have provided a glimpse of the Khao Yai region and its offerings as an escape from Bangkok. There is so much to explore and experience, so just one visit will not suffice. Whilst winter is their high season, visit at different times of the year to gain a fuller understanding of its natural and other offerings.
If lush, green landscapes, open spaces, clean mountain air, cooler temperatures, great food, along with plenty of places to recharge your batteries, go to Khao Yai.
Read more articles about Bangkok’s gateway series:
1.Living in Phuket – What is Not to Love
2.Hua Hin – A Great Bangkok Gateway
3.Bangkok Gateway – A Great Escape to Kanchanaburi
