💻 Table Of Content
⃝ Camping
1. Birdwatching
Khao Yai National Park is a beautiful bird-watching place that has been
registered as It is known as the “Important Bird Area” (IBA) as it has
more than 282 species of birds, both resident and migratory. Birds that
are easily visible are the Siam Fireback, the blue-winged Pitta. 4
such as the great hornbill, the oriental pied hornbill, the wreathed hornbill, and Austen’s brown hornbill.
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| Flying hornbill |
When it's quiet, a variety of birds can be found throughout the national
park. especially tourist attractions such as the Visitor Center, Pha Kluay
Mai, Nong Phak Corian, and Doctor Boonsong Camp Haew Suwat Waterfall and
Khao Kheow Nature Trails in National Parks It's also a good place for bird
watching.
Recommended times for bird watching: In the morning and evening when
birds are tricky for food.
Prepare to birdwatch and find birds easier.
When birdwatching, wear clothing that blends in with its surroundings,
such as dark green, gray, or brown, which won't frighten the bird or make
it easy to spot. This will give you a chance to get closer to the
birds.
Clothing should belong sleeves to protect you from the sun and thorns.
Shoes should be comfortable and don't forget socks, which will prevent
chafing while walking. If you are going to go bird watching in the
mountains Bring a coat or sweater for the cold weather. In the rainy
season, a raincoat is a must.
For bird watching, while hiking on nature trails Binoculars or portable
telescopes are popular accessories. You will be able to see the birds
clearly in the distance. and can observe their shape, feathers, and
behavior as if they were nearby.
Bird Watching Ethics
1. Birds should be important - observation, photography, audio recording. or
any type of academic education Determine if the activity is a disturbing or
difficult task for the bird.
2. Always abide by conservation laws. Where do you follow conservation laws?
There must always be respect.
3. Respect the rights of others in the place with other bird watchers.
Don't startle the birds so they can fly away and assume that someone else is
using the space. If they are not bird watchers Do not disturb their
activities
4. If you find conservation of rare or rare migratory nests always a top
priority. Protect as many birds as you can and tell only those who should
know, otherwise the site could be compromised by other bird watchers and
disturb the birds.
5. Report your bird observations to the relevant person or organization.
Because it is information that will help conserve birds in the future.
6. Conserve bird habitat Bird watching activities should not invade or
destroy bird habitats or tarnish them in any way.
🐦 Read More: Bird Checklist for Khao Yai National Park
2. Camping
One of the must-do activities in Khao Yai in winter is camping in the
midst of nature surrounded by forests and streams. It is recommended for
those who escape from the urban jungle. or find time to spend with family
or friends It is very dark at night because there is no light pollution
and many stars can be seen in the sky.
Currently, Khao Yai National Park There is one open camp, which is Camp
Lam Ta Khong, a large open field by the river. which is the habitat of the
otters It is surrounded by trees that are home to monkeys and gibbons.
Deer can also find food. Although very close to nature But the campground
has all the modern amenities. Read More: Khao Yai National Park Accommodation And Camping
3. Trekking nature trails
One can't-miss activity in Khao Yai National Park is short trekking on
seven nature trails to choose from. Get ready to study nature!
The nature trail in Khao Yai National Park consists of 7 short trails,
ranging from 1.2 to 8 km, and walking time from 45 minutes to 6 hours,
with no overnight stays on the trail. Most of the trails retain their
natural features and run through mature forests. There are signs along the
way to prevent you from leaving the path. Novice hikers and nature
students can walk these trails on their own.
What you need for trekking in Khao Yai
1. Check route availability - All 7 nature trails are open at different
times. Also, check the weather on the day of the trek.
2. Study the route, and make the necessary preparations. and trekking
ethics
3. Contact the Khao Yai National Park Visitor Center to register and
request permission to trek through your chosen nature trail. Some routes
cannot trek alone. And there are guide services for the safety of
visitors.
4. Start trekking on your authorized nature trail.
Additional information : +66 (0) 86-0926529, +66 (0)
81-0639241
Trail No.1: Visitor Center – Kong Kaew Waterfall
This is the shortest and easiest nature trail to hike. Suitable for
tourists of all ages There are interspersed rainforests with dry evergreen forests in excellent condition. Along the way is precious
agarwood with the fresh scent of fire.
Animals found may include gibbons, gibbons, and a variety of birds. At
the end of the way is Kong Kaeo Waterfall, where the wild stream flows
cool and refreshing from volcanic rocks and freshwater swamp forests.
There is both photography and education.
- 1.2 km distance – a one-way circular route back to the starting point.
- Approximate duration of trekking: 45 minutes - 1 hour.
- Tour guide: not required
- Starting point: Suspension Bridge behind the Visitor Center
- Endpoint: Suspension Bridge behind the National Park Office Visitor Center
- Open all year
Trail No.2: Pha Kluai Mai Campground – Haew Suwat Waterfall
(160 th Anniversary Thai - German Friendship Trail)
This nature trail connects two waterfalls along Lam Ta Khong Stream
and alternates periodically between a bamboo forest and a dry
forest. Along the way, you can hear the thunder of Pha Kluay Mai
Waterfall during the rainy season.
But when the water level drops in the dry season You can see traces
of lava flow from volcanoes hundreds of millions of years ago. There
is also the flower of Polypleurum, a newly reported species that
sprouts between rocks. along with the Renanthera orchid (“Wai
Daeng”), which gives the waterfall its name from the white and red
flowers that bloom around the waterfall during April.
Many species are found near water bodies, such as butterflies, water
dragons, and otters, among which are tree gibbons, hornbills, and
hawks foraging for food. At the end of the experiment, there was a
rock platform in the stream, which was only visible during the dry
season.
- Distance: 3 km one way
- Use time: 2 hours
- Tour guide: not required
- Starting point: Pha Kluay Camp
- Endpoint: Haew Suwat Waterfall
- Open all year
Trail No.3: Km. 33 – Nong Phak Chi (90th Anniversary
Thai - Switzerland Friendship Trail)
This nature walk highlights the diversity of different forests –
arid forests, secondary forests, and grasslands. The trail is
shaded by tall trees such as banyan and Javan plums. Their
delicious fruits attract many birds and animals to become The
"Wildlife Restaurant" features giant basil trees that are unique
to the Dong Phaya Yen complex.
It is also a feeding route for elephants and bulls. So you
may come across their footprints or droppings. You may see a pair
of hornbills nesting in hollow trees. Or a gibbon swinging around
collecting fruit when arriving at Nong Phak Coriander Watchtower
You'll see many animals near the water and licking salt in the
grass, such as elephants, bulls, gibbons, hornbills, and insects.
- Distance: 4.2 km one way
- Use time: 2.5 - 3 hours
- Route Guide: Mandatory
- Starting point: On the roadside, Km. 33, important events
- Endpoint: Adjacent to the roadside km. 35 steps, about 1 km from the observatory.
- Open all year
Trail No.4:Dong Tiw – Sai Sorn Reservoir
This one-way route leads to Sai Son Reservoir. beautiful
sunset viewpoint The route passes through the dry evergreen
forest, which is the habitat of the gibbons. During the rainy
season, there are many beautiful flowers such as balloon
trees, begonias, and mossiest, the highlight of which is the
centuries-old giant banyan tree.
The secondary forest is relatively open and offers the
opportunity to see a variety of birds such as the Blue-eared
bulbul, the striped-necked bulbul, the black-crested bulbul,
and the green-mouthed malgoha.
- Distance: 2.7 km one way
- It takes 1.5 - 2 hours.
- Route Guide: Mandatory
- Starting point: beside Thanarat Road 200 meters from the Sai Son Reservoir Visitor Center
- Endpoint: Sai Son Reservoir
- Open all year
Trail No.5:Dong Tiw – Nong Phak Chi
The trail starts at the same site as Route 4. It is a nature
trail with a variety of forests, such as arid forests,
secondary forests, and grasslands, and alternates between
smooth basins and steep paths up and down.
The highlight of this route is the giant bamboo trees that
are centuries old. In the rainy season, you can see wild
mushrooms with strange shapes and colors. The trail is a
foraging area for many animals such as elephants, bears,
hornbills, and gibbons.
The last part of the trail leads to Nong Phak Corian
Observatory. where you can watch large and small animals
foraging by the water's edge in the grasslands, and possibly
encounter elephants, gaur, gibbons, hornbills, and many
more.
- Distance: 5.5 km one way
- Use time: 3 hours
- Route Guide: Mandatory
- Starting point: beside Thanarat Road 200 meters from the Sai Son Reservoir Visitor Center
- Endpoint: Adjacent to the roadside km. 35 steps, about 1 km from Nong Phak Chi Observatory.
- Open all year
*Caution: During the rainy season, it may not be possible
to cross the stream.
Trail No.6:Visitor Center - Haew Suwat Waterfall
This nature trail is a huge nature lesson and the distance
is quite long. The forest along the way has both moist
evergreen forests and dry evergreen forests alternating
with bamboo groves. Along the way, there are many plants
to see, including rosewood and fragrant agarwood.
There are also massive, dense ferns and animals such as
elephants, gibbons, Asian black bears, and hornbills. It
is a challenging route with many twists and turns. and is
a way to find food for wild elephants So the path can be
confusing. And hence an experienced guide is required.
- Distance: 8 km one way
- Use time: 6 hours
- Route Guide: Mandatory
- Starting point: Suspension Bridge behind the Visitor Center
- Endpoint: Haew Suwat Waterfall
- Route closed: 1 July - 31 August
*WARNING: This route should begin before 10 AM. Prepare
packed lunches.
Trail No.7:Thai-American Friendship Trail
Khao Yai National Park's latest route celebrates the
long and friendly relationship between Thailand and the
United States. In addition to having a marker of
historical relations. The trail also meets US national
park standards through the Sister Parks Arrangement for
Resources and Knowledge Sharing (SPARK).
The trail uses different ecological areas, such as dry
evergreen forests, secondary forests, and grasslands.
Common wildlife includes: Pheasants, pheasants, gibbons,
and hornbills
- Distance: 2 km one-way circular route back to the starting point
- Use time: 1.5 hours
- Is a tour guide necessary?: No
- Starting point: Sai Sorn Reservoir
- Endpoint: the end of Sai Son Reservoir
- Open all year
4. Night Safari
To join the Night Safari Inquiries and reservations can
be made at the Khao Yai Visitor Center. At the service
counter before 6pm, no nighttime wildlife viewing is
prohibited for your own safety and for the orderly
management of the national park.
The service fee is 600 baht per car.
(capacity no more than 10)
When making contact
1. Book and pay at the Visitor Center and receive your
Night Safari receipt before 6:00pm on Safari Day.
2. Please wait at the Visitor Center. or pick up from the
campground or accommodation 15 minutes before the
scheduled pick up time
3. Depart for Night Safari
More information: Night Safari Department +66 (0)
86-0926529, +66 (0) 81-0639241
*** Visitors are
prohibited from viewing the nocturnal animals on their own
without the protection of rangers. because it can be
dangerous If a visitor is detected, you will be fined 500
baht.
How to behave in a Night Safari
- Please keep quiet when viewing the animals and study their behavior without disturbing them or other visitors.
- Follow the rules and instructions of the Rangers strictly.
- Do not feed animals that will interfere with their natural behavior.
- Do not use flash photography as this can harm the animal's eyes and startle them. This will make you vulnerable to animal attacks.
- Do not use your own flashlight to see the animals. Only the guide's flashlight is allowed.
- At night, the forest can be colder than usual. So please dress appropriately.
5. Photography and Video
Khao Yai National Park offers beautiful views of
mountains and grasslands. Abundant forests, trees,
various flowers as well as various wildlife Tourists
often want to keep these photos as souvenirs. Taking
pictures these days is not difficult with any device to
make it more convenient.
Tips for photographic equipment: Digital cameras are
ideal for capturing nature images. The resolution should
be more than 3 megapixels with 3x optical zoom and at
least 64 MB of memory with built-in flash in
point-and-shoot mode. The battery should be rechargeable
and you
Things to keep in mind when photographing nature and
wildlife
- Don't change nature to set the scene.
- Please enter the animal first. If your photography will disturb the animals, you should stop, as is the case with laying birds or feeding the chicks.
6. Stargazing
Stargazing is a popular activity in winter
because of the clear skies and cool weather.
Stargazing spots include open grasslands, Dr. Sing
To Training Center, Doctor Ton Chan, Lam Ta Khong
Camp, and other open spaces.
Choose a pre-sunset stargazing spot with skyline
views in every direction, with no trees in the way.
when the sky is dark Astronomy can begin in earnest.
There are not many stars as your eyes adjust to the
darkness. But soon the glory of the night sky was
revealed. Surprisingly full of stars Avoid looking
at artificial light as this will temporarily damage
your night vision and your eyesight will need to
adjust.
If you need a torch to view objects or star maps
Wrap it in red tracing paper as a filter. Thailand's
winter is the best time to see the most stars.
because the sky is usually cloudless make a field
full of stars Also check the phases of the moon.
Because the rising or full moon can cover most of
the stars.
There are also astronomical phenomena, such as
meteors or lunar eclipses, which are known in
advance every year. So please check this information
before you go. All national parks are good for
astronomy and especially those high up in the
mountains.
7. Whitewater rafting
The difficulty level of the rapids
Class I: Easy:
Water moves fast with riffles and small waves. Can
paddle with a little practice
Class II: Novice:
straight forward But rocks and medium waves are
avoided by trained rowers.
Level III: Intermediate:
Rapid currents with moderate and irregular
waves require an increased skill.
Class IV: Advanced:
Intense, powerful yet predictable rapids that
require precise handling.
Class V: Expert:
very long rapids have obstacles or are very
severe There are dangerous falls that require
expertise and experience in boating.
Class VI: Extreme:
Extremes of unpredictability and danger The
consequences of the error are severe and
assistance may not be timely.
Hin Phoeng Rapids (Class III-V)
Visitors can white water rafting at Kaeng
Hin Phong. Which is located at Khao Yai
National Park Protection Unit 9 (Sai Yai)
Nadi, Prachinburi is the highest rapids of
the Sai Yai River, fed by Khao Yai Mountain,
which flows from Wang Haeo Waterfall to Hin
Phoeng for a distance of 80 km. Hin Phoeng
is sandstone. with strong currents in the
rainy season forming islands and rocks in
the river
Traveling from Hin Phoeng to Khao Yai
National Park Protection Unit 9, passes
Kaeng Wang Bon, Kaeng Luk Suea, Kaeng Wang
Sai and finally Kaeng Ngu Hao, a distance of
2 km, which takes about 2 hours. Class III-V
rapids require a raft. 8-10 people
Geology of Hin Phoeng
In addition to being a tourist attraction
for water adventures. when the water level
drops The rock shelter also has interesting
geology to explore. It is a testament to the
power of the flow of water that can form and
sculpt beautiful patterns. Humpbacked stone
bridges and potholes are formed by turbulent
currents that smash gravel and sand into
holes.
Use of the service
- Contact the rafting service provider.
- Walk from Khao Yai National Park Protection Unit 9 (Sai Yai) about 2.5 km to the start of the rapids which takes about 45 minutes.
- Sai Yai River Cruise to Khao Yai National Park Protection Unit 9 on a raft for 8-10 people, which takes about 30 minutes.
How to get there: There are two main routes:
Route 1
Take Highway No. 304 from Kabin Buri to
Nakhon Ratchasima. From the 11th kilometer
main entrance, go straight for 25 km.
Route 2
Take Highway No. 33 from Bangkok
(Suwannasorn), turn left onto Highway No.
2041 for about 25 km. Park at Khao Yai
National Park Protection Unit 9 (Sai Yai)
and continue walking for 2.5 km to Kaeng Hin
Phoeng. It takes about 45 minutes.
Rafting Ethics
- Wear a helmet and life jacket on the boat or raft.
- Check all your equipment before boarding the raft.
- Wear comfortable clothing and shoes that aren't too thick or fit in quick-drying fabrics. sandals should be fastened with straps and prepared to get wet.
- Bring your jungle survival gear like ropes and torches to deal with unexpected situations. stored in a plastic bag
- Practice sitting and balancing on rafts, holding paddles, punting, and rowing rafts.
- Explore the streams and currents to assess the difficulty of rafting. before trying to negotiate the tide
- Do not extend your arms outside the raft while rafting. because it may cause an accident
- If you fall from the raft Try floating with your face up instead of down. Put your feet in front and let the water sweep you across the Rapids before climbing back onto the raft or swimming to the riverbank.
- It is important to strictly follow the rules and instructions of the staff.