What to Do at Khao Yai National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

While Thailand is known for its stunning beaches, you’re missing out if you don’t consider looking at the beauty of its forests. One place where you can do just that is Khao Yai National Park.

Located a few hours northeast of Bangkok, the forested area became the first national park in 1962 and it’s also the third largest in Thailand. It’s part of the Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex, which was inscribed as a world heritage site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 2005, along with other protected areas from Khao Yai to the Cambodian border. According to the organisation, the areas in the complex are “internationally important for the conservation of globally threatened and endangered mammal, bird, and reptile species that are recognised as being of outstanding universal value.”

If you would like to witness the beauty of nature, a visit to the park should be on your to-do list when visiting Thailand. Here are some things you can do when you get there!

Go Trekking

What’s a visit to Thailand’s national park if you’re not going to see its flora and fauna up close, right? The park currently has seven nature trails to explore, ranging from 1.2 to eight kilometres that could take 45 minutes to six hours depending on how used you are to trekking. Most of them are open all year, with Trail #6 having more restrictions, such as leaving the start point before 10 AM. Trails #3 to #6 will also require a trail guide for everyone’s safety.

Observe Wildlife

From mammals to reptiles, the park is home to over 400 species. It has been listed as an Important Bird Area (IBA) because over 282 bird species (resident and migratory) can be found here. If you’re lucky, you can also spot elephants, northern pig-tailed macaques, and white-handed gibbons easily as you roam around.

If you would like to see more of the park’s residents, especially the nocturnal ones like the sambar deer and Malayan porcupine, you can go to the visitor centre before 6 PM and reserve a slot for the night safari.

Marvel at the Waterfalls

The park has some of the most majestic waterfalls in Thailand, with Haew Su Wat Waterfall being the most popular because it was used as a filming location for Leonardo DiCaprio’s jump scene in the classic 2000 film “The Beach.” While the American actor was granted permission to do such activity, it’s unfortunately not allowed to jump (or swim) into this 20 metre-high waterfall. 

Other waterfalls you can visit are Haew Narok Waterfall, Pha Kluai Mai Waterfall, and Kong Kaew Waterfall.

Camp and See the Stars

The park is massive, so it’s no surprise that many tourists prefer to camp to make the most of their visit. While accommodations are available outside, you’ll have to pay at the park entrance again as tickets are only good for one day.

The ideal time to camp is during the cool season, from November to March. At night, you can also do stargazing because the sky is clearer during these months, although you’ll have to check the phases of the moon as the full moon can make the stars look faint or disappear from the naked eye.

Khao Yai National Park is open from 6 AM to 6 PM. To get there via private car, train, or bus, you can visit their website for instructions. You can also call their visitor centre at 086-092-6529 or follow their Facebook and Instagram for updates.