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Khao Yai National Park

Wild Elephants, Waterfalls and Jungle Trails

Khao Yai National Park in Thailand covers over 2,000 square kilometers of forested hills and valleys. The area is home to elephants, gibbons and many bird species living among tall trees and waterfalls. Trails wind through the park, letting visitors see wildlife up close while staying on marked paths. Rivers cut through deep gorges and provide fresh water for plants and animals alike. Rangers monitor trails to protect habitats and keep the area safe for hikers. The mix of open spaces and dense jungle creates a calm environment where people can experience nature without crowds.

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National Park in Thailand

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 6.3

General Safety:	7
Health & medical:	6
Accessibility:	4
Tap water:	5

Read details

2/5

English is spoken at resorts, tour offices, and some restaurants, but in rural areas and local markets, communication can be difficult. Hiring an English-speaking guide is recommended for deeper exploration.

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Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Khao Yai National Park Summary

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‘Best for’ scores:
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Excellent for wildlife and jungle hiking. Walk rainforest trails, spot elephants and gibbons, visit waterfalls and enjoy scenic viewpoints across the park.

Place score

7.1

Best at:

Natural sites

Wildlife

Forests

Waterfalls

Hiking

Personal score

Suited for

👶 8

Families

🧓 6

Seniors

❤️ 9

Couples

🛡️ 8

Travel Beginners

Thailand – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	220 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type A , Type B Type A: Type B: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Thai Baht (THB) £1 ≈ THB 44.95
Cashless info:	Rating 5/5 Cashless payments are widely accepted in Thailand, especially in major cities. Mobile payments such as Line Pay, GrabPay, and Apple Pay are common. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is not mandatory in Thailand, but it is appreciated. In restaurants, leaving 10% is common. Taxi fares are rounded up, and small tips for hotel staff are encouraged.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is generally not allowed in Thailand, though alcohol is available in licensed venues like bars and restaurants. Laws around drinking in public can be strictly enforced in some areas.
Public smoking:	Smoking is prohibited in many indoor public spaces, including shopping centres and restaurants, but designated smoking areas are common.

Songkran (13–15 April)	Thai New Year celebrated with water fights
Father's Day (King Bhumibol Memorial Day) (5 December)	Honours the late King Bhumibol, with ceremonies across the country

Emergency contact:	Emergency Numbers: 191 (Police), 1155 (Tourist Police), 1669 (Ambulance), 199 (Fire)
Taxi apps:	Grab, Bolt
Other:	Thailand is known for its vibrant culture, beautiful beaches, and rich history. Popular activities include visiting temples, experiencing the vibrant nightlife, and enjoying the country’s diverse cuisine.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Khao Yai National Park, Thailand

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Jan

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Feb

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Mar

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Apr

🌦️

May

🌦️

Jun

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Jul

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Aug

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Sep

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Oct

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Dec

High season:	Jan. - Feb., Nov. - Dec.
Shoulder season:	March - April, Oct.
Crowdedness:	6 (Many tourists)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Rainy season June to October: leeches on trails, some trails and waterfall paths close after heavy rain

Thai public holidays and weekends fill campsites and trails, especially late December to early January

Wrinkled-lipped bat flight at dusk is visible year-round

Don't miss

🌊 Hike to the stunning Haew Narok Waterfall viewpoint
🐘 Spot wild elephants and gibbons in the dense forest
🦅 Climb Nong Phak Chi observation tower for wildlife views
🥾 Explore the lush trails of Thai-American Friendship Trail
🌅 Visit Sai Sorn Reservoir for serene water and birdwatching

You've been here?

Why travel to Khao Yai National Park?

If you love wildlife and adventure, Khao Yai is a dream come true. The park is home to elephants roaming freely, hornbills soaring overhead and gibbons swinging through the trees. The lush jungle, dramatic waterfalls like Haew Suwat and scenic viewpoints make it a paradise for nature lovers. The hiking trails here range from easy to challenging, leading you through dense forests and open grasslands. The night safaris offer a rare chance to spot nocturnal animals. Just be prepared for unpredictable weather and lots of leeches during the wet season!

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Pha Kluai Mai Waterfall
2 Tham Khao Luk Chang (Bat Cave)
3 Khao Yai National Park Visitor Center

🎡Places for activities

1 Farm ChokChai
2 Scenical world

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Haew Suwat Waterfall
2 Haew Narok Waterfall
3 Pha Diao Dai
4 Sai Sorn Reservoir
5 Khlong Lam Ta Khong

🛍️Shopping

1 The Palio Khao Yai
2 Khao Yai Floating Market

🎈Events

Jim Thompson Farm Tour (December - January)
Khao Yai Half Marathon
Birdwatching Festival
Khao Yai Music & Wine Festival
National Park Rangers’ Day
Loi Krathong Celebrations
Pak Chong Mango Festival
Khao Yai Elephant Day
Thai New Year (Songkran) Celebrations
New Year’s Eve Countdown at Khao Yai

Explore on map

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Knowledge before you go

You’ll need transport; distances inside the park are huge.
Many hiking trails require a ranger/guide; arrange early at the visitor center.
Start early for wildlife; bring leech repellent, water and rain protection.
Book a night safari from the visitor center for better chances spotting nocturnal animals.

How to travel to Khao Yai National Park

Khao Yai is about 2.5 to 3 hours from Bangkok. The best way to get there is by car or minivan. Trains and buses go to Pak Chong, the nearest town, where you can hire a taxi or tour.

Access summary

From Bangkok airports (BKK/DMK): Taxi or private car, about 2.5–3 hours.
From Bangkok city: Bus or minivan via Pak Chong, roughly 3–4 hours total.
From Pak Chong town: Local songthaew or taxi to park entrance, around 40–60 minutes.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Khao Yai National Park

Khao Yai offers everything from jungle campsites to luxury resorts. Staying inside the park is great for early wildlife spotting, while resorts outside the park cater to those looking for comfort and wineries.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

atta Lakeside Resort Suite

9.2

U Khao Yai

9.1

Toscana Valley Hotel La Casetta

9.0

The Series Resort Khaoyai

9.5

Thames Valley Khao Yai Hotel

9.3

dusitD2 Khao Yai

8.8

Muthi Maya Forest Pool Villa Resort

9.1

Hotel Labaris Khao Yai

9.4

Kirimaya Golf Resort Spa

9.1

Recall Isaan Isan Concept at Khaoyai

8.8

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Khao Yai National Park

Exploring the park requires a car, motorbike or guided tour. Park shuttles are limited and most trails start near the visitor center. Night safaris and some hikes require booking a ranger‑guided tour.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-63 %

Daily expenses in the region are around 63% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-3 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to THB) is 3% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs (Data for Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand - 94 km away)

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£27	£58	£155
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£11	£30	£68
🍝 Food per day	£13	£24	£72
🚕 Transportation per day	£2	£4	£15

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£11
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£2.30
🍟 Fast food combo	£5
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£4.70
☕ Cappuccino	£1.60
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£1.50

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£0.37
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£9.50
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£0.95

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£3.90
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£22
🤧 Cold medication	£2.30
💇 Basic haircut	£4.10

Safety information overview

General safety

Khao Yai is generally safe, but wild animals (especially elephants) should be observed from a distance. Avoid hiking alone and stay on marked trails. Night safaris should always be done with a guide.

Health & Medical

Medical facilities in the park are basic, but Pak Chong has hospitals. Bring insect repellent to prevent mosquito bites and be cautious of leeches in the wet season.

Accessibility

Accessibility is limited, with rough trails and steep paths. Some viewpoints are reachable by car, but wheelchair access is scarce. Guided tours in vehicles are the best option for those with mobility issues.

Tap water

Tap water is not safe to drink. Bring a refillable bottle and use bottled or filtered water. Some accommodations provide filtered water stations.