A good option to get away from the hustle and bustle of Bangkok, whilst on your holiday in Thailand. Khao Yai Park is little known by tourists and popular with the Thai at weekends. Reflecting the diversity of the Thai tropical jungle, there are still some elephants at liberty (which are unfortunately quite difficult to observe).
At the entrance to the park, a person can find out about possible treks to do alone or with a guide. I advise you to take a guide because they offer you the opportunity to see more wildlife.
The campsite is a little basic but offers the possibility to hire, which is perfect for voyagers like me. I think this is a good option when you have the time because it is a unique experience of being in the jungle at night
I travelled to Pak Chong on a train that gradually worked its way into the forest, providing a first glimpse of this region's lush vegetation. I chose my guide in this city, and it was also from here that we then set off in a small group to explore the Thai jungle. Objective: hike through the forest and see the local wildlife.
After visiting a cave that serves as a place of prayer for the local monks and was simply swarming with bugs – each as horrible as the next – we got to watch the wonderful spectacle of millions of bats heading out to hunt at sunset. I greatly enjoyed this first half-day exploring the jungle. Though the bat-watching experience is not always offered on the elephant-back day safaris you can go on, I do strongly recommend seeing it if you have time: thrills and goose bumps guaranteed!
Another thing we did was head off to look for the elephants that live wild in the park. additionally, we also got to visit and admire the park's waterfalls and see snakes, spiders, scorpions, monkeys (be very careful with your food: they are like lightening when it comes to stealing your picnic and then eating it right before your very eyes!) and many other animals amongst the forest's magnificent trees.
This unforgettable trip to Khao Yai National Park gave me the opportunity to discover a whole other side to this country, with its golden sandy beaches. This is the perfect place to come if you want to experience something alternative and different when visiting Thaïlande.