Khao Yai has grown to be a popular tourist destination in Central Thailand. The Khao Yai area and its neighbouring districts have much to offer with a long list of things you can do while there. It is really hard to decide which attraction to visit and which to drop off within a short visit. I was there last year and we intend to head there again this year.
If you are planning a trip to Khao Yai there, and not sure which ones to include. Fret not, this is the one quick reference list you will need in your itinerary planning.
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Mother Nature
1. Go for safari tours in Khao Yai National Park
You’re in the vicinity of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Don’t leave without going on a safari tour of the National Park that covers more than 2,000 square kilometers of forest and grassland. Most of the safari tours include a trek through the forest followed by a drive-through, in search of the diverse wildlife.
When night falls, go on an hour-long night tour to spot the nocturnal ones on open-sided trucks.
There are specific thematic tours such as bird-watching tours, field herping tours and photo tours. Choose from half day to 4 days tours to fit into your itinerary and see as many of the jungle inhabitants as possible. With some luck, you may spot wild elephants.
Address: Hin Tung, Mueang Nakhon Nayok District, Nakhon Nayok 26000, Thailand
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2. Chet Sao Noi Waterfall – The waterfall with a legend
Chet Sao Noi waterfall is a small and peaceful waterfall located in Namtok Chet Sao Noi National Park. The name translates into ‘waterfall of seven young ladies’’. Legend has it that seven young sisters drowned there, forming the waterfall. A popular destination among the locals, it tends to be overlooked by tourists and foreigners in favour of Khao Yai National Park.
But you will need to do so serious walking to see this one. The waterfall has 7 tiers of water and falls around 4 metres on each tiers. All the tiers are accessible of a circular trail of approximately 2km long. With the uneven terrain, the walk may not be suitable for the very young and old. But there is a spacious swimming area at the bottom of the waterfall where you can have a picnic or take a dip in the water.
Address: Moo 9 Ban Kanglu | Muak Lek Subdistrict, Muak Lek 18180, Thailand
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3. Have a swim in Ban Tha Chang spring
Take a dip or have a swim in clear, turquoise-coloured water in Ban Tha Chang Spring.
The spring (also known as Pak Chong Spring) is filled with fresh spring water all year round. The spring is one of main water sources of Lam Takong River. Its spring water is filtered by several layers of rocks high in calcium carbonate. If you prefer not to get into the water, a picnic near the spring is another idea to consider.
Address: Tambon Mu Si, Amphoe Pak Chong, Chang Wat Nakhon Ratchasima 30130, Thailand
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Winery and Vineyards
Do you know that Thailand has vineyards and wineries? In fact, it has the biggest winery in Southeast Asia. Khao Yai has 3 of them that you can visit: PB Valley, Granmonte and Supattra Vineyard.
4. Interesting vineyard and winery tour at PB Valley
PB Valley Vineyard is the largest vineyard in the Thailand’s Khao Yai region and its winery is said to be the largest in South East Asia. The grounds of PB Valley Vineyard is open to public. To visit their winery, join their guided tour, which comes with free wine tasting. We will recommend to pre-book guided tour prior to visiting to avoid disappointment, especially during peak season.
Dine at their highly-rated The Great Hornbill Grill & Restaurant, which serves Thai, Western and Fusion cuisine. An unforgettable dining experience with a view of the vineyard against the backdrop of the faraway mountains.
Read about our time there in A Taste of Thai Wine at PB Valley Vineyard and Winery.
Address: 102/2 Moo5, Mitraparp Road Payayen Pak Chong District, Nakhon Ratchasima 30320, Thailand
Telephone: +66 81 733 8783
Operating Hours: 8am to 8pm (The Great Hornbill Grill & Restaurant’s open from 9am to 8pm, with extended hours till 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays)
Official Website:: Khao Yai Winery
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5. Stay overnight in a vineyard at GranMonte
Another highly-rated attraction to visit is GranMonte Vineyard and Winery. GranMonte is a family-owned and operated vineyard that spans a total area of approximately 40 acres. Their on-site Asoke Valley Winery produces around 120,000 bottles of wine a year.
Put GranMonte’s vineyard and winery guided tours into your plans. Their tour has amazingly won Tourism Authority of Thailand’s Award for Agrotourism four years in a row. With such accolades, it surely will not disappoint. Their restaurant VinCotto features home-style Western dishes from the owner family’s recipes.
If you dream of waking up to a vineyard view, then this will surely be your choice of vineyard to visit in Khao Yai with an on-site guesthouse. The guesthouse was originally intended for the owner’s guests and now fitted out to 7 guest rooms for public booking.
Address: 52 MOO 9, Payayen, Pansuk-Kudkla Street, Nakhon Ratchasima, 30320, Thailand
Telephone: +66 92 806 7755
Official Website:: GranMonte Asoke Valley
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6. ATV rides around Supattra Vineyard
Supattra Vineyard is a modest family run vineyard with a great farm stand. There’s no organised tour around the vineyard. Instead visitors can rent one of their ATVs (all-terrain vehicles) and enjoy an hour around the 80,000 sq.m farm. Supattra’s fresh grapes are a must-try, together with their range of grape processed food products, such as grape juice, grape ice cream, grape cookies and pies.
Grapes at Supattra Vineyard are grown on rows of trellises, raised 1.5 meters above the ground. It is even possible to ride the ATVs under the grapevines. Sounds like great fun!
Address: 59/2, Moo 2, Klang Dong subdistrict, Pak Chong District, Nakhon Ratchasima
Opening Hours: 8.30 am to 4.30 pm daily
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Gardens and Parks
7. Cheery Khao Yai sunflower fields
Who doesn’t love the cheerful sunflower? While in Khao Yai, visit their sunflower field is in Rai Manesorn, Pak Chong district, Nakhon Ratchasima province. There are two sunflower fields, spanning about 400 rai (0.64 sq.km). Do note Khao Yai’s sunflower season usually starts in November and ends around January or February, depending on the weather.
Read more in Basking in the ‘Sun’ in Khao Yai’s Sunflower Fields.
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8. Thematic flower displays in The Bloom
The Bloom by TV Pool in Khao Yai is the biggest flower garden in Thailand with an area of 100 rai (16 hectares). Located on the Pak Chong side of Khao Yai National Park, the garden has over 30 species of temperate flowers.
The garden has many photography spots and thematic flower displays such as a Cinderella carriage, a giant Hermes bag, the Sun, a sacred fountain and this huge crescent. So keep your camera clicking.
Address: 357 Moo 5 Tambon Prayayen Amphur Pakchong, Khao Yai National Park, Khao Yai, Thailand 30320
Telephone: +66 44 756 336
Operating Hours: 7 am to 8 pm daily on weekdays, 7am to 10 pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
Official Website:: The Bloom
Read more in The Bloom by TV Pool, Khao Yai.
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9. Enjoy nature and art in Secret Art Garden
Step into the Secret Art Garden and unveil their secrets yourself. The looks from the outside may strike you as a bit rundown. But don’t turn back, walk straight in and discover the beauty behind.
Secret Art Garden is filled with art, crafts and garden decorations. The restaurant is also worth checking out too, serving delicious and affordable Thai cuisine.
Address: 99 Moo.9 Klangdong Pakchong Nakorn Ratchsima 30320
Telephone: +66 89 812 8851
Operating Hours: 8am to 5pm
Website:: Secret Art Garden
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10. Seasonal flora displays in Wang Nam Khiao Flora Park
Wang Nam Keaw Flora Park is located in Wang Nam Keaw District, next to Pak Chong District. Every year from November to February, the flora park is open to visitors who come for the colourful flora displays. There are 5 themed zones for visitors to explore. Various types of flowers will be on display which includes pink cassia, geraniums, begonias, petunias and roses.
Like Jim Thompson farm, there is an observation tower for visitors to take in the surrounding and beautiful flower display from height. And similar to The Bloom, it also has a bamboo tunnel where different gourds are grown.
Address: Wang Nam Khiao, Wang Nam Khiao District, Nakhon Ratchasima 30370, Thailand
Telephone: +66 44 993 939
Operating Hours: 8am to 6pm
Website:: Florapark Wangnamkeaw Facebook page
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Themed Attractions
11. ‘Italian’ experience at Primo Piazza
How would you like to be in an ‘Italian-themed village’ without having to fly halfway across the world? If your answer is an emphatic yes, then Primo Piazza is a must-do on your list. Primo Piazza ‘transports’ you into an Italian village square with narrow alleys and alfresco cafes.
Besides taking Instagram-worthy photos, you can also feed their alpacas, sheep and donkeys or simply enjoy the Italian way of spending time sitting and chatting at the Piazza with your travel mate.
Read more in Primo Piazza, the Italian ‘Town’ in Khao Yai.
Address: Mu Si, Pak Chong District, Nakhon Ratchasima 30130, Thailand
Telephone: +66 44 009 900
Official Website: Primo Piazza
Opening Hours: 9.00am to 6.00pm
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12. Live like a hobbit in Baan Suan Noi Resort (Hobbit House)
Calling fans of The Lord of the Rings film series. This must surely be one of your must-go in Khao Yai. Ban Suan Nooi Resort has cosy hobbit houses for an overnight hobbit experience. More of a bed and breakfast than a resort, the 2.5 star property has 13 different room designs for you to choose from. Besides lovely hobbit houses, there is a little Santori and Dale City rooms to choose from.
Day visitors can visit the resort for an entrance fee of THB50 and rent costumes for THB100. The good part is there is no time limit to try on the variety of costumes available; from knights to wizards, from princes and princesses to hobbits. Keep the camera clicking.
Address: 292 Moo 15, Tambon Lat Bua Khao, Sikhio, Nakhon Ratchasima, 30340, Thailand
Telephone: +66 81 291 5160
Official Website: Baan Suan Noi Resort
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13. Shopping in Palio Khao Yai
Enjoy Primo Piazza? Then chances are you will like Palio Khao Yai. Go shopping at this Tuscan village themed shopping centre for clothing, gourmet snacks, gifts and souvenirs. Take a break at one of Palio’s cafe. Cat lovers, there’s a unique cat cafe where you can interact with the felines with a beverage or souvenir purchase.
Address: 146/1 Moo.4, Thanarath Road, Pak Chong 30130, Thailand
Telephone: +66 44 365 899
Operating Hours: 8.30 am to 7pm
Website: Palio Khao Yai Facebook page
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14. Theme park fun at Scenical World
A theme park and water park against backdrop of the surrounding mountains, Scenical World is divided into 3 zones, namely, Excite Zone, Kids Zone and Splash Zone.
Get your adrenaline pumping with roller coaster, sky diver and swing tower at Excite Zone. The little ones will like Kids Zone’s carousel, spinning tea cup and bumper car rides. Or go zooming down the slides at Splash Zone. Makes for a fun day out for the family.
Address: 777 Moo 5 Thanarat Road, Moo See, Pakchong, Nakhon Ratchasima 30130
Telephone: +66 44 001 188
Operating Hours: 10 am to 6.30pm (closed on Wednesdays)
Official Website: Scenical World Khao Yai
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15. Who wants to be a cowboy at Panther Creek Resort
From Primo Piazza’s Italian village on to Panther Creek Resort’s Wild West, you get to ‘travel places’ within Khao Yai. Styled as a cowboy town with matching building facades, Panther Creek Resort is a 3-star hotel where you can choose to stay in wooden train rooms or Apache Indian house cottage.
Dress up in their cowboy costumes for photos. Go bicycle riding or horse riding. Swim in the resort’s pool or the little ones can have fun at the kids playground. Guests are also treated to nightly Fantasy and Cowboy shows with country dance and fire stunt performances.
Address: 123 Moo 15 Thanarat Road, Mu Si, Pak Chong District, Nakhon Ratchasima 30130, Thailand
Telephone: +66 83 131 5111
Operating Hours: 9 am to 5.30pm
Official Website: Panther Creek Resort
Update: As of End April 2018, Panther Creek Resort is closed for renovation. Do check their official website or Facebook page for more information prior to visiting
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16. The Verona at Tub Lan – An Italian inspired resort
The Verona at Tub Lan is an attraction that is inspired by the Italian city of Verona. Walk through the 48 hectare resort that features 2 hotels (Verona Boutique Hotel and Verona Texas Cowboy Town. The former has 7 room types, including Romeo & Juliet Suite, with their rooms suitable for couples and families. The latter has 3 room types; namely Tipi House and Western Room for families and Barn House for groups.
The resort offers a good range of activities, including Gondola rides, horse carriage rides, rock climbing and flying fox. With 8 restaurants and cafes in The Verona, it is easy to have a meal of your choice.
Oddly within this “Italian City’, there is a Verona Texas Cowboy Town, that does not blend into the theme at all. Am I the only one who thinks the people here likes cowboys (think Farm Chokchai, Panther Creek Resort)?
Address: 251 M.6 BuPhram, Nadee Prachinburi 25220 ,Thailand
Telephone: +66 96 324 4423
Official Website:: The Verona at Tub Lan
Continue on to 30 things to do in Khao Yai, Thailand (Part 2)