Khao Yai National Park, about 180 km north-east of Bangkok, is Thailand’s oldest national park and one of the best places in the country to see wild elephants, gibbons and hornbills. Its forests, grasslands, waterfalls and cool viewpoints make it a favourite weekend escape from Bangkok, with the town of Pak Chong as the main gateway.
Plan your visit to Khao Yai National Park
- Entry: 400 baht (foreign adults), 200 baht (children 3 to 14)
- Open daily 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Time needed: a full day, ideally 2 nights
History of Khao Yai National Park
Khao Yai became Thailand’s first national park on 18 September 1962. It covers about 2,166 square kilometres across four provinces and rises to 1,351 metres at Khao Rom, its highest peak.
In 2005 it was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex. Camera traps have recorded tigers in the park in recent years, although visitors are very unlikely to see one.
Attractions at Khao Yai National Park
- Haew Suwat Waterfall: a 20-metre waterfall made famous by the film The Beach.
- Haew Narok Waterfall: the park’s highest waterfall, reached by a forest path and steps. Paths and bridges sometimes close after storm damage, so ask at the visitor centre.
- Pha Diew Dai Cliff: a boardwalk trail to a cliff-top viewpoint at over 1,100 metres.
- Khao Khieo viewpoint: a high mountain view reached by road.
- Wildlife: wild Asian elephants often appear on the roads, plus gibbons, sambar deer, macaques and many hornbills.
Things to Do at Khao Yai National Park
- Wildlife spotting: drive slowly in the early morning and late afternoon. Keep a safe distance from elephants and never get out of the car near them.
- Birdwatching: Khao Yai is one of Thailand’s top birding sites, especially for great hornbills.
- Hiking: short marked trails start near the visitor centre; longer jungle hikes require a park ranger or licensed guide.
- Camping: two campsites rent tents and have basic facilities.
- Night safari: the park has run evening spotlight tours by truck; ask at the visitor centre whether they are operating.
Khao Yai National Park – Entry Eligibility and Open Timings
- Opening hours: gates open daily 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
- Entry fee: 400 baht for foreign adults and 200 baht for children aged 3 to 14, plus a small vehicle fee. The ticket is valid for one day, or longer if you camp or stay in park accommodation.
- Tips: there is no public transport inside the park, so you need a car, a driver or a tour. Weekends and Thai holidays are very busy.
How Long to Spend at Khao Yai National Park
A full day is the minimum; 2 nights in or near the park gives you more chances to see wildlife at dawn and dusk.
How to Get There
- By car: about 2.5 to 3 hours from Bangkok to the northern entrance near Pak Chong.
- Bus or train to Pak Chong: buses from Bangkok’s Mo Chit area and trains on the north-eastern line stop in Pak Chong; from there, hire a driver or join a local tour into the park.
- Private tour: many Pak Chong hotels and tour operators run day trips into the park with a guide.
Flying into Bangkok first? Book a fixed-price airport transfer straight to your hotel.
Eateries Nearby Khao Yai National Park
- Inside the park: simple restaurants and food stalls near the visitor centre and some waterfalls.
- Pak Chong: the town’s night market and local Thai restaurants are cheap and lively.
- Thanarat Road: the road from Pak Chong to the park is lined with cafes, farm restaurants and resorts.
Other Attractions Nearby Khao Yai National Park
- Khao Luk Chang bat cave: millions of bats stream out at dusk, near the road between Pak Chong and the park.
- Primo Piazza and Palio Khao Yai: Italian-style themed villages with shops and cafes.
- Chokchai Farm: a large dairy farm offering tours and activities.
- Khao Yai Art Museum: a contemporary art space outside the park.
- Khao Kheow Open Zoo: another nature trip from Bangkok, in Chonburi.
Before your trip
- Find hotels in Bangkok before heading out, or stay near Pak Chong to reach the park at dawn.
- Get a Thailand eSIM before you land, for maps and ride-hailing apps.
Khao Yai National Park is the best wildlife trip within easy reach of Bangkok: wild elephants on the roads, hornbills overhead, waterfalls and cool mountain viewpoints. Go early, bring a car or driver, and keep well away from elephants.
For more nature near Bangkok, see our guides to Erawan National Park and Khao Kheow Open Zoo.