KHAO YAI NATIONAL PARK

DESPITE BEING JUST TWO hours from Bangkok and Khorat, Khao Yai is one awesome park. It is one of the oldest National Parks in the country, and one of the largest. Campsites are big and spacious, served with food stalls.
More importantly, this really is a good place to see wildlife. I can’t wait to go back.

Thailand Khao Yai National Park forests mist morning travel nature wildlife conservation forests — Thick forest in Khao Yai National Park are home to all manner of critters, from gibbons and elephants, to bears and squirrels, plus birds and plant to blow your mind.

Thailand Khao Yai National Park camping camp ground travel nature wildlife conservation forests — There are several campgrounds inside. BYO gear or rent. Several places serve food too! Yay.

Thailand Khao Yai National Park spirt houses travel nature wildlife conservation forests — An old spirit house near a camp ground in the park. Some of the staff reside in the park.

Thailand Khao Yai National Park macaque travel nature wildlife conservation forests — Macaques are common in the park, and will open your tent to get at food....or toothpaste, metho, vitamins, coffee. Be warned!

Thailand Khao Yai National Park snake travel nature wildlife conservation forests — Keep your eyes open for all manner of creatures -snakes, lizards, birds, and...

Thailand Khao Yai National Park frog travel nature wildlife conservation forests — ...and frogs. Walk slow, look for movement.

Thailand Khao Yai National Park fungus and elephant shittravel nature wildlife conservation forests — It's not just the animals to look out for, with a variety of plants and poo to keep you entertained. (Elephant, if you need to know.)

Thailand Khao Yai National Park mushroom translucent fungi flora plant travel nature wildlife conservation forests — I found this translucent mushroom specie in 2022.

Thailand Khao Yai National Park flora strange white flower travel nature wildlife conservation forests — And this odd looking flower (?) actually moves. Fascinating.

Thailand Khao Yai National Park flowers flora travel nature wildlife conservation forests — The flowers and bugs and poo help keep things interesting while you look for the stars.

Thailand Khao Yai National Park dhole asian wild dogs travel nature wildlife conservation forests — While the bugs and birds are cool, dhole -asian wild dogs- are much more exciting. Follow the otaku on the main road in the late afternoon.

Thailand Khao Yai National Park barking deer travel nature wildlife conservation forests — Barking deer are a common sighting in the park, often in amongst the tents, chewing the grass.

Thailand Khao Yai National Park sambar deer travel nature wildlife conservation forests — The larger sambar deers are also common and very comfortable around people.

Thailand Khao Yai National Park elephants travel nature wildlife conservation forests — I'd smelled them. I'd heard them run off. I'd seen freshly minted poo, but it took me four days of trying to finally sight elephants.

Thailand Khao Yai National Park elephants travel nature wildlife conservation forests — I had expected to find them more easily, so treasured the hour or so before dusk. Yet in 2022, I saw them every day.

Thailand Khao Yai National Park forests mist morning travel nature wildlife conservation forests — Cool, misty morning views of the trees, where gibbons could be heard calling.

Thailand Khao Yai National Park bugs and insects travel nature wildlife conservation forests — More of the little fellas you can find if you pay attention.

Thailand Khao Yai National Park views travel nature wildlife conservation forests — Trails are generally well marked near the centre of the park. There are longer trails which require guides.

Thailand Khao Yai National Park trail marker trek hike get lost travel nature wildlife conservation forests — I don't remember these trail markers from my first visit. This path was actually a lot harder than it looks here.

Thailand Khao Yai National Park white handed gibbon travel nature wildlife conservation forests — I was surprised how often I saw gibbons. Almost every walk I went on, they turned up. I had similar, or better success again in 2022.

Thailand Khao Yai National Park treetops travel nature wildlife conservation forests — Gibbon calls are amongst the sweetest forest sounds. Listen for them, then look out for branches moving.

Thailand Khao Yai National Park great hornbill travel nature wildlife conservation forests — Great hornbills are seen in great numbers, feasting on fruit trees or flying by.

Thailand Khao Yai National Park waterfall the beach travel nature wildlife conservation forests — Waterfalls are a big attraction in Thai parks. I just look to see what birds there are.

Thailand Khao Yai National Park white handed gibbon juveniletravel nature wildlife conservation forests — Juvenile lar (white handed) gibbons are white, gaining their black fur as they mature. (or they other way round?)

Thailand Khao Yai National Park hiking trail travel nature wildlife conservation forests — The park is a mix of thick forests and large grasslands, where hopefully elephants will turn up.

Thailand Khao Yai National Park rufous woodpecker travel nature wildlife conservation forests — Some hard core bird nerds I met where devasted to see I got the rufous woodpecker, not that I knew what it was.

Thailand Khao Yai National Park barking deer travel nature wildlife conservation forests — While deer congregate around camps, finding them on a hike is more satsifying.

Thailand Khao Yai National Park dam lake hiking travel nature wildlife conservation forests — A watchtower sits a few kms from the park HQ, overlooking this dam. Good spot to wait for elephants.

Thailand Khao Yai National Park forests mist morning travel nature wildlife conservation forests — The river which runs behind the food outlets and along the main road might also turn up something interesting.

Thailand Khao Yai National Park animal scratches in tree travel nature wildlife conservation forests — Claw marks on a tree. I would like to say tiger, but bear is more likely.

Thailand Khao Yai National Park big trees travel nature wildlife conservation forests — Thick forest cover of big old trees make for good gibbon spotting.

Thailand Khao Yai National Park bird travel nature wildlife conservation forests — I can't hide my bird nerdery.

Thailand Khao Yai National Park views travel nature wildlife conservation forests — Emerging from the forests after a fruitless 4 hour search for elephants. Grab a packed lunch from the stalls!

Thailand Khao Yai National Park bee eater travel nature wildlife conservation forests — Bee-eaters are a commonly seen bird.

Thailand Khao Yai National Park Greater racket-tailed drongo travel nature wildlife conservation forests — A name as long as his tail, the greater racket-tailed drongo is a common sighting, too.

Thailand Khao Yai National Park road through park travel nature wildlife conservation forests — Camps, HQ, food stalls, and trails are quite spread out. Don't be shy about thumbing a ride.

Thailand Khao Yai National Park rock pool travel nature wildlife conservation forests — I think this was another spot where I waited in vain for elephants.

Thailand Khao Yai National Park giant squirrel travel nature wildlife conservation forests — Several squirrel species will make you smile in Khao Yai. This is the giant squirrel, and he is huge.

Thailand Khao Yai National Park elephant roadsign mammal travel nature wildlife conservation forests — Easy access, rental tents, good Thai food, and most importantly good wildlife viewing. Khao Yai ticks all the boxes.