Khao Yai National Park
The park, which covers an area of 2,168 square kilometers
in the Phanom Dong Rak mountain range, stretches over 4 provinces
including Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Nayok, Saraburi, and Prachin Buri.
Khao Yai became Thailands first national park on 18th September 1962
and is also originally recognized as the National Park Heritage of
Asian Group Countries.
The park is comprised of mixed forests and rainforests with some
wide plains and grasslands interspersed with verdant forests. There
are many valuable plants, including commercial plants, scented plants
and herbs. In addition, there are several mountains with peaks ranging
from 800 to 3,000 meters above sea level making Khao Yai a cool
climate area, even in summer.
The most popular time to visit Khao Yai is during the cool season
or from October to February. In the rainy season, the area is refreshingly
green with overflowing waterfalls, sending echoes all around.
Popular activities in the park include butterfly and bird watching,
animal watching and trekking. The Park has numerous butterflies
and birds as surveys indicate that over 293 species of birds use
Khao Yai as a feeding ground while Khao Yai is the habitat of over
200 species. In addition, the park is home to an abundance of wildlife.
The most frequently spotted animal is the deer that grazes on grass
plains and sometimes come to be fed around the park office. Other
animals spotted include elephants, sun bears, wild boars, monkeys,
tigers, gaurs, and mountain goats. To facilitate animal watching
the park built 2 wildlife watchtowers at Mo Singto and Nong Phak
Chi. Visitors are allowed up there between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. In
addition, those who want to go on a night safari by car must contact
the park office before 6 p.m. Moreover, Khao Yai has over 20 trekking
trails for visitors to choose from, each different in natural beauty
and distance. While some trails like the Kong Kaeo trail and the
Kilometer 33 trail (Thanarat Road-Nong Phak Chi) take 1-2 hours
to complete, other trails like the Nang Rong-Khao Yai trail, Samo
Pun trail or Kho Yo 4 Unit-Wang Heo waterfall trail require overnight
stays. Information and guides can be obtained from the tourist service
centre.
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