About Pak Chong (Khao Yai)
Pak Chong is the town closest to Khao Yai National Park, less than 200 km from Bangkok, and therefore popular with Thai weekenders. Khao Yai is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and offers hiking trails, waterfalls such as Haew Narok, gibbons, hornbills and sometimes wild elephants. In the evening bats fly out of a cave nearby in great numbers. Around Pak Chong there are also vineyards and farms where you can taste cheese and wine. The town itself is simple, with a market and eateries. For the park rent a car or book a tour, because the park is large. Come in the cool season for the best weather and visit the park on weekdays if you can. Pak Chong lies on the Mittraphap highway and is roughly three hours from Bangkok by road, which makes it a popular choice for a weekend away.
Best time to visit (indicative)
Best from November to February: cool and dry. March to May is very hot; June to October is the rainy season, with green rice fields. From February to April there can be haze from burning fields. Weather varies from year to year; this is a guideline based on the climate.
Getting there
From Bangkok by bus or train to Pak Chong (about 3 to 4 hours); for the park rent a car or join a tour. Distances and travel times are rounded estimates.
Things to do in Pak Chong (Khao Yai)
- Khao Yai National Park A large World Heritage park with hiking trails, gibbons and hornbills.
- Haew Narok A big waterfall in the park, most impressive after the rains.
- Bats at sunset At dusk many bats stream out of a cave.
- Vineyards In the area you can taste wine and cheese.
Pak Chong (Khao Yai) on the map
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