With just a short drive from Bangkok, Khao Yai National Park is a popular escape for many Thais as a great family weekend destination from the bustling city. The second largest park in Thailand with area of 2,168 square kilometers that expands to more than four provinces incorporates one of the largest monsoon forests along with plants, birds and wild animals.
We visited there during the hot season so there weren’t many visitors. It felt like we were the only group in the whole park.
Well, except the local residents of the park, a large family of monkeys, wandered along the main road as we approached their territory. The sign warned visitors not to feed them as they could become aggressive toward you. It was surreal for us and the kids to just see them walking around.
Even the new mom came to check us out with her baby!
As we drove up the mountain toward the visitor center, we passed the Elephant Crossing. Fortunately (or unfortunately depends on how you like to view it), there was no elephant crossing the road at that time.
There are two primary entrance to Khao Yai National Park. The North entrance is through Nakhon Ratchasima province and the South entrance is through Prachinburi province. We stayed in Saraburi so we entered via the North entrance.
There are many camp sites available inside the park if you want to have more adventures than driving around. If you look for privacy then camp during low season. But be careful of all the wildlife that will roam around the park!
Family Tips:
- Hire a car or a van to take you for a day out in the park.
- There are many view points to help break down the winding road up the mountain.
- Bring the gum (for bigger kids) or lollipop (for younger kids) as you will ascend up the high attitude.
- Stop by the Visitor Center for the map and bathroom break.
Check out other travelers Photo Friday at Delicious Baby.
About Amy Querido
The Q Family is a family of 4 with 2 school-aged kids who love to explore as much as their parent.
That’s a lot of monkeys in one place! Looks like a great trip. :)
It was an amazing trip for us. Still couldn’t believe how many monkeys were all on the road.
Great photos of what looks like an amazing place. We were in Thailand in 2004, I would love to go back some day.
Thailand has changed so much.. You need to go back. :)
OH MY GOODNESS, all those monkeys in the road! It’s just too funny!
The funnier part is they know when cars approach their territory and they start to climb down from the tree and roam the road. I think they tried to let us know who own the place here. :)
OMG, that is THE most perfect place for kids!!!
I’m absolutely desperate to go back! We lived and worked on Koh Tao for 6 months, it was such a great experience.
Love the photo of mommy and baby monkey. Reminds me of my little one and me…
Wow Amy, that is a huge troop of Monkeys! Too funny we both posted pictures of primates this week. Keep up the great posts, I love reading them.
Cute little monkeys!
And I remember a bumper sticker…
“I only break for animals and big leaves.”
Take care guys and enjoy!
Amazing, Amy! I’ll be in Bangkok next month but, unfortunately not long enough to visit here. (Just enough time for getting my teeth cleaned and a couple of foot massages!)
Seeing all those monkeys wandering around the road reminded me of the buffalo at Custer State Park in South Dakota (of all things).
The signs there warned folks not to get out of the car or get too close to the bison, although some folks insisted on foolishly disregarding the signs during high tourist season. And we thought it was pretty surreal to see the big guys wandering along/in the road…much like your little monkeys :)
I’m going to Koh Yao for Christmas, oddly I googled Koh Yao famlies and this came up!