Khao Yai National Park

Khao Yai National Park is in the Dong Phaya Yen Mountains, in northeastern Thailand. It was the first of Thailand’s National Parks to be established and altogether they now cover and protect around 11% of the country. This is the second largest national park in Thailand, covering over 2000 km2 with evergreen forests, spectacular waterfalls and grasslands. The most impressive waterfalls are the 80m high Heo Narok and the Haeo Suwat, which was where ‘The Beach’ was filmed.
Within the park, the highest peak is Khao Rom at 1351m, along with Khao Lam and Khao Keaw. There are 5 main rivers flowing through: the Prachin Buri River, Nakhon Nayok River in the south, Lam Ta Kong River, the Praplerng River in the north and the Muag Lek Stream in the north west. The rainy season is from May to October, but rains falls almost daily all year round. As a result there are some stunning waterfalls. During the winter it can be cold at night with temperatures dropping to 10C. Average annual daytime temperatures are around 23C.

Wildlife of Khao Yai National Park

Khao Yai possesses great natural beauty and plentiful wildlife in the tropical forest. It focuses on the conservation of globally threatened and endangered mammals, birds and reptile species and their habitat more than 800 species of fauna, including 112 mammal species, 392 different bird species, 200 reptile and amphibian species and 3000 plant species can be found in this tropical forest ecosystem. Natural habitats have now been preserved to ensure the long-term survival of its residents. Species of animals include Asiatic black bears,  elephants, gaur, tigers, gibbons, Indian sambar deer, crab-eating macaque, Indian muntjac, dholes, and wild pigs. Endangered animals include important species of tiger, elephant, leopard cat and banteng.

Hiking and Trekking trails in Khao Yai National Park

The Khao Yai National Park has more than 50km of hiking trails, making it a popular recreation area for local visitors and foreigners wishing to escape the busy city of Bangkok. Quiet walkers may hear the gibbons and see the elephants at the salt licks along the road. Civets, squirrels, porcupines and wild pigs are common and snakes and lizards frequent the undergrowth. Birds are often heard rather than seen although hornbills can easily be spotted. An estimated one million bats live in a small cave on the edge of the park. Nighttime wildlife safaris on pick-up trucks are a popular way to spot deer, civet cats and other nocturnal feeders.

Diversity and Habitat in Khao Yai National Park

There is a rich diversity of over 2000 species of plants. Moss-draped trees, climbers and epiphytes can be seen amidst the jungle of rattan palms, lianas and strangler figs whilst lichens, fungi and ferns spread across the forest floor. Dry evergreen forest and dry deciduous forest covers the lower slopes of hills along with stands of bamboo. The Park manages the grassland by burning, to keep the trees from invading the precious grazing area used by deer elephants and guar.
This Monsoon Forest offers valuable habitat for the long-term survival of endangered and globally important species. It ranges from 400-1000 feet in altitude. The unique overlap of the range of two species of gibbon, including the vulnerable Pileated Gibbon, further adds to the global value of the area. In addition to providing an unspoilt, natural environment for resident species, Khao Yai plays an important role in the conservation of migratory species, such as the endangered Spot-billed Pelican and critically endangered Greater Adjutant. Find the best Thailand tours and Holiday packages