December, the annual month of relaxation. With the cool breeze starting to blow and the New Year's festivities approaching, this month is perfect for traveling, celebrating, and finding a place to enjoy the cool breeze with a beer.



"Khao Yai"

Khao Yai is a popular tourist destination due to its proximity to Bangkok. It is easily accessible and can be explored in a 2-day, 1-night trip. The charm of Khao Yai (Pak Chong side) has captivated me for a long time, perhaps because of its cool weather during the winter season and the abundance of restaurants and bars that allow visitors to soak in the atmosphere. I have visited Khao Yai frequently, sometimes even driving there and back just for a meal. (My home is in Ayutthaya, which is only an hour's drive away.) However, with the arrival of the cold wind, I decided to spend the night and experience the chill. My trip took place on December 27-28, 2016, as I believed the weather forecast that a cold air mass from China would sweep down and cover Thailand, resulting in a temperature drop of 3-7 degrees Celsius. (I copied the whole thing, haha.) I told my girlfriend, "What are we waiting for?" We booked a hotel and gathered four friends to join us on our Khao Yai adventure.

1. Sa-Hai 100-Year Market, Saraburi

... Embark on a culinary adventure at the 100-Year Market in Sahatsakhan, Saraburi. This hidden gem, nestled behind the Sahatsakhan District Office and along the banks of the Pa Sak River, offers a delightful array of local delicacies for the discerning gourmand.

Exuding a natural vintage vibe.


This area boasts several restaurants, but my personal favorite is the "Crispy Wonton" shop in the middle of the market. It offers a unique dining experience unlike any other. The menu features a variety of dishes, including Pad Thai, Rad Na, Wonton Noodles, Duck Noodles, and more. Every dish is delicious, but the star of the show is undoubtedly the crispy wontons. You can enjoy them plain with dipping sauce, incorporated into Pad Thai, or added to Rad Na – each option is equally satisfying. The best part? The prices are incredibly affordable, with each dish costing only 30 baht.


Duck basil is available. The basil is delicious, but the only problem is that I don't like to eat sticky rice. T T


This dish of marinated pork Rad Na is well-executed. The marinated pork is tender, and the wide rice noodles are perfectly roasted, resulting in an exceptional flavor combination.


After a satisfying meal, indulge in a sweet treat for only 20 baht.


The restaurant also serves papaya salad, but I haven't had the chance to try it yet.

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After a delicious meal, it's time to head to Khao Yai.

2. The Castle Restaurant

...The Castle Restaurant is located in the Thames Valley Khaoyai Hotel, situated on Thanarat Road. If you are coming from Pak Chong, it is located on the right-hand side after Palio. The restaurant is easily recognizable by its beautiful European-style castle architecture. There is ample parking available.

The restaurant offers both indoor and outdoor seating.

During the winter season, the outdoors becomes an ideal choice. The pleasant atmosphere combined with the cool breeze enhances the overall experience.


Regarding the food, as we had just finished a meal, we ordered an afternoon tea set for 600 baht and a Thai tea toast for 120 baht. I must say that I was not impressed with anything except the tea, which tasted good. The rest was not worth the price, but the pleasant atmosphere made up for it.

In terms of the menu,


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The entrance fee to the park is 40 baht per person and 50 baht per car. The view from the park is not spectacular, but I enjoyed the drive up, which was lined with lush trees and had a humid, misty atmosphere. The fresh air and scenery provided a welcome respite for my lungs, mind, and heart.


3. Rose Villa Resort Pak Chong: After descending the mountain, I headed straight to the hotel, which I had booked through Booking for 699 baht per night/room, including breakfast consisting of coffee, Ovaltine, and toast. The hotel is located in Pak Chong district on the way to Thong Somboon Club (Soi Thesaban 9. If you are driving from Mittraphap Road into the city, you will see the words "Gateway to Isan". Turn left at the traffic light). Drive about 2 km. The hotel is on the left-hand side. The room is generally suitable for the price.

4. House by the River


...A renowned restaurant in Pak Chong, nestled amidst nature by the Lam Takhong Canal. This establishment has always been a close call, with my visits invariably ending at Morita Restaurant instead. This time, I steeled myself and drove straight in, ignoring my usual haunt. Little did I know what I had been missing. As a portly gentleman with a penchant for water and greenery, I felt as if I had entered a trance upon discovering this restaurant. The entrance pathway, adorned with a vast collection of antiques—and I mean vast, an overwhelming abundance—took me nearly 20 minutes to navigate before reaching my table.

The restaurant zone boasts a captivating ambiance with an extended balcony, offering a serene escape amidst the gentle sounds of flowing water and the invigorating freshness of the surrounding trees.


The restaurant primarily serves Central Thai and Korat cuisine. While the flavors were unremarkable, they were not unpleasant. The prices are moderate to high. Overall, the restaurant is better suited for enjoying the ambiance than the food.

The deep-fried catfish with chili and ginger sauce had a decent flavor, but I believe it was prepared in bulk and served cold.

"Som Tum Set" (Som Tum Thai + Pad Mee Korat + Crispy Pork Rinds). The Som Tum was delicious, but the Pad Mee had been sitting out for a while and was quite cold.

Sour curry with deep-fried acacia pennata and fresh shrimp (I apologize for this dish, I think I was in a bad mood with the two previous dishes).

This Korat salad is delicious and spicy, just the way I like it.

Stir-fried cockles with holy basil

This crispy pork belly in fish sauce is a must-try.

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This meal cost us 1,300 baht, which is neither cheap nor expensive.
This is about the price for a wooden house by the water. You can come and eat, drink, and enjoy the atmosphere, sipping beer with your family and friends. But if you're looking for taste, I'd say skip it.

5. Dairy Home


This restaurant is located on the roadside (turn in a little bit, 50 meters) near Muak Lek district on the way to Bangkok.

Renowned for its steaks, European cuisine, and dairy products, particularly the sparrow meat that I have been fond of since childhood.

I love to ask my mom to take me to eat here. It reminds me of the past. There are only 4 tables in this shop. You have to park your car on the side of the road.

I vividly remember the exquisite taste of the food. Every time my family took me to this restaurant, it was a magical experience.

However, the taste of sparrow meat in my memory has changed somewhat, but it still suits my palate well.

In terms of the menu,


Pork chop 395 baht

Kurobuta Steak 395 Baht

The BBQ pork ribs (395 baht) were my favorite dish. The two thick slabs of ribs had a total of 7 bones, which was a generous portion for the price, especially compared to other restaurants.

Quail meat stir-fried in BBQ sauce 410 baht. The quail meat is very tender but has a slight odor, which depends on individual preferences.

American fried rice, 130 baht. This dish used to be very delicious, but this time I was disappointed.

This spaghetti dish is ordinary.

This mashed potato dish is just average.

Overall

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The total cost for this meal, including cheese fries, water, and dessert (2 scoops of ice cream + panna cotta), came to 2,130 baht, or 535 baht per person. This is quite expensive, with only the pork ribs offering good value for money.


The two-day, one-night trip to Khao Yai has come to an end, as is typical of Jong's encounters. See you again on the next trip soon.

Thank you for following.

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