The late rainy season and early winter are the perfect times to experience the lush and vibrant green of nature. Waterfalls are at their most beautiful during this time. Our destination was Khao Yai National Park, but camping wouldn't be very comfortable during this period. For this trip, we stayed at "The Jungle House Hotel," an affordable accommodation near Khao Yai National Park and other attractions. It's easily accessible, surrounded by trees, and close to nature. There are even elephants roaming the hotel grounds (you read that right, real elephants!). Let's begin our journey!

This trip is short, only 2 days and 1 night, and the distance is not far, so we chose to travel by train, which we haven't done in a long time. If you prefer to travel by van, you can contact 081-9993707 (Tewada Van Service, Bangkok - Pak Chong) for more information.

Travel

Step 1 Train (Don Mueang - Pak Chong)

Our journey began with a train ride on the Northeastern Line to Pak Chong Railway Station, the final destination. We boarded train number 135 at its origin, Bangkok Station. We conveniently boarded at Don Mueang Railway Station. The third-class train ticket cost 82 baht per person. On the day of travel, the train was approximately 25 minutes late.

A disadvantage of not boarding the train at the starting station is that other passengers may occupy your designated seat. If this occurs, politely request them to vacate your seat. However, if you are hesitant or encounter difficulties, you can inform the train staff.

A view from the train window

Step 2: Songthaew (Pak Chong - Khao Yai)

The songthaew is approximately 450 meters from the train station. (If you get lost, there are motorcycle taxis in front of the train station.) Exit the train station and turn left. Walk straight ahead and you will find the Suphan Red Pork Rice shop.

Turn right at the second alley after the roast duck rice shop and go straight until the end of the alley. Pass the clock tower, the municipal market, and you will find a convenience store.

Turn left from the convenience store and you will find a van service to Bangkok called "Wintepda" and a blue 6-wheeled shared taxi to Khao Yai parked nearby. Before boarding, inform the driver of your destination. The shared taxi departs every hour and travels along Thana Rat Road, passing the Chocolate Factory, Palio, etc., before turning left towards Wang Nam Khieo. You can get off at this intersection.

Things to know about the Songthaew:

• First departure: 6:00 AM
• Last departure from Pak Chong to Khao Yai: 5:00 PM
• Last departure from Khao Yai to Pak Chong: 3:00 PM
• Songthaew stop location: Link to Google Maps
• Phone number: 084-2995824
• Chartering a Songthaew: If you want to charter a Songthaew, you can inquire about prices with the group of uncles sitting in front of the Beautyful glasses shop, opposite the convenience store.

Step 3 Rent a motorbike

SAN Motorbike for Rent: A Convenient Option near Khao Yai National Park

SAN Motorbike for Rent offers a convenient and hassle-free motorbike rental experience for visitors to Khao Yai National Park. Situated within a 5-minute walk from the drop-off point for public transportation, the shop boasts a prime location with clear views of the park's entrance sign.

While the selection of motorbikes available for rent is limited, advance booking is highly recommended to ensure availability. The rental fee is 500 baht per day, which includes a full tank of fuel that does not require refilling upon return. Notably, the shop does not require a security deposit, only a valid Thai ID card.

The rental period is 24 hours, with an additional charge of 50 baht per hour for exceeding the allotted time.

In addition to being a motorcycle rental shop, there is a cafe inside (the iced chocolate is very rich). You can stop by to escape the heat before going up Khao Yai. The owner is friendly and talkative, and gave us a lot of information. The rental process is not complicated, and we got our bikes before we even finished our drinks.

For further inquiries, please contact 086-2457882 or 098-2105098.

Facebook: Sankhaoyai Guesthouse & Tour Guide

The Jungle House Hotel.

The Jungle House Hotel served as our accommodation during this trip. Situated along Thana Rat Road, it offers convenient access for both self-driven and public transportation. Public songthaews pass by every hour, connecting guests to various tourist attractions. These include Palio, The Chocolate Factory, Bon Nam Phueng Baan Tha Chang, and Khao Yai National Park, which is located within close proximity. For those seeking amusement parks, Scenical World is situated directly opposite the hotel.

Nestled amidst lush greenery, this hotel truly embodies its name, immersing guests in a tranquil forest-like ambiance. Towering trees, majestic mountains, and a meandering stream create a picturesque setting. Gentle giants, elephants, roam freely within the property, overseen by their watchful mahouts. The accommodations seamlessly blend with the natural surroundings, offering a diverse range of options to cater to various needs, whether for couples, families, or groups. Strategically scattered throughout the grounds, the rooms provide a sense of serenity and seclusion, ensuring a truly restful retreat.

The starting price for a room is 1,200 baht, including breakfast for two people. For example, the room we stayed in was called "Baan Cabin." There were two houses in the area, and it was quiet. We were able to park our car in front of the house.

The room amenities include a water heater, air conditioning (small but very cold), cable TV, and drinking water. As a personal preference, I appreciate the quiet flush of the toilet when staying at hotels. It's considerate and avoids disturbing others who may be sleeping while using the bathroom.

Another favorite spot is the front porch. The street in front of the house is a popular route for elephant-riding nature tours. You can sit and watch the elephants, and even sneak a peek at the handsome men who come to ride them, all from the comfort of your own home.

In the afternoon, heavy rain fell, as mentioned earlier, camping during this period would be difficult. However, staying in a hotel does not mean that you cannot be close to nature. After the rain, we went for a walk around the hotel to enjoy the natural scenery.

The hotel boasts scenic nature trails that are especially delightful after a rain shower, offering breathtaking views of mist-shrouded mountains.

Bicycle rentals are available for those who prefer not to walk.

Let's take a look at other areas. Even the lobby is built around trees. If you want to ride an elephant to see nature, you can contact here.

The lobby features birdcages and rabbit hutches, truly immersing you in a jungle-like atmosphere. However, while admiring the birds and rabbits, be mindful of the elephants, as their path runs directly through the lobby.

Other types of accommodation

This house is our favorite and blends seamlessly with nature. "Treehouse."

Beneath the treehouse, there is a cafe, ice cream shop, postcard stand, and souvenir shop.

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The most exciting part of the trip was the elephant riding activity. The first question that came to mind was how much weight an elephant can carry. We were worried about exceeding the weight limit, as two of us weighed close to 200 kg. The cost of the elephant riding activity was 300 baht per person for two people, and 500 baht for one person. The distance was about 1 kilometer, and it took 30-45 minutes.

It's not just about riding in a car and having to wear a seatbelt; riding an elephant also requires wearing a seatbelt for safety. Each elephant has a name; this one is called "Buabarn." It was much taller than I had initially thought, and I felt a bit unsteady at first. The mahout and the staff who were standing by to help told me to relax and gave me a tip for riding an elephant: lean back slightly. It only took about 5 minutes to feel comfortable sitting on the elephant.

The highlight of this activity was supposed to be riding elephants through a stream. However, due to the recent heavy rainfall and high water levels, it was deemed unsafe to proceed. As a consolation, the elephants performed a water-spraying show (at the command of their handlers).

Halfway through the walk, the mahout asked us to sit on the elephant's neck instead. He walked alongside to guide the elephant and took pictures for us. It was more exciting than sitting on top because we could really feel the elephant.

After finishing, I came to receive the award. This is the first time I have been this close to an elephant. It is another experience that can be found at The Jungle House Hotel.

If you just want to feed the elephants, you can walk to the front of the hotel.

The restaurant is located at the front of the entrance and is the first thing you will see. Breakfast options include a choice of rice porridge or ABF breakfast, bread, and unlimited self-service drinks such as tea, coffee, Ovaltine, and orange juice. We quickly refueled before heading out to continue our adventure.

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The Jungle House Hotel is a great option for nature lovers and budget-conscious travelers. It is conveniently located near tourist attractions and offers easy access. During our stay, we parked our motorbike at the bottom of the hill, as our accommodation was secluded and private. A staff member kindly knocked on our door and offered to park our vehicle for us. On another occasion, we returned to the hotel late at night, and a security guard used a flashlight to guide us to our room. In addition to the impressive accommodations and atmosphere, the exceptional service provided by the staff made our stay even more enjoyable.

Reservations can be made at

Tel. 044-297-307

Mobile: +62 89-845-4215

Line ID: 044297183

Facebook: Jungle House Khao Yai

Khao Yai's tourist attractions can be divided into two categories:

1. Restaurants, cafes, and shopping areas such as Palio and The Chocolate Factory. These attractions are located near the city and are easily accessible, making them ideal for those who prefer a relaxed sightseeing experience with a focus on dining and stylish photography.
2. Khao Yai National Park, which boasts numerous natural attractions, including waterfalls, nature trails, and scenic viewpoints. This category is perfect for nature enthusiasts who enjoy a bit of physical activity.

This trip, we opted for a combination of both travel styles, focusing on easily accessible destinations due to our limited time.

Khao Yai Palio

Palio: A Different Perspective

While Palio is a popular tourist destination in Khao Yai, many have only experienced its bustling daytime atmosphere. This time, we ventured out in the evening, seeking a unique perspective. Located just 3 kilometers from our accommodation, Palio offered a tranquil ambiance we hadn't witnessed before. The absence of crowds and the serene atmosphere created a truly special experience. Notably, during the months of November to February, live music fills the air every Friday and Saturday, adding to the charm of the evening. (Opening hours: 8:30 AM - 7:00 PM)

We just discovered that there is a workshop room here where you can make your own souvenirs to take home. The cost of making them is not expensive, starting at 20 baht.

The Gushing Well of Ban Tha Chang

Approximately 5 kilometers from the accommodation. The road may be inconvenient due to the rainy season. No entrance fee or parking fee is required.

We arrived early in the morning, eager to witness the crystal-clear turquoise waters, and our expectations were met. However, a word of caution, especially for children: the water's exceptional clarity, allowing visibility of the bottom, can create the illusion of shallowness. This is not always the case. Parents accompanying children and non-swimmers should exercise extreme caution.

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The Chocolate Factory

Another place that is not far from the accommodation. If you like chocolate, you should not miss it at all because there are a lot of chocolate products. There are also a lot of people.

The Birdwatcher's Retreat

A short distance from the accommodation, I intended to have a coffee, but it was very crowded. So I went to another section that sells organic products. For those who like to take pictures, there are many beautiful angles here.

Khao Yai National Park

We ascended Khao Yai in the afternoon. Due to limited time for sightseeing, we chose "Haew Suwat Waterfall" as our destination. The park entrance fee is 40 baht per person, and 30 baht per motorcycle. The round-trip distance from the toll booth to the waterfall is approximately 50 kilometers. Please check your fuel level before heading out.

Kilometer 30 Viewpoint

Park right here, no need to walk and tire yourself out.

Tourist Information Center

We stopped by the tourist information center to collect national park stamps. If you have a National Park Passport, you can get it stamped here. However, we forgot to bring it, so we stamped it on a ticket and will paste it later. It was a good opportunity to stretch our legs and use the restroom.

Suwat Waterfall

The waterfall is very accessible, although it may require some effort to walk up and down to the bottom. If you don't want to get tired, there is a viewpoint above the waterfall. However, if you've come all this way, it's better to go down and see it up close. When I went, the water was high and strong, and there were signs prohibiting swimming. Even if you can't swim, it's worth it to just admire the beauty.

We arrived too late to catch the last songthaew to Pak Chong (15:00). After returning our motorbike, we walked to the front of the park and asked an officer to help us hail a ride. It was our first time hailing a ride, so we were a bit nervous. The officer hailed the first car that passed by, and we were able to get in. In our excitement, we only managed to thank the driver with a bow and didn't ask their names. We only know that they were from Pak Chong and that they dropped us off at the van terminal. They even wished us well on our journey.

A van to Bangkok departs from the same location as the shared taxi to Khao Yai. If I recall correctly, the fare is 180 baht per person. Including accommodation, food, and transportation, the total cost for this trip was approximately 2,000 baht per person (for two people). We ate inexpensively, primarily relying on local recommendations. This allowed us to experience a wide variety of attractions. Before this trip, I believed that visiting Khao Yai without a private vehicle would be challenging and expensive. However, I discovered that affordable accommodations like The Jungle House Hotel are available, significantly reducing expenses. For those without a private vehicle, as long as you can ride a motorbike and are comfortable with multiple transfers, Khao Yai is easily accessible.

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