[TH; 2023] Day 2 - Khao Yai | National Park \ Pak Chong Night Market
We started off day 2 with a good weather which was a perfect start of our road trip to Khao Yai!
Not being very adventurous, we booked a driver for our trip. This was done through Klook - Khao Yai Private Custom Tour from Bangkok.
1. Drive from Bangkok to Khao Yai
It was quite a nice ride on the highway!
Our driver was very nice and he suggested us to stop at an expressway rest stop for lunch - Kao Kaeng Baan Suan 2 ข้าวแกงบ้านสวน 2 ขาออกวังน้อย. Yay to local food!
We bought a lot of street type food:
And also tried 2 dishes from the stalls - fish maw soup and basil pork rice. The rice was delicious!
There was also a very popular cake store over here - it seems like a must buy! It is called Cake Baan Suan. We got a box of it and I have to say... omg the cake was so fluffy and delicious!
If this rest stop is too far for you, they have one store near Chatukchak, Bangkok - Cake Baan Suan.
2. Khao Yai National Park
Main highlight of Khao Yai trip - the national park!!
Here were a few places we went within the park - mostly recommended by our driver:
#1 Dong Phayayen–Khao Yai Forest Complex
Dong Phayayen–Khao Yai Forest Complex กลุ่มป่าดงพญาเย็น-เขาใหญ่
This spot is a World Heritage site in Thailand, very pretty and expansive mountain landscape view!
#2 Kong Kaew Waterfall Nature Trail
Kong Kaew Waterfall Nature Trail น้ำตกกองแก้ว
This is one of the easiest trail to walk - but killed all our energy. We wasn't prepared to hike at all and only wanted to see what was the waterfall about.
After going rounds and rounds in the trail - we didn't see any waterfall. Ended up the waterfall was just at the exit of the trail. We could have skipped the whole trail and went straight to the exit. We learn through the hard way - a small tip for you!
And it was just a small waterfall... so we kinda question our driver recommendation. HAHAHA but if you get a guided hike tour, maybe it will be more meaningful.
#3 Pha Trom Jai Cliff
Pha Trom Jai Cliff ผาตรอมใจ
This is at the top of 4240 feet high, many sitting and viewing points. No need to hike to see this cliff view. If you need the washroom or some food, here is the place you can get them. There is a famous omelette rice over there, where you can enjoy food while viewing this impressive nature scene.
If you still have some energy left - you can go for another cliff called Pha Diao Dai Cliff ผาเดียวดาย. It is 5-10 minutes drive away, but you will need to hike for 15 minutes in and another 15 minutes out. Hence we skipped this, which is kinda a pity!
#4 Haew Su Wat Waterfall
Haew Su Wat Waterfall น้ำตกเหวสุวัต
This waterfall needs some climbing up and down the stairs, the whole walk should take 20 minutes, but we were walking so slowly that we took more than 30 minutes... our driver got worried and started walking into the trail to find us.
But overall, quite a pretty place to take many photos!
#5 Random wild animals
Our driver guessed that we were not prepared at all to hike, climb and walk. So he brought us to see wild animals around the park. Which was quite fun too!
Random camping ground that had deer chilling around
Baby elephant roaming around
3. Pak Chong Night Market
Pak Chong Night Market ตลาดไนท์ ปากช่อง
It was a crowded local night market with handful of tourists like us that are staying over for the night at Khao Yai.
Food again! All stalls were more of takeaway type, so we packed a variety of food to bring back to our hotel. Very reasonable priced food!
4. The Scandic Khao Yai
As this hotel is quite hidden within the street and it was pretty dark at night, our driver got lost in some random place. He was like driving through forest and etc, and we got even more worried. But he was so calm throughout getting lost, and very determined to bring us there.
Here you go... this very hidden hotel in Khao yai:
The Scandic Khao Yai
Totally my type of interior design - very woody with white wall. It has a living space and a bedroom.
The room type we booked come with a outdoor space too - it was supposed to be a hot tub, but the hot water wasn't working. And it was sheltered by a tree - which means bugs will fly in the tub.
We ended up just soaking our feets in cold water.
I would suggest to book the rooms with private pool instead, at least there wasn't a tree shelter over it where you could really enjoy soaking water in peace. Overall it was still a good night stay!
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