Khaoyai, one of the famous National Park in thailandKhao Yai National Park (
Thai เขาใหญ่) is a
national park in
Thailand. It lies largely in
Nakhon Ratchasima Province (Khorat), but also includes parts of
Saraburi,
Prachinburi and
Nakhon Nayok provinces. It was the country's first national park, established on
September 18,
1962. A major role in its establishment was done by
Boonsong Lekakul, one of the 20th century's most famous conservationists in Thailand.
The park is the second largest in Thailand. It covers an area of 2,168 square kilometers, including
evergreen forests and
grasslands. Its altitude mostly ranges from 400 to 1000 m above
sea level. There are 3,000 species of
plants, 320 species of
birds and 67 species of
mammals, including
Asiatic black bears,
Asian elephants,
gaur,
tigers,
gibbons, Indian
sambar deer, Indian
muntjac,
dholes, and wild
pigs. Its
waterfalls include the 80 metre Heo Narok, and Haeo Suwat made famous from the film
The Beach. Namtok Sarika is popular with the Thais.
Recent wildlife studies show that animal ranges, particularly the few resident tigers, are impacted by human activity near the center of the park. This study has not impacted the government's call for private lodging concessions within the park itself.
The park is often visited by travellers from
Isan,
Bangkok and beyond, for whom there are over 50km of
hiking trails.
In
1984 the park was made an
ASEAN Heritage Park, and on July 14
2005 the park together with other parks in the
Dong Phaya Yen mountains was inscribed as a
UNESCO World Heritage Site under the name Dong Phaya Yen–Khao Yai Forest Complex. Lands adjacent to the national park are increasingly developed into luxury hotels and golf courses for weekending visitors from Bangkok. Such development limits wildlife corridors and permanently reduces future conservation and land acquisition ability.
The fee is 400 baht for foreigners (200 for children), and 40 for Thais. Food is available from private concessions within the park. As well, night-time "wildlife spotlighting" is available via pick-up trucks in the early evening. Animals sighted usually are limited to deer and civet cats, and only rarely include elephants.