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A Weekend at Khao Yai, Thailand’s First National Park

As this year draws to a close, we invite you to join us for an early-winter weekend in rediscovering the rich biodiversity and ecosystems, along with beautiful wilderness and the outstanding values in scenic, cultural, educational, research, recreational and tourism at Khao Yai National Park.

Designated as Thailand’s first National Park and UNESCO’s 184th Natural World Heritage site, Khao Yai National Park also earned the title of an ASEAN Heritage Park (AHP, just like its two sisters: Phu Kiew Wildlife Sanctuary and Khao Sok National Park.

Situated in the Phanom Dong Rak mountain range and covering eleven districts in four provinces: Saraburi, Nakhon Ratchasima, Prachinburi, and Nakhon Nayok, Khao Yai National Park is a part of the 6,152.13 square kilometres of land that forms the Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex. A mountain retreat for Bangkokians, Khao Yai can be easily reached with just under a 3-hour drive from the capital city. It is also regarded as a wellness retreat, where you can catch a breath of fresh mountain air in a natural and serene surrounding.

Khao Yai’s location in the mountains on the edge of Thailand’s North-eastern plateau lends itself to significant watersheds as it receives rainfall from the monsoon wind coming from both the Andaman and the South China Sea. Many waterways in the region trace their origin to Khao Yai, including the Nakhon Nayok and Mun rivers.

Visitors to Khao Yai will be enthralled by its botanical and topographical diversity. Most of its 200 square kilometers forest area consists of expansive grasslands and many types of primary rainforest, such as dry evergreen forest, mixed deciduous forest, mountain rainforest and tropical rainforest- each of which is the habitat of a large variety of flora, fauna and wildlife. In terms of topography, the area is a complex of mountains, formed by water-eroded volcanic and sedimentary rocks.

On this trip, you will also have the opportunity to experience the local wine culture at PB Valley Khao at PB Valley Khao Yai Winery. Established in 1989, the winery is regarded as one of the very first large-scale wineries in Thailand, and settles beautifully on a valley over 2,500 Rais (1,000 acres). You can also find a Barrique room housing genuine oak barrels made in France.

We will also pay a visit to Palazzo Pavone, a simple European style country home housing an art gallery, featuring various work of art (oil paintings, watercolors, prints, sculptures, and carvings) throughout the life and working career of Ajarn Prayat Pongdam, a former Thai National Artist.

It is also worth noting that Professor Prayat is the originator of the design and creation of many postage stamps which are rich in artistic values.  These designs, featuring lotus flowers, rooster crows, mother and child, owls, and geckos, offers an impeccable illustration into the way of life of the Thai people.

Given a vast network of our friends and partners in Khao Yai, you can also expect a warm and hospitable welcome from many of the places that we will be visiting on our itinerary.

When

Saturday, 26 to Monday, 28 November 2022

Leader

Khun Bilaibhan Sampatisiri, President of The Siam Society

and Dr Weerachai Nanakorn, 1st Vice President and Honorary Leader of the Natural History Section

Booking

The tentative programme will be as follows:

Day 1: Saturday, 26 November 2022: Bangkok – Khao Yai National Park
Meet at The Siam Society, 131 Asoke Montri Road, Sukhumvit 21, Bangkok.
08:30 Depart The Siam Society for Khao Yai National Park by bus.
Enroute Stopover at PB Winery Park for a wine tasting session and lunch at Great Hornbill Restaurant.
Afternoon Visit Palazzo Pavone Gallery near Khao Yai National Park, a family home and a private museum of Professor Prayat Pongdam, National Artist and Graphic Art Expert.
Check in at Dusit D2 Hotel near Khao Yai
Evening: Dinner at a local restaurant.
   
Day 2: Sunday, 27 November 2022: Trekking in Khao Yai National Park
06:30 Breakfast at the hotel.
08:00 Hiking in Khao Yai National Park:

Trail 1: Km 33 to Nong Phak Chi Observation Tower, distance: 5.2 km

(*This trail highlights a variety of different forest types – mature dry forest, secondary forest and grassland.)

Midday Lunch at a small restaurant in the park
14:00

 

 

Trail 2: Pha Kluai Mai campsite to Haew Suwat Waterfall, distance: 3 km

(*This trail connects the two waterfalls by following the course of the Lam Ta Khong creek. Trekkers will pass through bamboo and dry forests.)

The group shall return to the meeting point by 17:00.

Evening Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 3: Monday, 28 November 2022: Khao Yai – Bangkok
07:30 Breakfast at the hotel.
09:00

 

 

Check out of the hotel

Departure to Khao Yai National Park.

Drive through the National Park from the direction of Dan San Chao Pho Check Point. (Thanarat Rd.) to Dan Noen Hom, Prachin Buri.

Along the way, stopover at Haew Narok Waterfall within the National Park. (Walking distance to the waterfall is about 1 km.)

Haew Narok Waterfall is well known for its steepness and the strong currents. It is the largest and tallest waterfall in Khao Yai National Park, being150 metres high.

Noon Lunch at a local restaurant.
Afternoon Continue driving back to Bangkok.
16:00 Arrival at The Siam Society.

 

The Siam Society reserves the right to change the programme as necessary.

Important notes:

– The environment of this trip involves extensive distance of trekking through nature trails and areas of forest. The Siam Society kindly asks our trip participants to ensure that they are in good health and physical condition.

– The Siam Society may utilise photos taken from study trips, lectures, performances, and other activities as part of its public relations and marketing communication campaign. These photos, which may sometimes contain image(s) of activity participants, can also be featured on the Society’s website and other online social media channels.

The contribution of THB 21,000 (THB 22,500 for non-members), single room surcharge THB 6,100, will cover transportation, meals as mentioned in the programme, accommodation for 2 nights (two persons per room), entrance fee, gratuities and other costs incurred to make this trip possible. In addition, basic travel insurance is included. There is a 4% surcharge for credit/debit card payment to cover bank charges. Please pay by cash or cheque payable to “The Siam Society”. Transfer can also be made to The Siam Society travel account at TMBThanachart Bank (ttb), savings account no. 053-2-18000-7 or by scanning the QR code on your right. Once payment has been made, please fax or e-mail the deposit or transfer docket to us.

For further information and bookings, please contact Khun Prasert at Tel. 02-661-6470-3 ext. 504 or Khun Supanut Tel. 02-661-6470-3 ext. 506, Fax 02-258-3491 or email: supanut@thesiamsociety.org. The Society office is open from 09:00 to 17:00, Tuesday to Saturday.

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