Fah Thai Magazine Jan-Feb 2020

OVERTURES
THAILAND TREASURES
Right
A misty morning
in Khao Yai
National Park.
Below
The stunning Haew
Suwat waterfall.
When the fury and the fumes of city life get too much, it’s good to remember that
peaceful Khao Yai National Park lies just three hours away from Bangkok.
The best time to experience its misty mornings is between November and
February when the weather is just perfect for outdoor activities. Here are a few
ideas for things to do if you manage to escape.
KHAO YAI NATIONAL PARK
Opened in 1962, Khao Yai was
Thailand’s first national park and is
now the third largest in the country.
Its forests and waterfalls are spread
across 2,168 square kilometres and four
provinces, namely Prachin Buri, Saraburi,
Nakhon Nayok and Nakhon Ratchasima.
Named a UNESCO Heritage Site in
2005, Khao Yai has become a popular
getaway for Bangkokians who want
to catch sight of wild creatures of all
shapes and sizes in their natural habitat.
Apart from great trekking trails, the park
features majestic mountain scenery,
impressive waterfalls, rare wildlife, eyepopping
viewpoints and more.
Entry fees: Foreign visitors pay 400 baht
for adults and 200 baht for children, while
Thais pay 40 baht for adults and 20 baht
for children.
Khao Yai National Park Visitor Centre,
Pak Chong District, Nakhon Ratchasima,
thainationalparks.com/khao-yainational-park
HAEW NAROK WATERFALL
Haew Narok Waterfall, or Hell’s Abyss,
is known for its steep and treacherous
cliff, down which whole herds of
elephants have plunged to their death.
The name paints a terrifying image, but
this is one of the most breathtakingly
beautiful sights in the park. The fall is
divided into three cascades, through
which water tumbles from a height of
Lose Yourself
in the Forest
Leave all your cares
behind and marvel at
the beautiful unspoiled
wilderness of Khao Yai.
Words by Suthima T.
more than 150 metres. Though the
walkway to the bottom is well-paved,
visitors have to negotiate some rather
steep steps on the way up. Swimming
is not allowed, but the view is worth
the trek.
HAEW SUWAT WATERFALL
Haew Suwat earned a name for itself
after Leonardo DiCaprio dove into its
depths for Danny Boyle’s film “The
Beach”. The base of the waterfall is
a short and easy trek from the Haew
Suwat Car Park and is close to a
camping ground.
PHA DIAO DAI VIEWPOINT
Pha Diao Dai cliff has earned a
reputation for the most stunning views
in Khao Yai Park. The peak soars up
more than 1,000 metres from the
Clockwise from
Top Left
The breathtakingly
beautiful but
dangerously steep
Haew Narok
waterfall is
worth a trek.
Wild deer in Khao Yai
National Park.
A stunning view from
the top of Pha Diao
Dai cliff of Khao Yai.
A bewitching
morning at Lam Phra
Phloeng reservoir.
A wild champagne
mushroom sprouts
from some
rotting timber.
ground and is topped by giant boulders
which offer the perfect perch for visitors.
There are no safety rails at the cliff edge,
so be safe.
LAM PHRA PHLOENG
RESERVOIR
Lam Phra Phloeng Reservoir was built in
1962 to store water for farmers’ crops.
Hugging one side of the man-made lake
is a 2-kilometre-long paved road for
cycling, jogging and walks. For trekkers
in search of an adventure, there’s also
a 2km dirt trail leading to Lam Phra
Phloeng Dam lookout point. Wang Nam
Khiao District, Nakhon Ratchasima
WANG NAM KHIAO
Wang Nam Khiao district is often
referred to as the Switzerland of
Thailand thanks to its lush mountain
ranges and majestic views. There’s
plenty to do around here, but one
thing you shouldn’t miss is watching
the sun set at Pha Kep Tawan. You can
also do your bit to reforest the area by
grabbing a slingshot and firing seeds
from the clifftop.
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