Experience Khao Yai National Park and InterContinental Khao Yai Resort

Wander With Wonder – Discovering Wow Moments Around the World or Across the Street

Experience the beauty of Khao Yai National Park and unwind at InterContinental Khao Yai Resort for a perfect getaway in Thailand.

Khao Yai is a land of wild and inviting contrasts. Just three hours from Bangkok’s chaos, it unfolds as a haven of serenity, where ancient rainforests and roaring waterfalls flank open fields filled with flowers, mangoes, sugar cane, and corn.

The air was still as we ventured deeper into Khao Yai National Park, the jungle canopy above casting shadows across the forest floor. Suddenly, the crackle of leaves broke the silence—a family of Macaques hurried away from the path as hornbills flapped overhead. Khao Yai, Thailand’s first national park, is a sanctuary where the thrill of a chance encounter with an Asian elephant or a glimpse of gibbon in the higher branches keeps you on your toes. Just beyond the National Park border lies a different sanctuary: the InterContinental Khao Yai Resort, our base for this trip.

InterContinental Khao Yai Resort

The delightfully whimsical railway-themed luxury InterContinental Khao Yai Resort is on a 100-acre site with 30,000 trees, all surrounded by three sculptured lakes. It is like a tranquil botanical garden dripping with exotic blooms and wildlife. Bangkok-based American hotel design guru Bill Bensley developed and delivered the concept for this recently opened (2022) world of wonder.

Inspiration came from the early-era trains traveling from Bangkok through this region of Pak Chong and onto Nakhon Ratchasima and Thailand’s northeastern region. Adding his love of luxury train travel, Bensley weaves a fictional narrative featuring characters like Somsak, a local conductor turned station master of the illusory Khao Yai train station around which the resort is built. Given the timeworn railway tracks cutting through the resort’s grounds, it would be easy to believe trains once passed through this place.

The Storytelling Begins

Upon arrival, we entered the old-time ‘Khao Yai’ train station, with neighboring station masters’ sleeping quarters acting as the reception. All decked out with rail schedules, photos and illustrations, wooden benches, a station bell, and antique travel trunks. Even staff wearing railway-style uniforms show Bensley’s remarkable storytelling skills and attention to detail. Three low-rise buildings, each named after an actual local railway station—Pak Chong, Sap Muang, and Bandai Mah—house 45 of the resort’s rooms and suites, with the rail theme continuing seamlessly throughout.

Rescued from junkyards across the country, 19 upcycled railway carriages now serve as exquisite Heritage Railcar Suites, Villas, and Pool Villas. Discreetly cocooned in lush tropical landscaping, each offers views of the nearby national park’s verdant mountains. Several of the suites and all the Villas include an outdoor roll-top bath. Floor plans for a whole rail carriage are 98 feet by 8 feet wide, providing a wealth of space.

Our One-bedroom Railcar Pool Villa also had an expansive canvas-covered deck with outdoor lounges and luxe sunbeds. The outdoor bathtub stood quietly, inviting a soothing soak in nature. In the pool, we could chill while watching wildlife in the surrounding trees, including Hornbills and Oriental Tree (White) Squirrels.

The interiors of our lavish lodging featured a generous leather-adorned lounge with a curated bar and wine fridge, a separate minibar, and a bespoke tea and coffee station. The marble-clad shower and toilet cabins followed. As we progressed along the carriage, the central dressing room offered ceiling-mounted hanging and luggage racks, a vanity unit with twin beaten copper sinks, and European luxury brand Byredo bathroom amenities. A king-size bed on a raised polished timber platform filled the carriage’s other end with additional chilling space.

Dining Delights at the InterContinental Khao Yai Resort

Somying’s Kitchen is a spacious, light-filled, all-day restaurant with bright blue and white interiors and American-style diner tabletops and booths. With its indoor seating and expansive outdoor dining decks, the venue was named after the imagined mother of Station Master Somsak. The lunch and dinner menu focuses on northeastern Thai specialties like spicy papaya salad, zingy pork larb, and steamed seabass with piquant seafood sauce.

Breakfast each morning was a delightful culinary journey. It offered succulent tropical fruits, juices, Thai favorites, and Western classics. Then, it delved into Middle Eastern and northern European delicacies, all with a nuanced twist. Toasting house-made bread over the charcoal fire was an adventure. The refined variety, quality of ingredients, and meticulous presentation made this buffet one of the best I have seen in my years of travel.

Overlooking one of the resort’s lakes are several more rail carriages. Home to Brasserie-style Poirot restaurant with its European dining and an elegant Murder on the Orient Express ambiance. The neighboring railcar is the jazzy Papillon bar, where classic French-inspired cocktails and the whisky bar are highlights. The Tea Carriage occupies another upcycled rail carriage and exudes old-world elegance reminiscent of the early 1900s. This indulgent venue offers daytime refreshments and a traditional afternoon tea experience. Upgrade to the Champagne or Rosé set for a truly decadent dalliance.

Activities at the InterContinental Khao Yai Resort

There is also an abundance of activities within InterContinental Khao Yai Resort. Start your day with a guided yoga class overlooking the tranquil Swan Lake. Join the morning botanical walk to learn about the breadth of exotic native and introduced vegetation that make up the resort’s lush gardens. Grab a bicycle to explore the gardens, lawns, and pathways around the onsite lakes. Try catching (and releasing) fish added to a smaller lagoon off the lake. Admire the white, black, or lesser-seen black-necked (white) swans as they lazily coast across the waters.

Lounge by the resort pool with refreshments from Terminus Bar, or check out the gym, which features state-of-the-art fitness equipment. Back On Track Spa offers organic facials, body scrubs, wraps, soothing baths, and a selection of massage treatments, from restorative or rejuvenating to traditional Thai, all in the ambiance of those reclaimed rail carriages.

Planet Trekkers, housed in its own railway carriages, allows kids to learn, play, and cultivate a deeper understanding of the wonders around them.

Things to Do in Nearby Khao Yai National Park

Thanks to Khao Yai National Park, Khao Yai remains one of Thailand’s top destinations for nature lovers.

One draw for many return visitors is the relative ease of seeing impressive animals like Asian elephants, gibbons, and gaurs. Great and Oriental-pied Hornbills are more significant examples of the more than 400 bird species in the Park. Join the night safari, and you may encounter more nocturnal creatures like the Malayan porcupine, large Indian civet, Asian palm civet, owls, and nightjars. More elusive species include sun bears, Asian black bears, gaurs, otters, dholes, and jackals.

Hiking in Khao Yai National Park

Hiking trails cater to various abilities, with several leading to impressive waterfalls, including Haew Narok, featured in the film The Beach, starring Leonardo DiCaprio. Highly competent Guides are available through the user-friendly and informative visitor center within the Park. Nature Trails are graded from easy-even terrains, like the 45-minute Kong Kaew Waterfall trail near the visitors’ center, to moderate and challenging, with some not accessible without a Guide. Several walks have wildlife observation towers for patient visitors wanting to quietly observe animals in their natural environment.

Given its waterfall, hiking trails, and promise of spotting more of its exotic wildlife, you might pay the park several visits, as I did during my stay.

A UNESCO Conservation Zone

Khao Yai National Park (836 sq mi) is also part of the UNESCO-listed Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex, a 143-mile-long complex of five connected protected areas extending from Ta Phraya National Park on the Cambodian border in the east to Khao Yai National Park in the west. This vast and ecologically significant area encompasses over 2,300 square miles of tropical forests, wetlands, and mountainous terrain. The conservation of globally threatened and endangered mammals, birds, and reptiles and their biodiversity make this nature complex internationally important.

What to Do in Khao Yai

In addition to the National Park, Khao Yai attractions and experiences continue to develop from the traditional farm-focused to more sophisticated, including galleries and wineries. Golfers can rejoice in the region’s more than a dozen world-class courses, including a pair designed by Jack Nicklaus and two by legendary course architect Bob McFarland. And for something a little different, you can find expansive European-themed retail and residential villages like Toscana and Primo Piazza in the valley.

Here are some of the recommended Khao Yai attractions.

Family Fun in Khao Yai

The Khao Yai Valley is produce-rich due to its fertile soils, good seasonal rains, and tropical climate. It offers a bounty of tropical fruits, such as mangoes, bananas, and papaya, plus table grapes and avocados in season. Roadside stalls near the National Park’s main entrance are a top spot to purchase farm-fresh goodies on the go.

Pak Chong is home to Thailand’s fledgling dairy industry. Operations like Farm Chokchai and the Thai-Danish Dairy Farm offer educational tours, café for snacks or meals, and shops for grabbing some of their dairy product. Both have petting zoos for some hands-on interaction. Be sure to sample some of Chokchai’s ice cream. It is a delight.

Mango House Farm is a recommended stop to sample this succulent fruit in various ways, including Thailand’s famous dessert, Mango Sticky Rice. Sweet and Green Farm specializes in chemical-free vegetables and fruits, offering opportunities to pick your own or peruse the quality produce at the farm store.

If you visit between early November and late January, strawberries are in season, and many farms offer pick-your-own opportunities. It is also time for the flower farms and sunflower fields to bloom, which provides many photo opportunities.

In a country where more than 90% of the population is Buddhist, visiting a temple can add to your holiday experience. Across Khao Yai, you will find several impressive Wats (temples). A short drive from the resort is Wat Pa Phu Hai Long, or “Temple of the Mountain,” as the locals call it. Sitting imposingly atop a hill, this tranquil temple is a place for spiritual reflection while providing panoramic views of the surrounding lush farmlands. The Wat is admired for its architecturally stunning pagoda and towering Buddha statue. Buildings around the base of the complex are now home to a Buddhist monastery.

Wineries

Khao Yai Valley boasts two commercial wineries with cellar doors for tasting and onsite restaurants. Both also offer vineyard tours. PB Valley Khao Yai Winery is owned by Boon Rawd Brewery Group, which dominates Thailand’s beer marketplace. Focused on chenin blanc, shiraz, cabernet sauvignon, and tempranillo, PB Valley produces 200,000 bottles annually for local and selected international markets.

Further up the valley is Gran Monte, an impressively polished family-run company that produces some of Thailand’s most decorated wines. In the past four years, it has won over 100 awards. Wine grape varieties include syrah, cabernet sauvignon, chenin blanc, viognier, semillon, verdelho, durif, and grenache. Gran Monte uses the latest European technology and boasts Thailand’s only female winemaker. We found our time there highly educational, delectable, and visit-worthy.

Galleries

Another happy surprise was the Khao Yai Art Museum, which exhibits a diverse collection of contemporary art. Set in a tranquil, green space, the spacious connected galleries and outdoor sculptural gardens feature Thailand’s leading and emerging artists. An easy hour or more can be spent here stimulating visitors of all ages.

Places to Eat in Khao Yai

Pak Chong is a gateway to Northeastern Thailand, or “Isan.” The region’s fields focus on quality rice cultivation, including the world-famous Jasmine and glutinous rice.

Must-eat dishes include:

Som Tam, which is a spicy green papaya salad
Larb, a fiery minced meat salad with herbs
Gai Yang, grilled chicken marinated with garlic, coriander, and lemongrass

Fermented fish sauce (pla ra) adds a unique umami depth, and grilled meats, sausages, and spicy dips like nam prik are common.

Thailand’s Michelin Guide has highlighted two budget-friendly restaurants in the Pak Chong region for special mention. They are Penlaos, which specializes in Isan style, and Kua Kampan Khao Yai, which features Central Thai cuisine. Somying’s Kitchen, within the InterContinental Khao Yai Resort, also has an excellent selection of Isan dishes.

What You Need to Know When Visiting Khao Yao

So what are the nuts and bolts for visiting Khao Yai and the glorious InterContinental Khao Yai Resort? Read on for the details.

How Do I Get to Khao Yai?

Khao Yai is around 2.5 to 3 hours from Bangkok by car. The easiest way is to drive or hire a private transfer. Alternatively, you can take a bus or train to Pak Chong and then use a taxi or local transport to reach your accommodation. Additionally, InterContinental Khao Yai Resort can offer Resort Transfers through transport partners.

How Many Days Do I Need in Khao Yai?

Plan for a minimum of two to three days, though four to five will allow for a more relaxed exploration of the area and time to enjoy the resort. Given its size and abundance of natural offerings, Khao Yai National Park demands dedicated time, so don’t shortchange yourself. Then, there’s time to visit a winery or two, enjoy the local attractions, and delve into the local cuisine—all without feeling rushed.

What is the Best Time to Visit Khao Yai?

Like many parts of Thailand, Khao Yai enjoys three seasons. The cooler season runs from November to February, with clear skies and little rain. So pack a light jacket or coat for nights while days are comfortably warm (90° F) and great for exploring the National Park and enjoying the outdoors.

Light and cool clothes and a good hat are essential from March through April, as the dry, hot season can top 100° F. The least appealing time to visit is the wet months of May to October.

November to February are the most comfortable months. After the rainy season, the park’s landscape is lush and green, perfect for hiking, sightseeing, and spotting wildlife when it is most active. On long weekends and from late December through mid-January, numerous visitors flock to the area, many from Bangkok. So, avoid those periods if your schedule allows.

Is Khao Yai Worth Visiting?

Yes, Khao Yai is absolutely worth visiting! It houses one of Thailand’s top national parks, offering stunning natural scenery, waterfalls, and wildlife. The area combines nature with local attractions like boutique wineries, charming eateries, and scenic viewpoints. This makes it a fantastic green escape from the bustling, steamy, and sometimes overwhelming Bangkok. Khao Yai is a more nature-centered alternative to Thailand’s famous beaches and island resorts.

InterContinental Khao Yai Resort, one of the region’s few luxury international branded resorts, makes a great base. With its expansive, nature-filled grounds and outstandingly executed, whimsical railway theming, the resort is a fantastical attraction, though one exclusively for resort guests.

When adding Khao Yai to your Thailand itinerary, experience the magic of InterContinental Khao Yai Resort. We invite you to explore Wander With Wonder for more of our favorite things to do in Thailand and other parts of Asia.