Khao Yai Experiences
Stories from Thailand’s World Heritage ParkArchive for Visits
Bears Might Fly 2
Three years after the original flying bear incident at Khao Yai, Sunny touched down in Bangkok to prepare for his star role in this month’s youth camp at the park.
Awaiting paparazzi snapped several shots of Sunny looking jet lagged and agitated.
True to superstar status, Sunny is fashionably late, having missed the first Paws for Thought youth camp in December.
The iconic bear will have to share the limelight with Numbat and Chuditch, as this Australia-Thailand Institute sponsored camp will introduce Thai students to endangered Australian marsupials as part of a learning exchange with schools in Perth, Western Australia.
Sunny doesn’t care much for marsupials, so he’ll be focused encouraging students to become leading conservation advocates for Asian bears.
Thanks to Sunny’s agent Free the Bears for letting us borrow the mercurial star for this special event at Khao Yai; and to Perth Zoo for providing education materials on co-stars Numbat and Chuditch.
Please consider making a small donation to fund an extra student’s place at the youth camp, or else Sunny’s gang may have to pay you a visit.
Making tourism wildlife friendly
Khao Yai National Park attracts between 500,000 and 1 million visitors every year, sometimes more. With high volume tourism, park staff face real challenges to ensure adverse impacts on wildlife and ecosystems are minimized.
Based on research conducted at the park this year, Asia Fellow Award winner Wiwik Mahdayani from the Jakarta-based Destination Management Center for Sustainable Tourism & Conservation has made several strategic recommendations to ensure tourism is managed sustainably, including:
- Improving understanding of basic environmental issues among visitors to encourage appreciation for the park and responsible behavior;
- Building capacity for tourism service among park staff so they can also encourage responsible visitor behavior; and
- Improving marketing strategies and communication of ecotourism at Khao Yai to disperse flow of visitors to the park more evenly.
For detailed recommendations and more insights into visitor management and ecotourism development at Khao Yai, download the full case study.
Five great places to stay
Cabbages & Condoms
Cabbages & Condoms Restaurant and Resort at Sap Tai is nestled in a valley surrounded by the steep limestone hills of Khao Yai National Park.
Established by Thailand’s Population & Community Development Association, the resort once acted as a Community Development Centre but now focuses on catering to visitors. Profits still contribute to rural development, education and scholarships, HIV/AIDS and sexual health awareness, as well as environmental protection.
Pannaburee Resort
“No air-condintioning, no TV, no fridge – just you, your friends and nature,” is the slogan of this simple but comfortable resort, located within easy striking distance of Khao Yai.
Nicknamed ‘Little Pai’, this is a great place to relax, with canoeing, cycling or just chillin’ at the bar among the alternatives for those ‘all hiked out’.
Greenleaf Guesthouse & Tour
Basic backpacker accommodation, but Greenleaf’s wildlife tours are worth taking even if you don’t stay at the guesthouse. Full and half-day tours led by experienced English-speaking guides will usually encounter wild elephants, hornbills, bats, macaques and other colourful Khao Yai inhabitants.
Camping/Park Accommodation
During the dry season, camping is one of the most fun ways to stay at Khao Yai. Wake up inside World Heritage forest to the sound of gibbon calls. If a tent isn’t your style, bungalows and terraces can also be reserved through the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation – it’s a popular option, so book ahead.
Staying inside the park helps support Khao Yai’s upkeep. Make sure to dispose of any rubbish at the allocated points or take it with you, and bring some extra warm clothing – Khao Yai can get cold at night.
Village Homestay
Adventurous travelers who stay with a family in one of the many villages dotted around Khao Yai will enjoy a unique experience. Homestay offers a chance to see how local people live, taste home-cooked thai food, and see FREELAND’s sustainable development projects in action. But be warned, people in the villages around Khao Yai are not wealthy – housing is extremely basic.
These suggestions are provided independently. Other environmentally responsible or interesting recommendations are welcome.
Explore Khao Yai without leaving a footprint
Explore Khao Yai from anywhere in the world by delving into three-dimensional photographs featured online.
Amazing panophotographic views of UNESCO World Heritage sites, including several spots in Khao Yai National Park, can be viewed on the non-profit website World-heritage-tour.org
We think they’re worth checking out, especially if you can’t make it to Khao Yai in the flesh.
Things to do with leech socks
When Khao Yai’s trails get wet, leeches come out to feed on unsuspecting hikers. Luckily, protective socks can be purchased from park stations for around 50THB ($1.5 USD).
After a long trek, handing your smelly leech socks to an armed ranger is not advised! So hang on to them.
Emblazoned with a flying hornbill, Khao Yai leech socks make a nice souvenir. Or with a little creativity they can become:
- A Christmas stocking
- The stars of a sock puppet show
- Cover for your hockey stick, golf club or didgeridoo
- A zany fashion statement
- …
Got an idea for recycling leech socks? Add your comment below…
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ภาษาไทย
Khao Yai Sustainable Visitor's Guide (PDF 275kb)
