Wednesday, December 10, 2025

Bangkok - Khao Yai 19-24th Nov25 (Chow barn E-sarn, Strawberry Picking in Khao Yai, The Birder's Lodge Cafe, Primo Piazza, Thai Elephant Conservation Centre Khao Yai, Hokkaido Flower Park Khaoyai, Thames Valley Khao Yai, Pak Chong Night Market, Pohmaelook Khaoyai, Khao Yai National Reserve, San Chao Pho Khao Yai, Sai Sorn Reservoir, Haew Suwat, Banyakart ATV Khao Yai, Touscana Valley, Bucolic Khaoyai Cafe, The Blessed Nicholas Bunkerd Kitbamrung Church, Kaho Yai, Batcave Khao Yai National Park, Farm Chokchai)

Bangkok - To Do
Bangkok - To Eat

Fly Dates
19-29thNovHoliday Total Khao Yai + Penang
> 19Nov SIN-DMK 1100-1225
> 24NOV DMK-PEN 1340-1625
> 29NOV PEN-SIN 1620-1755
Airplane Ticket Air Asia Total SGD1686.31 for the trip.
Some plane viewing from the food hall of T4 before departure.
Perfect when runway 02 is in use.

*View of Bangkok city as we come in for landing in DMK Airport.*

Car Rental Bangkok 6D5N SGD300+75 (Full insurance coverage)
773km total driven. We went with Drive Car Rental Suvanabhumi Airport.
- Excellent service.
- They message you before arrival and arrange for pick up and drop off in your car. 
- Pick up and return are super easy with staff helping out with the language barrier and booking at our location.
- Drive to the rental place is 5mins from the airport.

ABBATip:
- Bring Cash for Khao Yai. Almost all the places we went to deal strictly in Cash and do not accept credit card. Many have not been paid for services rendered as the credit card payments did not come through.
- Bring extra layers. Certain times of the year and especially in the mountains at the nature reserve, the temperature drops significantly. 
- Have a translator app. For local places, English maybe hard-pressed to come by.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<Thailand leg 19-24Nov 6D5N>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

19Nov25 Wed Day1
Settling In Check-In
*Pic taken the day after. We stayed at the The Valley Khao Yai*
Dinner at Chow barn E-sarn soul cafe (2mins walk from the hotel)

Total Fed 4 
THB1330/54SGD. 
Isaan-style (Northeastern Thai) Thai dishes in a casual café setting serving local meals. The best thing about this place was the vibes really and having a Mookata, camp-ground style. Like most of these tier of fancier restaurants in Khao Yai, its all about the feels and comes with a steeper pricing compared to local eats.
Click here for Chow barn E-sarn soul cafe.
20Nov25 Thur Day2
Flowers, elephants and strawberries.
Strawberry Picking in Khao Yai
We started off with this as the breakfast joints opened an hour later so its a nice pop-by if starting the day early. Place opens at 8am. Presumably all the shops pretty much sell the same kind of thing, its just a matter of which one is nicer or  more photogenic. The main strawberry season starts around Jan-Feb.


Free to enter to check out what little strawberries are growing and the side flower garden. Watch where you step as there were some muddy spots. Wash facilities were available on site.

The Birder's Lodge Cafe
All the vibes offering simple eats. Again the vibes that best suits your tastes. Click here for ABBA Location of The Birder's Lodge Cafe

Primo Piazza
9am-6pm (Located right next door to The Birder's Lodge Cafe) THB200/A and THB100/C Open Daily 9am-6pm.
The place is modeled after a village in Tuscany, Italy. The ticket entry includes a serving of animal feed.
Primo Piazza features a small, basic petting zoo with alpacas and sheep. The combination of unique architecture and natural beauty makes it a favored spot for photography of the Italian country side.
Thai Elephant Conservation Centre Khao Yai
(9am-5pm)
There was nothing conservation about the place. There were elephants chained at the front for tourist feedings (50THB/feed tray) and they even offered 400THB rides on them through the forest. A little disappointing on that front, as we were hoping for an educational and caring for elephant sanctuary of sorts. Click here for ABBA Location of the Thai Elephant Conservation Centre..

Hokkaido Flower Park Khaoyai
Opens 8am 150THB for adults and kids 6-12 50THB.
Absolutely stunning and well worth the entry. Of the other flower fields visited thus far, this was really a thing of beauty. Rows and rows of flowers as the eye could see with a Japanese side and a more European thematic side. Bring your camera and tripods. They've got nice vantage points to get rolling views of the whole area. Click here for OG write up on the Lavender Fields in Mayfield Click here for ABBA location Hokkaido Flower Park Khaoyai
Thames Valley Khao Yai (English style seaside town)
This place was kind of so-so. The frontage is like a castle. Unfortunately the grounds itself are for guests and not for people to step in to explore. Good if looking for an English style seaside town backdrop and a cuppa. Click here for ABBA location of Thames Valley Khao Yai
Pak Chong Night Market
(30min drive away from where we stayed)
*Bumping into friends overseas unplanned :D*
ABBATip: - Minimal to no sitting spots! The place is more of eat as you walk or bought for to-go. Trash bins were also far and few with the closest just outside the convenience stores. This place is amazing. All the food that you could possibly wanna have at great prices. Note there's not many public toilets and even nil to no sitting location. Remember to bring cash and your stomach when exploring this stretch of great eats at the Pak Chong Night Market. Click here for ABBA location of Pak Chong Night Market
21Nov25 Fri Day3
Travel down south for nature & night safari
Pohmaelook Khaoyai
(The whole general area)


Highly recommended. Our favourite go-to breakfast joint for a huge variety of eats from the various stalls in the area. We came to this location twice! There's even cafe styled coffee on the opposite side of the road. Its ideally located to many other attractions and they open early in the mornings. To feed a family of 4 about 200-250THB total for a hearty meal.
Click here for ABBA location of Phomaelook Khaoyai

Khao Yai National Reserve
Adult 400THB
Child 200THB
Car 30THB




San Chao Pho Khao Yai
(Small shrine enroute to the visitor center)

San Chao Pho Khao Yai is a small roadside shrine near Khao Yai National Park, built to honor a revered local leader and commonly visited for blessings before entering the park.

Many chicken/rooster statues are placed there because, in Thai culture, roosters symbolize luck, protection, success, and hard work.
Click here for ABBA locatioon of San Chao Pho Khao Yai

Khao Yai National Park Visitor Center 
Make reservations for Night Safari
600THB for your own private truck. You need to be inside the reserve by 6pm. (i.e cross the entry point) Its another 20mins from entry point to the Visitor Center. The tours are for 7 & 8 Pm for about 50mins.

ABBATip:
- Look out for your vehicle. You kinda need to ask around who your driver is as not all display their numbers on the truck. They'd have the other half of your receipt of the booking. By chance we found ours and were on our way before the departure time of 7pm slot. The other slot was for 8pm.
With wild animals its really the luck of the draw. Everyone moves out in batches but generally the guide with you will move a flash light looking for wild life. It's a matter of luck. Bundle up as the temperature does drop in the National Reserve.


Sai Sorn Reservoir


Khao Yai National Park’s latest trail celebrates the long and friendly relations between Thailand and the USA. Besides having markers of the historic relationship, the trail also follows the standards of the USA’s national parks through the Sister Parks Arrangement for Resources and Knowledge Sharing (SPARK).

We only had time for a quick shoot. For a more leisurely trail hike which last for an hour, you maybe rewarded with wild life sightings. 

Haew Suwat Waterfall
(famous from The Beach movie) Free
Haew Suwat Waterfall is a beautiful natural attracion located in Khao Yai National Park.
Haew Suwat gained international fame as it was featured in the movie "The Beach" starring Leonardo DiCaprio. This has added to its popularity among tourists looking to visit a recognizable filming location.
No swimming is allowed here and it is very picturesque. The walk down is fairly straightforward with a flight of stairs of about 100steps. The Khao Yai National park was really enjoyable. They've got very affordable eats on the inside and aptly located at the various key attractions. There's something for everyone and different hunger for adventure or level activity. We didn't get to do some of the longer hikes but the place is theming with wild life if you're keeping a look out.

22 Nov25 Sat Day4
ATV, Church and Bats
Banyakart ATV Khao Yai
590THB/ride (Approximately 20-30mins in total)
*This was a pleasant 2 in1 attraction involving a corn field and a fun 20mins ATV ride.* 
There's plenty of photo spots available with your guide facilitating photos at those photo spots They even know to ask for your camera to do small time videography for your IG stories and social posts. Good fun and the added adventure to see and explore a real corn field. 
Off the beaten track and great fun.
Click here for ABBA location of Banyakart ATV Khao Yai

Touscana Valley
(No cycling for non-guests)

Unfortunately online there's a 5km cycle but this is limited to the guests staying at the location. The place is still very picturesque and has nice cafes and photo spots. A nice drop by since this was on the list to checkout the "Leaning Tower of Pisa". 
Click here for the original posting of the Tower Of Pisa here for a 4D3N in Florence.
Click here for ABBA location of Touscana Valley

Bucolic Khaoyai Cafe

Bu-Co-Lic has a THB50/entry but its redeemable with every order.
Bucolic means "Relating to the pleasant aspects of countryside life." which the place absolutely captures.
A nice pretty retreat and really really pretty drinks. The place also has a small animal feeding and petting zoo. There's also a small flower field to walk about. 
A pocket sanctuary for one to explore and enjoy. Again, choice between these kind of pocket oasis or going local.
Click here for ABBA location of Bucolic

The Blessed Nicholas Bunkerd Kitbamrung Church, Kaho Yai
(Located short drive to Batcave Kaho Yai) 8am-6pm
This beautiful piece of quiet church honors Blessed Nicholas, a Thai priest who died in prison during WW2. Situated on elevated grounds, it offers great sweeping views of the land and really enjoyed.
Batcave Khao Yai National Park
(37min drive away from The Valley)
Target 5:30-6:30
Free to see from a distance a daily natural wonderful occurance.

Why it’s unique? Every evening, millions of bats fly out in a swirling ribbon across the sky for nearly 30 minutes. Locals go there with snacks and just watch the show. It’s like a secret nature event only found here. You can't go into the Batcave as its located up high. At least this beats out the one bat cave we explored around Mount Fuji. Recommended and quite the spectacle.
Click here for ABBA location of the Bat Cave Khao Yai

23Nov25 Sun Day5
Farm
Farm Chokchai 21mins Drive away
(Half Day)
THB120/A and THB70/C
9am-430pm
Farm Chokchai was founded in 1957 from beef ranch to dairy farm. Now they are largely agro-tourism. A place to play andower fields, animal feeding and interesting seeing Mr Chockchai's collections and exhibits. 

There's strangely something for everyone. From a weird mini-zoo, carnival games, military equipment and flower fields. The place has changed much from its hay-day and now its an eclectic mix of stuff. For the animal interactions they did deliver with lots of feeding opportunities.
If you're into seeing some military machines and enjoy the animal feeds and rides then this is the place for you.

Many of the other cafes and beauty shot places also has similar offerings but to a different capacity. The place has fallen from what it was envisioned to be but still has a small historic and eclectic charm to it. 
Click here for ABBA location of Chokchai Farm

Khaoyai is a nice get away oasis of various thematic bubbles that one could explore. Enjoy the cooler climate during certain months. The National park and flower fields particularly resonated with us. There's loads of fancy food options which were honestly marginal, but don't miss out on the local eats which were more enjoyable to explore and discover. The place is really designed for the gram and social media! Check out Khao Yai for 6-5Days of leisurely exploration would be my recommendation. 

Day6
Travel to Penang
> 24NOV DMK-PEN 1340-1625

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<CLICK HERE FOR PART 2 PENANG 6D5N>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Khao Yai 6D5N Summary
Day1
Check-In
Dinner at Chow barn E-sarn soul cafe
Day2
Flowers, elephants and strawberries. Strawberry Picking in Khao Yai The Birder's Lodge Cafe, Primo Piazza Thai Elephant Conservation Centre Khao Yai Hokkaido Flower Park Khaoyai Thames Valley Khao Yai Pak Chong Night Market
Day3 Travel down south for nature & night safari
Pohmaelook Khaoyai
Khao Yai National Reserve
San Chao Pho Khao Yai
Sai Sorn Reservoir
Haew Suwat
Day4
ATV Church and Bats Bucolic Khaoyai Cafe
Banyakart ATV Khao Yai
Touscana Valley
Bucolic Khaoyai Cafe
The Blessed Nicholas Bunkerd Kitbamrung Church
Kaho Yai
Batcave Khao Yai National Park
Day5
Farm and Food up North
Farm Chokchai 21mins Drive away
Day6
Travel Day to PENANG
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<CLICK HERE FOR PART 2 PENANG 6D5N>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

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