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Property · 17-12-2007, 09:14 PM

My wife expressed a passionate interest in going camping about 2 months ago, so I splashed out 10k on equipment & we headed off to Khao Yai. Neither of us had ever been camping previously & at our time of life we should really be staying in 4 star hotels rather than under canvas.

Some pictures of the weekend before last.

Here is one of a crocodile that was prowling around looking for breakfast one morning.

ChiangMai noon · 17-12-2007, 09:23 PM

i love camping.

I always feel elated when the tent goes up and extremely sad wen it comes down.

i don't think it's a crocodile.

Thetyim · 17-12-2007, 09:34 PM

Monitor lizard, I think

sabang · 17-12-2007, 09:59 PM

What a fierce campsite. Absolutely no shade.
I think I'd slip away and pitch something in the forest.

Tchiowa · 17-12-2007, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thetyim

Monitor lizard, I think

an "I-Hear" , not a nice work in Thai BTW

Property · 18-12-2007, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sabang

What a fierce campsite. Absolutely no shade.
I think I'd slip away and pitch something in the forest.

The problem with the Khao Yai forest is that it's inhabited by monkeys & deer etc. If you camp too near them, they have a habit of coming into the site & rooting around for food, often throughout the night. I haven't seen any tigers yet & only two or three elephants up there.

On our first camping trip, we rented a small tent for 150 baht per night. Quite expensive really when you consider such a tent costs several hundred baht or so in the shops. Still, I managed to avoid the outrageous national park entry fee of 400 baht by showing my Thai drivers license.

Udonite · 18-12-2007, 08:38 AM

It looks more like a refugee camp.
Light years away from European camp sites with electric hook up, a defined pitch area which gives you space from the neighbour. Kids playground, swimming pools. What are the toilet blocks like? Are they reeking hellholes? Do the campsites have shops selling basic food items?

Thetyim · 18-12-2007, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sabang

What a fierce campsite. Absolutely no shade.

He appears to have that one sorted and brought a very large block of ice with him

Bung · 18-12-2007, 09:21 AM

I've camped there but it is often packed.

If you want great camping try Khao Kho in Phetchabun. Very nice area. I know, I live around there.

Property · 18-12-2007, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Udonite

It looks more like a refugee camp.
Light years away from European camp sites with electric hook up, a defined pitch area which gives you space from the neighbour. Kids playground, swimming pools. What are the toilet blocks like? Are they reeking hellholes? Do the campsites have shops selling basic food items?

The toilet blocks are very decent by Thai standards, unless you choose to stay on a Saturday/Sunday or public holiday. The camp shop selles the basics but they are relatively expensive. 1kg of ice for 20 baht. On busy days there can be only inches between neighbour tents, but then the Thais like it that way. Personally I like a bit of a perimiter to separate me from the prolitariat.

BigBikeBKK · 22-12-2007, 11:43 AM

Khao Yai is pretty huge isn't it? There's gotta be more than one camping site...

Ah- just did a little research- seems the whole park has just two official camp sites:

#1) Pha Kluai Mai

#2) Lam Ta Kong

Anyone know which one is better?

Thinking of taking the family after the New Year.

Happy Holidays!

Property · 23-12-2007, 11:00 AM

^ Yes, two official sites as far as I know. But on public holidays they do permit camping on the grass verges etc. outside the two official sites. However just why anyone would want to do this is beyond me, as there doesn't seem to be any washing facilities provided.

IMO, Lam Ta Kong is the better of the two sites'. It's larger, a better variety of terrain to choose from, more water features & the food shop is probably better stocked. As the sites are only a few km's apart, it's not too much trouble to check them out before deciding on where to picth your tent.

kingwilly · 23-12-2007, 06:34 PM

^ erm, actually they have at least 7 official sites that i know of.. sorry cannot remmeber names now

Property · 23-12-2007, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kingwilly

^ erm, actually they have at least 7 official sites that i know of.. sorry cannot remmeber names now

Please do try & remember because I'd like to check them out. I've only been up there a dozen or so times, so I may have missed all but the two mentioned.

Quote:

For trekkers and other visitors there are two kind of accommodation in Khao Yai national park, eco lodges and camping. There are two Campsites for campers and hikers at Khao Yai national park the first campsite is located at Pha Kloey Mai what is a good base to start treks. The second camp site at Khao Yai national park is Lumtakong this campsite is located closer to the headquarters. Both Campsites have a grass surface so it's easy to secure regular pegs.

accommodation in khao yai national park

Texpat · 23-12-2007, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Udonite

European camp sites with electric hook up, a defined pitch area which gives you space from the neighbour. Kids playground, swimming pools. What are the toilet blocks like? Are they reeking hellholes? Do the campsites have shops selling basic food items?

Sounds like a Holiday Inn.

tina ryan · 26-12-2007, 09:40 PM

hi:

nice pictures, can you give more information about this camp?, I would like to go there.

dirtydog · 26-12-2007, 09:47 PM

More Here (Thailands National Parks, a full listing.)

SEA Traveler · 26-12-2007, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigBikeBKK

Khao Yai is pretty huge isn't it? There's gotta be more than one camping site...

Ah- just did a little research- seems the whole park has just two official camp sites:

#1) Pha Kluai Mai

#2) Lam Ta Kong

Anyone know which one is better?

Thinking of taking the family after the New Year.

Happy Holidays!

Don't forget to take your long underware and some sleeping bags as it is very easy to underestimate how cold it gets there in the evening. It gets very cold so go prepared.

Property · 27-12-2007, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tina ryan

can you give more information about this camp?, I would like to go there.

Khao Yai National Park - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Map of Khao Yai National Park, Thailand. Khao Yai National Park Travel Map

Catch a train or bus from Bangkok or Nakhorn Ratchsima to Pak Chong. Then catch a Songtaew from near the " 7/11 " shop, to the park Gates. Hitch a ride from the gates to the HQ (14 km). Car drivers can drive to Pak Chong and follow the road signs for Khao Yai.

Property · 22-01-2008, 08:16 PM

I was hoping to do another 'Khao Yai' thread, however the camera battery ran out after I snapped several images.

First rule of camping. Try where ever possible to make camp during the hours of daylight.

I found out in the morning that our solar reflective top sheet was erected the wrong way, so we absorbed heat instead of repelling it.

17-12-2007, 09:14 PM	#1 (permalink)
Property Mukdahan Last Online: 30-11-2008 09:51 AM Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 415	Camping, Khao Yai - #1 My wife expressed a passionate interest in going camping about 2 months ago, so I splashed out 10k on equipment & we headed off to Khao Yai. Neither of us had ever been camping previously & at our time of life we should really be staying in 4 star hotels rather than under canvas. Some pictures of the weekend before last. Here is one of a crocodile that was prowling around looking for breakfast one morning. Last edited by Property : 17-12-2007 at 09:45 PM.

22-12-2007, 11:43 AM	#11 (permalink)
BigBikeBKK Bangkok Last Online: 22-12-2007 09:00 PM Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Krung Thep Posts: 1	Khao Yai Camping? Khao Yai is pretty huge isn't it? There's gotta be more than one camping site... Ah- just did a little research- seems the whole park has just two official camp sites: #1) Pha Kluai Mai #2) Lam Ta Kong Anyone know which one is better? Thinking of taking the family after the New Year. Happy Holidays!

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17-12-2007, 09:23 PM	#2 (permalink)
ChiangMai noon ysbryd y nos Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: o dan y bryn Posts: 25,522	i love camping. I always feel elated when the tent goes up and extremely sad wen it comes down. i don't think it's a crocodile.

17-12-2007, 09:34 PM	#3 (permalink)
Thetyim Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Phrae Posts: 12,265	Monitor lizard, I think

17-12-2007, 09:59 PM	#4 (permalink)
sabang Watching the Wheels Last Online: Today 06:01 PM Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: east of Pattaya Posts: 8,505	What a fierce campsite. Absolutely no shade. I think I'd slip away and pitch something in the forest.

18-12-2007, 08:38 AM	#7 (permalink)
Udonite Nan Last Online: 03-12-2008 06:10 AM Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Udon Thani Posts: 161	It looks more like a refugee camp. Light years away from European camp sites with electric hook up, a defined pitch area which gives you space from the neighbour. Kids playground, swimming pools. What are the toilet blocks like? Are they reeking hellholes? Do the campsites have shops selling basic food items?

18-12-2007, 09:21 AM	#9 (permalink)
Bung Tounguin for a beer. Last Online: Today 05:54 PM Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Wat Bung Posts: 1,261	I've camped there but it is often packed. If you want great camping try Khao Kho in Phetchabun. Very nice area. I know, I live around there.

23-12-2007, 11:00 AM	#12 (permalink)
Property Mukdahan Last Online: 30-11-2008 09:51 AM Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 415	^ Yes, two official sites as far as I know. But on public holidays they do permit camping on the grass verges etc. outside the two official sites. However just why anyone would want to do this is beyond me, as there doesn't seem to be any washing facilities provided. IMO, Lam Ta Kong is the better of the two sites'. It's larger, a better variety of terrain to choose from, more water features & the food shop is probably better stocked. As the sites are only a few km's apart, it's not too much trouble to check them out before deciding on where to picth your tent.

23-12-2007, 06:34 PM	#13 (permalink)
kingwilly Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 23,729	^ erm, actually they have at least 7 official sites that i know of.. sorry cannot remmeber names now

26-12-2007, 09:40 PM	#16 (permalink)
tina ryan Bangkok Last Online: 26-12-2007 09:39 PM Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 1	hi: nice pictures, can you give more information about this camp?, I would like to go there.

26-12-2007, 09:47 PM	#17 (permalink)
dirtydog The Dog Last Online: Today 05:51 PM Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Pattaya Posts: 34,511	More Here (Thailands National Parks, a full listing.)

22-01-2008, 08:16 PM	#20 (permalink)
Property Mukdahan Last Online: 30-11-2008 09:51 AM Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 415	I was hoping to do another 'Khao Yai' thread, however the camera battery ran out after I snapped several images. First rule of camping. Try where ever possible to make camp during the hours of daylight. I found out in the morning that our solar reflective top sheet was erected the wrong way, so we absorbed heat instead of repelling it.

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