National Parks In Thailand

[stelen123]

Hello,

We are thinking of visiting one of the nearby national parks near (pattaya) Khao Khitchakut or Khao Chamao - Khao Wong,

anyone been there? or have more personal recommendation which is better or easier to get to, (we like to use the public buses if possible.

thanks

[Spaniel]

I'm not familiar with either but I can recommend a visit to Khao Yai NP. November thru Feb are considered the best times to visit but try to go during the week and avoid weekends at all costs as it gets unbelivably crowded. Check out the national park website for info: www.dnp.go.th

[lonewolf99]

Hi,

I have been to Khao Khitchakut.

What I find dissapointing about N/Parks inThailand is the lack of wildlife. You get eye strain just looking for a bird. Chances of seeing anything larger than a black squirrel are nil.

This park does have a water fall and a large lake.

I saw not one duck or any kind of waterfoul on it.

The long fairly gentle shelving water fall :-

You can make your way up numerous levels where there are pools of one particular type of fish that likes to nibble your legs and feet. Free Foot Spa.

The reason this fish has not been eaten like all the rest of the edible critters is because it is deemed poisonous. Actually anyone eating them ends up in a "drunken" state. It has to do with the fish eating a certain type of fruit that falls into the river ?

I could be wrong I think it is called Pla Mao ? There is anotice board in Thai and English explaining all this and shows a few pictures of animals you should have seen if they were not eaten or now living in a zoo.

I am not sure about public transport buses running there. It is a fair distance off the main roads in the area.

The main thing this area is famous for is the large granite rock that sits on top of the mountain. Open topped pick up trucks with bench seats carry you up a winding and hair raising and very scary mountain track that is only open I believe in Jan to Mar - because it is far too dangerous to do the trip in the wet season.

This truck trip is not for the faint hearted......many trucks turn over and people get squished.

The devout Thais make a pilgrimage out of this and walk the last 1km or so up to the top. But as all things Thai the commercial aspect kicks in. The mountain trail is awash on both sides with trinket sellers food stalls and lottery ticket sellers. A very loud Tannoy system blairs out Buddhist prayers and advises on the best number to buy. The sound level is way above normal human tolerance and must/does scare all wildlife out of the place for miles around.

I only saw a few insects on my visit. Not even a sparrow in sight.

I also only saw 5 other foreigner on my trip there. Its not really a western tourist "place/thing" and I never see any advertising by TAT for this attraction.

There is camping available and I saw some chalet type buildings so maybe you can rent for a few nights.

I hope you find these details helpful.

[ESB7]

If you want to use public transport...is that because you want the atmosphere or you are on a budget?.....dont want to hijack this thread but beware of two tier priceing for entrance..Thais 30 Baht Foreigners 300Baht, if you dont have an isue with that, enjoy.

[Kan Win]

dont want to hijack this thread but beware of two tier priceing for entrance..Thais 30 Baht Foreigners 300Baht, if you dont have an isue with that, enjoy.

Hi-Jack

[Thanyaburi Mac]

If you want to use public transport...is that because you want the atmosphere or you are on a budget?.....dont want to hijack this thread but beware of two tier priceing for entrance..Thais 30 Baht Foreigners 300Baht, if you dont have an isue with that, enjoy.

This where, sometimes, having a Thai driving license or the Yellow tambien ban gets you the Thai entrance price.

"Sometimes" being the operable word....

Mac

[ESB7]

dont want to hijack this thread but beware of two tier priceing for entrance..Thais 30 Baht Foreigners 300Baht, if you dont have an isue with that, enjoy.

Hi-Jack

Hey.....its a concern that the OP may not be aware of...the OP could be a family and when you are confronted with costs 10 times the norm it could be a strain on their budget...would it be best that the OP has a limited budget to go out so takes the cheap buses only to find out that a family of 5 will need to pay maybe 1,500 or 2,000 entrance fees....

[stander]

dont want to hijack this thread but beware of two tier priceing for entrance..Thais 30 Baht Foreigners 300Baht, if you dont have an isue with that, enjoy.

Hi-Jack

Yep there is always one

[Kan Win]

If you want to use public transport...is that because you want the atmosphere or you are on a budget?.....dont want to hijack this thread but beware of two tier priceing for entrance..Thais 30 Baht Foreigners 300Baht, if you dont have an isue with that, enjoy.

This where, sometimes, having a Thai driving license or the Yellow tambien ban gets you the Thai entrance price.

"Sometimes" being the operable word....

Mac

I have a Thai driving license and me name in the Blue one (PR Holder btw) , but still I never use them, as I use Thailand's National Parks (for a few Baht more) to take photos and show them around the world.

Cheap at half the price. I pay me dues and feel very happy for what I get.

The Colonel an Amateur Photographer

Kanchanaburi Win

[ESB7]

If you want to use public transport...is that because you want the atmosphere or you are on a budget?.....dont want to hijack this thread but beware of two tier priceing for entrance..Thais 30 Baht Foreigners 300Baht, if you dont have an isue with that, enjoy.

This where, sometimes, having a Thai driving license or the Yellow tambien ban gets you the Thai entrance price.

"Sometimes" being the operable word....

Mac

I have a Thai driving license and me name in the Blue one (PR Holder btw) , but still I never use them, as I use Thailand's National Parks (for a few Baht more) to take photos and show them around the world.

Cheap at half the price. I pay me dues and feel very happy for what I get.

The Colonel an Amateur Photographer

Kanchanaburi Win

Good for you, suppose that Windsor Castle can therefor charge Thais 150 quid rather than 15quid so they can pay their dues and show the photos all around the world........thought not

[Kan Win]

Good for you, suppose that Windsor Castle can therefor charge Thais 150 quid rather than 15quid so they can pay their dues and show the photos all around the world........thought not

We are not talking about Quids, but about Baht and in Thailand that is what they trade in and this thread has nothing to do about Windsor Castle in the UK.

How about the "Grand Palace" in Bangkok. It is not 150 quid for Non-Thais to enter is it (like for like)

************************************************************************************************************************************************

15 quid = 690 Baht approx. and yes if one is dumb enough to visit the 'Tiger Temple" in Kan the price is now 600 baht per person for both Thais and Non-Thais, as this is not a National Park of Thailand.

The Colonel an Amateur Photographer

Kanchanaburi Win

[ESB7]

Good for you, suppose that Windsor Castle can therefor charge Thais 150 quid rather than 15quid so they can pay their dues and show the photos all around the world........thought not

We are not talking about Quids, but about Baht and in Thailand that is what they trade in and this thread has nothing to do about Windsor Castle in the UK.

How about the "Grand Palace" in Bangkok. It is not 150 quid for Non-Thais to enter is it (like for like)

************************************************************************************************************************************************

15 quid = 690 Baht approx. and yes if one is dumb enough to visit the 'Tiger Temple" in Kan the price is now 600 baht per person for both Thais and Non-Thais, as this is not a National Park of Thailand.

The Colonel an Amateur Photographer

Kanchanaburi Win

And this thread has nothing to do with a persons opinion that he dosnt mind paying more for something than someone else but you seem to have taken it to heart...I merely stated to the OP the possible expense they will incur as he may have been travelling on a budget and did state 'we' as in a possible family.......but pointing that fact out will always gather the 'I love Thailand so much' brigade ino a frenzy....

[Birdman]

...and your suggestions?? Becoming a Thai citizen? Go back home? Eat only Farang food? Protest at Senam Luang by dancing Rum Wong and playing the khaen? Pay nothing by storming the place? or by coming in through the bushes? what?

[ESB7]

...and your suggestions?? Becoming a Thai citizen? Go back home? Eat only Farang food? Protest at Senam Luang by dancing Rum Wong and playing the khaen? Pay nothing by storming the place? or by coming in through the bushes? what?

I just wonder at what his suggestions would be.....its amazing that a mere comment on a certain subject can get those type of people in a rage, I find it funny as they are very hypocritical as you could guarantee they wouldnt agree with charging a foreign or different coloured person more in their own country for entrance to a government backed venue...however they are prepared to let it happen to them here..thats the 21st century and liberalism for you, or the' leave your brain at the airport' type.

[Birdman]

so you don't have any

and can't help yourself but complain only. Coming here with personal shortcomings and probably daily fights in a strange society.

BTW people eat here with spoons in the right and folks in the left hand. 'nough said

apologies to OP. and to compensate for all that: If you should ever come to the South, that's a really nice National Park: http://www.khaosok.com/

[ESB7]

so you don't have any

and can't help yourself but complain only. Coming here with personal shortcomings and probably daily fights in a strange society.

BTW people eat here with spoons in the right and folks in the left hand. 'nough said

apologies to OP. and to compensate for all that: If you should ever come to the South, that's a really nice National Park: http://www.khaosok.com/

??? :blink:

[buba]

If you want to use public transport...is that because you want the atmosphere or you are on a budget?.....dont want to hijack this thread but beware of two tier priceing for entrance..Thais 30 Baht Foreigners 300Baht, if you dont have an isue with that, enjoy.

This where, sometimes, having a Thai driving license or the Yellow tambien ban gets you the Thai entrance price.

"Sometimes" being the operable word....

Mac

Ive had a Thai driving licence for 10 years, makes no difference, some one has forgotten to inform the Thais.

Expect to pay 10x more than a Thai, Wish they charged them the same way in the UK.

[Whale]

On the Thai driving license thing - its not official, some parks do it, some don't, some parks do it some days and not others, it all depends on the day and the person at the gate. The Tabien Baan card is accepted officially. I smile if I get Thai price but dont worry if I dont.

Back to the OP, have not been to Kitchachuk but Khao Wong/Chamao has some nice small limestone caves (lots!) - bit of a pain to get to without a car though. I found the Chamao waterfall a bit boring, there is a lack of wildlife like the bigger parks (as has been said) but some interesting plants and bird life.