Khao Yai - Worth a camping trip?

[ryanhull]

Hi,

 

I was planning on camping or part staying in the car for a few nights somewhere with nice views, I am reading a guy who said Khao Yai is really nice, and I was considering parking up near the cliff edge or the water fall and pitching out the tent? or failing that putting the seats back as I have internet/Ac adapters here, never in my 6 years have I not slept in a house or a hotel but I in the UK I did alot of camping and with the views etc here it makes sense to stay under the stars! I read about the dangers of sleeping in cars in the heat etc however I would imagine high up in the mountains with the windows down it would be quite cool, plus if you had a 2 man pitched out next to it,

 

Anyone here do wild camping? I am not after a campsite full of others, the thought of that is horrible, more a scenic secluded area you could camp out without being hassled?

 

Cheers for any replies, I am in BKK hence Khao Yai looking like a goodoption,

 

Thanks

 

Ryan

[inThailand]

Been to many Thai national parks. Khao Yai by far had the most wildlife. Not safe to wander around at night.

[BMW Overlander]

Or camp away from usual camping spots.

Besides, it is raining season and hardly any campers so your need for privacy should be fulfilled.

[RBOP]

Be sure to check with the park rangers where you can and can't camp. Some areas dont allow camping and some even closed now during raining season. Bugs and leaches are horrendous this time of year. 

[SOUTHERNSTAR]

If you plan to camp this time of year it is out of season for camping. Be prepared to be wet. Kao Yai has beautiful spots, but for real beautiful camping you must go elsewhere. Best time of the year for camping is November to February. During this time of year you must however avoid weekends and holidays due to over crowding. We normally camp Mondays to Thursdays and then check into a resort to cleanup and do washing. Wild camping spots are mostly in the following provinces, Tak, Mae Hong Son, Nan, Chiangmai, Loei, Phetchabun and one in Phetchaburi. Coming from Africa however these campingsites are anything but wild. Be also prepared that ammenities are sometimes limited. Before trying to camp this time of year you must make certain if the national park is open as some closes during the raining season. Google for the Department of national parks website as well as blogs on camping. Google Ung Pang, Pang ung, Chiang dao (not the tourist trap one there is a hidden campsite look on Google maps. This is where they shot the new Mitsu advertisement), Pushy purr view point (something like that 1780 m above sea level national park campsite about 12 km away from view point), Phu Ruea etc. Last thing if you go camping no and want to walk in the forest get yourself leech protection.

[CLW]

Pushy purr view point (something like that 1780 m above sea level national park campsite about 12 km away from view point)

I think he means Phu Chi Fah.
Amazing there.

[bberrythailand]

Hello,

 

Which resort / bungalow is easy to reach at KAO YAI ? Where do you know ?

 

Any hotel near a river ?

 

Thank you.

[ryanhull]

Thanks all for the replies, havent actually got round to going yet but the replies are really useful...

 

Quote

If you plan to camp this time of year it is out of season for camping. Be prepared to be wet. Kao Yai has beautiful spots, but for real beautiful camping you must go elsewhere. Best time of the year for camping is November to February. During this time of year you must however avoid weekends and holidays due to over crowding. We normally camp Mondays to Thursdays and then check into a resort to cleanup and do washing. Wild camping spots are mostly in the following provinces, Tak, Mae Hong Son, Nan, Chiangmai, Loei, Phetchabun and one in Phetchaburi. Coming from Africa however these campingsites are anything but wild. Be also prepared that ammenities are sometimes limited. Before trying to camp this time of year you must make certain if the national park is open as some closes during the raining season. Google for the Department of national parks website as well as blogs on camping. Google Ung Pang, Pang ung, Chiang dao (not the tourist trap one there is a hidden campsite look on Google maps. This is where they shot the new Mitsu advertisement), Pushy purr view point (something like that 1780 m above sea level national park campsite about 12 km away from view point), Phu Ruea etc. Last thing if you go camping no and want to walk in the forest get yourself leech protection.

A mate of mine said Phetchabun near the lake is a nice place to camp and I shouldnt get eaten alive too badly, any recomendations for exact places as this is a vast area.

 

Quote

Been to many Thai national parks. Khao Yai by far had the most wildlife. Not safe to wander around at night.

What makes you say its not safe? I am not doubting it however I lived in Isaan for some years and never had a problem wondering off alone even at night... I always thought it was the beaches in the tourist southern spots you wanted to avoid at night but never felt unsafe north of bangkok on a night?

 

Cheers all

[ryanhull]

p.s this was definitly aimed at wild camping, I really dont see the point in paying to pitch out, the campsites I have seen are still charging 500 bhat a night to pitch out when you can get a decent hotel at 700! camping for me is all about being away from humans... I was also interested in places you can kind of wild live/camp... I know you dont see many camper vans here which is odd, then again I would not like to wake up in 30 odd degrees heat in a caravan here.

 

 

[bberrythailand]

Where is the fun when camping in so hot weather and so pest infested areas ?

 

Camping in EU or US ok, but not in Thailand !