Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
EATING
In recent years, the area surrounding Khao Yai National Park has become a minor culinary
destination, with restaurants featuring cuisines ranging from upmarket Italian to Muslim-
Thai. The towns that surround the park have lively night markets but if you don't have a
car, you'll find restaurants within the park.
KHRUA KHAO YAI$
(Km 13.5, Th Thanarat; mains 60-150B; 9am-8pm Sun-Thu, to 10pm Fri & Sat)
This open-air hut is hugely
popular with visiting Bangkokians because it serves a hefty menu of satisfying Thai and
fa·ràng
dishes. The English-language menu is limited, so we recommend pointing to
whatever the table next to you is eating, which is likely to be the delicious home-smoked
ham or a mushroom dish. There's no signage in English; Khrua Khao Yai is located
roughly halfway between Pak Chong and the entrance to Khao Yai, near the well-posted
turn off to Belle Villa and several other resorts.
INTERNATIONAL-THAI
DAIRY HOME$
(Km 144, Th Mitraphab/Rte 2; mains 50-300B; 9am-8pm)
If a weekend of intense jungle exploring or
wine tasting has left you with a need for meat, stop by this organic dairy for steak or
homemade sausages, or of course, a milk shake or ice cream. Arrive earlier in the day and
it also does basic breakfasts and real coffee drinks.
INTERNATIONAL-THAI
SLEEPING IN KHAO YAI
Th Thanarat is home to several midrange to upscale resorts targeted at Thai tourists.
Greenleaf Guesthouse
( 0 4436 5073;
www.greenleaftour.com
; Th Thanarat, Km 7.5; r 200-300B; )
The extremely basic but clean rooms here are virtually the area's only budget option. Greenleaf isn't located near
anything of interest, but the folks who run it do half- and full-day tours of Khao Yai National Park.
Park Lodging
( 0 2562 0760;
www.dnp.go.th/parkreserve
;
tents 150-400B, r & bungalow 800-3500B, 30%
discount Mon-Thu) The Department of National Parks provides a range of clean, simple lodgings scattered through
the park. It's best to book online, where you can get more detail on locations and facilities, though bookings are
also possible at the information centre.
Hotel des Artists
( 0 4429 7444;
www.hotelartists.com
; Km 22, Th Thanarat; r/bungalow incl breakfast 5000/
6000B; ) Breaking from the Khao Yai norm, this tasteful hotel goes for French-colonial chic
rather than a nature theme; though with its gorgeous mountain views out back you won't forget where you are.
NARKNAVA$
MUSLIM-THAI
