Khao Yai National Park: Fees, Access From Bangkok, Rules

A foreign adult pays THB 400 and a foreign child THB 200 at the Pak Chong and Noen Hom gates. A motorcycle costs THB 20 and a 4-wheel vehicle THB 30. One ticket covers entry and exit on a single day. The park is open from 06:00 to 18:00.

By Vincent Nguyen and team

Khao Yai entrance fee for foreigners

Bring THB 400 for each foreign adult and THB 200 for each foreign child, the rate at both the Pak Chong and Noen Hom entrances since 19 September 2022. The reason is a special service charge that the Department of National Parks set for Khao Yai in a notice dated 19 September 2022.

On paper Khao Yai is a Group 2 park, with a base rate of THB 200 per adult and THB 100 per child (as of 2 June 2022).

A child is under 14 and an adult is 14 to 60. You pay entrance fees for both persons and vehicles:

Pay only at the Chao Por Khao Yai Shrine visitor centre (Pak Chong entrance) in Nakhon Ratchasima or at the Noen Hom visitor centre in Prachinburi. You can use the DNP QueQ e-ticket app or pay the officers at the gate.

Khao Yai is one of the six parks in the QueQ pilot. The app takes debit cards, credit cards, cross-bank bill payment and PromptPay. You show a QR code from the app to the officer.

One ticket works for entry and exit on a single day only. Carry it while you tour, since officers may check it. For the other parks, see Thailand national park fees for foreigners.

Vehicles that cannot enter

Vehicles with more than 6 wheels, double-decker vehicles and vehicles taller than 3.50 m are forbidden. Towed RVs may not enter through the Pak Chong or Noen Hom gate. Small tour buses may use only the Noen Hom gate on the Prachinburi side.

Who it suits (and who should skip it)

• Drivers who want wildlife: wild elephants can be seen close up, often beside the road or on it.
• Visitors in the cool season: October to February is the busiest time for tourists, so we recommend arriving at the 06:00 opening if you prefer quiet.
• Day trippers from Bangkok: the park is about 200 km north-east of the city.
• Skip it with a towed RV, a pet or plans for a drink inside the park.

How to get to Khao Yai from Bangkok

Khao Yai has two gates, and the one you choose decides your route. Thanarat Road crosses the park for 50 km between them, and you may enter by one and leave by the other.

By car

To the Pak Chong gate, the total journey to the park headquarters is 205 km. To the Noen Hom gate through Nakhon Nayok, the distance is 190 km.

By bus and songthaew

Without a car, the Pak Chong gate is the simpler end, since the coach and the minivan both finish at Pak Chong. Take the Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima coach or a Bangkok to Pak Chong minivan and get off at Pak Chong. From there a bus to the visitor centre runs from 06:00 to 17:00, leaving every 30 minutes for THB 15.

For the Noen Hom gate, take the Bangkok to Prachinburi coach and get off at the Naresuan Shrine roundabout, then use a motorcycle taxi or another visitor vehicle.

By train

Get off at Pak Chong station, then take a songthaew from Pak Chong Market to the Chao Por Khao Yai Shrine visitor centre. For train times, check the State Railway of Thailand timetable for the day you travel. See also Bangkok day trips for other trips out of the city.

Rules inside the park

Park rules are short, and most of them protect the animals. Alcohol is not allowed, pets are not allowed, and drones need permission.

You may not feed or touch wild animals. Smoking is allowed only in designated areas. For national drone limits, read drone rules in Thailand.

If you meet an elephant on the road

Elephants share the road in places, so slow down for every bend. If one stands ahead, stop the car at least 30 m away and reverse carefully if it approaches. Keep the engine running. Skip the horn and any noise, and skip flash photography.

Seasonal closures in 2026

Closures follow the Department of National Parks list in the Royal Gazette.

Kaeng Hin Phoeng and Takhro waterfall close from 1 March to 30 April, and Sarika waterfall from 1 to 30 April. The Pha Diao Dai viewpoint closes from 1 June to 30 September, and the trail between Kong Kaeo and Heo Suwat waterfalls from 1 July to 31 August. Than Thip waterfall and the Pha Kluai Mai campsite are closed with no end date.

When to go

Khao Yai was Thailand’s first national park, set up in 1962. It covers almost 2,206 square kilometres, with an average temperature of about 21°C through the year and a peak of about 27°C in April. The park is open from 06:00 to 18:00.

Before you go

• Cash or the QueQ app: THB 400 per adult, THB 200 per child.
• Your ticket: valid for one day, carry it in the park.
• Vehicle: THB 20 for a motorcycle, THB 30 for a 4-wheel vehicle.
• Time: arrive after 06:00 and leave before 18:00.
• Phone: the 24-hour emergency line is 086-092-6527.
• Rules: no alcohol and no pets.
• Seasons: check the closure dates above before you plan a waterfall or the Kong Kaeo trail.
• Nearby: for the wider Thailand picture, start with Best time to visit Thailand.

↑ Contents

Not confirmed: Pak Chong buses: the THB 15 fare and 30-minute departures come from the park's own undated page, so confirm both at Pak Chong. Getting between waterfalls without a car: no hire or shuttle service is described, so ask at the visitor centre.

Prices, timetables and opening hours change; check with the operator before you travel. See how guides are checked.

Spotted an error? Report it.