If you missed Part 1, here’s the link: 30 things to do in Khao Yai, Thailand (Part 1)
Farms
17. The largest dairy farm in Thailand, Farm Chokchai
The largest dairy farm in Thailand, Chokchai Farm has over 3,000 head of dairy cattle. The cattle is a unique species known as Chokchai Friesian, a cross-breed between Holstein Friesian and a native Thai species bred exclusively by the farm.
Image credit: Farm Chokchai Facebook Page
Kids will love the cow milking experience and ice cream making workshop. This being a popular attraction for visitors to Khao Yai, their Agro farm tours get booked up early, especially during peak seasons. Each tour can accommodate 75 to 80 visitors and takes around 1.5 to 2 hours. The tour is conducted in Thai with an English handbook given to international travellers. If you are lucky, some tour guides will make an effort in explaining in English too, depending on the number of foreigners in their tour.
Image credit: Farm Chokchai Facebook Page
Pre-book your farm tour slots before heading there. It is recommended on their website to book 7 days in advance. Do take note there is no farm tour on Mondays, except when it happens to be a public holiday.
Besides bicycle-riding, pony-riding and ATV, Farm Chokchai has cowboy shows too.
Address: Farm Office K.M. 159-160 Moo 2 Friendship Highway, Pak Chong, Thailand
Telephone: +66 61 558 5280
Operating Hours: 10 am to 7.30pm (Mon to Sat), farm closes earlier on Sun
Official Website: Farm Chokchai
********************
18. Try the popular sweetcorn milk at Suwan Sweetcorn Farm
If you love sweetcorn, pop by Suwan’s Sweetcorn Farm on your way back to Bangkok from Khao Yai. The farm is a research project by Kasetsart University to cultivate the best sweet corn in Thailand. The harvested corn are sold in the mini market alongside other vegetables and local products.
Image credit: Suwan Sweetcorn Farm Facebook Page
Try their ever-popular boiled corn and corn milk. The latter is so popular it is usually sold out by noon on weekends and purchases usually made by the cartons! Be prepared to wait in queue though, but from what we know, we are sure it’s worth the wait.
Besides spending time in their shop, do walk around the maize farm and flower garden for some photographic spots.
Address: 298 Moo 1, Mittraphap Rd (btwn km 155 & 156), Pak Chong, Changwat Nakhon Ratchasima 30320, Thailand
Telephone: +66 44 361 770
Operating Hours: 9 am to 5.30pm
Facebook Page: Suwan Sweetcorn Farm (in Thai language)
********************
19. Try their organic milk products at Dairy Home Farm Shop
Dairy Home Farm Shop is located along with the way from Saraburi to Khao Yai, making it a popular location for pit stop on the way to Khao Yai.
The Dairy Home brand prides itself on producing organic milk, by feeding their cows grass free of synthetic chemicals. Get your hands on the uncommon milk flavours, such as corn and butterscotch.
Besides the shop selling dairy and local products, Dairy Home Khao Yai has a restaurant serving well-rated western cuisine. Kids will enjoy playing hide-and-seek in the tree house outside the farm shop. Even comes with a cutesy kids size toilet for young children.
Address: 100/1 Moo 11, Mitraparp Road Phayayen Subdistrict, Nakhon Ratchasima 30320 Thailand
Telephone: +66 81 991 0271
Official Website: Dairy Home (in Thai language)
********************
20. Feed animals at Khonyok Sheep farm
A bright and cheery entrance welcomes visitors to a mini zoo at Khonyok Sheep Farm. Feed and interact with sheep, horse, peacocks, ostriches, fish, rabbits and other animals that call the farm home. The kids will surely love feeding the little lambs bottles of milk.
Image credit: ณ Khonnayok Sheep Farm Facebook Page
Thereafter, relax over pastries and beverage at the farm’s cosy cafe.
Image credit: ณ Khonnayok Sheep Farm Facebook Page
Be prepared for a long car ride though as the farm is around 2-hour drive away from PB Valley and rest of Nakhon Ratchasima area.
Address: Hwy 3049, Tambon Sarika, Amphoe Mueang Nakhon Nayok, Chang Wat Nakhon Nayok 26000, Thailand
Telephone: +66-841823666
Facebook Page: ณ Khonnayok Sheep Farm (in Thai language)
********************
21. Seasonal visit to Jim Thompson Farm
If you love flower fields like we do, Jim Thompson Farm is the perfect place to include in your itinerary. Go for their Cosmos Flower Fields, Sunflower Fields, Great Pumpkin Patch and Colourful Flower Fields.
The farm itself produces mainly silk raw materials for the company’s factory. Being a working farm, it is open only for a few weeks in the cooler months, from December to January.
Jim Thompson Farm has five attraction zone with varied and interesting offerings. Besides flowers, there is one zone dedicated to showcasing Isan architecture and their traditional, rural way of life. There is another zone where visitors can view fabric and silk production techniques.
Address: 2072, Tambon Takhop, Amphoe Pak Thong Chai, Chang Wat Nakhon Ratchasima 30150, Thailand
Telephone: +66 2 762 2566
Operating Hours: 8am to 5pm (for 5 weeks during December and January)
Admission Charges: Weekdays – 130 baht (child), 180 baht (adult), 90 baht (senior); Weekends – 180 baht (child), 220 baht (adult), 90 baht (senior)
Official Website:: Jim Thompson Farm
Read more in Jim Thompson Farm – Of Flowers and Pumpkins.
*****************************************
Cultural Experience
22. Climb up 1,250 steps to Wat Thep Phitak Punnaram (White Buddha and Temple)
Located in Khao Si Siat Aa, Wat Thep Phithak Punnaram is a temple built by King Rama III to honor his eldest daughter, HRH Princess Wilat. The construction begun in 1836 and was completed 3 years later in 1839. Carved from pure white stone and located in the mountain, the main Buddha statue measures 27 meters wide and 45 meters high.
To reach this majestic main statue you will need to climb 1,250 steps. Yes a whopping 1,250 steps, whereby the number represents the number of monks who had spontaneously gathered to hear the Buddha gave his first sermon (later known as Makha Bucha Day). Go on and do it, the view at the end is worth it.
Image credit: Wayne77
Address: 2072, Klang Dong, Pak Chong District, Nakhon Ratchasima 30320, Thailand
Operating Hours: 8am to 4pm
********************
23. Modern art displays in Khao Yai Art Museum
Visiting an art museum in Khao Yai may not be the first thing on your mind. But you should go for this one. Khao Yai Art Museum has 3 galleries, one of which is dedicated to the late king. Being small in size, it would not take long to view their collection of beautiful portraits and sculptures. Besides a garden with outdoor sculptures, the highly-rated art museum also has a restaurant and gift shop.
Image credit: Sirinun Kaewchampa
Address: Ban Tha Chang Soi 6, Moo 16, Mu Si, Aumpher Pak-Chong, Nakorn Ratchasima, Thailand 30130
Telephone: +66 44 756 060
Operating Hours: 9am to 5.30pm
Official Website:: Khao Yai Art Museum
*****************************************
Shopping
24. Spot a good deal at Premium Outlet Khao Yai
If you’re thinking of getting your hands on premium merchandise before heading home, consider paying this place a visit. Premium Outlet Khao Yai has retail space of 18,000 sq.m in 6 single storey blocks. The premium outlet features both local and international brand names. Though there have been some feedback on limited inventories, you may still have a chance to get a good bargain in sales items.
Image credit: Premium Outlet Khao-Yai พรีเมี่ยมเอาท์เล็ท เขาใหญ่
Address: Thanon Mittraphap, Tambon Pak Chong, Amphoe Pak Chong, Chang Wat Nakhon Ratchasima 30130, Thailand
Telephone: +66 44 377 5558
Operating Hours: 10am to 8pm (weekdays), 9am to 8pm (weekends)
Facebook Page:: Premium Outlet Khao-Yai พรีเมี่ยมเอาท์เล็ท เขาใหญ่
********************
25. Have as much local food as you like at Pak Chong Night Market
What better way to sample delicious and inexpensive local food than a visit to the local night market. Pak Chong Night Market is not a big one but with rows of food stalls and good variety food to choose from. Fill your tummies with Thai salad, grilled sausages, pancakes, noodles and many more. There’s even fried insects if you are keen to try!
Image credit: Dudva
The main theme of the night market is food, though there are some stalls selling clothes, handphone accessories and bags.
If you are bored and don’t want to be stuck in your hotel room, this is one of the very few night time activities available in Khao Yai. Just a note though the night market closes early at 9.30pm.
Address: 2422 Tambon Pak Chong, Amphoe Pak Chong, Chang Wat Nakhon Ratchasima 30130, Thailand
Operating Hours: 5.30pm to 9.30pm
*****************************************
Dining
When it comes to dining options in Khao Yai, you’ll be spoilt for choice! Take your pick from themed restaurants to hipster cafes.
26. Dine alfresco with live music at Midwinter Green
A restaurant set in an idyllic setting, Midwinter Green offers a chance to dine within its impressive European style complex. If the weather is good, do go for an outdoor table where you can enjoy live music while you wine and dine.
Images credit: Midwinter Green Facebook page
From farm to table, the vegetables used here are grown in their very own farm. Midwinter Green serves Thai and Western cuisine. Though prices are relatively more expensive than nearby restaurants, you get a memorable dining experience.
Address: 10 88/88 Soi Ban Sai Thong Mu 24 Soi 2, Nong Nam Daeng, Pak Chong District, Nakhon Ratchasima 30130, Thailand
Telephone: +66 82 452 8888
Facebook Page:: Midwinter Green
********************
27. Go for chocolate desserts at The Chocolate Factory
The name Chocolate Factory may get you thinking of eccentric Willy Wonka’s candy factory. Unfortunately, ‘The Chocolate Factory’ in Khao Yai does not run along that line but it is no less interesting.
It is a restaurant which serves Western and Thai cuisine with a dessert menu heavy on chocolates. The building is made of glass with open views of surrounding nature. Observe chocolate-making in the shop through a glass partition and bring home some of their hand-made chocolates. If schedule permits, why not try your hand at making chocolates in one of their workshops?
Images credit: The Chocolate Factory Facebook page
Address: 352 Moo 2 Thanarat Rd. T. Musee Pakchong Nakhon Ratchasima 30130
Telephone: +66 92 443 8881
Official Website:: The Chocolate Factory
********************
28. Coffee and sheep at A Cup of Love Cafe and Resort
A Cup of Love is a Swiss-inspired, sheep-themed cafe and attraction. Bond over cups of coffee and slices of cakes while over-looking into the grounds. Or pay an entrance fees to get in and interact with their sheep on the ground. Yes, you get to really get close to the sheep, feed grass or milk to them and take selfie with them. Unlike Primo Piazza where some animal feed is included in your ticket price, at A Cup of Love you have to purchase them separately. If your little ones are as much into animal feeding as mine does, be prepared to spend a little fortune here. 🙂
Image credit: Koradtravel
And if you fall in love with the place, you can always stay over at their resort or pitch a tent in their camping grounds.
Address: 97 Moo 15, Wang Nam Khiao Subdistrict, Wang Nam Khiao District, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand
Telephone: +66 84 388 1518
Official Website:: A Cup of Love (in Thai language)
********************
29. Dine at The Castle (Restaurant and Tea Room)
Thames Valley Khao Yai is an English-style countryside hotel, inspired by the green belt running out of central London along the River Thames corridor. Walk into the The Castle Restaurant and Tea Room within this charming hotel, and you will feel the ambience of a grand English manor home.
The restaurant zone serves Thai cuisine and our signature English dishes in an elegant setting, with high ceiling and large glass windows looking out into landscape gardens. The tearoom zone is where you can relax over tea and teatime favourites (sandwiches, savouries and sweets).
Image credit: Thames Valley Khao Yai
Address: Tambon Mu Si, Amphoe Pak Chong, Chang Wat Nakhon Ratchasima 30130, Thailand
Telephone: +66 44 009 999
Official Website:: Thames Valley Khao Yai
*****************************************
Adrenaline Pumping
30. Speed down the lane at Khao Yai speedkart
Keen for some excitement after all the scenery, flora and fauna? Then head to Khao Yai Speedkart. Besides karting, they have ATVs for rent and a mini petting zoo. If you just like to rest your tired feet, visit their coffee shop then. The unusual coffee shop that looks upside down on the outside but perfectly normal on the inside.
Image credit: Khao Yai Speedkart
Address: Mu Si, Pak Chong District, Nakhon Ratchasima 30130, Thailand
Telephone: +66 86 660 8060
Official Website:: Khao Yai Speedkart
*****************************************
There you go, 30 things to do in Khao Yai. Have you decided which one to go for?
