Thailand's oldest national park and UNESCO World Heritage Site, 2.5 hours from Bangkok — waterfalls, elephants, gibbons.
Khao Yai is Thailand's most visited national park — 2,000 km² of forest with waterfalls (Haew Narok is spectacular), wild elephants, hornbills, gibbons, and tigers (rarely seen).
Organised tour from Bangkok best (3,000–5,000 THB including transport, guide, lunch); self-drive possible with rental car; public transport is very slow.
Early morning wildlife walk, waterfall hike (some swimming holes), night safari (bats, deer, owls).
Several lodges inside or near the park; staying overnight dramatically improves wildlife viewing — animals move at dawn and dusk.
