Best Parks of Thailand

In 1954 Mr.Pisit and Mrs. Nongnooch Tansacha bought 1500 rais (approximately 600 acres) of rolling hills and valleys at kilometer marker 163 on Sukhumvit road in Chonburi province. The newly purchased land was anticipated to become a fruit plantation filled with mangoes, oranges, coconuts as well as many other local fruits. But as fate may have it, Mrs. Nongnooch during her trip abroad, was inspired by the beauty of the world-renowned gardens and decided to turn the fruit orchard into a tropical garden of ornamental flowers and plants. At first meant for botanical conservation, the garden was later turned into a tourist attraction fully equipped with Thai style houses, cottages, villas, seminar halls, banquet halls, swimming pool, restaurants as well as other facilities constructed for tourist’s convenience.

Opened to the public in 1980 , the garden was named “ Suan Nong Nooch ” in honor of Mrs. Nongnooch, as the word “Suan” means garden. In addition to continuing on her life’s work of the garden, Mrs. Noongnooch spends her time between Bangkok and the orchard in Chieng-rai as well as Nong Nooch camping resort in Prachinburi province, which made its debut in 2001. In order to maintain the gardens, management was than handed over to her son, Mr. Kampon Tansacha.

Presently, Nong Nooch Tropical Garden & Resort is well known to those who want to take in an impressive Thai Cultural Show and find the biggest and most beautiful botanical garden in Southeast Asia. More than 2,000 visitors from around the world visit our garden daily for their enjoyment. At Nong Nooch Tropical Garden, we’re always developing and improving the beautification process in order for the garden to look as it does today. Nong Nooch garden is also dedicated to education, preservation, research as well as the conservation of its vast palm collection and other tropical plants.
Since its debut as a tourist attraction, fascinating Thai Culture and traditional dances are presented daily in the theater within the garden compound. Besides the traditional shows, visitors will have an opportunity to see other performances such as religious ceremonies, martial arts, and The Elephant Show – one of the most popular attractions here. The shows are presented 3 or 4 rounds daily featuring elephants with special skills in playing football, dancing, and even interacting with tourists!!! Come ride on elephants, sightsee the garden via mini bus or relax in our lake on a pedal boat. Savor the taste of Thailand and other “Western” style food and beverages at any of our two restaurants Plubplung and Wivat kitchen. A mini bus service is available to those who want to rush back to Pattaya. To make your visit at the Nong Nooch Garden a memorable one, overnight accommodation is also available. Enjoy the “ Paradise ” by day and gaze the “ Starry ” sky by night – it’s an experience you’ll never forget.


The most popular park in Thailand is Khao Yai Park. Khao Yai National Park is situated in the Sankambeng  Mountain Range, the southern prolongation of the Dong Phaya Yen Mountains,  at the southwestern boundary of the Khorat Plateau. 

This park lies largely in Nakhon Ratchasima Province (Khorat), but also includes parts of Saraburi, Prachinburi  and Nakhon Nayok provinces.

The park is the second largest in Thailand. It covers an area of 2,168 square kilometers, including evergreen forests and grasslands . Its altitude mostly ranges from 400 to 1000 m above sea level . There are 3,000 species of plants, 320 species of birds like red junglefowl and green peafowl and 67 species of mammals, including Asiatic black bears, Asian elephants, gaur, tigers, gibbons, Indian sambar deer, crab eating macaque, Indian muntjac,dholes, and wild pigs. Its waterfalls include the 80 metre Heo Narok, and Heo Suwat made famous from the film The Beach. Namtok Sarika is popular with the Thais.

Recent wildlife studies show that animal ranges, particularly the few resident tigers, are impacted by human activity near the center of the park. This study has not impacted the government's call for private lodging concessions within the park itself.

Lodging near Khao Yai Park

• Bobbys Apartment and Jungle Tours, in Pakchong. 291/6 Moo 18 Mittapab Rd., T. Pakchong A. Pakchong, Nakhonratchasima 30130, ☎ 044-328177(bobbysapartmentandjungletours@hotmail.com),
•  Pronounced "Bo bees." An outpost for European travelers and the occasional North American run by a Brit and a German and their Thai girlfriends.
• Sak Phu Duen Hotel, [6].  edit, in the heart of Khao Yai. Facilities include a restaurant and pool. Cost approx £30 sterling per night for a double room.
• Park bungalows sleeping from 2 - 24 people are available for rent from the park office, or check the Department of National Parks website.
• Greenleaf Guesthouse & Tour, ☎ +66-86-2523238 (info@greenleaftour.com), [7]. 300 Baht.  editis just outside of Pak Chong. Every day tours are organised to the park. It offers clean, basic double rooms with fan, the people are lovely and the tours are great.
• The Palm Tree, ☎ +44-365 073 (ftw@loxinfo.co.th), [8]. 950-1400 baht.  edit
• Greenery Resort, [9]. Rooms 3600-8000 baht.  edit
• Baan Saranya Lodge & Restaurant Khao Yai, 298 Moo 2 Pak Chong, Thanarad Road, km 13.5, Muu Si (In Muu si, the last village before the park entrance, along Thanarad, the main road access to the park), ☎ 044-297-597 (baansaranya@hotmail.com), [10]. Recently open clean bungalows with A/C, hot shower & TV from 800 THB. A nice setting with good looking bungalows, restaurant & bar and nice Thai family owners. 800-1200.  edit,
• Payboon Apartments, In Pak Chong. Ask for directions to Charlize Bar. Payboon Apartments is on the right hand side of the road before you get there unfortunately the sign is ONLY in Thai. Turn right off the main road just after two nice big open air restaurants and opposite to a hill side temple on the left (it is high up so you may miss this)., ☎ +66-44-316-692.  edit You can call and they will pick you up but ask to talk to Katoo as he can speak some english. The rooms are spick and span with good shower and were 350 baht for a room with a fan and 650 baht for a room with airconditioning. The family that run it are very nice and helpful. Breakfast in the garden is 50 baht per person and is coffee, tea or chocolate, bread, egg, and sausage and fruit. Or you can have rice soup. Alternative telephone number +66-81-875563.