Rightfully designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005, the forest and grasslands of the stunning Khao Yai National Park offer a breathtaking variety of flora and fauna. Home to over 200 bird species as well as deer, bears, tigers, leopards and various gibbons and macaques, not to mention the 250 wild elephants that happily roam around as if they own the place, this is one of the best places in the world to experience close up the natural world in all its glory. You are free to trek along the official trails setting your own pace, but with the best features up to 20km apart it is probably a better idea to join an organised tour. At weekends and holidays the crowds tend to scare off the animals so time your visit well; alternatively, take the opportunity to camp on site or in more luxurious accommodation nearby to allow you to get a head start on the crowds.
Aside from this incredible opportunity to get close to nature, there is little to do in the area except (thankfully) try out the Khao Yai golf courses, and the stunning mountain scenery, moderate temperatures and some of the cleanest air in the world make this an ideal place to go for a Thailand golf holiday. The alpine feel of the area (dairy herds, chalets, vineyards) set it apart from the rest of Thailand in every respect except the fact that the courses here are a match for the top class ones found in the more traditional golfing destinations. Whilst negotiating the waterfalls, creeks and hills of the Sir James Course at Forest Hills Country Club, one of the more attractive courses in the country, the lush scenery makes it easy to think you are still within the National Park itself, and the challenging tee shot off the par 4 10th at Panorama Golf & Country Club, where you must hit blind across a valley, is something not to be missed on your Khao Yai golf vacation.
