8D7N Itinerary in Khao Yai and Bangkok for Family with Kids (Part 1)

Day 1: 18 January 2019 (Friday)  ● PENANG – BANGKOK – KHAO YAI
Penang (PEN - Penang Intl) → Bangkok Don Mueang International Airport (DMK) via AirAsia  FD404

PM: Arrive Bangkok Don Mueang International Airport (DMK)

PM: Pick-up rental car at Bangkok Don Mueang International Airport (DMK) Terminal 2
PM: Self-drive to Pak Chong, Khao Yai. Google map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/i/Sj-Vn      (Approx. 170km / 2hr 40minutes drive)

PM: Dinner at Pak Chong Night Market, Pak Chong, Khao Yai  
PM: Check-in Hotel Together, Pak Chong, Khao Yai  

Day 2: 19 January 2019 (Saturday)  ●  KHAO YAI    

AM: Breakfast at Hotel Together, Pak Chong, Khao Yai  

AM: Piazza Palio Khao Yai

AM: Primo Piazza

PM: Coffee Break at Yellow Submarine Coffee Tank

PM: Dinner at Ban Mai Chay Nam Museum & Restaurant, by the river

PM: Supper at Mid-Winter Green Restaurant

Day 3: 20 January 2019 (Sunday)  ●  KHAO YAI    

AM: Breakfast at Hotel Together, Pak Chong, Khao Yai  

AM: Farm Chok Chai

AM: Sunflower Farm in Pak Chong

PM: Check-in Lala Mukha Tented Resort Khao Yai

PM: Dinner at Jabulani Restaurant, Lala Mukha Tented Resort Khao Yai

Day 4: 21 January 2019 (Monday)  ●  KHAO YAI    

AM: Breakfast at Lala Mukha Tented Resort Khao Yai

AM: Visit Khao Yai National Park (Visitor Center, Saisorn Reservoir, Heo Suwat Waterfall, Khao Yai Training Center, Lam Takhong Camping Ground, Jao Pho Khao Khiao Shrine, Pha Diao Dai (Lonely Cliff) Viewpoint

PM: Check-in Watermill Resort, Pak Chong, Khao Yai

PM: Dinner at Khrua Mae Pranom Restaurant

PM: Visit The Chocolate Factory

Day 5: 22 January 2019 (Tuesday)  ●  KHAO YAI – BANGKOK   

AM: Breakfast at Watermill Resort, Pak Chong, Khao Yai

AM: Stroll around Watermill Resort

AM: Drive to Saraburi Sunflower Field. Google map: https://goo.gl/maps/wGxMhZVcH4J2

PM: Drive to Bangkok Don Mueang International Airport (DMK) to drop off car

PM: Take Grab taxi to Arnoma Grand, Bangkok

PM: Check-in Arnoma Grand, Bangkok

PM: Dinner at Baiyoke Sky Hotel Sky Dining and visit the Observation Deck on the 77th floor and Revolving View Point on the 84th floor

Day 6: 23 January 2019 (Wednesday)  ●  BANGKOK   

AM: Breakfast at Arnoma Grand, Bangkok

AM: SEA LIFE Ocean World, Siam Paragon

PM: Return to hotel for afternoon nap

PM: Take BTS from Chit Lom to Saphan Thaksin. Take ferry / express boat along Chao Phraya River

PM: Dinner at The Never Ending Summer Restaurant by the riverside

PM: Shopping at Big C Supercenter next to Arnoma Grand

Day 7: 24 January 2019 (Thursday)  ●  BANGKOK   

AM: Breakfast at Arnoma Grand, Bangkok

AM: Prayer at Four-faced Buddha

AM: Shopping at Platinum Fashion Mall

PM: Return to hotel for afternoon nap

PM: Stroll at Central Chit Lom and Central World

PM: Dinner at Food Hall, 7^th floor, Central World

PM: Supper (dessert) at After You Dessert Café, 7^th floor, Central World

PM: Shopping at Isetan Department Store, Central World

Day 8: 25 January 2019 (Friday)  ●  BANGKOK –  PENANG

AM: Breakfast at Arnoma Grand, Bangkok

AM: Check-out from Arnoma Grand, Bangkok

PM: Depart from Bangkok Don Mueang International Airport (DMK) → Penang via AirAsia FD401 

If you are planning a trip to Khao Yai with your family and kids, then this post is for you!

After a year, we are back at Bangkok again for a 8D7N free and easy trip with our 2 year old son, Ren Hang! This time round we added in Khao Yai, which is about 2 to 3 hours’ drive away from Bangkok city. Khao Yai is not a shopping paradise, but instead is a place with lush nature landscapes & European-themed towns. Pak Chong is located in Khao Yai province. It is located at the northeast of Bangkok. The best way to travel to Khao Yai is by self-drive, private van or local tour. For this trip, we booked a car and self-drive to Khao Yai. For those who wish to join the tour to witness the beauty of the UNESCO Heritage Site in Thailand, you may book the tour package via Klook. 

We booked our flights on AirAsia as it was cheaper than other airways. It is only a 2hr flight journey from Penang to Bangkok and we arrived Bangkok Don Mueang International Airport (DMK) at 15:05.  As we exit the arrival gate, we headed to Terminal 2 to collect our pre-booked rented car. Right after that, we drove 3 hours north to Pak Chong (towards Khao Yai) where we spent our peaceful 5days there. Upon arrival in Pak Chong, we headed straight to Pak Chong Night Market for a quick dinner before heading back to our hotel for check-in and to catch up on our sleep after a long-day journey.

One for the album

Piazza Palio and a manicured garden

Beauty and peace in such a simple yet artistic way

On the next day of our trip, we visited Piazza Palio, a charming small Italian theme shopping arcade in Khao Yai, about 20 mins drive from Pak Chong. This is a great place for photos and it has many stores selling clothes and souvenirs as well as restaurants for you to dine in. There is no entrance fee.

Smiles for the camera

Little Italy in Thailand

Lovely setting

Smiles for the camera

One for the album

We then moved on to Piazza Palio, a place filled with Italian architecture; the terracotta-toned buildings, lush green lawn and mini farm filled with alpacas, merino sheep and donkeys. My boy spent almost an hour feeding the animals. After that, we moved on for a short coffee break at the Yellow Submarine Coffee Tank. To me, the architecture of this café is unique and its one of the coolest cafes I've been to. Practically, it’s located in the middle of nowhere off a main road in Khao Yai. The cafe is surrounded by tall trees and the cafe makes that part of the ambience.

Charming little themed village

Hang Hang first encounter with sheeps

Over at Primo Piazza, we fed alpaces and baby sheeps

Baa Baa Black Sheep

Smiles for the camera

Over at Primo Piazza, we fed alpaces and baby sheeps

Dinner on that night was at Ban Mai Chay Nam. This place is a museum cum restaurant. As you walk into the restaurant, you will see extensive collection of characters like Superman etc. Indeed hubby’s childhood nostalgia! The view from the restaurant was also amazing as they overlook a river with a suspension bridge that you can cross the river with. 

This place is so much more than just a restaurant!

This place is so much more than just a restaurant!

This place is so much more than just a restaurant!

This place is so much more than just a restaurant!

Unique atmosphere with a large antique shop attached

Unique atmosphere with a large antique shop attached

After dinner, we continued with our second round dinner at Mid-Winter Green Restaurant, a castle-like restaurant in Khao Yai. The whole area was transformed at night with live band playing while we’re having our dinner. There was also a light show during dinner time. Very nice ambience and also a great place for photo taking! Their pork rib with BBQ sauce is a must!

Guess every visitors to Khao Yai will not miss this place

European landscape & alfresco dining area

European landscape & alfresco dining area

European landscape & alfresco dining area

On day 3, after breakfast we proceeded to Farm Chok Chai, one of the most well-known destinations in Khao Yai and Thailand’s largest dairy farm with more than 60 years history. We went for the farm tour and had the opportunity to witness the farm, the process of making dairy products, the milking process by hand and machine and cow feeding. Other highlight was the Cowboy station and the cowboy show in action. The farm tour took us approximately 2 hours. This is a fun learning experience especially for family with kids. My boy was overwhelmed. Due to high popularity and limited seats capacity, we highly recommend you (especially those with young children) to book your tickets in advance via Klook or go early to get the tickets. 

Farm Chok Chai with more than 60 years of history

The machine milking process

Myself experimenting the hand milking process

One for the album

Process of making dairy products

The guided tour

The guided tour - it was a great experience for us touring the entire farm

Cowboy show in action - Hang Hang's first time

Cow milking - Hang Hang truly enjoyed it

While on the way to back to Khao Yai, we stopped by a sunflower field.  The season for sunflowers to bloom in Khao Yai is from November to January depending on weather and climate. This was my first time seeing sunflower fields in real life! The weather was sunny and hot, but we did enjoy and captured the beautiful scene of swaths of the sunflower farm. A fantastic escape to witness nature’s splendour!

So spectacular

Love to see you bloom

Blooming sunflowers

Ambassador of HOPE

One for the album

Smiles for the camera

One for the album

The field of yellow sunflowers blooming cheerfully in a lush green field

Myself surrounded by fields of bright sunny yellow sunflowers

Even the flower buds look so sweet

Stay tuned for our upcoming blog post (8D7N travel itinerary in Khao Yai and Bangkok - Part 2). 

Stay tuned for our upcoming blogpost in Khao Yai (Part 2)

Highlights of our 5D4N Khao Yai Trip:

1. Take pictures at the endless field of sunflowers
2. Visit Thailand’s largest dairy farm, Chok Chai Farm
3. Feed Alpacas, Donkeys & Sheep at Primo Piazza
4. Experience glamping (glamour + camping) at Lala Mukha Tented Resort
5. Gift Shopping at Palio Khao Yai & The Chocolate Factory
6. Drop by castle-like Midwinter Green Restaurant
7. Indulge in authentic local Thai food at Ban Mai Chay Nam Restaurant
8. Tuck away in fairy-like forest family-leisure Watermill Resort
9. Experience Khao Yai National Park and safari drives
10. Spend a few days off the city, under the stars, in fresh air and enjoy mother nature

Air Itinerary Details:

AirAsia: Penang (PEN) – Bangkok Don Mueang International Airport (DMK) - Penang (PEN)

From             To                Flight             Date               Dep      Arr

PEN                DMK              FD404             18 Jan 2019    14:15    15:05

DMK               PEN               FD401             25 Jan 2019    13:30   16:20

Return ticket airfare/person: MYR487.90/person (Economy Class)

Total airfares for 3 persons: MYR1463.70 (Economy Class)

Accommodation(s):

KHAO YAI

Hotel Together (18 – 20 Jan 2019)

Address: 141 Moo 12 Pakchong Nakhon Ratchasima 30130, Pak Chong, Khao Yai, Thailand 30130

Tel: +66 44 081 465

Room price: MYR287.37 /1  night for 2 adults & 1 child booked via Agoda

Room type: Deluxe Mountain View inclusive of breakfast

Lala Mukha Tented Resort Khao Yai (20 – 21 Jan 2019)

Address: 515 Moo. 5 Tambon Mu Si, Amphur Pakchong,, Khao Yai National Park, Khao Yai, Thailand 30130

Tel: +66 44 300 691

Room price: MYR412.20 /1 night for 2 adults & 1 child booked via Agoda

Room type: Eco Safari Tent inclusive of breakfast

Website: http://lalamukha.com/

Watermill Resort (21 – 22 Jan 2019)

Address: 99/11 Moo 8 Thanarat Road, Km 3, Tambon Nongnamdang Ampor Pakchong, Khao Yai National Park, Khao Yai, Thailand 30130

Tel: +66 80 809 9155

Room price: MYR264.24/1 night for 2 adults & 1 child booked via Agoda

Room type: Cream colour duplex inclusive of breakfast

Transportation(s):

Car rental (Don Mueang International Airport (DMK) to Khao Yai)

Pick up: 18 Jan at 16:00 at Don Mueang Airport

Drop off: 22 Jan at 14:30Don Mueang Airport

Type of car: Toyota Yaris

Deposit: THB 10,000.00 including tax

Rental fee: US$104.56

Booking site: www.rentalcars.com 

You may also book your Khao Yai custom tour from Bangkok via this Klook website.The tour offered includes visit to the National Park, Palio Village, Chok Chai Farm and more. 

Enjoy convenient private transfer from Bangkok city to Khao Yai via Klook website 

Ticketing(s):

Primo Piazza Khao Yai
861 Moo 6, Thanarat Road
Tambol Nong Nam Daeng
Pak Chong District,
Nakhon Ratchasima 30130

Opens daily from 9.00 am to 6.00pm 
Ticket(s): 200 Baht/ Adult and 100 Baht/ Children

Piazza Palio

Tambon Mu Si,

Amphoe Pak Chong, Chang Wat

Nakhon Ratchasima 30130, Thailand

Contact: +66 44 365 899

Opens daily from 10.00 am to 7.00pm

Ticket(s): Free

Chok Chai Farm

169 Moo 2 Friendship Highway,

Nongnamdang, Pakchong,

Nakhon Ratchasima 30130 Thailand

Contact: +66 44 328 485

Website: http://www.farmchokchai.com/en/index.html

Opens Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 8:30pm

Ticket(s): 300 Baht / Adult and 150 Baht/Children for 2 hour farm tour

Khao Yai National Park

Opens daily from 6.00 am to 6.00 pm

Ticket(s): 400 Baht / Adult

Wild Life Tour / Khao Yai National Park Tour

Time: 9.30am – 2.30 pm (5 hours)

Cost: 1500 Baht / trip
Places: Saisom Reservoir, Lam Takhong Camping Ground, Pha Diao Dai Viewpoint, Heo Suwat Waterfall, and wild life tour

Where to Eat:

Baan Mai Chay Nam
21, Mittraphap Rd.,
Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand

Opens daily from 10.00 am to 10.00pm

What to order: Tomyum goong, Stir fried clams with chili paste, Fried prawn cake, Stir-fried kailan with crispy pork

Yellow Submarine Coffee Tank

Mu Si, Pak Chong District,

Nakhon Ratchasima 30130, Thailand

Contact: +66 96 981 0682

Opens from Friday – Sunday from 9.00 am to 7.00pm

What to order: Charcoal Honey Toast

The Chocolate Factory
352 Moo 2, Thanarat Rd,
T. Musee Pakchong District,
Nakhon Ratchasima 30130
Opens daily from 9.30 am to 9.30 pm

Midwinter Green Restaurant
Nong Nam Daeng,

Pak Chong District,

Nakhon Ratchasima 30130, Thailand
Contact: +66 44 365 288
Opens daily from 10.00 am to 11.00 pm

What to order: Pork ribs with BBQ sauce

Jabulani Restaurant

Lalamukha Tented Resort

515 Moo 5 Musi Pakchong Nakhonratchasima,

Tambon Mu Si, Amphoe Pak Chong, Chang Wat

Nakhon Ratchasima 30130, Thailand

Contact: +66 44 297 760

Opens daily from 7.00 am to 9.30 pm

What to order: Tomyum Goong / Fried Rice  

Note: All entrance / transportation fees and accommodation rates/charges listed on this post are based on our (chengywong.blogspot.com) travel dates (2019) and therefore subject to change(s). ©chengywong.blogspot.com is not responsible for content on external web sites. 

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