Khaoyai, Thailand

Have anyone ever heard of Khao Yai or Kho Rat in Thailand?  This place may be overlooked by foreigners but for local is actually one of the top destination whenever Thais are on holiday or just for short getaway.  Kho rat or formally known as Nakhon Ratchasima is a province in the North Eastern Isan region of Thailand.  It is about 3 hours long drive from Bangkok.  And Khao Yai National Park in Khorat is a UNESCO World Heritage and the most visited park in Thailand that take across 4 provinces.  The most famous access is from Khorat.  Once you enter the area around Khao Yai, you will find lots of western theme resorts and restaurants.  Not only that, the biggest winery and wine produces are located in this area.  With the cooler weather compared to Bangkok (especially in winter season) made them one of the top city to visit.

These resorts in Khao Yai are mostly family-friendly and one of them that we stayed, is called Valata.  My son doesn't even want to leave the resort and you will understand why after seeing the photos below.

This resort is full with free-roaming pets, such as ducks, rabbits and even carb fish.  This little resort only features as much as 15 rooms.  So less crowded compared to any resorts in the area but with the huge lawn for kids to run around.  It is also completed with swimming pool and slider.  It is definitely made a great choice for family with kids. 

Just becareful with those ducks, there are quite aggressive especially if you carry the food.  They have no patient, sometimes they just grab it out of your hand.  Imagine all those kids prefer the rabbits and while we feed the rabbits most of time that ducks will steal it from them and it makes kids hate them even more.  We as adult need to trick the duck by throwing the food and lead them to the place far away from rabbits, so the kids have more time to play and feed those rabbits without any disturbance from little monster, ducks.

And morning or night, even on the hot sunny afternoon my son plays around with those animals, only come back to our room just for sleep.  The kids totally love it.

Besides lovely animals, this resorts also provide us with clean room and friendly service as well.  At night we had dinner in the main dining room.  It was great steaks that served on our table.  Surely a happy tummy.

On the way back, we made a short stop at The Chocolate Factory for a little sweet treat.  Their hot chocolate is perfecto.  And they also sell some sweet souvenirs to take home as well. Their chocolate-filled buns are so soft and so yummy with oozy filling inside.  Don't miss that.  It comes in chocolate, white chocolate and coffee.

Chocolate truffles making

Dark hot chocolate

That's just about it in Khao Yai this time.  More like eating and relaxing for us.  We haven't explore much the National Park although we have been there quite few times.  While you were there, don't forget to try the deep-fried banana on the main road before arriving Palio Khao Yai.  Palio is a walking street shopping centre with an Italian-town theme.  Beautiful and nice place to taking photos especially for pre-wedding. 

Valata Khaoyai Resort
555 Moo-11, Pong Ta Long, Pak Chong
Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand
Ph: 044 983 261 or 088 709 9675

The Chocolate Factory (Thailand)
352 Moo 2, Thanarat Rd, Pak Chong, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand
Ph: 092 443 8881


Palio Village Khao Yai
146/1 Moo 4, Thanarat Rd, Pak Chong, Nakhon Ratchasima
Ph: 044 365 888