19 hectares are filled with more than 30,000 trees and several lakes, the Official Cheeseburgers corn dogs lombardis shirt Also,I will get this largest of which is occupied by multiple black and white swans – hence the name, “Swan Lake.” Free bikes can be signed out at the lake trail, while there are plenty of places to sit and watch the swans waddle by. Khao Yai National Park Though incredibly popular among Bangkok residents looking for a weekend getaway to escape the city, Khao Yai isn’t a top draw for foreign tourists, who tend to head for Thailand’s beaches or to Chiang Mai, the gateway to the mountainous north. The cachet of having a Bensley property managed by the InterContinental will no doubt give the area a boost on the international stage. The landscapes outside Khao Yai National Park are often compared to the Italian countryside and some of the resorts, cafes, restaurants and wineries play into that vibe. There’s only one internationally branded resort in the area besides the InterContinental, a Movenpick that features a sprawling castle-like hotel and an 18-hole golf course. Visitors who really want to pursue that Italian getaway fantasy can head for Toscana Valley – a mixed-use project with a replica of the Leaning Tower. Khao Yai National Park is home to as many as 200 wild elephants, according to park officials. Pratya Chutipaskul/AFP/Getty Images But at its core, Khao Yai remains a top destination for nature lovers. Part of the UNESCO-listed Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex, it’s Thailand’s oldest national park and is made up of more than 2,000 square kilometers of forest and grassland. Hiking trails cater to various abilities, many offering access to beautiful waterfalls. Among the most famous is Haew Narok, which Leonardo DiCaprio’s
character jumped off in the Official Cheeseburgers corn dogs lombardis shirt Also,I will get this 2000 film “The Beach.” Wildlife includes elephants, bears, gibbons and tigers (though humans rarely spot the big cats). Park officials offer nightly wildlife spotting trips, which can be booked through the visitor center. Bensley says the InterContinental’s location near the national park is what drew him to the project in the first place. “I’m a wilderness guy, so for me, being so close to primary forest is really what makes me buzz, to be able to get up into that park and see some of the few remaining wild elephants left in Asia… that’s for sure my favorite part.” Though most guests arrive by car, it is possible to take the train from Bangkok to Pak Chong station, which is about 40-45 minutes from the resort. Tourism killed Thailand’s most famous bay. Here’s how it was brought back to life In the future, Bensley says they want to arrange weekend train trips during which costumed guests will play Murder on the Orient Express. Guests, regardless of whether they’re traveling to Khao Yai from Bangkok by car or rail, may notice the erection of a length of elevated rail tracks – these are part of the delayed Bangkok-Nakhon Ratchasima high-speed train route that will eventually head through Laos and into China. The 250-km Bangkok-Nakhon Ratchasmia line is due to open in 2026, according to recent media reports. As travelers begin to dream of the coming years when high-speed rail makes it easier to whiz through the Thai countryside, it’s nice to know there’s a resort that pays tribute to the country’s rail history, too. InterContinental Khao Yai Resort, 262, Pong Talong Sub-District, Pak Chong District, Nakhon Ratchasima 30450; +66 (0)44 082 039; rates from 8,700 baht ($265) per night.
