By KHAO KHO
Khao Kho is a breath of fresh air that is less than 400 km from Bangkok and will refresh you for a long weekend away from the perpetual movement of the boiling capital. 😍
KHAO KHO
Just north of bustling Bangkok, about a 5-hour drive away, is Khao Kho District in Phetchabun Province. Khao Kho is a former strategic location where battles between Royal troops and communist insurgents raged until the early 80s. Since then, it has become a privileged place for the Thai middle class to take refuge there during the weekends or holidays to escape a few days from the sound of Bangkok.
Khao Kho takes its name from Khao Kho, a summit in the Phetchabun Mountains so named in reference to the Livistona speciosa, a species of palm, and the Ceylon oak. These two species are known as “kho” in Thai, and are abundant in this area.
WHAT TO DO IN KHAO KHO?
🙏 WAT PHA SORN KAEW
The splendid Wat Pha Sorn Kaew sits at the top of a 830-meter peak, about a 30-minute drive from Khao Kho even on Highway 12. Millions of squares of colorful mosaics adorn the central pagoda but what attracts the more the attention of the amazed visitors remains the 5 white Buddhas sitting in front of each other. In short, a temple out of the ordinary, original and absolutely exotic.
🐘 THUNG SALAENG LUANG NATIONAL PARK
The Thung Salaeng National Park covers more than 1 260 km² and has a real savanna covering its hectares. You can go camping and wake up in the well-known haze, or enjoy the two popular waterfalls in the park: Sri Dit and Kaeng Sopha.
💨 KHAO KHO WIND FARM
One of Khao Kho’s popular attractions is its windmill garden. Enjoy an afternoon to come and feel the fresh air and discover the surrounding nature. No car, no noise, no waste … just the wind, and you. And some strawberries hidden in the surrounding fields.
⭐ KHAO TAKHIAN NGO
This viewpoint is the most popular of Khao Kho and overlooks the entire mountains to offer a panoramic view of the surrounding area. Enjoy a morning awakening to watch the rising sun and the mist that surrounds the surroundings, or fall asleep under a sunset as beautiful as soothing.
🎉 LOM SAK STREET
As repeated time and again in our articles, a Thai city would not be a Thai city without its famous walking street. And Khao Kho has his: Lom Sak Street. Clothing, accessories, music, food … everything is there for you to spend an unforgettable evening among the locals.
🙏 KANCHANAPISEK PAGODA
This huge monument was built in 2000. It is 69 feet tall, marking the 69th anniversary of the birth of His Majesty the King. This pagoda was built to pay homage to the martyrs who fought communist rebels. In short, a piece of history not to miss.
WHERE TO HAVE A BREAK IN KHAO KHO?
PINO LATTE
Enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view to enjoy your coffee and in front of a part of one of the many cakes available in this little café, where nature rhymes with serenity.
LE BONHEUR
We grant you, by listening to us it seems that there are breathtaking views all over Khao Kho. But … that’s the case! And the café Le Bonheur is no stranger to it. But on top of that, it offers you a unique combination of Thai food and French gastronomy. But not a word more, it is your turn to discover it.
STORY CUP BY COFFEE HILL
This coffee stands out a bit from others by its originality. Indeed, the pink color and the statues of cartoons will be at the rendezvous to offer you a moment of relaxation … and a small fall in childhood!
BLACK DIAMOND
And if the previous coffee is not enough for your child’s soul, the Black Diamond will be perfect! Discover its multicolored cakes and its very family atmosphere … and its teletubbies.
To see the cafés on the map, just click on their names. 😉
HOW TO GO TO KHAO KHO?
There are no 1000 options available to get to Khao Kho. The most popular of them is obviously the car rental. You will be able to travel the 395.7 kms that separate Bangkok from Khao Kho in 5 hours 35 minutes.
For the brave ones who really do not want to take a car to get there, you can opt for a train + taxi combination. For that, you have to take the train from Hua Lamphong train station from Bangkok to Wang Krot – between 9 € and 35 € depending on the class and the duration of the trip – then the taxi from Wang Krot to Khao Kho – about 2 hours 30 drive for 30-40 €.
The combination bus + taxi option is also available to travel to Khao Kho. You can take this one directly from the Mochit Bus Terminal Bangkok to Khao Kho – about 7 hours 30 drive for 11 € – then Khao Kho taxi to the mountain – about 10 minutes drive for 3-4 €.
Finally, you can also opt for a combination plane + taxi. You will then have to take a flight from Don Muang to Bangkok to Phitsanulok – 1 hour drive for a cost ranging from € 21 to € 90 depending on the chosen period – then a taxi from Phitsanulok to Khao Kho Mountain – about 2 hours of driving for 25-30 €.
WHERE TO STAY IN KHAO KHO?
Hotels close to Khao Kho’s morning mist are literally stormed on weekends.
A hotel stands out particularly from others in Khao Kho and has already made many people fall in love with: Phu Sandao Resort. Every room at this hotel is designed as a Swiss roll – called Jamrolls by the locals. They look like small cabins, each with its own balcony offering a breathtaking direct view of the morning mist.
Photo : Phu Sandao Resort
The second important option to try during your stay to make it completely special and unforgettable is … camping! For that, the best spot is Rai Rim Pha, literally THE place to be for adventurers. Simple, natural … you will find yourself nose-to-nose with the surrounding flora and fauna and you can wake up in the clouds, literally.
Photo : chanomworld-2
… many other options are available to you depending on what you expect from this little trip. Here are a few :
→ to feel like a real princess or a prince straight out of a European fairy tale, we recommend The Blue Sky Resort.
→ To make the most of this breathtaking panoramic view of Khao Kho’s most popular clouds, visit Sense Resort Viewtalaymok.
→ To appreciate the time literally spent in the clouds and in solitude and calm, The Lake Hill Khao Kho will be perfect for you.
HOW TO MOVE IN KHAO KHO?
The best way to fully enjoy your stay in Khao Kho is to come directly with your means of transportation. Indeed, taxis and other songteaws are very rare in this region and renting a motorcycle or a car directly on site is not easy because most travelers and locals come directly with.
… KHAO KOH through some images. 👇
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