Second Week in Thailand

This week I went to Khoa Yai National Park (World Heritage Site) and Phimai Historical Park. Three gentlemen and myself rented a vehicle from the airport and I drove about 600 miles roundtrip to the National Park and then to the ruins in Phimai Historical Park. It is recommended that before traveling to Thailand that an international drivers license is acquired from AAA ($15 US). The rental car cost 1100 Thai Baht per day ($35 US) and total of 1600 Thai Baht ($50 US) for fuel . Divided by four people this was very cheap means of transportation.  Khoa Yai National Park cost 400 Thai Baht ($13 US) and the Historical Park cost 100 Thai Baht ($3 US).  It took three days to complete this trip.

The first day we rented the vehicle and then drove to the National Park. The park was full of monkeys, deer and elephants. The park also has tigers and snakes but these creatures are more elusive and we did not see any of these.  The park is full of hiking trails and magnificent waterfalls, many of which are easily accessible. That night we stayed in Korat at a hotel suggested by the guide book Lonely Planet “Discover Thailand”. The rented two rooms for 700 Baht each room divided by two people per room for an individual price of 350 Thai Baht ($9 US).

The second day we kept the room and drove to Phimai Historical Park. Phimai had a historical park with ruins dating back to the 12^th century. These ruins were built almost a thousand years ago and are still standing (impressive). The Cambodians conquered this area in the 12th century and destroyed parts of this site. The historical importance of this area is quite obvious due to the age alone and the care of which it is preserved. Khao Yai National Park was very wild as there were wild gibbons, tigers, deer and elephants. The park is full of hiking trails and magnificent waterfalls, many of which are easily accessible. The park is often visited by travelers from Bangkok. We returned to the hotel in Korat to sleep that night.

The third day we woke early and drove back to the airport and returned the vehicle.