Khoa Yai is the first National Park of Thailand and is the third largest that established in September 1962. Khao Yai is some of the largest areas of seasonal tropical forest left on Mainland Asia. It is regarded as one of the world's leading parks and has been nominated as a World Heritage Site. Its 2,172 square kilometers take in parts of four provinces: Nakhonnayok, Nakhonratchasima, Prachinburi and Saraburi. Only 200 kilometers from Bangkok, a trip is less than 3 hours by car.

One of Khao Yai's great assets is cool, fresh air. Average temperatures range from 28°C in the hottest months of April and May, when Thailand's normal daily temperature may often rise up to 39°C. In the coolest months of December and January average temperature are as low as 15°C and frequently drop much lower at night to probably mid-5's. The annual rainfall has been measured at 2,270 millimeters at the park headquarters, but in other area of the park may average around 3,000 millimeters a year. The heaviest rainfall is between May and October.

Despite its status, the park is under serious environmental threat. Several thousand employees of the government and military live within its boundaries. Through road traffic from Nakhonnayok to Nakhonratchasima has increased greatly, disturbing the wildlife. As visitors multiply, there is danger that larger, inappropriate facilities will be built, thus devouring more of the natural habitat.

Khao Yai also represents one of the most important watershed areas for surrounding provinces and beyond, being the source of seven major streams. A significant future danger comes from a planned irrigation dam in the southern part of the park at Hewnarok Waterfall. This reservoir would flood more than 1,800 hectares of forest in Thung-ngu-luam, or Python Meadow.



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