Khao Kho, the enchanting misty town or "Thai Alps" located just outside Bangkok
Compared to hectic Bangkok, the undiscovered gem of Khao Kho which is 6-hours North of the busy capital is instead serene and laidback. Teeming with undisturbed nature and spellbinding views, Khao Kho should definitely be on your travel bucket list!
Excited to finally seize the opportunity to rediscover the beauty of Thailand? But wait, before you book your Bangkok flight, make sure you are up to speed with our Singapore-Thailand VTL Requirements Guide.
How to go to Khao Kho from Bangkok
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Khao Kho is located approximately 5-hours to 6-hours away from Bangkok (the capital of Thailand) by car. You can get to Khao Kho via several ways – by bus, car or flight.
The cheapest way is by bus from the Bangkok Bus Terminal (Mochit 2) to Lomsak Transport Station followed by another bus from the Lomsak District to Khao Kho District. The journey by bus from Bangkok to Khao Kho is about 9 to 10 hours.
Besides that, you can also get a 4-hour flight from Don Mueang International Airport to Phitsanulok Airport followed by a 2-hour bus to Khao Kho. The total time of the journey is about 6 to 7 hours.
The most convenient way to get from Bangkok to Khao Kho, however, is to go by car. You can choose to rent a car or book a private tour. The journey takes 5 to 6 hours, the fastest amongst all the other options. Besides that, you also won’t have to worry about getting around the different destinations in Khao Kho if you opt to go by car.
It’s recommended to book a tour like the 5D4N Khao Kho private tour or a shorter 3D2N Khao Kho tour from Klook, with the itinerary all planned out for you. Getting around might be tricky if you’re unfamiliar with the area, so there’s no need to worry about navigating around if you book a private tour!
Best time to visit Khao Kho
Although there are different activities and attractions in Khao Kho at different seasons, generally travellers prefer to visit during the second half of the year! If you’re visiting Khao Kho for the view of the sea of clouds, they are the most apparent during the rainy season from July to September. Followed by November to January, you can expect it to be the coldest and which is also the bloom of sunflower fields!
You can see the spectacular sea of clouds from the high points of Khao Kho
While there are many undiscovered lookout points in Khao Kho, here are a few favourites that are guaranteed to give you breathtaking views and stunning photos.
1. Phu Thap Boek Mountain
The tallest mountain in the Phetchabun province, Phu Thap Boek is one of the top attractions of Khao Kho. At a height of 1,768 metres, visitors can enjoy cool weather all year round but the magic truly happens during the rainy season. Thick and heavy clouds engulf the hills, creating a picturesque scene you can only imagine in your dreams.
Address: Kok Sathon, Dan Sai District, Loei 42120, Thailand
2. Tanrak Talaymok
Source: tanrak.com
Source: tanrak.com
A well-known restaurant in Khao Kho, Tanrak Talaymok is a favourite not just amongst tourists but locals well. Aside from filling your tummy, the location of the restaurant allows its patrons to enjoy the view of the valley below.
With a sweeping panoramic view of misty hills, make sure you don’t neglect the restaurant’s wide garden area with well-manicured lawn and vibrant flowers. Accommodation is also available at Tanrak Talaymok for those who are keen on staying longer.
Address: JXXW+WF4, Khao Kho, Khao Kho District, Phetchabun 67270, Thailand
3. Wat Prathat Phasornkaew
It’s easy to think you’ve reached the heavens when visiting Wat Prathat Phasornkaew with it’s regal 5 sitting Buddha statues, enveloped by the thick white clouds of mist. Also known as Wat Pha Sorn Kaew, this beautiful Buddhist monastery and temple will take your breath away!
Besides the distinct, Wat Prathat Phasornkaew is also made up of a surrounding garden, preaching hall, and pagoda. Over 5 million colourful mosaic tiles and pottery shards decorate the main temple’s main pagoda as well as surrounding buildings, certainly making it a sight for sore eyes.
Address: 95 Khaem Son, Khao Kho District, Phetchabun 67280, Thailand
4. Pino Latte Resort & Cafe
Source: Pino Latte Resort & Cafe
Grab a giant orange bean bag and lounge around the outdoor lawn of Pino Latte Resort & Cafe as you soak in the cool weather. With a view of the Wat Prathat Phasornkaew in the distance and surrounding hills, this chic resort and cafe a great place to relax with a cup of coffee.
Also serving a good selection of food, pastry and drinks, it’s no wonder that Pino Latte is a favourite spot for many visitors and locals. If you can’t get enough of the view, you can even choose to stay there!
Address: Q2WR+2P Khaem Son, Khao Kho District, Phetchabun, Thailand
Things to Do in Khao Kho
While Khao Kho is more known for its view of the clouds, there are many more facets to this undiscovered town. Here are just a few of other famous attractions amongst visitors.
5. Khao Kho Wind Farm
The wind turbine power generators standing amongst a green field by paddy field at Khao Kho Wind Farm might not be the obvious choice of an attraction but is quite popular amongst visitors! Who knew that renewable energy source could be a tourist attraction, right? Depending on the season, you can also find rows of ripe strawberries lining the farmland.
Address: M2X7+QR9, Thung Samo, Khao Kho District, Phetchabun 67270, Thailand
6. King Kong Khao Kho
Located a stone's throw away from Khao Kho Wind Farm, you will find a whimsical garden with lifelike structures of King Kong and other photo ops like a giant dinosaur with it's mouth wide open, a huge bird nest embellished with flowers and even a huge mammoth. This place is King Kon Khao Kho, and it is absolute heaven for every Instagram addict!
Get your cameras ready and snap away~
Address: 2305, Khao Kho, Khao Kho District, Phetchabun 67270, Thailand
7. Khao Kho National Park
If you’re an adventure seeker or a nature lover, you certainly wouldn’t shy away from a trip to the Khao Kho National Park. Explore the best of nature with its scenic steep valleys, mountainous terrains, mysterious caves, impressive waterfalls and more.
Go for a trek through the lush forest of the national park or have a dip at the Than Thip Waterfall, with waters flowing from the rocks at 26 meters height and 30 meters width. Depending on your luck, you might also be able to spot wild animals like wild boar, common muntjac, macaques, palm civets and more.
Address: HXCH+P6 Khao Kho, Khao Kho District, Phetchabun, Thailand
8. ThaiLom (Lomsak) Walking Street
Source: tourismthailand.org
Held every Saturday from 5pm to 10pm, the Lomsak Walking Street turns into a busy night market selling everything from street to clothes, handicrafts, and more. You can walk the streets of the market or along the wooden platform by the water, both lined with stalls.
There’s also a stage for visitors to watch the occasional Thai dance performance or have fun with the music! Lit with bright lights and filled with a lively atmosphere, a holiday Thailand is incomplete without a visit to a night market.
Address: Ronnakij Rd, Tan Diao, Lom Sak District, Phetchabun 67110, Thailand
9. The Bluesky Resort
The Bluesky Resort in Khao Kho is country style living at its finest in Thailand. Fully decked out in an English countryside theme, you can expect to stroll into a resort with beautifully manicured gardes splashed with colourful blooms, as well as cottage-esque houses and other gorgeous features such as a clock tower and bubbly fountain pools adorned with statues.
Image Credit: The BlueSky Resort
There's also a restaurant within the compound that has an equally dreamy decor and setting. Also themed in a beautiful English Country style, the Bluesky Restaurant is a 250-seat restaurant open to both resort guests and visitors. While the afternoon away by sipping on a coffee and admiring the view!
Address: 96 Moo 5, T. Campson, A Khao Kho, Khao Kho District, Phetchabun 67280, Thailand
10. BONUS: Pit Stop at Sunflower Saraburi
If you are travelling between November to January, then the Sunflower Saraburi is a must-do! Frolic around golden yellow fields blooming with bright, cheery sunflowers and get your cameras ready, because you will be taking SO MANY PHOTOS!
Do note that The Sunflower Saburi farm is about a 3.5-hour drive away from Khao Kho (pit stop alert!). You can do it either on your way up from Bangkok or when you're heading back to Bangkok!
Address: QW87+P65, Chong Sarika, Phatthana Nikhom District, Lopburi 15220, Thailand
Klook your Khao Kho adventures
There are still plenty more to discover in Khao Kho than the places mentioned above. It can be tricky planning a trip to this undiscovered gem in Thailand if you don’t understand the local language since information is scarce.
Hence it’s worth it to join a 5D4N Khao Kho private tour or 3D2N tour of Khao Kho, with the itinerary all planned out for you for the full experience. You’ll even be brought to places that only the locals know how to find, like the sunflower field in a nearby town!
Choose between a car or a van for a group of 3 or 10, with hotel pick-up and drop-off in Bangkok. You can also opt for the additional service of an English-speaking or Chinese-speaking guide for an extra fee. Make sure to head to Klook to find out more about the Khao Kho tour from Bangkok!
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📆 Until 30 April 2022
