Northeast Thailand / Pak Chong
Pak Chong is a town in Nakhon Ratchasima Province, some 70km (44mi) southwest of Nakhon Ratchasima city on Highway 2 which connects Bangkok and Nakhon Ratchasima.
Accommodation
Phubet;
781/1 Ruang-Uthit Rd;
Tel 31-1979, 31-1301
49 rooms, sgl/dbl 80-160 (f)
Misuk;
75/40-1 Sukhaphiban 3 Rd,
Tel 31-1918
10 rooms, sgl/dbl 60-100 (f)
Noppharat;
138 Mu 2, Mittraphap Rd, Tel 31-1920
23 rooms, sgl/dbl 60-120 (f)
Rattanacharoen;
1162/28-29 Ruang-Uthit Rd
Tel 31-1102;
30 rooms, sgl/dbl 60-120 (f)
Suksiri;
562/7-8 Vaccination Div. Lane
Tel 31-1083;
15 rooms, sgl/dbl 60-80 (f)
Wanchai;
434/4-7 Mittraphap Rd,
Tel 31-1862
32 rooms, sgl/dbl 60-100 (f)
Yodfa;
406/2 Tambon Pak Chong Rd
18 rooms, sgl/dbl 60-100 (f)
Juldis Khao Yai Resort;
Km 17 Thanarat Rd
Tambon Mu Si;
58 rooms, sgl/dbl 1,080-2,627
Bkk Resv Tel 255-2480, 255-4960
Sports
Khao Yai Golf Course
2,980 yards, par 36 (nine holes)
Thailand’s highest course, located on a mountain amidst the jungle of the country’s largest national park where wildlife abounds. Cool air and breathtaking scenery more than compensate for the difficulty of some of the holes where the greens cannot be seen from the fairway. Nearby are a hotel (see above), bungalows and several motels operated by the Tourism Authority of Thailand. Khao Yai National Park is located some three hours northeast from Bangkok in four provinces, among them Nakhon Nayok and Nakhon Ratchasima.
However, those who want to enjoy this course probably don’t have much time left. As the Bangkok Post reported on December 5, 1991, "all tourism facilities at Khao Yai are to be demolished to preserve the popular national park for wildlife and botanical conversation." An according decision was made on December 4, 1991 by the Economic Affairs Screening Committee of the Thai government. Among the facilities affected by the decision is the golf course as well as the hotel and camping areas.
Green fees
weekdays 80 Baht
weekends 140 Baht
Caddy fee
80 Baht
Clubs for rent 200 Baht
Accommodation
380-900 Baht per person
Open
6:00-18:00
Office:
Tourism Authority of Thailand, Ratchadamnoen Nok Ave, Bangkok
Places of Interest
Khao Yai National Park
This national park on Highway 2, west of Pak Chong, has an area of 2,168sqkm (837sqmi) stretching into four provinces: Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Nayok, Saraburi, and Prachinburi. It has several mountains, two important rivers, the Lam Thakhong and Nakhon Nayok, and over 20 waterfalls. There are many rare species of fauna and flora. It has accommodation facilities, an 18 hole golf course (see above) and a tennis court. Reservations can be made through the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Bkk Tel 282-5209, 281-3041.
Lam Thakhong Dam
Construction of the dam, some 10km (6mi) east of Pak Chong and about 62km (39mi) before Nakhon Ratchasima city on Highway 2, was begun in 1964 and finished 4 years later. The lake-like reservoir has a capacity of 300,000,000cum (10,601,000,000cuft) and irrigates 38,080 hectares (95,200 acres) of rice fields.
Transportation
Bangkok - Pak Chong
All trains going from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani stop at Pak Chong. Departures at Bangkok’s Hua Lamphong Station are at 6:50 (arrival at Pak Chong 10:17), 7:15 (arr 11:55), 15:25 (arr 19:40), 18:45 (arr 22:24), 21:00 (arr 0:38), 22:45 (arr 2:36) and 23:25 (arr 4:08). Fare (excluding surcharges for rapid or express trains and aircon) is 36 Baht for 3rd class, 74 Baht for 2nd class and 146 Baht for 1st class. The rail distance is 180km.
Pak Chong - Bangkok
All trains from Ubon Ratchathani to Bangkok stop at Pak Chong. Departures from Pak Chong for Bangkok’s Hua Lamphong Station are at 1:06 (arrival in Bangkok at 4:35), 1:49 (arr 5:20), 7:32 (arr 12:00), 13:57 (arr 17:25), 15:34 (arr 19:40), 22:25 (arr 3:00) and 23:47 (arr 3:30). For fares and distance see entries under the opposite direction.
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