Khao Yai and TAT Promote Green Tourism

On October 18, the Khao Yai Tourism Association, in collaboration with the Ban Tha Maprang–Khlong Phle Community and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), organized a green tourism activity at TAT ECO Park, Pak Chong District, Nakhon Ratchasima.

Under the concept “Healing is the New Luxury,” the initiative promotes eco-tourism and highlights three of Nakhon Ratchasima’s UNESCO heritage sites — the Dong Phayayen–Khao Yai Forest Complex, the Sakaerat Biosphere Reserve, and the Khorat Geopark — positioning Khao Yai as a gateway for global travelers to the Isan region.

Mrs. Chiravadee Khunsub, Deputy Governor for Europe, the Americas, the Middle East and Africa at the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), explained that the activity was held on TAT-owned land in cooperation with the local community to create tourism opportunities that generate income for residents.

She noted that Khao Yai’s international visitors have traditionally been niche groups such as backpackers and soft-adventure travelers drawn to its rich natural diversity—jungle treks, wildlife watching, and nature trails. Now, as community-based tourism grows, locals are integrating their culture into the experience, further strengthening Khao Yai’s appeal to global markets.

“Most visitors to Khao Yai come from Europe,” she added, “but travelers from the Middle East, who love the lush greenery during the rainy season, are also an important segment. In truth, Thailand’s rainy season is incredibly beautiful—especially in Khao Yai, where the fresh air, wildflowers, and biodiversity offer a unique form of relaxation and learning. Today’s travelers seek more than beaches; they value fresh air, tranquility, and slow-life experiences that heal the mind and body.”

For long-haul markets such as Europe and the Americas, Khao Yai’s key selling points lie in Nakhon Ratchasima’s three UNESCO-recognized heritage sites — the Dong Phayayen–Khao Yai Forest Complex, the Sakaerat Biosphere Reserve, and the Khorat Geopark. These sites together form the province’s strongest tourism assets.

Mrs. Chiravadee Khunsub added that attaining UNESCO status is never easy; it requires continuous storytelling to add value and meaning. For international travelers, the main attractions remain nature, forest richness, culture, and historical landmarks, while lifestyle and culinary experiences tend to resonate more with domestic visitors.

Mrs. Chiravadee Khunsub emphasized that Khao Yai holds immense potential, but its growth must remain focused on quality and a clear identity. This aligns with TAT’s new marketing direction — “Healing is the New Luxury.”

“Healing,” she explained, “isn’t limited to wellness tourism. It can simply mean breathing clean air that refreshes the lungs and mind. Urban travelers today are seeking nature, and Khao Yai — with its pristine forests and diverse learning opportunities — perfectly embodies that need.”

Ms. Panchana Vatanasathien, President of the Khao Yai Tourism Association, stated that Khao Yai, as a UNESCO World Heritage site, is rich in biodiversity, wildlife, and paleontological significance. The area also features the Petrified Wood Museum and the Khorat Geopark, which together represent valuable assets for sustainable tourism development.

She emphasized the goal of increasing international arrivals, encouraging longer stays, and generating more income for local communities—particularly among eco-conscious travelers. Ms. Panchana described the Isan region as a “hidden gem” still waiting to be fully discovered, noting that only about 100,000 of Khao Yai’s two million annual visitors are international tourists.

“As we don’t have beaches,” she said, “our strength lies in creating high-value experiences for niche travelers. The global green trend is clear, and promoting well-being through nature and a healthy environment will continue to drive Khao Yai’s sustainable growth.”

Ms. Panchana Vatanasathien added that Khao Yai is a place where people come to restore both body and mind — a destination built on the concept “Quiet is Luxury.”

“This phrase isn’t about wealth,” she explained, “but about the equal opportunity to access green spaces. It represents inclusivity — where everyone can enjoy nature regardless of background. In Japan, hiking in the forest can be expensive, but in Khao Yai, Thai visitors can enter for just 40 baht. That’s affordable well-being at its best.”

Khao Yai, she noted, offers accommodations for every lifestyle — from 150-baht camping sites to luxury pool villas — and is now integrating astronomy tourism as a new niche attraction to encourage longer stays.

She also praised the Ban Tha Maprang–Khlong Phle Community as a model of grassroots strength. Local residents share a collective mindset of protecting the environment for future generations. With deep agricultural roots, the community promotes chemical-free farming and creates products inspired by what they love — not for profit alone, but as a way to give back to the land that sustains them.

“Everyone here understands that we benefit from Khao Yai,” she said. “That’s why we take care of it — so it remains rich and sustainable for generations to come.”

Mr. Thanwa Chieopanich, representing the Ban Tha Maprang–Khlong Phle Community, shared that the area, which lies along the Lam Takhong River — one of its headwaters — first began developing community-based tourism with TAT’s support. However, the initiative was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic and has now been revived this year through the “Detox the Lungs, Embrace Khao Yai” project.

The two-hour program, priced at 750 baht per person for groups of four, takes visitors on a cycling journey through the community — listening to local stories, paying respect to a revered Buddha image, visiting fruit orchards to taste seasonal produce like mangoes, guavas, longans, langsats, and durians. Guests can also stop by vegetable farms, collect free-range eggs to take home, and end the trip at the riverside with a relaxing foot soak and a hands-on creative activity such as making postcards to capture their impressions, which the community later mails after the paint dries.

The Ban Tha Maprang–Khlong Phle Community is also preparing to launch a short eco-trail in collaboration with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). Scheduled to open in mid-November, the 1.5-hour day trip will accommodate groups of around 15 people.

The trail takes visitors through a small forest to explore local ecosystems across five learning stations, featuring fun activities like a nature bingo game. The experience also includes elements of forest bathing, with quiet resting spots for mindfulness and connection with nature — ideal for families and friends seeking a refreshing, slow-paced getaway.

Those interested can follow updates on the community’s Facebook page: “Ban Tha Maprang–Khlong Phle Community-Based Tourism.”

Mr. Thanwa Chieopanich added that simply being surrounded by nature and breathing in the fresh air already brings relaxation. The community’s activities are mostly hands-on experiences, such as making natural air fresheners from kaffir lime and pandan leaves. “It may seem simple,” he said, “but during the process, visitors become fully focused — it’s a form of mindfulness. You forget your worries for a while, and when it’s done, you can hang it in your car. The natural aroma of pandan and lime brings a soothing sense of calm.”

He also shared that today’s joint activity with the TAT team was making Bua Loy (Thai sweet rice dumplings), symbolizing the diversity of nature through color — purple from butterfly pea flowers, orange from carrots, yellow from pumpkin, and green from pandan.

“These colors reflect the fertility of our land,” he explained. “We have good soil, good air, and good water here in Ban Tha Maprang–Khlong Phle.” For visiting groups, the community often adds a fun, creative twist — such as shaping the colorful dough into imaginative forms — all led by local residents who love sharing their stories with visitors.

The community also offers a unique local snack — its signature treat called “Kluay Phi Duan” (Brother Duan’s Bananas).

Who is Brother Duan? He’s a well-known Khao Yai elephant with a missing tail, famous among locals for his playful and mischievous nature. He earned his nickname after losing part of his tail during a fight with another elephant.

“Brother Duan often walks down from the mountain and passes through our community,” Mr. Thanwa shared. “There are several elephants that visit, but he’s the one who comes most often. Sometimes he pulls down entire banana clumps, eats only the soft stalk, and leaves the ripe bananas behind. We decided to make use of what he left — turning them into crispy banana chips named Kluay Phi Duan. It’s our way of turning a story of coexistence between people and elephants into a signature local product.”

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