Wang Nam Khiao

Wang Nam Khiao sits at 300 to 800 metres on the edge of the Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai forest complex, and its reputation rests on air: a widely cited assessment ranked the district's ozone-rich air among the best in the world, and whether or not that particular ranking bears close examination, the combination of forest cover, altitude and low industry gives it a genuinely different feel from the Khorat plain below. The economy has followed - organic farms, vineyards, dairy and cheese producers, cafes, resorts, and a large number of places selling agricultural tourism to weekenders from Bangkok. Farm stays and pick-your-own operations run through the cool season. The wider forest is real: this is the corridor between Khao Yai and Thap Lan, and elephants use it, with crop raiding and occasional road encounters a genuine local issue. Weekend prices and traffic are substantial from November to February.

What you actually see

• The farm belt - organic growers, vineyards, dairy and cheese producers.
• The forest edge - the corridor between Khao Yai and Thap Lan.
• The air claim - the ozone assessment the district is built around.
• The weekend economy - resorts and cafes aimed at Bangkok visitors.

When to go

November to February for the cool weather, which is the season the whole district runs on. Weekends are crowded and priced accordingly; weekdays are quiet.

Honest expectations

Heavily commercialised for weekend tourism rather than wild country. Weekend accommodation is expensive and books out. Wild elephants use the area and road encounters at night are a real hazard - drive carefully after dark.

Nearby

Khao Yai National Park is north; Thap Lan is south-east.