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How to Have the Best Off-the-Grid Weekend Getaway in Chaiyaphum

| Last Updated: July 2024

If you haven’t heard about Chaiyaphum before, we can’t really blame you. Unlike Phuket or Krabi, it doesn’t have pristine white-sand beaches most tourists go for in Thailand. 

But my, if you have a soft spot for scenic natural beauty, Chaiyaphum is the place to be! 

Part of the Isaan region, Chaiyaphum is the perfect weekend getaway where you can chase waterfalls and get lost in wildflower fields (seriously, they’re insane in June!). Plus, you can snag tasty eats at the night markets.

Added to all that, Chaiyaphum also plays a central role in Thailand’s history. Intrigued yet? Well, allow us to walk you through all you need to know to get your off-the-grid dream weekend vacation going. Let’s get started!

Things to Know

Currency: Thai Baht
(Check the current exchange rate)

Language: Isan, Thai (Central Thai)

Calling Code: (+66)

The Best Time to Visit Chaiyaphum

The best time to visit Chaiyaphum is between late November and mid-February. During this time, the province enjoys low average temperatures and rain chances which is great for outdoor activities.

This lets you go all out and explore Chaiyaphum from morning to night. However, you can also swing by during the rainy season, especially for the waterfalls, foggy forests, and Siam tulip blooms.

How to Get to Chaiyaphum from Bangkok

Bus: A great way to get to Chaiyaphum is to board a Nakhonchai Air or Thian Chai Air bus at the Mochit Bus Terminal. It’s also the cheapest option available and the bus trip will take approximately 5 hours.

Train: Board a train bound for Ban Lueam in Nakhon Ratchasima. Only two trains depart Krung Aphiwat Central Terminal daily, so be sure to book a ticket ahead of time.

You’ll need to catch a taxi to Chaiyaphum’s town center once you’re in Ban Lueam. The entire trip should take between 5 and 6 hours.

Taxi: You can also get to Chaiyaphum via taxi from Bangkok. This is slightly faster than other public transportation options, but it’s a lot more expensive so it’s not ideal.

We only recommend this if you miss the buses and trains in Bangkok. 

Rental Car: Another alternative is to drive a rental car from Bangkok to Chaiyaphum. However, you’ll need a driver’s license and an International Driving Permit to rent a car.

From Bangkok, drive north via Highway 1 and switch to Highway 2 once you reach Saraburi. Continue driving northeast and switch to Special Highway 6 in Sai Thong.

Exit the northern toll booth in Sikhio District that leads to Highway 201. Drive north along this highway until you reach Chaiyaphum Town.

Where to Stay in Chaiyaphum

Hop Inn Chaiyaphum

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Address: 337/10 Gor, Non Muang Road, Nai Mueang

Operating Hours: 2 p.m. (Check-in) & 12 p.m. (Check-out)

Contact Number: +66 2 659 2899

Website: https://www.hopinnhotel.com/th/our-hotels/hop-inn-chaiyaphum

Pricing: ฿

Hop Inn Chaiyaphum is a popular chained-brand hotel known for its clean, comfy minimalist rooms and affordable pricing. It’s a great budget option if you plan to stay in town for several days.

Plus, this hotel is directly in the town center, so you have quick access to the most popular local haunts. They don’t offer breakfast options but we like that there are numerous restaurants nearby.

The Scenic Resort

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Address: 345 Moo 6, Watabaek, Thep Sathit District

Operating Hours: 1 p.m. (Check-in) & 12 p.m. (Check-out)

Contact Number: +66 32 899 998

Website: https://www.facebook.com/TheScenic.H

Pricing: ฿฿

If you’re looking for the ultimate hideaway in Chaiyaphum, The Scenic Resort is the perfect choice. This place is tucked away in Thep Sathit District’s quiet and hilly neighborhood which is great if you like to avoid huge tourist crowds.

It’s also surrounded by vast hilltops, lush forests, and mountains, so you’ll wake up to awe-inspiring scenery every day. They also have numerous outdoor wooden lounges and benches if you want to soak in the stunning scenery with your boo.

Their rooms and private villas are built using hardwood, so expect beautiful rustic interiors and exteriors. Plus, they’re spacious and equipped with all the amenities you’ll need.

Lertnimit Hotel Chaiyaphum

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Address: 447 Niwetrat Road, Nai Mueang Subdistrict

Operating Hours: 2 p.m. (Check-in) & 12 p.m. (Check-out)

Contact Number: +66 44 811 522

Website: https://lnmhotel.com/

Pricing: ฿

Lertnimit Hotel Chaiyaphum is an excellent choice if you like a strategic place within the town center. It’s beside one of the town’s largest roads, so you’re within easy reach of numerous restaurants, shops, and local attractions.

They also offer sizable functional rooms with modern interiors and basic amenities. Or you can go for a suite with a minibar, an added living room, and coffee and tea-making facilities.

Their rooms also have private balconies with an excellent view of the surrounding road and streets. It also has an airy restaurant serving a wide range of International cuisine.

Where to Eat in Chaiyaphum

Lakeside Coffee & Cuisine

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Address: 105/16 Moo 6, Nai Mueang Subdistrict

Operating Hours: 5 a.m. – 11 p.m. (Daily)

Contact Number: +66 81 265 6618

Website: https://www.facebook.com/p/Lake-Side-Coffee-Cuisine-100063650076080/

Pricing: ฿฿

Lakeside Coffee & Cuisine is perfect for family dinners and date nights. Its alfresco dining area is next to Ta Dam Lake and offers a dramatic lake view, especially during sunset.

Foodwise, they serve a great selection of Thai dishes for reasonable prices. Their food portions are also big, so you’re getting your money’s worth.

Our favorite is their classic tom yum goong. The shrimp tasted fresh and the broth’s seasoning was spot on.

Mata Cuisine

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Address: 311/8 Moo 15, Chaiyaphum-Kaeng Khro Road, Nai Muang Subdistrict

Operating Hours: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. (Daily)

Contact Number: +66 93 448 2999

Website: https://www.facebook.com/MATACuisine/

Pricing: ฿ – ฿฿

Mata Cuisine is a classy restaurant with elegant brick wall interiors and soft lighting, perfect for important dinners and romantic dates. For a more private experience, you can also book one of their air-conditioned VIP rooms. 

There’s also an alfresco dining area for guests who prefer a more natural atmosphere. But that’s not all—Mata doesn’t mess around when it comes to its food either.

It has an expansive menu offering Thai, Chinese, and Western dishes. But our all-time favorite is the crab curry with betel leaves. This dish uses soft-shell crabs and features a nice mellow broth. 

Saya Cafe & Restaurant

Media from saya_cafe_restaurant

Address: 54/5 Moo 8 Ban Khlong Riang Nai Mueang

Operating Hours: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. (Tuesday – Sunday)

Contact Number: +66 81 918 4640

Website: https://www.facebook.com/SAYA.cafe.restaurant/

Pricing: ฿ – ฿฿

Saya Cafe & Restaurant is a gorgeous food spot with a forest-themed rustic interior and exterior. The venue has numerous potted plants, hanging ferns, and blackwood motifs which extend to their alfresco garden dining area.

Mysterious atmosphere aside, they serve various Thai and Western dishes. But the foodies on our team particularly like their T-bone steak, especially for its reasonable pricing.

It comes with their signature steak sauce and a bunch of fruit slices. They also make excellent coffee, so be sure to get one.

What to See and Do in Chaiyaphum

Check out Moh Hin Khao’s rock formations

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Address: Tha Hin Ngom, Huai Ton Subdistrict

Operating Hours: 6 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Daily)

Contact Number: +66 93 093 9193

Website: https://www.facebook.com/PhulaenkhaNationalpark

Moh Hin Khao, also known as The Stonehenge of Thailand, is one of Chaiyaphum’s most picturesque attractions, so it’s definitely a look if you like to take travel photos. It’s also off the beaten path which is great if you want to avoid touristy areas.

Though its 4 freestanding eroded limestone karsts are massive, they don’t form a pattern so they’re certainly not comparable to the real Stonehenge. Still, they look impressive and will make great subjects for postcard-perfect photos.

See the Khmer ruins in Prang Ku Chaiyaphum

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Address: Nai Mueang Subdistrict

Operating Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Daily)

Prang Ku Chaiyaphum is an important historical site so it’s popular among history buffs. It features the ruins of a Khmer-style temple that served as a center for traditional Thai medicine in the past.

There’s not much information on-site, so be sure to bring a local guide to learn about the temple in great detail. Otherwise, it’s good for sightseeing, especially if you only want to kill time.

Explore Pa Hin Ngam National Park

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Address: Moo 9, Ban Rai, Thep Sathit District

Operating Hours: 6 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Daily)

Contact Number: +66 44 056 141

Website: https://www.facebook.com/PaHinNgamnationnalpark?mibextid=ZbWKwL

Admission Costs: 200 baht (Adults), 100 Baht (Kids)

Pa Hin Ngam National Park is a nature reserve that avid hikers and campers frequent in Chaiyaphum. It boasts numerous stunning rock formations, hiking trails, and lush tree forests.

This park is particularly famous for its mystical-looking tree forest which is covered with thick fog every morning and its uniquely shaped rock formations. 

It’s also filled with beautiful pink Siam tulips which bloom during the rainy season. That’s why it’s more popular during this season, especially since the fog is thicker. 

Hike to Tat Ton Waterfall

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Address: Tat Ton National Park, Na Fai

Operating Hours: 8 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. (Daily)

Contact Number: +66 44 104 002

Website: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100067676580294

Admission Costs: 200 baht (Adults), 100 Baht (Kids)

This waterfall in Tat Ton National Park is a fan favorite, so don’t miss it when you’re in Chaiyaphum. It’s particularly famous among local families, so expect to see a lot of picnickers during weekends.

Our team also liked taking a dip in its cool and gentle stream. In fact, many people come here to cool down during the dry season.

Still, it’s best to visit during the rainy season for its stronger stream and more impressive-looking cascade. This place has various food stalls and bathroom facilities, so you can stay the entire day.

Admire the natural sights in Sai Thong National Park

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Address: 81 Moo 10, Public Works Road, Wang Takhe, Nong Bua Rawe District

Operating Hours: 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Daily)

Contact Number: +66 89 282 3437

Website: https://www.facebook.com/SaithongOfficial/?mibextid=ZbWKwL

Admission Costs: 200 baht (Adults), 100 Baht (Kids)

Sai Thong National Park is a well-known sanctuary for nature lovers who frequent Chaiyaphum.  This place is packed with beautiful natural sights and stunning wildflowers!

It’s actually the Krachiao Flower Field that’s most visited from June to August. This vast flower field is full of vibrant Siam tulips, scenic viewpoints, lush mountainscapes, hiking trails, and a stunning waterfall. 

There’s also a campsite if you want to enjoy nature’s company from sunup to sundown.

Enjoy a relaxing day at Thap Lao Spring

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Address: Huai Yang, Khon San District

Operating Hours: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Daily)

If you’re looking for a great place to cool down, Chaiyaphum’s Thap Lao Spring is a solid option. This arboretum is a local haunt, so expect to see many local families who frequent it during weekends.

It has several natural pools surrounded by scores of large trees. In fact, you’ll see massive tree roots along the pool edge enjoying the cool water as well.

Plus, you get to swim with the friendly fish there. Be sure to visit during the weekdays to avoid the huge weekend crowds.

Stroll around Wat Phrathat Nong Sam Muen

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Address: Ban Kaeng, Phu Khiao District

Operating Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Daily)

Wat Phrathat Nong Sam Muen is a tranquil Buddhist temple that’s great for pleasant strolls. It also has numerous Buddha images, shrines, a lake, and a garden, so it’s perfect for sightseeing and taking photos.

Its biggest draw is the ancient pagoda that enshrines Buddha relics. The pagoda’s unique architecture combines Ayutthaya, Lanna, and Lanchang styles.

Local worshippers frequent this temple to pray and pay their respects to this pagoda.

Soak in the scenery at Chula Bhorn Dam

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Address: Khon San District

Operating Hours: 6 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Daily)

Contact Number: +66 43 384 969

Chula Bhorn Dam is one of the more scenic locations in Chaiyaphum. This reservoir offers a stunning view of the Phrom River and its surrounding hilltops and forests.

You’ll also find many colorful flowerbeds in the area, so be sure to walk around. There are numerous restaurants and cafes as well, perfect for family outings.

Visit Wat Khao Ta Ngo Udomporn

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Address: Nong Bua Rawe, Nong Bua Rawe District

Operating Hours: 24/7

Contact Number: +66 93 393 3131

Website: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077566069137

Wat Khao Ta Ngo Udomporn is an elegant temple with ornate interiors, and it’s definitely worth checking since it’s an important monk temple in Chaiyaphum. It has a spacious wihan and ubosot with numerous Buddha images, wall paintings, and intricate carvings.

Most people frequent the temple to pay their respects to the head monk, but you can also come by to look around or watch the monk ceremonies. It’s important to wear modest clothing when you visit this temple.

Pig out at the Chaiyaphum Night Bazaar 

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Address: Ongkan Sai 2, Nai Mueang

Operating Hours: 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. (Daily)

Chaiyaphum Night Bazaar is a lively street market packed with local food vendors. In fact, this place is our go-to for foodie adventures whenever our team is in town.

Here, you have plenty of food options, from traditional Thai street food to burgers,  vegetarian wraps, and sandwiches. Our health-conscious staffers particularly adore the salad stall aptly called “Salad Salad.”

It has a great selection of fresh salads, salad rolls, sandwiches, and fruit juices.

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