I am planning a cycling trip in Khao Yai National Park but am uncertain how to get my bicycle there

Most long distance trains have freight carriages where you can load your bicycle. Any trains heading to the northeastern or eastern regions of Thailand pass the entrance to Khao Yai National Park. There are two entrances to the park, one from Nakhon Ratchasima province’s Pak Chong railway station, the other one from Prachin Buri railway station in Prachin Buri province. The fee for both you and the bike will not exceed Bt100 each way. 

If you get off at Pak Chong Railway Station, you will need to cycle for around 40 kilometres to enter the National Park area, along flat terrain for 25 kilometres and uphill along a steep gradient for 15km. If you get off in Prachin Buri side, it’s 50 kilometres but the climb is not so steep.

If you don’t want to cycle from the station to the National Park, local buses will take you from Pak Chong Market to the park entrance. The first bus leaves the market at around 6am and the last one departs at 5pm. These buses could be crowded and thus may not have adequate space for your bike. It’s possible to charter a pick-up bus from the station and the cost is between Bt800-1,000.

If a local bus drops you at the park entrance, and you still have enough energy, simply cycle the 10km uphill to the park’s visitor centre and bungalows. Many amateur cyclists have difficulties on this stretch, but if you are a pro, it should be smooth sailing. If you are not into uphill cycling, try hitchhiking: you should get a lift from a park ranger or some tourists. Once you are up there, you can enjoy leisurely cycling in the scenic Khao Yai National Park.

 

I am looking to join a professional traditional Thai massage course while in Bangkok. I want a proper certificate from the course so that I can use my skills in the US. Where’s the best place to go? Lisa

The best place to learn the art of Thai massage is Wat Pho’s Thai Traditional Medical School, located just south of the Grand Palace. A few years back, students could only choose body massage or foot massage. Today, Wat Pho offers a variety of courses ranging from general massage, foot massage, oil massage and aromatherapy to infant and child massage and facial massage. If you are a beginner, the 30-hour general body massage is your best bet. This covers traditional therapy, healing based on kneading, flexing and rubbing the body with correct postures and techniques. You need to do it five consecutive days from 9am to 4pm and the fee is now Bt9,500.

For more in-depth knowledge, you can opt for a 60-hour Thai Medical Massage course, and the fee is Bt14,000. Students can build up knowledge to the next level of Professional Thai Massage for Health, which is a 165-hour resident course at Salaya campus in Nakhon Pathom . Then if you get serious about massage, the highest level of all is the 200-hour Professional Thai Massage Therapy, a five-week course offered to students every three months.