My ride into Khao Yai National Park
A hitchhike expedition to Khao Yai National Park in Thailand taught me that although it may not be the preferred mode of transportation it is an option as a last resort. Lonely Planet gave impeccable directions to the park’s gate and was for the most part super dependable. It amazed me how accurate the guide was.
I got to the park gate and paid my admission to the guy who worked the entrance. I asked where the ranger station was and the campground. He said it was 13km. What? The guide did not mention that. I asked him how to get there and he said either walk or hitchhike. What? As an American the danger of a conversation with a stranger had been instilled since childhood and to hitchhike was completely out of the question.
I started to walk and the road went straight up a large hill and the road looked like it would to continue to ascend. I had a full backpack on and Khao Yai is home to 30 wild tigers. I weighed the odds. I could either walk 13km straight up a hill with a backpack full of my personal gear plus a month load of souvenirs picked up along the way through wild tiger country and it was getting dark or I could stick out my thumb.
My new friends
The decision was easy and my thumb was soon extended. The first truck whizzed by me at 60kmh. I began to doubt the success of this venture, so I soon accepted the fact that I would have to walk 13km straight uphill through tiger country while darkness approached. Another truck started to fly by and again I stuck my thumb out. This time they pulled over and a group of young Thai men with big grins on their faces motioned for me to join them. They looked harmless enough, so I moved forward. They grabbed my backpack and helped me in.
They asked where I was from and when I told them I was from Chicago they started yelling Scottie Pippen, Michael Jordan, Dennis Rodman. I asked them where they were headed in the park and asked if they could take me to the campground. I was a little stressed about my final destination, but they laughed and told me not to worry.
We arrived at the park and they invited me to camp with them. We pulled into a large gravel parking lot surrounded by jungle. Monkeys strolled around the edges of the campground and millions of butterflies floated around the trees. They started to collect money for the campground. I opened my wallet and asked how much. They refused my money and Kek, the best English speaker and the group appointed main communicator with me smiled and replied “for you it is free.” This was to turn into a favorite phrase of his.
Where the guide ends at Khao Yai National Park
When in Thailand and the directions for the campground end 13km short of the destination do not fret. Instead of walking 13km uphill with a full backpack in tiger country and in the dark like any grandfather’s story would begin, just stick out your thumb.
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Comments
Great story - and I love the unsolicited testimonials.
You take the most interesting trips!
I have some questions: do you ever work? how do you afford all of these trips? where haven't you been? great articles!
I saw hitchhiking in Thailand and was immediately intrigued...
Sounds like you were lucky you didn't encounter a tiger and get mauled.
the last time i hitchhiked i was in college. the driver was very nice but a little weird. he wanted to take me to the movies but i declined. while getting out of the car, i noticed a blond wig in the back. i never did it again.
Now THAT'S an adventure, Ted! ;-) Fun story... you're always good for a smile or three!
Great article....too funny, I have the same question as Marc - where haven't you been? Great minds think alike ;>
Loved this piece...you made me smile, as I've had similar encounters with friendly Thais who are always willing to help out the lonely foreign traveler in need. And it's amazing how well they know their American pop culture, eh? Glad you made it safely to camp without getting eaten by a tiger. :-)
Ted, your sense of humor must endear you to so many people on your travels. It is so true that we do things when traveling which seem strange at home. I've hitch hiked on small islands in the Pacific, jumping into the back of a truck bed and holding on, which I can't image doing in the US.
Wow- Hitch hiking! It sounds like it went amazingly wonderful! Kuddos on the story, but even more so on the success that you had in hitching a ride, and finding joy in it. Awesome, truly.
Thailand is one of the safest countries in the world, so I'm not surprised you had fun hitchhiking :-) And sooooo many Thai guys are the nicest people in the world, I have tons of Thai male friends because they're so 'harmless' :-) and great fun to hang out with. Very protective of women too!
"For you, it is free." I have to teach that line to all of my friends. Great story. Ted has definitely amounted to something.
Loved this story and admire your courage. I don't think I could brave the tigers or the hitch hiking!
Hitchhiking is a necessity in parts of SE Asia, so you have to temporarily forget about stranger danger and hope for the best!
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