Khao Kho Royal Palace

Khao Kho Royal Palace is a working residence of the Thai royal family set in the cool hills of Phetchabun Province — visitors can walk the gardens and view the buildings from outside, but the interior isn’t open to the public. Entry is free, daily from 06:00 to 18:00.

The grounds sit on the elevated Khao Kho plateau, where the climate runs noticeably cooler than lowland Thailand. Manicured gardens mix tropical flowers with species that only really thrive at this altitude, laid out around the palace buildings’ Thai rooflines. Paths wind between viewpoints looking out over the surrounding mountains, and pine trees along the walkways give the air a resinous, un-tropical smell that’s part of the draw for visitors escaping the heat elsewhere in the province. There are no interior exhibition halls or museum displays here — what you’re visiting is the exterior architecture and the gardens, not a walk-through of royal rooms.

Watch out: Access closes without much notice whenever a member of the royal family is actually staying at the residence. If you’re planning a special trip out to Khao Kho specifically for the palace, it’s worth checking locally on the day rather than assuming it’ll be open.

The palace works best paired with the rest of Khao Kho’s attractions rather than as a standalone destination — it’s one stop among several on the plateau, including Khao Kho National Park and the hilltop Chedi Phra Borommasaririkkathat nearby. Roads up to the palace are sealed and manageable by car, though the route climbs steadily and switches back through the hills.

Insider Tip: Go early. Mist often sits over the plateau in the first hour or two after sunrise, and the light is softer for photos before the day’s visitors arrive.

Modest dress applies as at any royal site — shoulders and knees covered. Bring a light jacket regardless of season; the plateau’s elevation means mornings and evenings can be cool even when Phetchabun’s lowlands are baking. Because everything here is outdoor viewing, an overcast or drizzly day still works for a visit, though the mountain views open up better on clear ones.