The Kingdom of Thailand is a vacationer’s paradise. Situated in the Southeast Asian Continent, this country has been nature’s favorite child. From romantic pink beaches to ferocious fire-spitting volcanoes, what does Thailand not have?
Thailand’s lap of nature is filled with destinations that look like they are straight from a fairyland. It’s historic temples, magnificent palaces, beaches and coral reefs along with its mouth-watering cuisine, and massages, it makes an excellent choice for any kind of holiday.
Thailand is not only famous for these but also has some natural treasures called the Waterfalls! Their white cascading water amidst some of nature’s best landscapes and the soothing effect it has on our body is one of the heavenly feelings ever.
Below is a handpicked list of Thailand waterfalls. These spots are not to be missed!
1. Erawan Waterfall, Kanchanaburi:
The largest and most attractive waterfall in Thailand, Erawan waterfalls in the Erawan National Park has a mystical beauty. This Erawan National Park is one of the best breathtaking national parks in Thailand. This fall is named after Erawan, the 3 headed white elephant deity in Hindu Mythology.
A 7 tiered waterfall, where each tier is unique featuring colorful pools you will find it exciting. The first two tiers are easily approachable but as you go higher to the other levels the climb is arduous. This Kanchanaburi Waterfalls rushes down the hillside past trees and creates pools downstream where you can dip in the cool waters. The final falls have a rock formation that looks similar to 3 elephant trunks when the water flows.
Location: Moo 4 Tha Kradan, Erawan National Park 71250 Thailand
How to reach:
- By bus – Takes 2 hrs from Kanchanaburi bus station to Srinakarin market and 1 km by walk to the falls – Single trip costs INR 120
- By taxi – round trip costs around INR 2880
Best time to visit: September to December
2. Mae Ya Waterfall, Chiang Mai:
The biggest and the most beautiful waterfall in Thailand is situated in Doi Inthanon National Park. With a height of 260 meters, this huge waterfall flows down through layers and layers of rocks on the slopes of the mountain.
Mae Ya Waterfall has 30 levels of falls and is surrounded by forest and is a photographer’s delight. The waterfall can be approached on foot. You can even bathe in the waters downstream. Being one of the Best waterfalls in Chiang Mai province, this place is always crowded. Hence plan your trip in a way that you reach the place early in the morning to capture that instagrammable photo.
Location: Ban Luang Chom Thong Chiang Mai 50160
How to reach: Taxi – around 2 hrs from Chiang Mai city and walk 500 meters to reach the falls
Best time to visit: June to October
3. Khlong Lan Waterfall, Kamphaeng Phet:
One of the top waterfalls in Thailand, the Khlong lan waterfall is located in the Khlong Lan National Park which is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The 100-meter tall waterfall is surrounded by forest and has the majestic mountain for a backdrop. The waterfall flows from 5 creeks in the mountain and drops down limestone cliffs to form pools beneath where you can swim. There is a path close to the fall and is lined with trees around which colorful clothes are tied by devotees. There is also a viewpoint from where you can get a picturesque view of this beautiful waterfall.
Location: Tambon Khlong Lan Phatthana, Amphoe Khlong Lan, Khlong Lan , Thailand
How to reach: 4 km from the Khlong Lan market. Can be reached by bus, taxi, motorcycles.
Best time to visit: December to late April
4. Koh Luang Waterfall, Lamphun:
One of the must-see places in Thailand, the beautiful Koh Luang Waterfall is a 7 tier waterfall.
Located in Mae Ping National Park, this beautiful Thailand waterfall can be reached by car from the entrance of the national park. The water flows from the lime caves nearby and you can explore the forest with its diverse fauna and flora too. The limestone caves have natural stalactites and stalagmites formation which makes for interesting exploration and some amazing photographs.
Location: Tambon Ko, Amphoe Li, Chang Wat Lamphun, Thailand
How to reach: less than 1 hr by car from Chiang Mai and a short walk to the falls
Best time to visit: November to February
5. Soi Sawan Waterfall, Ubon Ratchathani:
Literally meaning Waterfall Paradise, Soi Sawan Waterfall falls down a 20-meter cliff and forms pools in a number of holes in the rocks below giving a look of bathtubs where you can bathe. This gives a feeling of a jacuzzi.
Just before the cliff 2 streams join together at the end to form a necklace, hence this waterfall is also called “Necklace Waterfalls”. The water flows all year round and hence a place that can be visited all through the year.
Location: Na Pho Klang, Khong Chiam District, Ubon Ratchathani 34220
How to reach: by taxi from the city and a walk of 500 m to reach the fall
Best time to visit: June to October
6. Haew SuWat Waterfall, Khao Yai:
Haew SuWat Waterfall is one of the best waterfalls in Thailand. Featured in the movie “The Beach” this beautiful limestone waterfall falls from a cliff and forms ponds below where you can play and relax in the cool water.
Popular among the locals as well as the tourists, this beautiful Thailand waterfall splits into two segments and plunges down to form a pool below. The pool can be reached by walking down more than 100 steps and the view from the bottom is breathtaking and the adventurous can even visit the cave near the falls. It is located in the Khao Yai National Park, one of the best camping places in Thailand. There is a platform from where you can admire the waterfall, its surroundings, and a cave behind the falls to explore.
Location: Mu Si, Pak Chong District, Nakhon Ratchasima 30130, Thailand
How to reach: drive 31 km from Pak Chong to the Khao Yai National Park and from there it is around 30- 40 m to the falls and can be reached by getting down around 100+ stairs
Best time to visit: June to October
7. Ton Nga Chang, Hat Yai:
Called as ‘Elephant Tusk Falls’, Ton Nga Chang Waterfall is one of the main tourist attractions in Thailand which should not be missed.
The waterfalls have 7 levels and the most beautiful level is the 3rd level where the stream splits into 2 resembling a pair of elephant’s tusks. To reach this Thailand waterfall one has to walk through the trails. During the course of the hike, you will get to see some rare flora and fauna and enjoy the scenic beauty of the place. You can even sit on the rocks and enjoy nature at its best.
Location: Thung Tam Sao, Hat Yai District, Songkhla 90110
How to reach: half an hour drive from the city center and hiking up 7 levels
Best time to visit: October to December
8. Saeng Chan Waterfall, Ubon Ratchathani:
One of the gorgeous Thailand waterfalls, Saeng Chang Waterfall flows down the face of the cliff through a small hole in the rock and when the sun shines at noon, the cascading water will look like a full moon shining bright in the sky.
Saeng Chang locally means Moonlight and this unique waterfall at Ubon Ratchathani proves why it is named so. One of the must-do things is to visit this waterfall between 11 and 12 in the afternoon when the sun shines brightly to capture the view in all its glory.
Location: Na Pho Klang, Khong Chiam District, Ubon Ratchathani 34220
How to reach: hire a car to reach the fall which is around 40kms from Khong Chiam
Best time to visit: June to October
9. Thi Lo Su Waterfall:
A UNESCO World Heritage site, Thi Lor Su is one of the biggest waterfalls in Thailand and is situated in the Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary.
Surrounded by nature, this limestone waterfall has 3 tiers, and water at each level flows over a wide rock face and falls from a great height to form pools beneath. You can relax or swim in the pools and admire the blissful nature. You can also go on a rubber boat trip or view caves. Worth a visit especially during the rainy season when the water flows in full spate and roars down through the creeks making it one of the most attractive destinations for tourists.
Location: Umphang, Tak
How to reach: by private vehicles till Umphang and pickups for further 20 km to reach the falls
Best time to visit: November to February
10. Pha Dok Seaw Waterfall, Chiang Mai:
One of the best waterfalls of Thailand, it is known as the Hidden Waterfall, it is situated halfway up the mountain and hidden deep in the forest of the Doi Inthanon Park and can be reached only by foot. You have to trek in order to reach the waterfall. However, on the way, you will come across some breathtaking views. You have to cross a bamboo bridge to go past the waterfall. The water flows on the rocky mountains and plunges down giving a breathtaking view.
Visiting this waterfall is one of the best things to do in Chiang Mai.
Location:Ban Luang, Chom Thong District, Chiang Mai 50160
How to reach: 1 and a half hrs from Chiang Mai to Doi Inthanon and trek to the falls
Best time to visit: November to May
11. Sai Yok Noi Waterfall, Kanchanaburi:
Among the most famous Kanchanaburi waterfalls, the Sai Yok Noi Waterfall or Namtok Khao Pung as is known locally attracts a lot of tourists all through the year.
Khao Pung means crumbled mountain. The water flows from the top of the mountain down a 15-meter high limestone cliff, flows freely on the slopes, through the trees, on the rocks, and finally into a pool at the bottom. A place for nature lovers who can enjoy the ambiance and the breathtaking beauty of the place.
Location: Tha Sao, Sai Yok District, Kanchanaburi 71150
How to reach: appro. 60 km from the town can be reached by bus, train or motorbike
Best time to visit: August to October
12. Karom Waterfall, Nakhon Si Thammarat:
Being a very popular Thailand waterfall, Karom Waterfall has 19 levels. However, only 7 levels are open to tourists. The 7th level called “Nan Dat Fa’ is supposed to be the most beautiful. This waterfall was the favorite of Thai kings and other royal members who would visit this place often for its serene atmosphere. The initials or “cyphers” of 2 royal kings can be seen on the rocks.
Standing on a high cliff you can see the water flowing down into two lines. During the rainy season, the streams overflow the cliff and it is a marvelous sight to behold.
Location: Khao Kaeo, Lan Saka District, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80230
How to reach: take minibus or bus from Lan Saka and walk 3 km to the falls
Best time to visit: November to February
13. Krung Ching Waterfall, Nakhon Si Thammarat:
Located in the Khao Luang National Park, Krung Ching Waterfall is one of the spectacular waterfalls in Thailand. This amazing Thailand waterfall has 7 tiers and is formed by Khlong Kung Ching flowing freely through the valleys and rocks and cascading down to form a breathtaking beauty.
The 2nd tier called “Nang Fon San Ha’ is supposed to be the most beautiful and was featured on the 1000 Baht currency of Thailand. There is a wooden platform on the 7th pier from where you can capture the scenic beauty of the falls and the rainforest. With a multitude of species of plants, animals, and birds.
Location: Krung Ching, Nopphitam District, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160
How to reach: private vehicle from Nakhon to travel 70 km from the town
Best time to visit: December to May
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14. Nang Rong Waterfall, Nakhon Nayok:
Part of the Khao Yai National Park, this 3 tiered waterfall plunges down the rocks and flows into the forests. This is the only Thailand waterfall where cold water sprouts from in between the rocks forming a cold water fountain.
The waterfall has 3 levels and after each level, there is a beautiful pool where you can immerse yourself in the cool water away from the tropical heat and enjoy the surroundings filled with greenery.
Location: Hin Tung, Mueang Nakhon Nayok District, Nakhon Nayok 26000
How to reach: by taxi – 19 km from the town
Best time to visit: December to May
15. Hot spring waterfall, Krabi:
One of the must-visit places in Krabi is the Hot Spring Waterfall and definitely A top contender for the Best waterfalls in Thailand.
The running water of the thermal springs has formed hollows in the rocks which resemble a bathtub. You can relax in any of these bathtubs and enjoy the jacuzzi feeling.
The temperature of the water is anywhere between 40 to 50 degrees. In Spite of this, you can relax and rejuvenate your body during the cooler part of the day. Hence the best time is early in the morning or late in the evening.
Location: Khlong Thom Nuea, Khlong Thom District, Krabi 81120
How to reach: 57 km drive from town
Best time to visit: November to February
Final Thoughts:
Mere words cannot explain how mesmerizing these Thailand Waterfalls are. One should at least try and visit a few of them to actually know the magic of Thailand’s nature and what it beholds. So, when you think about nature’s retreat for a vacation, these Thailand treasures should pop into your head!