Thailand Waterfalls Where You Can Relax, Swim, and Unwind

Thailand may be known for its pristine beaches, but they’re not the only bodies of water that are worth visiting in the country. If you want to get away from the crowd, why not go on a nature trip and visit a waterfall instead? While not all of them are ideal for swimming, being one with nature and listening to the sound of falling and constantly flowing water is an experience worth ditching the sea waves for.

Below are some of the majestic waterfalls you can visit in Thailand.

Erawan Waterfalls

Located a few hours northwest of Bangkok, this waterfall in Erawan National Park is more than 1.5 kilometres long. It has seven tiers (Lai Keun Rang, Wang Maj Cha, Pha Namtok, Ok Phi Sue, Bue Mai Long, Dong Prueksa, and Phu Pha Erawan) that take about three hours to visit on a round trip. If you’re only in it for swimming in the clear waters, the first three tiers would be enough. Before you jump into the water, though, you must rent a life vest!

The park is open daily from 7:30 AM to 4 PM. Admission for locals is around THB40 for adults and THB20 for children, while for foreigners it’s THB200 for adults and THB100 for children.

Location: Tha Kradan, Si Sawat District, Kanchanaburi (Google Maps)

Thi Lo Su Waterfall

Located in Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary (UMP), this waterfall is estimated to be between 250 and 400 metres tall and 450 metres wide. The waterfalls are spread apart, though, so it might be difficult to take a good shot of everything in one frame. Most locals and tourists visit this area for swimming and river rafting, but consider yourself lucky if you spot a rainbow in one of its falls!

The wildlife sanctuary is open daily from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. For more details, you can send an email to [email protected] or visit their Facebook page.

Location: Mae Chan, Umphang District, Tak (Google Maps)

Haew Su Wat Waterfall

Located in Khao Yai National Park, this waterfall became widely popular after it was used as a filming location for Leonardo DiCaprio’s jump scene in the 2000 film “The Beach.” What most locals and tourists love about the area is it’s accessible by car or rental scooter and you’ll only need a few minutes to walk towards the falls. The park is a famous camping and picnic spot, but if you’re not up for that, there’s a restaurant next to the carpark. Unfortunately, swimming isn’t allowed.

The park is open from 6 AM to 6 PM. For more information, you can visit their website or call their visitor centre at 086-092-6529. A line is also available for emergency calls at 086-092-6527.

Location: Mu Si, Pak Chong District, Nakhon Ratchasima (Google Maps)

Mae Ya Waterfall

Located in Doi Inthanon National Park, this waterfall is one of the tallest waterfalls (about 260 metres) in Thailand. It has multiple layers, making it an amazing and beautiful backdrop for taking pictures. It’s also a bit isolated, which makes it more enticing for tourists who want to enjoy nature in peace. Swimming isn’t ideal since the waterfall is in a rocky area, but you can dip your feet in the lower parts of the stream where the current isn’t strong.

The park is open daily from 5:30 AM to 6:30 PM. Admission for locals is around THB60 (adult) and THB30 (children), while for foreigners it’s THB300 (adult) and THB150 (children three to 14 years old).

Location: Highway 1009, Ban Luang, 50160 Chom Thong, Chiang Mai (Google Maps)