The Most Incredible Waterfalls in Thailand

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A few hours northwest of Bangkok is Kanchanaburi, home to the famous Erawan National Park. Here, you will find the Erawan Waterfall. This seven-level waterfall runs through the east side of the park and spans more than 1.5km (1mi).

Pam Bok Waterfall is probably the image of what most travellers think of when they think of waterfalls in Thailand – a milky-blue pool being fed by a cascade gushing out from between two boulders. It’s deep enough to jump into – if you can find the secret trail to the top – and large enough to swim around without feeling too exposed. You can drive there and park nearby before taking a lush jungle trail that takes about 10 minutes to walk. Alternatively, you can leave the details to Culture Trip and let us take you there as part of our guided tour to Thailand, led by a local.

The Khlong Lan Waterfall makes the list of top waterfalls partly because of its sheer size – this waterfall comes in at 100m (328ft) tall and 40m (131ft) wide, making it one of the largest waterfalls on our list. Find this epic waterfall in Kamphaeng Phet province, about five hours north of Bangkok.

About six hours north of Bangkok is the Sri Dit Waterfall, found in the charming city of Phetchabun. Though this waterfall may be small, don’t let its single-tier fool you – it is a great place to spend the day swimming and enjoying Thailand’s tropical heat. Like many waterfalls, this one is best to visit during the rainy season.

About an hour outside the historical city of Chiang Mai is the Doi Inthanon National Park. Here, you will find Mae Ya Waterfall, one of the tallest waterfalls in Thailand; it stands about 260m (853ft) tall and 100m (328ft) wide. What makes this waterfall interesting is its layered levels of falls. Be sure to charge your camera for this amazing photo op.

The southern city of Phuket has it all, from beaches to crazy nightlife. Added to the list of reasons why we love Phuket is the Bang Pae Waterfall, about an hour outside the city. Bang Pae is great to visit, if not just to escape the crowds that usually overwhelm the popular tourist destination. This waterfall is small, especially in comparison to some of the others listed. However, it is a beautiful green space and visitors are able to swim in the pool underneath the running water. This waterfall is definitely worth visiting for those who have the time.

Come again? Yes, that’s right: these forest-hidden falls are known as the “sticky waterfall” due to a mineral deposit that helps your boots grip onto the bulbous, sponge-like rocks. You’ll find no algae or slime on these rocks – just a plain, non-slippery surface to help you climb up to the top. It gets quite steep in some places, so you should still take care – but sure-footed climbers will have no problems.

To find Bua Tong Sticky Waterfall, you’ll need to drive an hour and a half north of Chiang Mai’s Old City – or join our exclusive nine-day adventure through Northern Thailand, which includes a visit.

In the Hat Yai province is the Ton Nga Chang Waterfall or the Elephant’s Tusks Waterfall. In this case, the word chang means elephant, and it is not referring to the popular Thai beer. There are seven levels to this waterfall, but the best one is level three, where the waterfall received its name. At level three, the stream splits and separates into two, making it look like two elephant tusks.

On the island of Koh Lanta is the Khlong Chak Waterfall. To reach this waterfall, first, you must trek along a slender trail, where you will pass elephants in sanctuaries and monkeys watching you from a safe distance. Be sure to keep in mind that this waterfall almost completely dries up during the dry season.

In the Chanthaburi Province is the Namtok Phlio National Park, about four hours from Bangkok. This is a great place for visiting in general, but it is well known because of the Phliu Waterfall. Here, there are many swimming holes filled with fish that you can swim among. You are also welcome to have picnics along the banks of these falls while exploring the park.

Be sure to check out the Mae Ping National Park in Northern Thailand. Here, you will find the Koh Luang Waterfall. It is no wonder this waterfall is well known among the locals; it has a spectacular seven-tier waterfall just waiting to be climbed and explored.

In the Khao Yai National Park is the jaw-dropping Haew Suwat Waterfall. This waterfall is easy to access in comparison to the other waterfalls in this national park, making it one of the most popular waterfalls there. Many locals come to this waterfall to swim in its large pool or hang out towards the top of the fall.