Butterflies

The Pa La-U (or Pala-U) waterfalls lie due east of the Thai seaside resort town of Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan province. Part of Kaeng Krachan National Park (remember about the entrance fee), the falls count eleven to sixteen steps as the stream drops from the mountains straddling the Thai-Burmese border to the flat coastal plains. Still containing primary rainforest the area is famed for it's butterflies.

Visited in January 2008 these falls are increasingly a part of the tourist trail. A road goes directly west (3219) from Hua Hin towards the park entrance and parking area (approx. 60 km). From here one is almost at the first step. For more solitude and exercise going beyond this step is required. The above photo is from the third step, the photo below is from the fourth step.

There is a small canteen for snacks, no lodging facilities nearby. The lower fall pools contain fish for which fish food can be purchased. Monkeys also are parked at the car-park.

'Several of the girls in this group were not at all amused by the hundreds of carp that have grown familiar with the tourists who bring fish food with them to the falls. My fishing techniques were crude, but I got my hands around several of these fish. Happily for them, they are all still safely huddled in there schools awaiting the next group of tourists and their handouts'.

Tourist tales.