Provincial highs

Another high fall, seventy meters is the estimate and Chiang Rai province's highest fall. Named Khun Kon (or Khun Gon or even Tat Mok(!)), it's not too far from the provincial capital. Located in a Lam Nam Kok National Park, Khun Kon can be reached by taking Highway No.1211 from Chiang Rai town. After traveling 18 kilometers turn right and proceed for another 12 kilometers. From the park entrance it's just 20 minute walk to the falls themselves. Again not necessarily a place to go for swimming.

Accommodation and food is best to be had in Chiang Rai itself.

Though deserted when we visited, apparently with New Year crowds are to be had. The pool beneath the fall is then more accessible than when we visited in November 2007.

Deserted

The waterfalls of Huai Hin Fon are less well-known than other waterfalls in northern Thailand. Located in Chiang Rai province and relativly easy to access, one would expect these falls to be over run with visitors. Possibly due to the many waterfalls in this area, possibly due to unknown reasons they aren't.

Visited in October 2006 these falls were deserted. There's a big car park and a good trail going up and along the swift flowing stream. As the canyon closes in there is man made pond behind which a series of small falls start, mostly there not a real fall but a scramble across the rocks.

The absence of visitors means the lower pool is a great place for a au-naturel dive.

Getting here is relatively easy. It is located along the Mae Chan - Fang highway 1089, just beyond the hot spring with the same name as the falls (8 km). Continue towards Fang for about 1 km and turn left and cross the river and continue driving upwards through the village and you'll end up at the falls car park.

Milky and fluffy

Once more a picture taken with daylight fading. Pong Phra Bat waterfall, Chiang Rai province is essentially a series of smaller falls and rapids. Trails take you up a bit, but it's more a discover-your-own kind of place. Access (see below) is easy and there is ample parking space.

Once more a great place for a dip during the week, nobody around. When we visited it was late October (2007) already getting cooler. Nearby is a hot spring with the same name.

Pong Phra Bat is located in the forest park with the same name. Referring to the waterfall:

'An islet waterfall with the milky fluffy spray when fall down and clear water in the pleasant atmosphere which is encircling with the abundant of plants for relaxing. And enjoying the beauty of the nature'.

Access is relatively easy, if you have your own wheels. Take highway 1 north out of Chiang Rai, to the first village (Bandu) / turn off, past the airport. Take the access road along the highway and turn to your left, drive up this road for a km or so until you have a sharp right hand turn. Instead drive through the gate straight ahead of you with the pond on your left, this is where the hot springs of the same name are located. For the Pong Phra Bat waterfall just continue on the paved road for another 5 km's until you come to the end parking. From there it's a 20 minute walk.