Now go through this cave ...

Kanchanaburi province, Thailand is along the well trodden tourist path which takes in the River Kwai railway as well as jungle surroundings. It's home to some of Thailand's more famous waterfalls such as Erawan and Sai Yok.

Off this west-east tourist path is located the national park of Chaloem Rattanakosin. Getting here means taking highway 3086 60 km north of Kanchanaburi town to Nong Prue and then going west for about 20 km along the 3480 which brings you to the national park entrance.

Though off the tourist path, locals are out in numbers in late December 2009. Just beyond the entrance is a large car park with restaurants, bungalows and camping facilities. On this day there is even a first aid tent with its complete (limited) stock of medicines on show.

Most tourists are all heading for the same waterfall, Tri Trong. To get here one needs to pass 300 m through a cave (Tham Lod Noi) as the stream on which the waterfall lies does the same. Lights are on during day. From the cave it's another 1 km to the waterfalls.

Tri Trong has three levels and the picture above is of the first level. The path here is beautiful, both the cave as well as the path following a stream along a deep valley which provides for radiant growth. Beyond the falls the path steepens and ends in a even larger cave (Tham Lod Yai).

Elsewhere in the national park are the waterfalls of Tran Ngern / Tran Thong and Slider.

Nibbles

Erawan waterfall is rated as Thailand's most famous, most popular and less fortunately it's also the best visited (Elliott, S. & G. Cubitt - The National Parks and other wild places of Thailand. 2001).

The Erawan falls are the namesake of the surrounding national park (don't forget hefty entrance fee); Erawan itself named after Indra, an elephant with three heads which is believed to have transported Bhuddha from the state of enlightment back to the world of ordinary people (source) .
During the monsoon the top level of the 7 levels has three sepearte streams, hence the name, the waterfalls resembling the three trunks.

Each of the levels are only just a few meters in height, some with a plunge pool beneath.

Visited in August 2009 and on a weekday the park and falls were not too overrun. In each pool along the way several tourists were swimming, seemingly undisturbed by the frisky carp which tend to nibble at the swimmers.

A subdued son; no fun swimming with fish feeding on you. Bummer!

From Kanchanaburi take highway 3199 and keep following the signs. there is a monstrously big car park and even a real market a km away, so refreshemnts are always availble. There are a number of resorts nearby, but Erawan lies conveniently to most Kanchanaburi located staying options.

Waterfalls everywhere

Kanchanaburi, Dai Chong Thong waterfall and Kroeng Krawia (Kreng Kra Wia or other variations) are two good accessible waterfalls in western Kanchanburi, Thailand. Both located in Khao Laem National Park, no entrance fee is required to visit these falls.

Kroeng Krawia lies directly along the road to Sangkhlaburi (on the border with Burma, home of Thailand's longest wooden bridge) which is roughly 30 km away. Good rest facilities exist at these falls, though lodging would be available in Sangkhlaburi or Thong Pha Phum, 35 km back the other way. From Kanchanaburi it is 190 km at least.

The Kroeng Krawia falls jump over low heights (1-2 m) as the stream finds it's way through the forest.

Dai Chong Thong waterfall is walkable from the parking area of Kroeng Krawia, take the side road up for 500 m, then take a left for another 500 m until you hit the stream, it should be more down stream. When we visited back in August 2009, it was during and just after heavy rainfall and the stream was flooding such that there were waterfalls everywhere.

Pha Tad

Kanchanaburi located 2 hours drive from Thailand's capital of Bangkok forms the base for a number of outdoor pursuits, though most are drive-in / arm-chair pursuits. There are a number of hot springs and waterfalls, lakes and rivers to be viewed / experienced. More importantly there is a good selection of accommodation throughout the province.

Pha Tad (or Pha Tat) is located well upstream of Kanchanaburi town, 140 km actually. To get there, take Highway 323 towards the Burmese border and turn between km 105 and 106 towards the same direction as Hin Dat Hot Spring and continue for some 10 km further. Pha Tad is located in a national park (Kheaun Sri Nakarin National Park).

After the entrance the is large parking area, facilities (incl. a canteen) and a large grassy area. Beyond that there are two forks with waterfalls, where the water thunders between the forest. When we visited (August 2009) it had just rained a lot so maybe that was the reason of the thunder.

Probably one could plunge/shower around.