Namtok Khao Soi Dao

Namtok Khao Soi Dao is a 16-tier waterfall inside Khao Soi Dao Wildlife Sanctuary in eastern Chanthaburi, about 70km north of Chanthaburi town. It’s a sanctuary, not a national park, which means entry is fee-gated rather than free: 200 THB for foreign visitors, 20 THB for Thai adults, 10 THB for children, plus a small vehicle fee. The marked trail reaches as far as the ninth tier, a 2.5km walk from the sanctuary checkpoint; the remaining seven tiers are off-limits without a sanctuary guide.

The falls sit about 4km from the sanctuary’s main office, reached by a forest trail that climbs steadily rather than following a flat path. Granite steps and exposed tree roots do double duty as handholds on the steeper stretches, and the canopy overhead keeps the water noticeably cooler than the open-air pools found at more developed waterfalls. Butterflies are the sanctuary’s other calling card — the area around the lower tiers draws enough species that it doubles as an informal butterfly-watching site, alongside the usual bird calls and rustle of forest wildlife you’d expect from a protected sanctuary rather than a managed park.

Reaching tier 9 is a genuine hike rather than a short walk — budget at least half a day for the round trip, factoring in stops to swim in the calmer pools along the way. The lower tiers see the most visitors; solitude increases the further up you go, at least as far as tier 9 allows. Tiers 10 through 16 stay closed to independent hikers, reserved for guided sanctuary trips.

Insider Tip: Register at the checkpoint as soon as you arrive — sanctuaries like this one require visitors to sign in, unlike the open-access national parks elsewhere in Chanthaburi. Ask the staff about current trail conditions before setting off; the upper sections can close temporarily after heavy rain.

Watch out: This is not a casual roadside waterfall. The 2.5km trail to tier 9 involves real elevation gain, and there’s no shortcut — plan for sturdy footwear, a full water bottle, and enough daylight to get back out before the sanctuary closes at 4pm.

Visit during or just after the rainy season (June to October) for the strongest flow. Bring insect repellent and quick-dry clothes if you plan to swim in the lower pools, and arrive early — the 9am opening leaves more of the day for the hike than a midday start.

Other Chanthaburi nature stops worth combining with the trip include Namtok Phlio National Park and Khao Khitchakut National Park, both under an hour closer to Chanthaburi town.