Namtok Phrai Sawan

Namtok Phrai Sawan cascades down three named tiers inside Khao Banthat Wildlife Sanctuary, on the range that divides Trang from neighbouring Phatthalung. The falls are built from 17 smaller steps grouped into three main drops: Chuan Wang Badan near the base (about 7 m), Chuan Dao Dung in the middle section (about 10 m), and Chuan Phrai Sawan at the top — the tallest at roughly 50 m, and the one that gives the whole waterfall its name.

Water runs year-round, fed by the Khao Banthat rainforest, but volume swings hard with the season. During and just after the rainy months (roughly May to November) the falls run full and loud, with enough flow to make the higher tiers worth the climb; in the dry season the upper drops thin to a trickle and the lower pools become the better swim spot. Natural stone basins at each tier hold cool, clear water — good for a swim between tiers rather than one big pool at the base.

Watch out: This is a wildlife sanctuary catchment, and heavy rain upstream raises the water level fast. A 2024 storm sent water surging over the side of a small weir near the falls, and officials still monitor the structure after heavy rain — check local conditions before swimming if it’s been raining hard, and don’t linger directly under the top tier during or after a downpour.

Insider Tip: Go on a weekday morning. Phrai Sawan draws day-trippers from Trang town on weekends, and the trail and lower pools get crowded by midday; arriving at opening gives you the falls with almost nobody else around.

The walk in from the car park is a moderate forest trail — not technical, but expect roots, wet rock, and some uphill sections between tiers, so proper shoes matter more than sandals. Bring water, a change of clothes, and a dry bag for your phone; there are no shops at the site itself. From Trang town, the drive is around 35 km via the Trang–Phatthalung road through Na Yong Nuea, then onto local roads toward Ban Kha Chong — allow about 50 minutes and expect the last stretch to be a narrower, unsealed lane.

Beyond the waterfall, this stretch of Khao Banthat forest is genuinely wild rather than landscaped: rope-thick vines, birdcalls that carry through the canopy, and no vendors or facilities beyond a small parking area. That’s the trade-off for the emptier crowds — bring what you need, because there’s nowhere to buy it once you’re on the trail.