Takrao Waterfall and Salad Dai Waterfall

Takrao and Salad Dai are two separate waterfalls on the Prachin Buri side of Khao Yai National Park, reached via Ban Takhro in Bu Fai subdistrict, Prachantakham district — a quieter approach than the park’s main Nakhon Ratchasima entrance. Takrao is the easy one: a broad cascade stepping down natural rock shelves, about 500 metres on foot from the Takrao checkpoint, with a suspension bridge crossing the stream that doubles as the best photo spot. Salad Dai sits roughly 2 km further into the forest, a higher, narrower fall where water drops onto large boulders rather than the wide shelf-step of Takrao.

The hike to Salad Dai takes 1-2 hours depending on fitness and season, and rangers recommend going with a guide rather than alone — the trail isn’t heavily marked. Takrao’s pools are the more practical spot for wading and cooling off given the short walk in; Salad Dai rewards the extra effort with a quieter, less-visited fall but isn’t really set up as a swimming stop. Forest closes in tight around both falls — expect birdsong, the occasional gibbon call carrying from deeper in the park, and cooler air than the open road outside.

Insider Tip: Stop at the Takrao checkpoint on your way in and ask about trail conditions to Salad Dai before committing to the extra 2 km — after heavy rain the stream crossings can run high enough to turn back a solo hiker.

Watch out: The rock shelves at Takrao are slippery even in the dry season, and more so with spray in the wet months. Water shoes or trainers with real grip beat sandals here.

July through November is the strongest window for both falls, when the wider Khao Yai forest is at its greenest and water volume peaks with the rainy season. The falls run at reduced but still visible flow the rest of the year, and the December-February cool season trades some water volume for firmer footing and clearer trails to Salad Dai. Bring water, snacks, and insect repellent — this is deep-forest terrain with limited facilities beyond the checkpoint itself, and phone signal drops out once you’re past the Takrao pools.

For a day out from Khao Yai, this pair works best as a half-day add-on to the park’s Prachin Buri side rather than a headline stop on its own — pair it with Haew Suwat or Haew Narok if you’re routing through the main entrance the same trip, since Takrao and Salad Dai see a fraction of the visitors either of those better-known falls gets.