Kanchanaburi is the paradise of the west in Thailand. Many tourists know the city from its historic sites, mountains, the sea of fog locations, hot spring, raft houses, elephant ride, fruit garden and freshwater fish from the dams. However, there are plenty of the beautiful waterfalls in Kanchanaburi as well. And one of those is Huay Mae Khamin or Huay Khamin Waterfall, one of the most magnificent and famous waterfalls in Thailand that is well-known among the tourists both Thai and foreigners.
About the Place
Huay Mae Khamin Waterfall sites at Khuean Srinagarindra National Park, Kanchanaburi, about 108 km distance from the city town. The waterfall is so beautiful and environed by the various verdant plants. The source of the fall runs from the Kala Mountain Range where is a dry evergreen forest in the east of the National Park and flows over to the reservoir of the Sirnagarindra Dam.
In the previous days, it was quite challenging to get to the Huay Mae Khamin Waterfall because the way that used to be a compressed red earth road is inconvenient. And the traveler needed to get 2 more transit on the raft and drive 7 km more until you reach the destination. Luckily, a journey to the Huay Mae Khamin presently is very favorably with a new constructed pave road leading to the waterfall.
The highlight of the Huay Mae Khamin Waterfall
Huay Mae Khamin Waterfall consists of 7 levels which are;
Level 1: Dong Wan
It is a low cascade that is in descending order. The various significant species of the herb are found in this area such as Piper betel and Laurel clock vine. The visitor can read up the information of the plants from the information plate arranged by the national park office.
Level 2: Man Khamin
It is a waterfall that flows down to the lower basin featuring a layer of the waterfall beautifully.
Level 3: Wang Na Pha
The water that flows at this level is higher than one in the level 1 and 2. And it descends to the pong down below.
Level 4: Chat Kaew
It is a highlight of the Huay Mae Khamin Waterfall. It features the watercourse that slightly flows over the low tiers of limestone and finally descending from the cliff in 10 meters of height to the basin down.
Level 5: Lai Jon Long
The water in this level flows down under the ground that is a natural phenomenon called “sinkhole”.
Level 6: Dong Phi Seu
The current flows over each tier of the limestone that is not high step. However, the cascade spread over in all directions amidst the shady trees.
Level 7: Rom Klao
This is the top level of Huay Mae Khamin Fall, where the stream runs through numbers of trees and goes down along the cliff.
Each level of the Huay Mae Khamin has its unique beauty. The national park arranges the walkway for the visitors to take a stroll and see the magnificent landscape of the fall. Furthermore, there is a nature trail for the visitors to learn about the ecosystem as well.
Huay Mae Khamin Waterfall is the ideal place to visit for all year round, and it’s convenient to access just 300-400 meters from the parking. Then you will arrive the most exciting spot of the place which is the 4th level of the fall named Chat Kaew at the same level of the parking.
On the other hand, from the entrance to the waterfall at the 1st level, the visitor can park at the parking here. Then, stroll around to see the area of the waterfall starts from the 1st level and continue to the next ones until you reach the 4th level that is the highlight of the fall. And turn back to the parking at the 1st level is ok, too. Nevertheless, there are some people don’t want to take a long walk, and thence they stop by at the 4th level.
Things to Do at the Waterfall
Besides, enjoy the water playing in clear and cold water of the fall, the visitor also can entertain themselves with a nature trail in the mixed forest and dry dipterocarp forest. The wood here is quite prosperous with a diversity of plants that grows densely. Moreover, there are some rare species of animals and insects specific Caddish-fly, aquatic larvae that is the natural water quality index.
And for one who is not enough to experience a feel-good moment only in the daytime, the national park provides the camping area for the visitors to witness a clear sky with glittering stars. And there is a slide presentation shows to the visitors for knowledge and entertainment too.
Facilities around the area of Huay Mae Khamin Waterfall
Operating Time:
At the national park, there are cabins and camping site for accommodation, parking, bathrooms, restrooms, food stalls, and welfare shop operating between 7.00am – 6pm daily.
To make the reservation for the accommodation, please contact in person or via online at http://www.dnp.go.th
The admission fee:
- Thai: Adults is THB40, Children and Students is THB20.
- Foreigner: Adults is THB200, Children is THB100.
- Camping fee is THB600 per night.
- Gold Cart service charge is THB20 / trip/person.
Travel to the Huay Mae Khamin
1. By car (Srinagarindra Dam route)
It is the most popular way since it is a convenient paved road that any vehicles can access.
From Bangkok, uses the highway number 4 (Petchkasem Road) passes Nakhon Pathom. Then drives about 9 km will see a bridge to cross the road to Kanchanaburi. Drives along the road number 323 about 7 km, there is a junction. Makes getting on the way to Ban Pong to continue to Kanchanaburi. Then, heads forward to Keng Sean intersection and drives to Si Sawat on the road number 3199. And rides to Erawan Waterfall route passes Phra That Cave until you arrive the destination.
2. By car (Si Sawat & cross the ferry)
It is an old direction to the waterfall that is allowed any vehicles to access even though some parts of the road are rough. The route is longer and takes more time than the previous one since the visitor needs to take the ferry service. And the direction is
1. From Kanchanaburi, drives on the Sang Chu To road until you arrive Kang Sean junction. Then, heads toward to Si Swat district (highway number 3199) and continues straight.
2. Passes the entrance of Srinagarindra Dam to Si Sawat, passes Tha Kra Darn Temple, Ban Tha Sanoon school until reach the intersection. If you want to cross the ferry to Si Sawat heads straight (it shortens 25 km of the way). But if you’re going to drive along the edge of reservoir then take the right turn in front of Mae Lamoon Forest Guard Office which is a paved road, but it is curvy.
*** The ferry service to Si Sawat district takes about 15 minutes.
3. After the first ferry service drives more 10 km will pass Ban Pong Wai school and Ban Dong Salo school. Then, it is the upward path. There is the signage to the second ferry service to Huay Mae Khamin Waterfall.
*** Gets the ferry service to Huay Mae Khamin, taking time about 30-45 minutes. The service fee is THB200 per car. *The price subjects to change, please check at the pier.
4. After then drives along the pressed non-asphalt road. It is the sparse wood along both sides of the way. When you arrive, tri-intersection takes the left turn to Huay Mae Khamin and drives more 7 km. This part of the road is non-asphalt road alternated by the concrete path that passes Bamboo wood. The destination is on the right.
2. By Public Bus
From the town of Kanchanaburi, gets the pick-up truck at Thung Lad Ya Temple that drives pass Ban Ton Maprao, Ban Nam Mud, Pud Ta Sian, until arriving Huay Mae Khamin Waterfall. The car departs around 12.00pm and takes time on the journey about 4 hours approximate.
*The schedule of the service subjects to change, please check at the station.
