Saeng Chan Waterfall (Namtok Long Ru); Unseen Thailand
Saeng Chan Waterfall is another Unseen Thailand destinations and is one of top 10 best waterfalls in Thailand. The waterfall nestles in the Pha Taem National Park, Khong Chiam, Ubon Ratchathani in the upper northeast of Thailand. Saeng Chan Waterfall which means the Moonlight Waterfall or so-called as Long Ru Waterfall and renowned in local is Lod Ru Waterfall which implies the waterfall from the hole.
A significant little waterfall is emerged from a stream of Tha Long Brook and flown down to the pond through a big hole in the cliff. There are well-arranged of rock-bounds in various size and diverse of plants looks like the Japanese garden. The lower area is a cave that provides a proper space to set the camping. And the period to visit the site is all year round.
Behind the Names of the Waterfall
It is the only in Thailand; the Hole Waterfall is sited at Ban Tung Na Muaeng, Na Pho Thong, Khong Chiam. The name of the waterfall is followed to the appearance of the stream flown through a hole of the rock.
“Rock Hole” is occurred by the eroded coarse sand.The Saeng Chan Waterfall is one of the fantastic natural attractions with its unique appearance, the Tourism Authority of Thailand thus classifies the place as an Unseen Thailand according to the promoting campaign of Thai tourism.
The creation of the waterfall came from the natural phenomenon that during the most drench period, there was plenty of water in any creeks within the luscious forest. Moreover, the stream during this time is powerful and fast, therefore it swept stones and coarse while the water was running. The limestone cliff was eroded by the stream day by day until it was hollow, and also, there was some gravel sand stuck in the pit. Apart from that, the wild running water caused the coarse sand to spin around within the hollow. Together with the significant characteristic of the limestone that is less resistance to the erosion.
So, the hole had been expanding more and more by time until the stream perforated the stone and became a hole which allows the water to run through at last.
Charming of Saeng Chan Waterfall
On the other hand, the name Saeng Chan is called from the way that the stream flies down through the rock hole and presents in a gentle, soft white light similar to the moonlight in particular in the full moon when the moonlight shines to the hole accurately. And when it combines to the fine mist of the waterfall, it presents an exotic scene of nature entirely.
Even though its name represents the beauty of the place at night time, notwithstanding the charm of Saeng Chan Waterfall during the daytime especially at noon is not lessen the beauty. The picturesque panorama of the sunlight that shines through the hole and reflects the water drizzle in amber. So-called the best period to visit the Saeng Chan waterfall is from October to January.
So, these are the background of the name of the charming waterfall that is very attractive and irresistible for anyone to come to the place.
About the Waterfall
The condition of the water in the basin at the front of Saeng Chan Waterfall is water blended with brown mud that is not suitable for water play. And since, there is no any other appealing spot from the waterfall, so it is just about 30 minutes to an hour to sightsee around the area. By the way, if you have extra time for the trip, there is a nearby waterfall called “Tung Na Muaeng Waterfall” another waterfall that passes through the massive rock and flies down to be a lovely little fall.
As mentioned previously, the highlight of the waterfall is on the waxing moon night. The waterfall features the visitors with an exotic and allure landscape of the moonlight shining to the hole on the cliff precisely with the fine mist of the waterfall.
The Saeng Chan Waterfall is nestled in Pha Taem National Park; nevertheless, it is more than 30 km from the pre-historical painting site of the national park. More than that, though the road to the waterfall is paved road it is quite rough and a lot of pit along the path. And there is no any public bus facility thence the visitor must get there by personal car or hired vehicle which is more convenient. So, for anyone who loves to travel in the place with unique and authentic, Saeng Chan Waterfall is an ideal location to experience, indeed.
How to Get to Saeng Chan Waterfall
Travel to Ubon Ratchathani
By car:
From Bangkok, there are two options which are
- Uses the highway number 1 (Phahonyothin Road) until arriving at Saraburi province. Then, takes the right fork to enter to the highway number 2 (Mittraphap Highway) until coming at Nakhon Ratchasima. Later, gets to the highway number 226 passes Buriram, Surin, Si Sa Ket, until arriving at Ubon Ratchathani.
- Uses the highway number 1 (Phahonyothin Road) until coming at Saraburi, and turn right to the highway number 2 (Mittraphap Road). Head towards to Sikhio district. Then gets to the highway number 24 (Chikchai – Det Udom), passes Chokchai, Nang Rong, Sangska, and Det Udom district until arriving at Ubon Ratchathani.
By Bus:
There are numerous trips of bus services operated by Transport Company Limited and private operators in route Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani and Bangkok to Khong Chaim depart from Northern Bus Terminal (Mochit 2) at Kamphaeng Phet Road 2 daily. The travelling time is about 10 hours approximate.
For more information, please contact directly at Transport Company Limited at call 1490 or website at www.transport.co.th. And presently, the Transport Company Limited offers the online booking service via www.thaiticketmajor.com and www.thairoute.com.
By Train:
The State Railway of Thailand or SRT offers its service from Bangkok Railway Station (Hua Lamphong) to Ubon Ratchathani daily. The facilities are Fast Train, Express Train, and Special Express that take time about 8.5 – 12.5 hours. For more information, please contact SRT at 1690 or www.railway.co.th
By Plane:
There are daily flights to Ubon Ratchathani operated by Thai Airways and Thai Air Asia. For further information about the flight and reservation, please contact at
- Thai Airway at call +66 2356 1111 or www.thaiairway.co.th
- Thai Air Asia at call +66 2515 9999 or www.airasia.com
Travel to the Saeng Chan Waterfall from the city town of Ubon Ratchathani
By Car:
The trip from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani is about 629 km. So, it is recommended to stay a night in the city town of Ubon Ratchathani. Then, in the morning takes the highway number 217 to Phibun Mangsahan district. Then takes the road number 2222 to Khing Chaim and from there uses the highway number 2112 to Pha Taem. The distance between Khong Chiam to Pha Taem is 19 km.
Visit Pha Taem to witness the pre-historical painting. The National Park Guard Office locates here as well. And from Pha Taem, heading to Ban Na Pho Klang where is a location of Soi Sawan, Na Pho, and Saeng Chan waterfall. The road allows the car to access the entrance of the waterfall. However, to access to the waterfall need to go by foot.
And from the waterfall to the cliff which is the viewpoint is about one more kilometre. The position features the stunning view of the Mae Khong river wildly runs down below. And along the trail to get here, flower fields are bursting from the stones that are lovely.
