Sai Yok Falls and Park in Kanchanaburi
Part of the Kanchanaburi travel guide — see every topic in All Kanchanaburi Guides.
Sai Yok is a forested area along the Kwae Noi river, northwest of Kanchanaburi town. It has two main places to visit. Sai Yok Noi is a small, easy waterfall beside the main road. Sai Yok National Park, further on, has river views, forest trails, caves and waterfalls that drop into the river. This guide explains both and how to plan a day or a night there.
Sai Yok Noi waterfall
Sai Yok Noi is a wide waterfall that spills over a rock face into a shallow pool. It sits right beside Highway 323, about 50 to 60 km from Kanchanaburi town, so it is very easy to reach. It is a popular stop for picnics, and families paddle in the pool below. Food stalls sell grilled chicken, sticky rice and drinks. The fall is best in the rainy season and just after, when the water is strong. In the dry months, from about February to May, the flow can drop to a thin stream. The station at Nam Tok, the end of the railway line, is only a few km away.
Sai Yok National Park
Sai Yok National Park lies further up the river, about 100 km from Kanchanaburi town. The visitor centre is near the Kwae Noi river, where a suspension bridge crosses the water. Close by, Sai Yok Yai waterfall drops straight into the river, and Sai Yok Lek is a short walk downstream. The park has forest trails and caves. It is also home to Kitti's hog-nosed bat, one of the smallest mammals in the world, though you are unlikely to see one. The scenery of green hills and a wide, slow river is the main reason to come.
Staying on the river
Raft houses and riverside resorts line the Kwae Noi river near Sai Yok. Some floating rooms are reached only by boat. Staying overnight lets you see the river at its quietest, in the early morning mist and at sunset. Many places offer kayaks, swimming from the raft, and boat trips to nearby waterfalls and caves. Some simple rafts have little or no electricity, so check what is included before you book. Life jackets should be on hand, because the current can be strong, especially in the rainy season. Bring insect spray and a light jacket for the cool nights in winter.
Getting there
Sai Yok is on Highway 323, the main road northwest from Kanchanaburi. Buses toward Thong Pha Phum and Sangkhla Buri leave from Kanchanaburi bus station and can drop you near Sai Yok Noi or near the park turnoff. Tell the driver where you want to get off. For the national park, you still need to travel a few km from the main road, so a hired car, scooter or tour is easier. You can also take the train from Kanchanaburi to Nam Tok, then a short songthaew or taxi ride to Sai Yok Noi. Combine Sai Yok Noi with the train ride for a full day.
Best time to visit
For strong waterfalls, go in the rainy season, from about July to October, or soon after. The forest is green and the river is full, but some trails can be muddy, and river trips may stop after heavy rain. For pleasant weather, the cool season from about November to February is best. Mornings can be misty and nights cool, which is lovely on a raft. From March to May it is hot and the smaller falls may be low. Weekends are busy with visitors from Bangkok, so weekday visits are calmer.
Sai Yok Falls and Park at a glance
| Getting there | Highway 323; Sai Yok Noi about 50 to 60 km, the park about 100 km from town |
|---|---|
| Hours | Daytime visits; national park visitor area open by day |
| Cost | Sai Yok Noi is a free roadside stop; national park entry fee for the park |
| Best time | July to November for strong falls; November to February for weather |
| Bring | Swimwear, insect spray, water and cash |