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    Erawan National Park

    Thailand

    Erawan National Park

    National Park

    Erawan National Park is located approximately 65 to 70 kilometers northwest of Kanchanaburi.

    by Felix Gillen

    1. Home
    3. Destinations
    5. Thailand
    7. West Thailand (Kanchanaburi and area)
    9. Erawan National Park
    Erawan National Park is located approximately 65 to 70 kilometers northwest of Kanchanaburi. Established in 1975 as Thailand's twelfth national park, it covers around 550 square kilometers and is primarily known for the seven-tiered Erawan Waterfall with its turquoise-green pools. The name Erawan refers to the three-headed white elephant of Hindu mythology.A path follows the stream from tier to tier; the lower levels are easily accessible, while further up, the trail becomes steeper and rockier. Bathing is permitted in several pools, where small fish will nibble at your feet. Shoes with good grip are recommended as the edges can be slippery.Beyond the waterfall, there are forested limestone mountains and the stalactite cave Tham Phra That. Early mornings on weekdays are the quietest, while weekends and public holidays see many day-trippers.

    Sehenswürdigkeiten

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    1Erawan Waterfall, First Level

    The lowest of the seven tiers is located a few minutes behind the visitor center and is accessible via a paved path, even with strollers or limited mobility. Wide, shallow basin with travertine edges, where swimming is permitted. Accordingly, it gets crowded here on weekends, while the upper tiers remain emptier. The waterfall's name refers to Erawan, the three-headed elephant of Hindu mythology.
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    2Erawan Waterfall, seventh stage

    The path's upper end, nearly 1.5 km uphill from the entrance. The final sections involve ladders, roots, and wet rock, demanding surefootedness. At the top, a basin lies beneath a high wall, generally quieter than below. Park entry is until 3:30 PM only; allow ample time for the descent.
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    3Tham Phra That

    A 540-meter-long dripstone cave, about 12km northwest of the Visitor Center. A concrete path leads 800m uphill from a ranger station to the entrance. It may close in heavy rain. Navigation apps sometimes misdirect via a temple; look for the cave sign.
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    Essen & Trinken

    1

    Kung Yai Pla Maenam (River prawns and river fish)

    Restaurant at the park entrance, specializing in river prawns and freshwater fish, true to its name. Portions are meant for sharing, served at simple tables. The clientele is mostly Thai day-trippers, busiest at lunchtime.
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    2

    Baan Mook 5

    Restaurant in Erawan Waterfall ร้าน5 Tambon Tha Kradan.
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    3

    Khrua Khun Puk (Stand 6)

    Restaurant in Erawan National Park.
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    4

    Ran Che Bum

    Small eatery near the park entrance with an everyday Thai menu. Simple decor, no English menu. Opening hours depend on park visitor traffic.
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    5

    Phi Cho Tam Lan Khuean (Grilled Chicken and Som Tam by the Khwae)

    Isaan grill cuisine by the river: Papaya salad, grilled chicken and Kaeng Pa, the jungle curry without coconut milk, are menu highlights, says the sign. Open seating areas with water views. Spice levels can be adjusted upon ordering.
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    Food and Drink at Erawan National Park

    Food options are found almost exclusively at the entrance: a row of numbered food stalls and simple eateries in the car park, plus drink sales. There's nothing further up the path, so bring water. Along the access road and further down by the river are larger restaurants serving river fish, which are primarily frequented by Thai day-trippers.

    Park entrance food stalls

    Stalls with fried rice, noodles, papaya salad, and grilled chicken. Quick and cheap, busy at lunchtime on weekends.

    river fish

    Roadside eateries serve freshwater fish, mostly grilled or steamed, often in sharing portions.

    Som Tam and grilled chicken

    Papaya salad, grilled chicken, and sticky rice are the standard combination at the excursion restaurants in the region.

    Water and provisions

    Food forbidden above the second stage. Take enough water for the climb; bottles have a deposit.

    Exploring Locally

    From the visitor center, a path ascends along the stream to the seven tiers. It's almost 1.5 kilometers uphill to the top tier; the lower sections are comfortable, but higher up you'll encounter stone steps, roots, and ladders.Getting there: Public buses run from Kanchanaburi to the park entrance. A rental car or scooter offers more flexibility, and day tours are available from Kanchanaburi.Opening Hours and Admission: Daily from 8 AM to approximately 4:30 PM, last entry at 3:30 PM. Admission was recently 300 Baht for foreign adults and 150 Baht for children, plus a vehicle fee. Bring cash.Rules: Eating is forbidden above the second tier. Drink bottles require a 20 Baht deposit at the checkpoint, which you get back upon return.Footwear: Water shoes or sandals with good grip are recommended; flip-flops are not.Swimming: On-site signage is decisive.

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    Nearby

    Sai Yok National Park

    Sai Yok National Park

    The Sai Yok National Park is situated about 100 kilometers northwest of Kanchanaburi along the Khwae Noi river, extending to the Myanmar border. Established in 1980, it covers some 500 square kilometers of limestone mountains, forest, and the river.The most visited is the approximately 15-meter-high Sai Yok Noi waterfall, right by the main road. About 40 kilometers further, by the park administration, is the Sai Yok Yai waterfall, plunging directly into the river over a rock edge. You can cross to the other bank via a suspension bridge.Some of the park's limestone caves are home to the Kitti's hog-nosed bat, the world's smallest mammal at about 2 grams. The largest cave is Tham Lawa, approximately 500 meters long. Along the river, remains of a Thailand-Burma Railway bridge and a Japanese camp have also been preserved.
    Hellfire Pass

    Hellfire Pass

    The Hellfire Pass Interpretive Centre commemorates the construction of the Thailand-Burma Railway, built during World War II under Japanese occupation by Allied prisoners of war and Asian forced laborers. The name refers to the Konyu Cutting: during night work, illuminated by oil lamps and bamboo fires, the scene with the emaciated prisoners looked like a depiction of hell.Opened in 1998 and operated by Australia, the museum documents working conditions, diseases, and mortality with photos, artifacts, and eyewitness accounts.From the museum, a path leads down into the cutting, where drilling marks in the rock are still visible. Visitors can follow the former railway track several kilometers further through the forest. An audio guide provides context for the stations. The memorial is located about 80 kilometers northwest of Kanchanaburi on Highway 323.
    Kanchanaburi City

    Kanchanaburi City

    Kanchanaburi is located at the confluence of the Khwae Yai and Khwae Noi rivers, which merge here to form the Mae Klong. The city is known for the Bridge on the River Kwai, part of the Thailand-Burma Railway, which Allied prisoners of war and Asian forced laborers were compelled to build under Japanese occupation during World War II. You can cross the bridge on foot and ride a segment of the historic railway by train. Museums and war cemeteries tell the story of the prisoners. Excursions lead to Erawan National Park and Hellfire Pass. It's most pleasant from November to February.
    West Thailand (Kanchanaburi and area)

    West Thailand (Kanchanaburi and area)

    Western Thailand, around the province of Kanchanaburi, combines war history and nature. This is where the Thailand-Burma Railway ran, built during World War II under Japanese occupation by prisoners of war and forced labourers, and known as the Death Railway.Attractions include the Bridge on the Khwae Yai, the war cemeteries and museums in Kanchanaburi, Hellfire Pass, the tiered waterfalls in Erawan National Park, and further north, Sangkhlaburi with its long wooden bridge.
    Sangkhlaburi

    Sangkhlaburi

    Sangkhlaburi is the northernmost district of Kanchanaburi Province, situated on the shore of the Khao Laem Reservoir near the Myanmar border. Besides Thais, Mon and Karen people live here, which is reflected in their language, cuisine, and temple architecture.Its landmark is the Mon Bridge (Uttamanusorn Bridge), Thailand's longest wooden bridge at around 445 meters. It connects the Mon village of Wang Kha with the town. Early in the morning, the monks' alms collection can be observed here. On the Mon side stands Wat Wang Wiwekaram with a gilded chedi modelled after Indian prototypes.During the dry season, usually in March and April, the walls and ordination hall of the old temple emerge from the lake, remnants of the settlement that was flooded with the construction of the Vajiralongkorn Dam in 1984. The cooler months from November to February are the most pleasant time to travel.

    Sources & method

    • Photos: Pexels. Each photo carries its credit.
    • The content is based on web research from public, traceable sources. How the content is made · The role of AI