Haew Suwat Waterfall

No jumping allowed
Published/Last edited or updated: 10th January, 2017

More on Khao Yai National Park

Thanks to a scene in the film version of The Beach in which Leonardo Dicaprio’s character has no choice but to leap over a cliff, Haew Suwat is probably the best known of Khao Yai’s many waterfalls.

Travelfish says:

Virtually every day tour makes a stop here.

Haew Suwat boasts breathtaking streams of water freefalling over a roughly 20-metre-high ledge into a circular pool. Broad branches reach over the falls and plenty of smooth boulders make it easy to sit and soak in the scenery. Countless butterflies flutter here during the rainy season, when Haew Suwat is at its best. Though not as dramatic during the dry months, the falls remain picturesque throughout the year.

Swimming and cliff jumping are prohibited here at all times; some visitors ignore these rules but the water crashes with significant force during the rainy season and there have been injuries. The local crocodile population makes it unsafe to swim anywhere along the river.

Complete with a large car park, restaurant and platform where you can look down on Haew Suwat from above, the falls are located at the end of a 100-metre trail and stairway passing towering trees and bamboo groves. Haew Suwat draws throngs of visitors during peak times of year, especially late in the afternoon when many tour companies stop here to finish off their day trips.

Transport information

The side road to Haew Suwat is clearly marked off the main road through the park, a few kilometres south of the visitor centre. Otherwise you can get here via a three-kilometre trail from Pha Khluai Mai campground or an eight-kilometre hike from the visitor centre.

Reviewed by
David Luekens

David Luekens first came to Thailand in 2005 when Thai friends from his former home of Burlington, Vermont led him on a life-changing trip. Based in Thailand since 2011, he spends much of his time eating in Bangkok street markets and island hopping the Andaman Sea.