Klong Plu waterfall on the west coast of Koh Chang is a popular spot to spend a morning or afternoon. It is signposted from the main road and easily accessible. From the entrance, where foreign adults pay 200 baht and children 100 baht, it is a 600 metre walk along a shady riverside path to the waterfall which does look pretty spectacular. Ideally avoid the weekends as waterfalls are a magnet for Thai visitors who tend to make a beeline for them and, as this is by far the largest waterfall on the west coast, it can get busy.
At the start of the walk you’ll also see a small visitor centre which houses a collection of posters and information boards highlighting the best of Koh Chang. For example, this is the signboard for Kai Bae beach. Note the beautiful stretch of white sand with rolling hills in the distance.
Pedantic nit-pickers may point out that there aren’t actually any mountain ranges visible offshore from Kai Bae beach. But it is still a nice photo. And so what if the beach in the photo is really located on the isle of Berneray in Scotland!! In the information age it is far easier to download a nice photo off the internet than send someone with a camera down the road 5km to take a pic of the actual beach.
The riverside walk isn’t too strenuous, although if you have dodgy knees you’ll need to take care as it is uneven and there are a few sets of rough steps and there are a couple of rest areas on the way.
When you reach the waterfall you’ll find plenty of rocky areas ideal for sunbathing and a good size plunge pool where you can cool off before heading back. At the entrance you’ll also notice a minimart and a couple of small restaurants where you can sit by the river and have lunch before heading back to your hotel. The BBQ chicken is very nice.
(Money saving tip: If you are driving – either by motorbike or car – you can park for free at the National Park office, just past the ticket office. Most people don’t do this as the friendly locals direct them to their private car park where you have to pay a whopping 10 baht per bike or 20 baht/car to park.)
There will be enough water to swim. A lot of people go there at that time of year and enjoy it.
If you have seen big waterfalls before then you might not be too impressed but if you just want a nice location for a swim and easy walk in the jungle then it’s worth 200 Baht.
Hi ian
How about water in the waterfall during feb and march ? is it worth to spend 200 baht ?
Karl, not all of us have the seemingly unending waterfall of cash that you appear to have. We value our money. My lunch yesterday cost 50THB, my dinner 130THB (I splurged). I would much rather have the money to eat delicious food for a day and support the economy that way then go to see a tiny waterfall.
Please just appreciate that we all have different levels of wealth and spending and different priorities. I’m sure some wealthy Thais are happy to go for 20THB (that they pay), but would equally balk at 200THB. I can totally understand how you consider it ‘nothing’ – but it’s not nothing for everyone, westerners included.
10 or 20 baht to park, 200 baht to see the waterfall. This is a “whopping” sum? Please! In total less than $10 USD. the locals need jobs. don’t be so cheap!
True, it is in fact only 3 metres tall. But photos make it look nearer 30.
Not worth the 200 baht. It’s a tiny, waterfall with trash along the banks.
The pictures make it look like some splendid wonder of the world, not even close. Maybe worth 20 baht to see, but nothing more.