When people talk about Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan, they mostly think about the 5km-long sandy beach, horse riding, the iconic Hua Hin railway station, night and floating markets and theme parks. Not many want to visit natural attractions although this district has the Pa La-u waterfall and abundant forests for visitors to enjoy fresh air and natural beauty. If visitors are lucky, they may spot wild elephants and savour fruits like durian, rambutan and mangosteen grown in the area.
Nestled in the Pa La-u tropical rain forest covering 273,125 rai, more than 70km from downtown Hua Hin and Kaeng Krachan, Pa La-u waterfall is divided into two parts — Pa La-u Yai and Pa La-u Noi. It is under the supervision of Kaeng Krachan National Park. It has 15 tiers and a nature trail along which visitors can learn about wild plants. There are two camping zones and eight bungalows, which cost 1,200 baht each per night. Fishing, hunting and damaging nature is forbidden. The forest is home to the great hornbill, dusky langur and paradise flycatcher, among others. Many soro brook carp fill the stream, where waterfall crabs called demanietta khirikhan are also found. Many kinds of butterflies, including crow, common yeoman, common cruiser and papillo Paris, can be spotted all year round, including the rare black prince and zigzag flat. The best time for butterfly watching is April- July, in the morning.
Situated 69km west of downtown Hua Hin and 159km from downtown Prachuap Khiri Khan, and about 18km east of Myanmar, Ban Pa La-u is a village in tambon Huay Sat Yai with 250 families of Thai and Karen descent. It is a valley surrounded by Tanao Sri Mountain Range, as well as tropical rainforests and dry evergreen forests. Most of the attractions are in Huay Sat Yai. They are the Pa La-u waterfall, Karen villages, elephant watching towers, dairy farms, a cotton weaving centre and durian orchards. This tambon is also a gateway to a Karen village in Pa Deng.
Locals live simple lives and follow old traditions. The Karen conserve their culture and traditions, and still wear traditional costumes on many occasions. Visitors who want to experience the Karen way of life can stay in a homestay-style house in Ban Fa Prathan (Moo 2) along with La-u Home Stay, a professional homestay business in Ban Khonom Patthana.
Sunantha Pimthai, president of the Tambon Huay Sat Yai Administration Organisation, said: "Homestay guests can go trekking in the forests, visit the Pa La-u waterfall, catch a glimpse of wild elephants and see seven-coloured waterfall crabs in Klong Noi and Moo 11 villages."
Orasa Awutkom, director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)'s Prachuap Khiri Khan Office, said: "TAT has a policy to focus on sustainable tourism, so I think Huay Sat Yai is a good answer in terms of agro-tourism, eco-tourism and conservation tourism." According to her, this community has become better prepared for tourism in recent years, and is willing to welcome nature-loving tourists.
One of the outstanding attractions is the beautiful Pa La-u waterfall. In addition, the community has about 70 orchards with various kinds of fruits to offer.
Full Story: Bangkok Post
The green side of Hua Hin
The green side of Hua Hin
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson
Re: The green side of Hua Hin
the waterfall and areas around it are beautiful, many photo ops along the road, some markets on the way back to HH.
good luck with the "glimpse" of the wild elephants. maybe at night?
the entrance fee at the park entrance for white people
is 300 baht. plus vehicle fee. closes at 5pm.
food is sold at the base of the waterfall, near the parking lot. toilets there also.
the hike is not for out of shape people or older people pass the first "level". many slippery rocks, fair incline, rope "hand rails" pass that point.
I saw a green snake on the trail that my Thai girlfriend was REALLY freaking out over. SCREAMING!
the water is beautiful. many pools were you can just walk into the water.
once you get past the legions of selfie takers, (and if you are a single male, you may not want to)
you can have a big adventure if you go all day and hike to the top waterfalls. but food and water not allowed pass the bottom, so a backpack to hide your food and water so you can make it in the extreme heat.
and like everything in Thailand, it is "up to you" to think about how you are going to get out of a remote area in a hurry if you have a medical problem. or a burning night club in Bangkok.
good luck with the "glimpse" of the wild elephants. maybe at night?
the entrance fee at the park entrance for white people
is 300 baht. plus vehicle fee. closes at 5pm.food is sold at the base of the waterfall, near the parking lot. toilets there also.
the hike is not for out of shape people or older people pass the first "level". many slippery rocks, fair incline, rope "hand rails" pass that point.
I saw a green snake on the trail that my Thai girlfriend was REALLY freaking out over. SCREAMING!
the water is beautiful. many pools were you can just walk into the water.
once you get past the legions of selfie takers, (and if you are a single male, you may not want to)
you can have a big adventure if you go all day and hike to the top waterfalls. but food and water not allowed pass the bottom, so a backpack to hide your food and water so you can make it in the extreme heat. and like everything in Thailand, it is "up to you" to think about how you are going to get out of a remote area in a hurry if you have a medical problem. or a burning night club in Bangkok.
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