Lonely Planet ThailandLonely Planet
Guidebook
Lonely Planet Thailand
Lonely Planet · 2024
The 19th edition covers Kanchanaburi for Erawan and the Tak and Mae Sot area near Pha Charoen.
Thailand · Tak
Pha Charoen Falls
น้ำตกพาเจริญ
Multiple broad limestone shelves step the Mae Charoen stream down a forested hillside near the remote Thai-Myanmar border town of Umphang, each tier forming its own shallow swimming pool. It sees a fraction of the visitors of Thailand better-known falls thanks to the long, winding mountain drive required to reach it.
A remote highlight of Thailand's far western borderlands Essentials guide
Checked September 2026 by David Bussell
Pha Charoen Falls drops over a series of steps on the Mae Charoen, inside Namtok Pha Charoen National Park. It is a tiered-type fall, and the nearest base for a visit is Mae Sot. Access to the main viewpoint is rated moderate.
As a tiered waterfall, a series of distinct drops, one below the other.
What you can do here
Also good forHikingPhotography
When to go
Cool dry season gives clear water over the wide limestone shelves.
Entry: Park entry ~100 THB
Getting there
- Base town Mae Sot
- Country Thailand
- Region Tak, Southeast Asia, Asia
- Access Moderate — a real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail
How it compares
This waterfall
Pha Charoen Falls
Thailand
Height—Width—
Most similar
Erawan Falls
Thailand
Height—Width—
Also a tiered waterfall, with swimming and in Thailand too
Largest curtain
Victoria Falls
Zimbabwe · Zambia
Height108 mWidth1,708 m
Largest single sheet of falling water
Tallest on earth
Angel Falls
Venezuela
Height979 mWidth—
Widest on earth
Khone Phapheng Falls
Laos
Height21 mWidth10,783 m
Measured across the whole multi-channel system
108 m
330 m
979 m
Victoria FallsEiffel TowerAngel Falls
Khone Phapheng Falls
10,783 m
Victoria Falls
1,708 m
We don't have a reliable crest width for Pha Charoen Falls yet, so it is left off the width chart. Tallest · widest lists.
Watch and read
Videos from Pha Charoen Falls
3:15
3:27
14:04
Chosen from YouTube; videos belong to their creators and play from YouTube's privacy-enhanced player.
Books worth packing
The Rough Guide to Southeast Asia on a BudgetRough Guides
Guidebook
The Rough Guide to Southeast Asia on a Budget
Rough Guides · 2024
For a multi-country trip, one book covering the overland routes between the Southeast Asian falls on this site.
On the map
16.5023, 98.7529
Quick answers
Where is Pha Charoen Falls?
Pha Charoen Falls is in Thailand (Tak), inside Namtok Pha Charoen National Park. The nearest base is Mae Sot. Its coordinates are 16.5023, 98.7529.
When is the best time to visit Pha Charoen Falls?
Peak flow is January to February and November to December. Cool dry season gives clear water over the wide limestone shelves.
What can you do at Pha Charoen Falls?
Beyond the viewpoints: swimming, hiking and photography. Access to the main viewpoint is rated moderate — a real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail.
Can you swim at Pha Charoen Falls?
Yes — swimming is a normal part of a visit to Pha Charoen Falls, in the pools away from the falling water. Only swim where it is permitted on the day, stay clear of the base of the falls where currents recirculate, and skip it after heavy rain.
How do you get to Pha Charoen Falls?
The usual base is Mae Sot. A real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail from there. Park entry ~100 THB.
Nearby
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