A day trip to a waterfall in Isaan
A day out with a Thai family Isaan is Sanuk and usually means a trip to a waterfall. The whole family comes along in the pick-up truck, as well as food, drinks, ice cubes and a guitar.
Thai people often enjoy a day trip to a waterfall for various reasons. First, visiting a waterfall is a way to relax and escape the hustle and bustle of the city. The sound of running water and the fresh air provide a relief for both body and mind.
Second, waterfalls in Thailand often have cultural and religious significance, especially for Buddhists. Waterfalls are considered sacred places and some people believe that the water of the falls has medicinal properties. It is not uncommon for people to sacrifice or meditate at a waterfall to seek spiritual enlightenment.
Third, a day trip to a waterfall offers the opportunity to enjoy Thailand's natural beauty. The country has many beautiful waterfalls with impressive landscapes and wildlife, making it an attractive destination for hikers and nature lovers.
Best time to visit a waterfall
The best time to visit a waterfall is during or just after the rainy season. The water level is high and the falls are at their best. The falls are usually located in the remote areas, sometimes in a protected nature reserve. You will find some beautiful waterfalls in the Kanchanaburi province. Still, you don't have to look long, you will find waterfalls almost everywhere Thailand, most of which are in Isan.
Beware of slipping
You often see waterfalls that consist of different levels. The higher it is, the more beautiful the waterfall. When you decide to walk or climb to a higher level, it is sometimes dangerous because of the slippery rocks. Beware of slipping and wear good shoes. The water is cool, clean and clear. You will therefore see many Thai in the water who are having a great time.
Favorite place for young people
Waterfalls are always busy on weekends during the rainy season. It is the locals' favorite place to chat, eat, drink and enjoy the cool water. It is also a meeting place for Thai youth.
You will not often see a Thai in a swimming trunks, bathing suit or bikini. They keep their clothes on while bathing in the waterfall. This has a number of reasons:
- Shy and prudish.
- Avoiding the sun because of the skin color.
A waterfall is Sanuk
Sanuk is perhaps one of the most important things for a Thai. Sanuk is the pursuit of satisfaction and pleasure in everything you do. Even when you do hard or tedious work, it can still be Sanuk. Humor and having fun are therefore important aspects in the life of a Thai. When you have enough Sanuk in your life, it will automatically become Sabaai. So a day trip to a waterfall is Sanuk.
Last week I went to a waterfall with the Thai family, but I didn't have to pay anything. I've been to several waterfalls here in isan, all free, also for farang. Masr if you go to a national park then it is indeed considerably more expensive for the farang than for the thai. With a Thai tide ticket you sometimes have the same prince masr, which is completely random in my opinion.
Regarding not taking clothes off:
The Thai are right. Besides the danger of developing skin cancer -I am always amazed when I see Western people lying on the beach in the sun!- the most important, and simplest reason is simply that if you go into the water with your (thin) clothes on, you stays cool much longer afterwards!
So putting on clothes is just a win-win situation in a very hot country.
When I go home on the scooter after a visit to the beach, I often throw a liter of water over my t-shirt – and arrive home wonderfully cool and dry.
I once remember being so drunk on the Lao Khao on such a trip to a waterfall that I nearly fell to my death. A few Thais extended their arms to me unexpectedly helpfully when I was swinging off balance on a fairly high plateau. Down water and stones. After that I never really drank that corner again. It was great fun there at that waterfall. Four feather fall! Most beautiful waterfall! Most beautiful place on earth for me! Thus I sang there! Not understanding Thais stared blankly at me.
I always visit a waterfall with my Thai family from Isaan. A really nice day out. All together in the back of the pick-up, very dangerous of course. The nice thing is that there are so many waterfalls here. We arrived at a waterfall and it was completely deserted. Of course you don't have to pay anything. Just go to Isaan, here you will meet more locals than tourists.
Indeed staying at or in a waterfall is very sanuk and many times I have visited various waterfalls in Thailand with great pleasure
Until the middle of last year it was all perfect until I had a very remarkable and less pleasant experience in 2019.
My daughter with husband and children were in Thailand and it was decided to visit a waterfall and spend a day swimming, eating, etc.
No sooner said than done and arrived at a waterfall within 2 hours drive.
Paid entrance and on to the water with 6 men and my dog (puppy of 6 months then) nice in the water with all of us with the dog glands, also the Thais who sat around us loved playing with the dog and to throw a ball or stick into the water, which he then obediently brought back. To be on the safe side, I always have the dog on a long leash of around 15 meters.
Everything perfect until a uniformed guard approached my wife in Thai, long story short point was "my dog had to get out of the water because downstream there were "maybe" people in the water with a different "faith" and they were not allowed in the same water as the dog !!!
Absolutely no confirmation of who those people were or if they were there. The Thais present also found it very strange and told the guard that it was all ok and had no problem with my pup.
To prevent thunder I took my pup out of the water but the fun was over for me.
Still hanging around for the kids who enjoyed themselves in the water.
What my surprise, after 10 minutes the same guard comes back and starts talking to my wife again and making it difficult with arm gestures. I didn't get it because I had stopped letting my pup go in the water.
What was the "problem"? Well my daughter was swimming in a bikini and that was not allowed !!!
When I heard that my mouth fell open and I asked if this was Thailand with all its tolerance? the Thai people present also had no problem whatsoever.
For me the measure was full and we got into the car sulking and grumbling.
Never went to a waterfall again after that!
Example of farang bullying and harassment?????
PS I wanted to mention this before but totally forgot until I saw this entry today.
At least in these times stay healthy everyone!!
Regards Antony.