An adventure to the Pambok Waterfall is one of the best things to do when exploring the mountainous region of Pai.
I have put together this complete guide to Pam Bok Waterfall including how to get there, how much it costs, and what to expect when you arrive.
Table of Contents
WHERE IS PAMBOK WATERFALL?
Pambok Waterfall is 9km southwest of Pai on the same road that leads out to the Bamboo Bridge and Pai Land Split.
It’s approximately a 20-minute drive to reach the waterfall from the center of Pai.
Click here to see the location on Google maps.
HOW TO GET TO HERE
The best way to get to Pam Bok Waterfall is on a scooter.
Scooters can be rented for as little as 150 Baht per day from one of the many rental stores in the center of Pai.
Alternatively, some accommodations offer scooter rentals for around the same price. A money deposit or passport is generally required for insurance purposes.
I also highly recommend purchasing travel insurance, especially when riding on the roads in Asia.
If you aren’t confident with riding a scooter, you can hail a songthaew (pick-up truck with bench seats) to get from A to B. Make sure to agree on a price with the driver first before jumping in the back.
Hiking through the canyon
ARRIVING AT PAMBOK WATERFALL
There is a 200 Baht entrance fee to visit the Pam Bok Waterfall, and upon arriving you are able to park your scooter or car in the parking lot and follow the trail up to the falls.
The trail is a combination of rocky steps, a steel bridge, and then a short walk upstream to the base of the falls.
MUST READ: 10 AWESOME THINGS TO DO IN PAI
WHAT TO EXPECT
The beautiful Pambok Waterfall is surrounded by a canyon of high cliffs with a freshwater rock pool at the base of the falls. It is less touristy than the Moe Pang Waterfall in Pai, meaning you’ll most likely have it to yourself.
There are a few rock jumping points from the cliff walls surrounding Pam Bok Waterfall though be sure to do a depth check first and avoid diving headfirst into the rock pools.
The best time of year to visit is during the wet season, July to November when the rain provides a decent amount of water flow from the mountains to the falls. In the dry season, from February to May, there won’t be much more than a trickle of water.
I spent an hour or so exploring and swimming here before continuing another 2km up the road to visit the popular Bamboo Bridge attraction.
WHERE TO STAY IN PAI
Pai has hundreds of accommodations to choose from, so I have narrowed it down to a few of the best places to stay to suit the needs of budget backpackers, luxury travelers, and everyone in between.
See the list of accommodations below that I personally recommend:
Luxury: Pai Island Resort
This is one of the best 5-star accommodations in Pai with a dreamy setting in the forests. Featuring a pong, well-kept gardens, a restaurant and bar, free wifi, and airport shuttle services. Each Suite is fitted with fine beddings and furnishings, gardens, patios, a minibar, air conditioning, and an outdoor bathtub. Recommended for couples, families, and friends.
Mid Range: Rim Pai Cottage
Rim Pai Cottages are 3-star accommodations framed by beautiful mountains and the Pai River. Centrally located on Pai’s famous walking street, this property features a restaurant, infinity pool, and free wifi. Choose from a double room, family room, villas, or a suite, each fitted with air conditioning, tea/coffee facilities, comfortable beds, a private bathroom, and flat-screen tv. Perfect place to stay in Pai for couples, families, and friends!
Budget: Spicy Pai Backpackers
Spicy Pai Backpackers is the most popular budget accommodation in Pai. Great place to stay for solo travelers, couples, and friends! This property is surrounded by mountains and rice fields, featuring a common area, communal kitchen, and free wifi. Choose from either a dorm room, private bungalow, or a quadruple king-size room with bed linen and towels. A complimentary breakfast is also included for all guests!
FOR ALL OTHER PLACES TO STAY IN PAI, SEARCH ON AGODA OR SEARCH ON BOOKING.COM
WHAT TO PACK FOR PAI
When visiting Pai, here is a list of items I highly recommend bringing with you;
- Sunscreen – the Thailand sun is very strong, so make sure to pack some high-quality sunscreen.
- Quick-dry travel towel – the most compact and lightweight towel for traveling.
- Reusable water bottle – stay hydrated by bringing along a reusable water bottle.
- Backpack – The Nomatic 30L Travel Pack is the ultimate backpack for everyday adventures.
If you’re interested in taking awesome photos and videos on your travels, this is the camera gear that I use and recommend;
- GoPro HERO10 – the most popular camera on the planet for action-packed adventures.
- Canon EOS R – perfect for traveling, this is the most affordable, compact camera on the market.
- DJI Mini 3 Pro – take your photos and videos to new heights with this user-friendly drone camera.
MORE THAILAND TRAVEL GUIDES
- Thailand Travel Guide: 3 Week Thailand Itinerary
- Bangkok Travel Guide: 5 Things To Do In Bangkok
- Koh Tao Travel Guide: 15 Things To Do In Koh Tao
- Chiang Mai Travel Guide: 10 Things To Do In Chiang Mai
- Pai Travel Guide: 10 Things To Do In Pai
- Krabi Travel Guide: 5 Best Beaches in Krabi
TRAVEL RESOURCES FOR YOUR NEXT TRIP
Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or it’s your first trip overseas, here are some useful travel resources to help you kick-start your next adventure!
- BOOKING.COM – search and book accommodation worldwide
- SKYSCANNER – compare and book cheap flights to anywhere
- VIATOR – find tickets, tours, and experiences around the world
- BOOKAWAY – book buses, trains, and transfers online in advance
- RENTAL CARS – search all rental cars in your next destination
- GROUP TRIPS – join one of my epic small group trips
- TRAVEL INSURANCE – purchase World Nomads travel insurance
- TRAVEL MONEY CARD – get a Wise card today for free
Looking for more? Check out my Travel Resources page for further help with your trip planning!
FINAL THOUGHTS
I hope you enjoyed reading this article and if you have any questions about Pambok Waterfall in Pai, please drop me a comment below this post and I will get back to you as soon as I can.
For a quicker response, be sure to join Jonny Melon’s Travel Tribe on Facebook and post your questions or recommendations to our awesome community.
THANKS FOR READING
Hey friend, thanks for reading this guide!
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Many thanks!
PIN IT FOR LATER
There is now a 200 baht entrance fee to go up the steps to the Pambok waterfall. The fee also allows you to spend 1 day exploring the national park.
Thanks for the updated info!