🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
When people talk about waterfalls on Koh Chang, most think first of Klong Plu on the west coast because it sits near the popular beaches. But the east coast has Than Mayom, which carries a much longer story. This is where three Thai kings came, and the place still keeps those traces of history in plain sight. The surroundings are lush rainforest, with water running over dark granite in steps. It suits anyone who wants to escape the beach-side bustle for a short jungle walk and a cool dip.
What is Than Mayom Waterfall, and why it's special
Than Mayom is a mid-sized waterfall with four tiers, set inside Mu Ko Chang National Park on the eastern side of the island, near Ban Than Mayom. Water flows down granite channels in steps, and each tier has a pool you can wade into. The lower tiers are easy to reach on foot, while the upper ones require some scrambling and get progressively farther.
What sets Than Mayom apart from other waterfalls on the island is the royal history. Records note that King Chulalongkorn (Rama V), along with Rama VI and Rama VII, came here more than a century ago and had their royal monograms inscribed on a large boulder beside the falls — still visible today. That makes this both a nature spot and a piece of history in one place.
- Four tiers — each with its own pool; tiers 1–2 are easy to reach, while 3–4 are far and rough going
- Royal inscriptions — carved into a large boulder by the water, left from the royal visits
- Rainforest around the falls — shady and cool, with birdsong and cicadas the whole way in
- East coast location — fewer people than the beach side and a quieter feel than Klong Plu
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The trail and each tier of the falls
From the car park, it's about a 200-metre walk along the stream to the first tier. The park has resurfaced the path, with wooden bridges over the water and rope handrails where the rock gets slippery, so it's an easy walk that kids and older visitors can manage. Tier 1 isn't very tall but has a wide pool out front, good for a dip and for sitting on the rocks.
Tier 2 is a little higher up and an easy enough rock scramble. From the car park, most people only make it to tiers 1–2. Tiers 3 and 4 are much farther, with overgrown, slippery paths, and you need a park ranger to guide you. Going up on your own isn't recommended, especially in the rainy season when the rocks are slick and the water runs hard.
Straight talk
In the dry season (roughly Feb–Apr), Than Mayom's flow drops a lot — at times it's down to a trickle, not the curtain of water you see in photos. If you want the falls full and good for swimming, late rainy season to early cool season (Aug–Nov) is more worth it. And anyone expecting a huge, dramatic waterfall may find Than Mayom smaller than they pictured. The real appeal here is the quiet, the forest and the history more than the size of the falls.
The viewpoint pavilion and royal visit site
Near the lower tier there's a pavilion and seating where you can stop and take in the pool and the rocks. It's a spot where many people sit to eat a packed lunch or rest before heading back. Not far from here is the large boulder with the royal monograms from the king's visits — it's worth walking over to see it and to understand why this place matters historically. It gives the trip more meaning than just photographing a waterfall.
Near the entrance there's also a small park restaurant and bungalow–camping accommodation (Baan Ing Lak, from around 400 THB/night) for anyone who wants to stay over on the quiet east coast, plus a seaside restaurant near the old pier you can stop at afterwards.
Entry fee, opening hours and getting there
- Park entry fee — Thai adults 40 THB, children 20 THB · foreign adults 200 THB, children 100 THB (standard national park rates)
- Combined ticket — if you visit both Than Mayom and Klong Plu in one day, one ticket covers both; you pay once
- Opening hours — roughly 08:00–16:30 daily
- Location — east coast of Koh Chang, about 15 km from the pier; drive past Ban Dan Mai and it's another 10 minutes or so
- Getting there — you need your own transport (rent a motorbike or car), as shared songthaews are rare on this side; park at the lot in front of the park office
Watch the roads
Many stretches of the road around Koh Chang are steep with sharp hairpin bends, especially the route over the hills to the east coast. If you're not confident on a motorbike, or it's raining and the road is slick, drive slowly, use low gear on the descents, and don't push it if you're unsure. A lot of accidents on the island come from brakes giving out on the steep downhills.
Making the most of Than Mayom in a day
The east coast is easy to cover in a single day since the spots sit close together. It suits anyone who wants a change of scene from the beach side, with some nature and history.
Than Mayom + a nearby waterfall
East coast villages + the sea
Before you go
- Wear rubber or non-slip shoes; the rocks by the falls are very slippery, especially after rain
- Bring drinking water and a few snacks; shops at the falls are few and close early
- Carry your trash back out — don't litter in the park, so the forest stays for those who come after
- If you plan to go up to tiers 3–4, arrange a park ranger guide first; don't head up alone
- Check the forecast; in the monsoon (May–Oct) the water runs hard and the rocks are slick, so take extra care swimming
Plan a full Koh Chang trip — beaches, waterfalls and where to stay
See the Koh Chang guide →