🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
If you ask anyone from Chanthaburi which waterfall you can take the whole family to without wearing everyone out, Phlio is usually the first answer. It sits just 14–20 km from town, and the path from the car park to the falls runs flat alongside the stream — a relaxed few hundred metres and you're there. The whole way is shaded by big trees, with the sound of running water the entire time.
What sets Phlio apart from your average waterfall is how clear the water is — clear enough to see the bottom of the pool and the hundreds of soro carp circling underneath. Kids love it, and it's become the symbol of this waterfall.
Entry fee and opening hours
Namtok Phlio National Park charges the standard national park entry fee. The prices below are the going rate, but expect them to change if the Department of National Parks updates its rates.
- Thai visitors — adults around ฿40 · children around ฿20
- Foreign visitors — adults around ฿200 · children around ฿100
- Vehicle fee — a small extra fee for cars/motorbikes on the way in
- Opening hours — open daily, roughly 08:00–16:30 (ticket booth sometimes closes around 17:00)
Tip
Go right after opening in the morning — the water is clearest, the air is cool, and there are far fewer people. You'll get much better photos of the fish than in the afternoon when it gets crowded.
Want more out of Chanthaburi? Book tours & activities
Booking online ahead on Klook or GetYourGuide is usually cheaper than the gate and skips the queue. Pick only the experiences you actually want — prices and availability are shown live on each site.
How easy is the walk to the falls?
From the car park, you just follow the paved path along the stream — flat, not steep, and short. It only takes a few minutes to reach the lower tier of the falls. Older visitors and small kids can manage it easily. Along the way there are spots to sit and rest, plus a footbridge over the stream that's good for photos.
The waterfall has several tiers. The lower tier is the most popular because it has a wide pool with gentle flow, perfect for getting in. If you want to keep going up to the higher tiers, there's a bit more trail — better views and fewer people up there.
Soro carp in the clear pools
Soro carp are large, dark-coloured fish that gather in schools in the waterfall pools. The park doesn't let anyone catch or harm them, so they're tame and will swim right up close to people. The clear water makes it easy to see the whole school, and plenty of visitors come specifically to watch them.
Good to know about the fish
Catching the fish and feeding them are both strictly off-limits — it's a park rule, both for the fish's health and to keep the water clear. Just look, don't touch.
Where can you swim, and is it safe?
You can swim in the pool at the lower tier, which is set aside as a swimming zone. The water is cool and clear and flows gently on a normal day, and there are staff keeping an eye on things. But in the rainy season the flow can get strong and the water murky, so check the warning signs and listen to staff before you get in.
- Bring a change of clothes and a waterproof bag for your phone/camera
- The rocks are slippery — closed-heel shoes or water shoes give you more confidence
- Watch kids closely; some spots are deeper than they look
- Don't get in when the flow is strong or it's raining hard
The old royal memorial in the park
Within the waterfall grounds there are two historic monuments from the reign of King Rama V worth a stop: Alongkorn Chedi and the Pyramid Stupa of Queen Sunandha, which King Rama V built in memory of Queen Sunandha Kumariratana. So Phlio isn't just nature — there's a bit of history to walk past along the way too.
Facilities
Parking + restrooms
There's a car park near the entrance, plus restrooms and changing rooms.
Food and drinks
There are shops selling food and drinks by the entrance — grab a bite before or after your swim.
Lodging and camping
The park has bungalows and a campground, bookable through the Department of National Parks system if you want to stay overnight.
How to get to Phlio Waterfall
- Private car/rental — about 20–30 min from Chanthaburi town, heading toward Laem Sing district, with signs the whole way
- Songthaew (shared truck) — there are routes passing near Phlio, good if you're on a budget, but check the schedule and the time of the last ride back
- Grab/motorbike — handy if there are only a few of you, but plan for a tricky ride back in the evening
Pair it with
Phlio is south of town, so you can easily continue to Chao Lao Beach and Laem Sing in the same day. Waterfall in the morning, sea in the afternoon — it lines up nicely.
Want a full-day Chanthaburi itinerary that pairs Phlio Waterfall with other spots?
See the Chanthaburi nature day plan →