Phlio Waterfall: A Splendid Sight in Chanthaburi

Chanthaburi is a mixed destination with a lot of nature besides culture and history. There are many hills, national parks, and waterfalls across the province. Khlong Narai, Philio, Phliu, and Thok Nong are among the city's most beautiful waterfalls.

Phlio Waterfall is one of Thailand's most famous tourist attractions. It falls in the area of Namtok Phlio National Park and is only 14 km from Chanthaburi city. The waterfall is huge and beautiful, with water flowing all year round. It consists of two streams that conjoin to form a wonderful waterfall with clear water that gushes through rocks and high cliffs.

If you want to have a great time while visiting Chanthaburi, then you should definitely take a tour of Phlio Waterfall. It is a home for many kinds of fish, including hundreds of Mahseer barb. So, let's start to get around!

 Trivia!

Don't forget to buy a large bag of string beans to feed the fish at the entrance, and it is possible to walk safely in the pool with the fish.

Incredibly Magnificent Sight of Phlio Waterfall

Chanthaburi is home to waterfalls and forests, and Phlio is its large and charming waterfall with plenty of water throughout the year. The fall consists of two currents, one descending thoroughly along the stones, and another smaller stream cascades from a 20-meter cliff. 

Both streams merge in the clear pond that allows seeing through the 2 meters of its depth at the bottom where many rocks and sand are laid down. Moreover, various freshwater fish, mainly Mahseer barb, swim in the water. The charm of the scene strikes the eyes of the visitors very much. So, the place is fantastic to come and enjoy leisurely.

Other Attractions Around Phlio Waterfall

There are many more attractions in the Namtok Phlio National Park beside the Phlio Waterfall. The following below would be an excellent idea to visit.

Phra Nang Ruea Lom Stupa 

Phra Nang Ruea Lom Stupa stands in the area of Phlio Waterfall. It was constructed during the reign of King Rama 5 in 1881 as a memorial to Queen Sunandakumariratana. The stupa is a house to pack the Queen’s ashes. King Chulalongkorn visited the fall in 1874, and he hugely appreciated the beauty of nature and the environment of the site so much.

Alongkorn Chedi 

King Chulalongkorn and Queen Sunandakumariratana graciously ordered the construction of the pagoda from the laterite at the area of the cliff in 1876 as a remembrance of the trip with the Queen, and he named it "Alongkorn Chedi.''

Ang Sarn 

About 300 meters from the National Park Office, a shrine is next to the brook. It was a flawless pavilion that King Rama 4 graciously ordered to build in the old days. However, it was eroded by the water, and finally, it was wiped out by the stream in 1974.  

Ang Song (Ang Hong)

Located about 200 meters from the Ang Sarn, there's a site, a small cascade guttering from the limestone cliff that looks similar to a swan’s tail (Hang Hong in Thai). In the previous days, the pool was the proper size for water playing that the King Rama4 and 5 used to bathe in, so it is named Ang Song, which means a bathtub.  

Phra Narai Cave (Narayana Cave)

The Narayana Cave is 1 km in length. There is pure fresh water running out of the cave. This source is 1 of 18 natural holy water sites in Thailand to be used in the purification bath of the king during the coronation ceremony. Unfortunately, the cave is closed by stone these days, but the water still runs out from the cave throughout the year.    

Nearby Attractions Around Namtok Phlio National Park in Chanthaburi

Cathedral of Immaculate Conception Chanthaburi

(11.37 km from Namtok Phlio National Park)

The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception is one of the highlights of a visit to Chanthaburi, regardless of whether you are religious or not. There has been a Catholic Church in Chanthaburi for more than 300 years, although the present building only dates back to the early 1900s. It is one of the most famous churches in Thailand.

Khao Khitchakut National Park

(35.1 km from Namtok Phlio National Park)

Khao Khitchakut National Park covers rich, verdant forestland of some 58 square kilometers, where many herbal plants and wildlife are found. On the hilltop is Khitchakut Temple, where people flock every year from February to April to worship the giant rocks on the summit. There is a trace of Buddha's Footprint, which people believe will bring them prosperity.

Mu Koh Chang National Park

(45.95 km from Namtok Phlio National Park)

Mu Ko Chang National Park is a marine national park with an area of 650 square kilometers, including 52 islands. Apart from the most important island -- Koh Chang, the other islands like Ko Khlum, Koh Lao Ya Nahi, Ko Ngam, Ko Mai Si Yai, Ko Wai, and Ko Rang still retain their natural beauty.

Klong Prao Beach

(53.19 km from Namtok Phlio National Park)

Klong Prao Beach is the largest beach on Koh Chang island of Trat province. The beach is divided into three sections by the river estuary of Klong Plu Waterfall and a channel in the south.

Khlong Phlu Waterfall

(53.54 km from Namtok Phlio National Park)

Klong Phlu Waterfall on the west coast of Koh Chang island is a popular spot to spend the day. A natural swimming pool made up of rocks at the lower part of the waterfall makes it more attractive to tourists.

Why Visit Phlio Waterfall in Chanthaburi? 

Besides a lovely scene of the descending water throughout the year, Namtok Phlio National Park is a beautiful historic site in Thailand. Since it is the waterfall that King Rama 5 visited 12 times during 1873 – 1881 A.D, he admired the place as the most beautiful waterfall among those he had visited. 

Additionally, the area around the Phlio Waterfall is a nature trail that is rich and diverse with plants. So, it is another exciting learning center for students or people to experience. The location also allows the tourists to visit throughout the year, particularly in the rainy season, which is perfect for photo opportunities caused by the bountiful water.

How to Visit Phlio Waterfall in Chanthaburi? 

Namtok Phlio is located off Sukhumvit Road to the southeast of Chanthaburi. The easiest way to reach the waterfall is to rent a motorcycle or hire a pickup truck taxi in Chanthaburi, which will cost about 400 Thai Baht per round trip.

From Krung Thep Maha Nakhon (Bangkok), there are two directions to reach the Phlio Waterfall National Park, which are:

• Use Highway 3 (Sukhumvit Road) route Bangna – Trad until you reach the 347th km. Then turn left and drive about 2.5 km to arrive at the destination. The total distance is approximately 340 km.
  
  
• Use road number 317, which gets to the route Ban Bueng – Klaeng. Then enters Chanthaburi along the Bangna – Trad road until the 347th km, turns left, and heads toward about 2.5 km to arrive at the destination. The total distance is 270 km. 

Did you know?

The word “Phlio” is Chong, a Western Pearic language in the Mon–Khmer family, which means sand or sandy beach. However, it is assumed that the Phlio Waterfall is named after the tree that regularly grows in loamy sand.

Map & More Information

Phlio Waterfall is another less explored gem in the Namtok Phlio National Park. Located at the lap of the Khao Sa Bap mountain range, this waterfall is spread across 134.5 square kilometers. This medium-sized waterfall adorns itself with several level 3 features, including a cool basin, clear water, flowing streams, etc.